Recalls (1)
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2009 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.
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 (36)
36 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 36 |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 15 | 41.7% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 6 | 16.7% |
| Air bags | 5 | 13.9% |
| Wheels | 4 | 11.1% |
| Fuel system | 3 | 8.3% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 3 | 8.3% |
| Power train | 3 | 8.3% |
| Engine | 2 | 5.6% |
| Steering | 2 | 5.6% |
| Structure | 2 | 5.6% |
How 2009 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 18 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $3,700
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 494 g/mi
- EPA class
- Sport Utility Vehicle -
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 18 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 · 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 · 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 | 16 / 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 2009 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
2009 Dodge Nitro FAQ
How many recalls does the 2009 Dodge Nitro have?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign: 20V396000 (air bag). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2009 Dodge Nitro problems?
Owners filed 36 complaints with NHTSA. Electrical system (15), Latches/locks/linkages (6), Air bags (5) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2009 Dodge Nitro get?
EPA rates the 3.7 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic version at 16 city, 22 highway and 18 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 2009 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 2009 drew 36. 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.