Recalls (3)
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2008 Dodge Nitro. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗Brand Emblem and Securing Nuts May be Projectiles
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- Projectiles as a result of driver air bag deployment in the event of a crash can increase the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- 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.
Drive Shaft Failure may cause Airbag Deployment
- Summary
- Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 Dodge Nitro 4X2 vehicles manufactured March 21, 2006, through March 1, 2008; and 2008 Jeep Liberty 4X2 vehicles manufactured February 15, 2007, through March 1, 2008. The transfer case heat shield may drop down and rub on the drive shaft, weakening it and potentially causing the drive shaft to break.
- Consequence
- If the drive shaft breaks, a section of it can strike the transfer case tunnel with enough force that the airbag computer will believe the vehicle is in a crash and thus deploy the airbags. Additionally, the drive shaft failure will result in a loss of motive power. Either condition may increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will add a bracket to support the rear of the heat shield, free of charge. An interim letter was mailed to owners on May 29, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N10.
PARK BRAKE LEVER CLUTH
- Summary
- CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 3,663 MY 2007-2008 DODGE NITRO AND MY 2008 JEEP LIBERTY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS. THE PARK BRAKE LEVER CLUTCH DRUM MAY DISTORT AND REDUCE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PARK BRAKE SYSTEM.
- Consequence
- THIS COULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO MOVE INADVERTENTLY AND CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PARK BRAKE LEVER ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 27, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (393)
393 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The electrical system is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 393 |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 198 | 50.4% |
| Fuel system | 66 | 16.8% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 46 | 11.7% |
| Exterior lighting | 38 | 9.7% |
| Visibility/wiper | 37 | 9.4% |
| Service brakes | 31 | 7.9% |
| Engine | 29 | 7.4% |
| Power train | 26 | 6.6% |
| Unknown or other | 25 | 6.4% |
| Air bags | 23 | 5.9% |
How 2008 compares with other Nitro years
Best and worst Nitro years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 1 | 0 |
| 2007 | 825 | 8 |
| 2008 | 393 | 3 |
| 2009 | 36 | 1 |
| 2010 | 78 | 3 |
| 2011 | 122 | 3 |
| 2012 | 2 | 1 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 19 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $3,550
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 468 g/mi
- EPA class
- Sport Utility Vehicle -
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 19 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.7 L 6-cyl · 6-speed manual | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 / 22 / 19 | $3,550 | 468 |
| 3.7 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 / 22 / 18 | $3,700 | 494 |
| 4 L 6-cyl · 5-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 / 21 / 18 | $3,700 | 494 |
| 3.7 L 6-cyl · 6-speed manual | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 16 / 22 / 18 | $3,700 | 494 |
| 3.7 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 / 21 / 17 | $3,950 | 523 |
| 4 L 6-cyl · 5-speed automatic | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 / 20 / 17 | $3,950 | 523 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2008 Nitro for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2008 Dodge Nitro FAQ
How many recalls does the 2008 Dodge Nitro have?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns: 20V396000 (air bag), 13V121000 (air bag), 08V525000 (brake). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2008 Dodge Nitro problems?
Owners filed 393 complaints with NHTSA. Electrical system (198), Fuel system (66), Fuel/propulsion system (46) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2008 Dodge Nitro get?
EPA rates the 3.7 L 6-cyl · 6-speed manual version at 16 city, 22 highway and 19 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 2008 Nitro compare with other years?
Among the 2005–2012 Dodge Nitro model years at least five years old, the 2005 drew the fewest complaints (1) and the 2007 the most (825). The 2008 drew 393. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
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.