The 2009 Dodge Nitro has 1 safety recall and 24 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (10 complaints).
Recalls1safety recalls
Complaints24filed by owners
Crashes · fires0 · 0reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints
2009 Dodge Nitro in an NHTSA crash test
Safety recalls
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2008-2010 Chrysler Town and Country and Dodge Grand Caravan and 2007-2011 Dodge Nitro vehicles. These vehicles may have a loose or missing brand emblem in the center of the steering wheel. The loose emblem or the securing nuts for the emblem within the driver air bag module may become projectiles in the event of a driver air bag deployment.
Risk: Projectiles as a result of driver air bag deployment in the event of a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag cover with a redesigned cover, free of charge. The recall began February 11, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W09.
Components: Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module; Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA side barrier crash test
2009 Dodge Nitro 4-DR. w/SAB
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
21.9%
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
Nitro 2WD
18mpg combined
City / highway
16 / 22 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3.7 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel
Nitro 2WD
18mpg combined
City / highway
16 / 21 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
4 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel
Nitro 4WD
17mpg combined
City / highway
15 / 21 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3.7 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel
Nitro 4WD
17mpg combined
City / highway
16 / 20 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
4 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Electrical system
10
0
0
0
108,001 mi
Air bags
4
0
0
0
45,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages
4
0
0
0
—
Fuel system, gasoline Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and cap
3
0
0
0
44,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system
3
0
0
0
74,000 mi
Steering
2
0
0
0
—
Wheels
2
0
0
0
—
Unknown or other
2
0
0
0
—
Engine
1
0
0
0
—
Visibility/wiper
1
0
0
0
—
Structure Body
1
0
0
0
—
Seats
1
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
May 2, 2023 · 20,000 milesAir bags The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Nitro. The contact received recall notification of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V396000 (Air Bag, Steering) however, the vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repair where the emblem was removed however, the emblem was then replaced due to parts were unavailable to complete the recall . The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Dec 6, 2022 · 160,000 milesFuel system, gasoline The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Nitro. The contact stated while refueling the vehicle, the contact became aware of pressure build up which caused gasoline to not be able to be added to the fuel tank. The contact was unsure if there were any warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
Sep 15, 2020 · 120,000 milesElectrical system TIPM MODULE MALFUNCTIONS. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. I BELIEVE IT IS ABOUT A $1000.00 REPAIR.STATIONARY IN MY DRIVEWAY
Jun 28, 2020 · 101,456 milesPower train TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE NITRO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND DECELERATED INDEPENDENTLY WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND DRIVEN TO HIS DESTINATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED HAWK CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM LOCATED AT 7911 W. ROOSEVELT RD, FOREST PARK, IL 60130, (708) 366-1001, TO NOTIFY THE DEALER OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,456.
Jun 19, 2019 · 106,000 milesSuspension ON 5/24/2019 JONES JUNCTION T/A JONES CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE DIAGNOSED MY 2009 DODGE NITRO WITH A FAILING FRONT DRIVE SHAFT (THE ASSEMBLY FROM THE TRANSFER CASE TO THE DIFFERENTIAL JOINT) AND RECOMMENDED IMMEDIATE REPLACEMENT. I WAS TOLD NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THERE WAS A SAFETY CONCERN THAT THE JOINT INSIDE THE BOOT COULD COMPLETELY FAIL AND THE SOLID METAL SHAFT WOULD DROP AND SNAG THE ROAD. THE PART (#52853363AF) HAS BEEN ON BACKORDER WITH DODGE CHRYSLER SINCE LATE MAY. FIRST DELIVERY DATE QUOTED WAS 6/7/19, THEN 6/20/19, AND NOW 7/7/19. I HAVE NO ANSWERS TO WHEN THIS ISSUE WILL BE RESOLVED AND WHEN THE VEHICLE WILL BE SAFE TO DRIVE AGAIN.
Aug 1, 2014 · 112,008 milesAir bags TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE NITRO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE TO CHECK THE DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE AND STATED THAT THE FAILURE MAY BE RELATED TO THE AIR BAG MODULE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *BF CONSUMER STATED DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND WAS TOLD HER DODGE NITRO WAS NEVER ON RECALLED. ENCLOSED IS A REPORT STATING AIR BAGS HAS BEEN RECALLED.*JB
Dec 27, 2018 · 69,000 milesFuel/propulsion system FUEL TANK OVERFLOWS WHEN FILLING UP AT THE PUMP. I'VE HAD GASOLINE SPEW OUT ALL OVER ME SEVERAL TIMES NOW. I CAN SEE BY INVESTIGATING THIS ONLINE THAT THIS IS A "DANGEROUS" AND "KNOWN" ISSUE ON MANY DODGE MAKES, MODELS AND YEARS.
Dec 10, 2018 · 108,001 milesElectrical system TAKATA RECALL / SEVERAL TIMES MY 4WD WILL GET A SERVICE 4WD LIGHT AND I WILL LOSE 4WD. THIS TIME I WAS SITTING STILL IN NEUTRAL AND TURNED MY SELECTOR SWITCH FROM 2WD TO 4WD AND RECEIVED THE SERV 4WD LIGHT. DODGE DEALERSHIP AS WELL AS LOCALLY OWNED SHOPS ARE AT A LOSS OF WHAT'S WRONG. AFTER MANY SEARCHES ONLINE I FIND I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON WITH THIS PROBLEM AND NO ANSWER. ALSO, THE SECURITY LIGHT IS FLASHING, WINDSHIELD WIPERS GOING CRAZY, HORN BLARING, AND WASHER FLUID SQUIRTING OUR RANDOMLY FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME. HELP!!! DODGE SAYS 4WD SHOULD BE FINE BUT IS NOT... I ONLY HAVE 2WD AND THE SERVICE LIGHT IS STILL ON.
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
DP14004 · opened Sep 25, 2014 · closed Jul 24, 2015Totally Integrated Power Module Failure In a letter dated August 21, 2014, the Center for Auto Safety (CAS) petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to initiate a defect investigation of alleged failures associated with the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) installed in Chrysler SUV?s, trucks, and vans beginning in the 2007 model year. The petitioner alleges that TIPM defects may result in engine stall, airbag non-deployment, failure of fuel pump shutoff resulting in unintended acceleration, fire, and other symptoms. On September 25, 2014, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened DP14-004 to evaluate the petition for a grant or deny decision. ODI analyzed complaint data provided by CAS as well as complaints submitted to ODI from consumers. In total, there were 296 complaints submitted by the petitioner in the original petition and five supplements, including 271 complaints related to…