Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

Dodge Nitro Problems, Recalls and MPG by Year

What this means

NHTSA lists 12 recall campaigns across the Dodge Nitro, 2005–2012. Owners have filed 1,457 complaints with NHTSA. Of the last 7 model years with settled counts, the 2007 drew the most (825) and the 2005 the fewest (1).

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026

Dodge Nitro complaints by model year

1,457 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Red numbers above the columns are recall campaigns for that model year.

2005200720082009201020112012
ComplaintsStill collecting reports3Recall campaigns

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fewest complaints

  • 2005 · 1 complaints
  • 2012 · 2 complaints
  • 2009 · 36 complaints

Most complaints

  • 2007 · 825 complaints
  • 2008 · 393 complaints
  • 2011 · 122 complaints

Among the last 15 model years at least five years old; newer years are left out because owners are still filing reports. Every year compared →

Problem areas by model year

Complaints that name each component, 2005–2012. Darker cells mean more reports. One complaint can name several components.

Dodge Nitro owner complaints by component and model year (NHTSA ODI)
Component2005200720082009201020112012
Electrical system 12461981526541
Fuel system 0148663330
Fuel/propulsion system 08246310140
Power train 0942635160
Air bags 06123512241
Structure 089142130
Engine 0522929160
Service brakes 038311990

Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Dodge Nitro recalls (12)

Recall campaigns NHTSA lists for at least one Nitro model year, newest first.

NHTSA recall campaigns for the Dodge Nitro
CampaignFiledWhatModel yearsRepaired
20V396000Jul 7, 2020Brand Emblem and Securing Nuts May be Projectiles2007–201127.7%
13V282000Jul 2, 2013Non-Deployment of Head Restraints2011, 201271.5%
13V121000Apr 3, 2013Drive Shaft Failure may cause Airbag Deployment2007, 2008—
11V315000Jun 8, 2011STEERING COLUMN2011—
10V315000Jul 7, 2010HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT/TI AUTOMOTIVE2010—
10V009000Jan 11, 2010BRAKE BOOSTER INPUT ROD RETAINING CLIP2010—
09V438000Nov 6, 2009WINDSHIELD WIPER SYSTEM2007—
08V525000Oct 8, 2008PARK BRAKE LEVER CLUTH2007, 2008—
07V434000Sep 14, 2007ABS ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE2007—
07V291000Jul 3, 2007TIPM/ENGINE STALLING2007—
06V493000Dec 29, 2006ABS CONTROL MODULE2007—
06V341000Sep 7, 2006POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE2007—

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. Open a model-year page for each campaign's official text, or check your VIN on NHTSA.

Check on NHTSA ↗

Fuel economy by model year

200717–19 mpg
200817–19 mpg
200917–18 mpg
201017–18 mpg
201117–18 mpg

EPA combined mpg range across engine and transmission configurations. Your mileage will vary. Source: EPA, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Where to next

Dodge Nitro FAQ

How many recalls has the Dodge Nitro had?

NHTSA lists 12 recall campaigns that cover at least one Dodge Nitro model year from 2005 to 2012. Each campaign card on the model-year pages has NHTSA's official text and the repair completion rate. Only NHTSA's VIN lookup can tell you whether a specific car was repaired.

Which Dodge Nitro year has the most complaints?

Among the last 7 model years with settled counts, the 2007 drew the most owner complaints filed with NHTSA (825) and the 2005 the fewest (1). Counts are owner reports, not failure rates, and sales volume affects them.

What are the most common Dodge Nitro problems?

Across the 2005–2012 model years, owners most often name the electrical system, fuel system, fuel/propulsion system in complaints filed with NHTSA.

What mpg does the Dodge Nitro get?

EPA rates the 2011 Dodge Nitro at 17 to 18 mpg combined, depending on engine and transmission.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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