IT FIRST STARTING WAS PUMPING GAS INTO MY VEHICLE WHEN THE PUMP CLICKED OFF INDICATING MY PUMP WAS FULL, AND THEN SPEWED GASOLINE ALL OVER MY HANDS, SHOES, DOWN THE SIDE OF MY SUV, AND INTO A PUDDLE ON THE GROUND!!! I WAS GROSSED OUT AND EMBARRASSED (THINKING I HAD DONE SOMETHING WRONG SOMEHOW). WHAT I THOUGHT WAS A ONE TIME FLUKE TURNED INTO A REGULAR OCCURRENCE. NOW, EVERY TIME I FILL UP MY GAS TANK- REGARDLESS OF GAS STATION, FUEL TYPE, CITY, AND FLOW RATE OF GAS -- THE TANK SQUIRTS BACK AT ME. THIS IS HUGE SAFETY CONCERN. CALIFORNIA JUST DID A RECALL OF SEVERAL AUTOMATIC GAS PUMP NOZZLES THAT WOULD SPEW OUT AFTER CLICKING "OFF". IT IS VERY DISCONCERTING THAT THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL FOR THIS GAS PUMP IN WHAT IS A KNOWN, DOCUMENTED, DANGEROUS, AND HAZARD. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP WITH MY CONCERN WHEREIN THEY REFERRED ME TO CHRYSLER. I WAS EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED WITH THE SERVICE I RECEIVED. THE CASE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT NOT ONLY HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS INCIDENT BEFORE, THAT WITHOUT A RECALL ISSUED BY THE NHTSA I WOULD BE REQUIRED TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR A DIAGNOSIS WITH LITTLE GUARANTEE OF ANY TYPE OF COMPENSATION POSSIBLE BECAUSE MY VEHICLE IS PAST WARRANTY. SHE SHOWED NO CONCERN FOR THE SAFETY HAZARDS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS SUPPOSEDLY "NEW ISSUE". THIS GAS TANK ISSUE NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.
2008 Dodge Nitro complaints
Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2008 record →
EACH TIME I FILL UP MY 08' DODGE NITRO SXT IT SPEWS GAS BACK OUT ONTO ME AND MY TRUCK SINCE I PURCHASED IT IN NOVEMBER OF 2010 FROM CARMAX. I DO NOT TOP IT OFF, IT'S SIMPLY FROM THE FIRST FILL UP USING THE AUTOMATIC SHUTOFF. CARMAX SAYS THEY CAN'T FIND A PROBLEM AND THEY'RE LOOKING FOR IT...I KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS, JUST FIX IT! THEY REPLACED THE EVAPORATOR CANISTER AND THAT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. NOW THEY'RE LOOKING INTO REPLACING THE GAS TANK DUE MY RESEARCH SINCE THEY COULD NOT FIND ON THEIR OWN, EVEN AFTER CONSULTING THE LOCAL DODGE DEALERSHIP ASKING IF THEY'VE COME ACROSS THE PROBLEM. THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE VALVE OF THE GAS TANK THAT IS THERE TO PREVENT AN EXPLOSION IN THE EVENT OF A ROLLOVER ACCIDENT. THEREFORE, THE DEFECT IN THE VALVE IS CAUSING THE GAS TO SPEW OUT ON PEOPLE, THEIR VEHICLES AND ALL OVER THE GROUND. CHRYSLER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT THEY'RE NOT DOING A RECALL. WHY ISN'T THIS ISSUE BEING BROUGHT TO THE NATION'S ATTENTION, THIS IS A HUGE HEALTH AND SAFETY HAZARD TO ME AND THE ENVIRONMENT??!!?? *TR
WHEN SITTING AT A LIGHT OR OTHERWISE IN IDLE DODGE NITRO 2008 SLT STALLS AND FEELS LIKE IT IS TRYING TO DIE. *TR
MY 2008 DODGE NITRO 4.0 LOSES ELECTRICAL POWER. AS I SEARCHED THE INTERNET TO TROUBLESHOOT THIS PROBLEM, I DISCOVERED THERE ARE QUITE A FEW DODGE NITRO DRIVERS WHO ARE HAVING THE SAME ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. ACCORDING TO BLOGS AND SELF HELP SITES MANY PEOPLE ARE BEING SENT AWAY FROM DEALERSHIPS WITHOUT ASSURANCES BECAUSE THE CONDITION CANNOT BE REPLICATED. YOU SEE, AFTER THE POWER GOES OUT INEXPLICABLY IT WILL COME BACK ON. PEOPLE HAVE BEEN STALLED AT INTERSECTIONS WITH OTHERS LOSING ALL POWER WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. I PERSONALLY HAVE HAD SEVERAL OUTAGES. I HAVE REPLACED THE BATTERY UNDER THE ASSUMPTION THE BATTERY WAS DEFECTIVE ON THIS TWO YEAR OLD CAR. I HAVE NOT LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING BUT I HAVE LOST ALL ELECTRICAL POWER WHILE MOVING FROM A PARKED POSITION. AS WELL, ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS I HAVE ENTERED MY CAR TO FIND THAT THE CLOCK NEEDS TO BE RESET AS THOUGH THE BATTERY HAD DIED. I WOULD SAY I HAVE HAD FIVE INCIDENTS OF POWER LOSS SINCE I BOUGHT MY CAR APPROXIMATELY TWO YEARS AGO. *LN
I HAVE A 2008 DODGE NITRO--EVERY TIME I FILL MY TANK IT BACK SPLASHES OUT AT ME --I PUT PAPER TOWELS UP TO STOP IT FROM GETTING ON CAP AND THEN ON MY SKIN TO NO AVAIL --THEN I PUT THE SOAKED TOWEL INTO THE TRASH AT STATION --THATS NOT GOOD--THAT COULD BE IGNITED BY SOMEONE WHO EMPTIES AN ASHTRAY OR THROWS A CIGARETTE INTO THE TRASH --I MAKE A MESS AT EVERY STATION I GO TO --ALWAYS A PUDDLE --THE CAR IS WHITE AND I TRY TO WAX IT EVERTIME BUT ITS OHIO AND I CANT WAX IT WHEN ITS 10 OUTSIDE--THE PAINT IS DISCOLORING NOW AND LOOKS YELLOW--YOU PEOPLE NEED TO DO SOMETHING NOW THIS ISNT JUST AN INCONVIENCE ITS EPA AND SAFETY ISSUE NOT TO MENTION MY HEALTH FROM CONTACT WITH GAS EACH TIME I FILL PLEASE HELP ME. *TR
GAS TANK OVERFLOW AT GAS PUMPS. *TR
GAS COMES SPILLING OUT WHEN FILLING GAS TANK. *TR
WHEN FILLING MY 2008 DODGE NITRO AND IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE PUMP SHUTS OFF AUTOMATICALLY, GASOLINE SUDDENLY SPEWS OUT OF THE FILLER TUBE. THIS HAS HAPPENED REPEATEDLY AND MULTIPLE GAS STATIONS OVER THE LAST FEW WEEKS. *TR
GAS OVERFLOWS WHEN FILLING TANK ON MY 2008 DODGE NITRO. I HAVE HEARD THIS IS MOST LIKELY CAUSED BY A VALVE IN THE GAS TANK THAT IS THERE TO PREVENT AN EXPLOSION IN THE EVENT OF A ROLLOVER. THE VALVE IS DEFECTIVE AND THUS, THE GAS SPILLS OUT. *TR
EVERY TIME I FILL UP MY 2008 DODGE NITRO WITH GAS, IT SPRAYS/OVERFLOWS FUEL. I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR 8 MONTHS NOW, AND THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING EVERY TIME I FILL UP SINCE THE BEGINNING. THIS HAPPENS AT EVERY GAS STATION AND HAS HAPPENED IN MULTIPLE STATES. THIS IS A HAZARD TO ME, TO THE PEOPLE AROUND ME, AND TO THE ENVIRONMENT. THIS IS A SEVERE FIRE RISK, NOT TO MENTION THE VAPORS I, AND THE PEOPLE AROUND ME, INHALE EACH TIME I NEED GAS. THE CONTINUED GAS SPILLAGE HAS FADED THE PLASTIC FENDER FLARE. THIS HAPPENS IF IT IS FILLING AUTOMATICALLY OR IF I AM HOLDING THE HANDLE. THE HANDLE CLICKS OFF, AND AFTER ABOUT 1-2 SECONDS, THERE IS A RUSH OF GAS BACK UP TOWARD ME. I HAVE BEEN COVERED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, AND THERE IS APPROXIMATELY 2-3 CUPS OF GAS SPILLED ONTO MY VEHICLE AND THEN ONTO THE GROUND EVERY TIME I FILL UP. THIS IS AN EXTREME HAZARD WHICH HAS BEEN CAUSED BY FAULTY MANUFACTURING AND SHOULD BE REMEDIED BY THE MANUFACTURER EITHER VOLUNTARILY OR VIA A RECALL. *LN
EVERYTIME THE GAS TANK IS FILLED WITH AN AUTOMATIC PUMP, IT OVERFLOWS. WHEN THE PUMP TURNS OFF AUTOMATICALLY, GAS CONTINUES UNTIL IT SPILLS OUT OF THE TANK AND ONTO THE GROUND. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING AT EVERY FILL-UP FOR THE LAST 3-4 MONTHS AT VARIOUS GAS STATIONS FROM IL, MO, TX AND AR. *TR
2008 DODGE NITRO FUEL TANK OVERFLOW PROBLEM. PUMP WOULD CLICK AND FUELING WOULD STOP AS NORMAL, BUT GAS WOULD SHOOT OUT THE SIDE OF THE GAS PUMP JUST PAST THE HANDLE AT THE RUBBER GASKET BEFORE THE NOZZLE. THIS WAS A CONSISTENT THING. CARS AHEAD OF ME AT THE PUMP WOULD HAVE NO ISSUES AND IT DIDN'T MATTER WHICH PUMP I WENT TO OR WHAT STATION, THE RESULT WAS THE SAME.
THE 2008 DODGE NITRO SPEWS GAS ALL OVER EVERY TIME THE TANK IS FULL WITHOUT FOREWARNING AND OF COURSE WITHOUT FORCING THE FUEL IN. IT IS IN THE SHOP RIGHT NOW, AND I HAVE BEEN TOLD THEY ARE NOT SURE WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE, BUT AFTER RESEARCHING THROUGH THE INTERNET THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. SPILLED FUEL IS A HAZARD AND A THREAT TO THE ENVIRONMENT. *TR
2008 DODGE NITRO FUEL TANK OVERFLOW PROBLEM. PUMP WOULD CLICK AND FUELING WOULD STOP AS NORMAL, BUT GAS WOULD SHOOT OUT THE SIDE OF THE GAS PUMP JUST PAST THE HANDLE AT THE RUBBER GASKET BEFORE THE NOZZLE. THIS WAS A CONSISTENT THING. CARS AHEAD OF ME AT THE PUMP WOULD HAVE NO ISSUES AND IT DIDN'T MATTER WHICH PUMP I WENT TO THE RESULT WAS THE SAME. UPDATED 11/03/10 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENTIRE TANK WAS REPLACED. SO, NO FURTHER ACTION IS REQUIRED. UPDATED 11/04/10*JB *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE NITRO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL AT DIFFERENT TIMES WHEN THE DRIVER WAS OPERATING IT. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO RESTART IT BUT IT WOULD STALL AGAIN. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO USE THE ALTERNATE KEY FOB AND THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE BATTERY IN THE KEY FOB NEEDED TO BE CHANGED AND WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT CHANGED THE BATTERY AND HAD NOT EXPERIENCED ANY PROBLEMS. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 46,605. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 43,000.
CURRENTLY OWN A 2008 DODGE NITRO. THE PAST 3 TIMES I HAVE FILLED IT WITH GAS, THE GAS COMES BACK SPEWING OUT EVEN THOUGH THE PUMP HAS SHUT OFF. THIS HAPPENED AT 3 DIFFERENT GAS STATIONS AND DIFFERENT TIMES OF THE DAY. EACH TIME GAS GOT ON ME AND MY CLOTHES. EACH TIME MY CAR IS COVERED WITH GAS AS WELL AS THE GROUND. THIS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A RECALL! THIS IS A PRETTY SERIOUS SITUATION AND AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET IT HAS DEFINITELY HAPPENED TO OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME CAR. ONE LITTLE SPARK COULD LIGHT ME AND MY CAR ON FIRE AS WELL AS A GAS STATION. I HAVE CALLED MY DEALER AND AM AWAITING RESOLUTION. *TR
CURRENTLY OWN A 2008 DODGE NITRO. THE PAST 4 TIMES I HAVE FILLED IT WITH GAS, THE GAS COMES BACK SPEWING OUT OF THE FILLER NOZZLE IN THE CAR. IT NEVER SIGNALS THE PUMP TO SHUT OFF. THIS HAPPENED AT 4 DIFFERENT GAS STATIONS AND DIFFERENT TIMES OF THE DAY. 2 OF THE TIMES GAS GOT ON MY AND MY CLOTHES. ALL 4 TIMES MY CAR IS COVERED WITH GAS AS WELL AS THE GROUND. AFTER THAT I REALIZE IT IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH MY CAR. I CALLED THE DEALER ON FRIDAY 10/1/2010 AND TOLD THEM ABOUT THE PROBLEM. THE EXACT WORDS THAT CAME OUT OF THEIR MOUTHS WERE "WE HAVE HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM BEFORE JUST BRING IT DOWN WHEN YOU CAN" I GO TO THE DEALERSHIP AT 8AM ON 10/4/2010 THE DEALER SAYS IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY BY 2400 MILES. HE CALLS ME AT 1030 AND TELLS ME IT IS GOING TO BE $1100 TO REPLACE THE GAS TANK AND FILLER NOZZLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I AM NOT HAVING THIS WORK DONE BECAUSE THIS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A RECALL. THIS, IN MY OPINION IS A PRETTY SERIOUS SITUATION AND AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET HAS DEFINITELY HAPPENED TO OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME CAR. ONE LITTLE SPARK COULD LIGHT ME AND MY CAR ON FIRE AS WELL AS A GAS STATION. THEY SAID REPLACING A GAS TANK AND FILLER NOZZLE WILL FIX THE PROBLEM. CURRENTLY I AM AWAITING A PHONE CALL FROM THE NATIONAL DODGE CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT ABOUT THIS TOPIC AND HAVING THEM COVER THE COSTS OF REPLACING THE DEFECTIVE PARTS. *TR
EACH TIME I FILL UP MY 2008 NITRO THE GAS PUMP CLICKS OFF AND THEN GASOLINE BURPS BACK OUT OF THE FILLER PIPE IN A QUANTITY THAT IS DANGEROUS. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE NITRO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH IN REVERSE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN BY JUST TAPPING ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A PEDESTRIAN AND THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BROKEN BONES. THERE WERE DAMAGES TO THE DRIVER'S REAR SIDE WHEEL WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE COLLISION CENTER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND WILL BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 30000.
DODGE NITRO 2008 BACK BRAKING SYSTEM - LITTLE TO NO NOTICE BACK BRAKES HAVE GRINDED DOWN TO THE ROTOR ON MY NITRO - THERE ARE SEVERAL RECALLS FOR 2010 2009 2007 ON BRAKING ISSUES BUT NON ON 2008 I HAVE HAD MY NITRO TWO YEARS DON'T DRIVE IT MUCH HAVE 25646 MILES TOTAL IT APPEAR THAT THE BRAKES ARE BRAKING EVEN WHEN NOT IN USE TO CAUSE THEM TO WEAR OUT SO UNEVEN. FRONT BRAKES ARE FINE AND HAVE NO ISSUES. CALLED CHRYSLER CALLED CARMAX WHERE MY CAR WAS PURCHASED IN OR TO CHECK OUT THE ISSUE I HAVE TO PAY FOR AN INSPECTION EVEN THOUGH I HAVE AN EXTEND WARRANTY BRAKE CHECK OR INSPECTION IS NOT COVERED. EVEN THOUGH I EXPLAIN THERE MIGHT BE SOME ISSUES WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM. *TR
THIS IS IN REGARDS TO A 2008 DODGE NITRO RT. WHEN FILLING THE VEHICLE WITH GAS, SEVERAL OUNCES OF FUEL WILL SPRAY OUT IF THE GAS TANK INLET AND ON TO THE GROUND. THIS OCCURS WHEN THE SPOUT CLICKS TO END THE FUEL FLOW WHEN THE TANK IS FULL. I LEAVE THE IGNITION IN THE ON POSITION SO THAT I CAN MONITOR THE FUEL AS IT BECOMES FULL. THE ENGINE IS NOT RUNNING. I DO THIS SO I CAN STOP THE FUEL FLOW BEFORE IT SPRAYS OUT. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME SEVERAL TIMES AT DIFFERENT STATIONS AND IT IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY/FIRE HAZARD. I HAVE READ SEVERAL ACCOUNTS ON THE WEB REGARDING THESE SAME OCCURRENCES. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ THERE ARE NO SAFETY RECALLS REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. *TR
ON 5/11/10 MY 2008 DODGE NITRO CRASHED INTO A LIGHT POLE IN A PARKING LOT SERVICE LANE. I WAS DRIVING WHEN THE VEHICLE STARTED ACTING LIKE IT WAS GOING TO SHUT OFF. IT CONTINUED INTERMITTENTLY AND WHEN I TURNED TO GET OUT OF THE SERVICE LANE THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT MOVE. AS A RESULT OF MY NOT BEING ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE IT CRASHED CAUSING SEVERE INJURIES TO ME . *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE NITRO. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD ILLUMINATED AND THE BRAKES ENGAGED WITHOUT ASSISTANCE FROM THE DRIVER. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED BUT THE FAILED RECURRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 47,600.
WHILE DRIVING THE 2008 DODGE NITRO AT ABOUT 68 MPH ON A SAN JOSE 101 FREEWAY DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC OUT OF NO WHERE MY EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS DEPLOYED EVEN THOUGH I DID NOT EVEN HIT ANY BRAKES, I SAW THE LIGHT ON THE ENGINE ALMOST GOT INTO HORRIBLE ACCIDENT ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON, THE RADIO AND ENGINE STOPPED. ABOUT 5 SECONDS LATER THE RADIO AND A/C CAME BACK ON, AND THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD WENT BACK TO NORMAL. O CALLED CHRYSLER THEY SAID THEY CANT REALLY DO ANYTHING TILL THIS HAPPEN AT SERVICE SHOP. THIS HAPPENED TO ME BEFORE TO. THIS IS CRAZY I COULD GET INTO A HORRIBLE ACCIDENT. CAN YOU PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS. *TR
GAS OVERFLOW WHEN FUELING VEHICLE, AFTER GAS NOZZLE CLICKS OFF, GAS POURS OUT OF FILL TUBE. 2008 DODGE NITRO, THIS HAS HAPPENED LAST 4 FILL UPS. *TR
GAS OVERFLOWS UPON FILL UP. HAS HAPPENED EACH FILL FOR 3 WEEKS SINCE I BOUGHT A USED 2008 DODGE NITRO STX. *TR
WHEN PUTTING GAS IN MY 2008 DODGE NITRO AT THE END OF THE FILL GASOLINE WILL ERUPT FROM THE FILL SPOUT AND SPILL OVER THE CAR AND THE GROUND. *TR
SUNROOF OF 2008 DODGE NITRO SXT LEAKS AFTER IT RAINS. THE PROBLEM STARTED ONE MONTH AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED (MARCH 2009). DEALERSHIP COULD NOT FIND SOURCE OF THE LEAK ON FIRST OCCURENCE SO SUNROOF GLASS WAS ADJUSTED. SECOND OCCURENCE WAS IN APRIL OF 2009. LEAK WAS FINALLY DISCOVERED BY DEALERSHIP'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND ALL COMPONENTS DEALING WITH THE SUNROOF WAS "REPLACED". THIRD OCCURENCE OF SAME PROBLEM OCCURED IN EARLY JANUARY 2010. WATER THAT LEAKS INTO THE VEHICLE NOT ONLY WILL EVENTUALLY RUIN THE INTERIOR BUT THE WATER LEAKS IN AROUND A SET OF MAP LIGHTS LOCATED JUST ABOVE THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. THIS COMBINATION OF WATER AND ELECTRICITY COULD RESULT IN SOMEONE BEING ELECTROCUTED OR THE VEHICLE CATCHING ON FIRE AS A RESULT OF A SHORTAGE. *CN
AFTER OWNING MY BRAND NEW 2008 DODGE NITRO FOR 14 MONTHS, EVERY TIME I FUELED IT, THE GAS WOULD SPEW OUT, WAY AFTER THE PUMP CLICKS OFF. I HAVE BEEN COVERED IN GASOLINE 3 TIMES AND 2 SERVCIE MEN HAVE BEEN AS WELL. I HAVE A 2 Y/O ASTHMATIC DAUGHTER. THE ODOR OF GAS ENGULFS THE INTERIOR COMPARTMENT AS WELL WHEN THE OVERFLOW OCCURS. I HAVE BEEN REFUSED LOANERS EACH TIME THE TRUCK HAS BEEN IN. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE! BUT I HAD BEEN TOLD TIME AND TIME AGAIN, DODGE DID NOT FEEL IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE. LAST WEEK MY WHOLE TANK WAS FINALLY REPLACED AFTER THE 1ST REPAIR DIDNT WORK. GASED UP TODAY AND GAS BACK OUT ALL OVER MY TRUCK. AS WELL AS THE GAS SPEWING OUT COVERING ANYONE OR ANYTHING IN ITS WAY, MY TRUCKS PAINT IS BECOMING DAMAGED AS WELL. *CN
WHILE DRIVING MY 2008 NITRO ON THE FREEWAY, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON - SOLID, NOT FLASHING. I MADE A COMMENT TO MY WIFE ABOUT TAKING IT IN THE NEXT DAY TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. ABOUT A MINUTE LATER, THE CAR STALLED AND I PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE. MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER GOT OUT AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. BY THE TIME TRAFFIC CLEARED ENOUGH FOR ME TO GET OUT OF THE CAR, THERE WERE FLAMES COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CAR BECAME FULLY ENGULFED WITHIN MINUTES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT PUT THE FIRE OUT AND THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. THE FRONT TIRES EXPLODED, THE RIMS MELTED, THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS FULLY BURNT. I REPORTED THE INCIDENT TO CHRYSLER WHO INVESTIGATED AND TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. THE ONLY MAINTENANCE I HAD PERFORMED WAS TO GET THE OIL CHANGED 3 WEEK PRIOR AT A QUICK-CHANGE TYPE COMPANY. THE CAR HAD 31,000 MILES ON IT. *TR
LAST EVENING MY WIFE DROVE OUR 2008 DODGE NITRO TO TAKE MY DAUGHTER TO HER HIGH SCHOOL (5 MILES FROM OUR HOME). AFTER DROPPING MY DAUGHTER OFF AND STARTING BACK HOME THE VEHICLE BEGAN SMOKING UNDER THE HOOD WHILE STILL MOVING THROUGH THE PARKING LOT OF THE HIGH SCHOOL. I QUICKLY TURNED THE ENGINE OFF AND GOT OUT. VERY QUICKLY THE VEHICLE WAS FULLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE IS A TOTAL LOSS. ALL SERVICE FOR THE VEHICLE WAS PERFORMED AT THE DEALERSHIP AND THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER IN ANY KIND OF CRASH NOR DID IT HAVE ANY MAJOR MECHANICAL WORK PERFORMED ON IT PRIOR TO IT BURSTING INTO FLAMES. I BELIEVE THE HIGH SCHOOL MAY HAVE VIDEO OF THE INCIDENT AS THE PARKING LOT IS MONITORED VIA CCTV CAMERAS. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE NITRO. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE HAZARD LIGHTS WOULD FLASH, THE VEHICLE WOULD DECELERATE, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD COME ON, AND THE HORN BEGAN BLOWING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS ON OR OFF. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE DEALER CHANGED THE FUSE IN THE VEHICLE AND THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE CONTACT REMOVED THE FUSE CONNECTED TO THE HORN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE SINCE THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE AND COULD CAUSE A CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE NITRO. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT END OF HER VEHICLE. THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT SECURE THE OCCUPANTS AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. ONE OF THE OCCUPANTS SPINE WAS KNOCKED OUT OF THE ALIGNMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY, AND THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS WERE NOT DEFECTIVE. TWO ENGINEERS WERE SENT TO DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE. THEY CONCLUDED THAT ALL COMPONENTS WERE FUNCTIONING NORMALLY. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 31000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE NITRO. HE STATED THAT INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING OVER 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD DOWN-SHIFT AND THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD LOCK. THE VEHICLE WOULD ONLY RESUME NORMAL OPERATION WHEN THE BATTERY WAS ADJUSTED OR RECONNECTED. THE FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 23,068.
INADEQUATE HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS. WHEN THE HIGH BEAMS ARE SELECTED, THE ROADWAY ACTUALLY BECOMES DARKER. THIS VEHICLE UTILIZES A SINGLE HEADLIGHT ASSY ON EACH SIDE CONSISTING OF AN H13 HIGH/LOW BEAM LAMP. SINGLE BEAM HEADLIGHT SYSTEMS HAVE TRADITIONALLY POWERED BOTH THE HIGH AND LOW BEAM FILAMENTS WHEN THE HIGH BEAM MODE IS SELECTED AND WHEN LOW BEAM MODE IS SELECTED ONLY THE LOW BEAM FILAMENT IS POWERED. WHEN HIGH BEAM IS SELECTED IN THIS VEHICLE, BOTH FILAMENTS ARE ENABLE BRIEFLY DURING THE TRANSITION FROM LOW TO HIGH. DURING THIS TRANSITION PERIOD THE LIGHT INTENSITY IS AT THE LEVEL ONE WOULD EXPECT TO SEE WHEN HIGH BEAM LIGHTS ARE SELECTED. HOWEVER THIS IDEAL ILLUMINATION IS SHORT LIVED BECAUSE IMMEDIATELY THE LOW BEAM FILAMENT IS EXTINGUISHED LEAVING ONLY THE HIGH BEAM FILAMENT TO LIGHT THE WAY AND IT SIMPLY IS NOT SUFFICIENT. ON A DARK ROAD ACCEPTABLE LIGHTING CAN ONLY BE ACHIEVED WITH THE COMBINATION OF LOW BEAM LIGHTING AND FOG LAMPS. I CARRIED MY VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE LIGHTS WERE OPERATING PROPERLY AND THAT THIS IS THE WAY THAT CHRYSLER VEHICLE LIGHTING SYSTEMS OPERATE. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW IN JUNE 2008 AND AFTER A ROAD TRIP IN JAN 2009, I REALIZED THAT THE HEADLIGHT SYSTEM ON THIS VEHICLE IS WOEFULLY INADEQUATE. I DID A GOOGLE SEARCH AND DISCOVERED ONLINE BLOGGS WHERE OTHER OWNERS COMPLAINED ABOUT WEAK HEADLIGHTS ON THE DODGE NITRO AS WELL AS OTHER CHRYSLER PRODUCTS. *TR
THE CHROME ACCENT PIECE ON THE REAR HATCH OF THE DODGE NITRO (JUST UNDER THE REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER) IS A LARGE HIGHLY REFLECTIVE SURFACE AREA THAT IS LOCATED AT EYE LEVEL FOR MOST DRIVES FOLLOWING THESE VEHICLES. THE SURFACE REFLECTION FROM THIS 'MIRROR LIKE' PIECE BLINDS THE DRIVES FOLLOWING THESE VEHICLES CREATING A SAFETY HAZARD. I WAS STUCK IN TRAFFIC FOLLOWING THIS MODEL VEHICLE AND DESPITE MY BEST EFFORTS TO SHIELD MY EYES FROM THE REFLECTION WAS BLINDED TO THE POINT THAT I HAD TO PULL OVER TO ALLOW MY EYES TIME RECOVER (THE EFFECT WAS SIMILAR TO THAT OF STARRING AT A WELDING ARC). A SIMPLE DESIGN CHANGE BY THE MANUFACTURE COULD ELIMINATE THIS HAZARD. *TR
COMPONENTS UNDER CAR HAS A LOT OF RUST ON THEM. *TR
I BOUGHT MY DODGE NITRO BACK IN JAN OF 09, EVERY SINCE I'VE BEEN BRINGING IT BACK FOR A LOUD ENGINE WHICH KNOCKS WHEN GOING UP HILL, WIND NOISE SEEMS TO BE LEAKING INTO PASSENGER FRONT CABIN, (DRIVEN OTHER VEHICLES OF SAME MODEL, LITTLE OR NO NOISE) SALES AT RIVERSIDE DODGE IN CALIFORNIA WAS A DRAGGING HORROR, THEY HELD MY KEYS HOSTAGE UNTIL THEY COULD MAKE A DEAL, I'VE TAKEN IT BACK AND HAD A SERVICE PERSON TELL ME MY VEHICLE IS FRONT WHEEL DRIVE AND THAT'S WHY I HEAR NOISE WHEN I TURN, I'VE BEEN TOLD THAT MY COMPUTER HAS TO CATCH UP WITH THE ENGINE WHEN I STOP QUICKLY THAT'S WHY MY VEHICLE SHUTS OFF ON ME WHEN I BRAKE QUICKLY, RATTLES COME FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT FENDER LIKE THERE'S A LOOSE PANEL, BRAKES SQUEAL FROM TIME TO TIME, IT SHIFTS UP INTO A HIGHER GEAR INSTEAD OF DOWN WHEN CLIMBING A HILL HAVE TO FLOOR IT TO GET IT TO SHIFT DOWN AND CLIMB HILL, THAT'S JUST TO GET IT UP TO 35. ITS A DAILY NON-STOP BATTLE WITH THIS VEHICLE AND DEALERSHIP. IF THERE'S ANY HELP OUT THERE PLEASE CONTACT ME. *TR
WHISTLING NOISE COMING FROM VEHICLE. DOORS HAVE BEEN ADJUSTED AND WINDSHIELD RESEALED, NEITHER OF THESE FIXED PROBLEM. LISTENED UNDER HOOD AND APPEARS TO BE COMING FROM HEAD GASKET/AIR INTAKE AREA. POSSIBLE ISSUE WITH HEAD GASKET BEING WRONG SIZE. *TR
DRIVING THROUGH THE NEIGHBORHOOD ON THE WAY HOME FROM WORK, AND NEXT THING I KNOW MY VEHICLE'S FRONT PASSENGER SIDE HAS DROPPED DOWN CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL COLLIDING INTO A PARKED CAR. THE KNUCKLE HAD BROKEN CAUSING THE SUSPENSION TO DROP TO THE ROAD. MY PASSENGER FRONT TIRE MADE CONTACT WITH THE PARKED CARS DRIVERS REAR TIRE. *TR
RIGHT FRONT SUSPENSION FAILURE CAUSED LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. *TR
CHRYSLER DENIES RESPONSIBILITY AND NO LAWYER WANTS TO FIGHT CHRYSLER. I AM NOT PUTTING MY FAMILY'S LIFE IN JEOPARDY WITH THAT CAR. ON 2/18/08 I LEASED A 2008 DODGE NITRO AT CRESTWOOD DODGE. ON 3/31/08 MY WIFE ROUTINELY STARTED THE NITRO, PUT HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE (AND NOT THE GAS) AND ENGAGED THE GEAR FROM PARK TO REVERSE. WITHIN A SPLIT SECOND, THE CAR MADE AN UNUSUALLY LOUD NOISE AND THE CAR BURSTED BACKWARD TAKING OUT THE RIGHT SIDE OF OUR GATE AND A PORTION OF THE FENCE ADJACENT TO THE GATE. THIS TOOK HER BY SURPRISE. SHE APPLIED THE BRAKE BUT THE BRAKE WAS NOT ABLE TO ENGAGE AS THE TRANSMISSION HAD TORQUED THE ENGINE SO HARD THAT IT FORCED HER INTO THE SIDE OF THE HOUSE AND THE REAR BUMPER RAMMED INTO A BRICK PILLAR SUPPORTING THE ROOF OF THE FRONT PORCH AND DAMAGED THE CAR. THE IMPACT OF HITTING THE HOUSE AND THE PILLAR EVENTUALLY STOPPED THE MOMENTUM OF THE NITRO. I CALLED THE SERVICE MGR AT CRESTWOOD TO SEE IF THERE WERE ANY KNOWN RECALLS ON THE TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONING ON THE NITRO. HE TOLD ME NO. I ASKED HIM FOR ADVICE ON WHAT TO DO. HE REFERRED ME TO THE CHRYSLER CUSTOMER CLAIMS RESOLUTION GROUP. (CCCRG) I FILED A CLAIM WITH THIS CCCRG. THEN WE RECEIVED A FORM LETTER FROM THEM STATING THAT THEY WILL SEND AN INVESTIGATOR TO SEE IF THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE NITRO. CCCRG INFORMED US THAT AN INVESTIGATION WAS PERFORMED AT DEARBORN COLLISION AND THAT WE WILL RECEIVE AN ANSWER. THEY REFERRED ME TO THE CASE MGR. ON 4/9/08 WE RECEIVED A LETTER STATING THAT THE INSPEC
STEERING WHEEL IS SQUEAKING, NEEDS POWER STEERING FLUID OR ADJUSTMENT. *TR
Reading these
NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Full record for the 2008 Dodge Nitro → · Every Nitro year → · How the figures are calculated →