2010 Dodge Nitro

Routine

Owners filed 78 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the electrical system. It has been recalled 3 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
70,000 milesMedian miles at failure

63 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 90,000105,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Electrical System17
010
Air Bags12
304
Service Brakes8
010
Unknown or Other6
000
Fuel/Propulsion System6
000
Engine5
000
Power Train3
000
Fuel System, Gasoline3
000
Electronic Stability Control (esc)3
000
Vehicle Speed Control2
000

3 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module20V396000
Filed Jul 7, 2020925,239 vehiclesChrysler (fca Us Llc)

Defect. 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.

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.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Master Cylinder10V315000
Filed Jul 7, 201020,626 vehiclesChrysler Group Llc

Defect. CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 LEFT HAND DRIVE JEEP LIBERTY, DODGE NITRO AND RAM 1500 TRUCK; RIGHT AND LEFT HAND DRIVE JEEP WRANGLER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH AN IMPROPERLY FORMED MASTER CYLINDER TO HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT (HCU) BRAKE TUBE ASSEMBLY END FLARE.

Risk. THIS COULD LEAD TO LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND REDUCED BRAKING PERFORMANCE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE TUBES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING AUGUST 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-853-1403.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic10V009000
Filed Jan 11, 201020,045 vehiclesChrysler Group Llc

Defect. CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 CHRYSLER SEBRING; DODGE AVENGER AND NITRO; JEEP LIBERTY, COMMANDER AND GRAND CHEROKEE; AND MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 DODGE RAM TRUCK. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH AN IMPROPERLY FORMED OR MISSING BRAKE BOOSTER INPUT ROD RETAINING CLIP.

Risk. THIS COULD RESULT IN BRAKE FAILURE WITHOUT WARNING WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH.

Remedy. CHRYSLER WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE BOOSTER INPUT ROD RETAINING CLIP FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING FEBRUARY 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Electrical System
Filed Jan 13, 2026163,000 milesPA

The contact owns a 2010 Dodge Nitro. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the engine cranked, but the vehicle failed to start, and it became inoperable. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact believed that the failure might be related to the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 163,000.

Air Bags
Filed Sep 15, 2025MT

Passengers front seat head rest deployed on its own. The air back feature of my head rest deployed and it broke in the process. It is available for inspection. It happened when I was cleaning my car. So thank goodness not when I am driving. I was actually cleaning my car to trade it in for a dodge durango but after reading some articles that this is considered normal wear and tear also that dodge won't cover the cost for the repair and don't consider this a recall. I am highly reconsidering staying with dodge now. Specially the outcome of this. It hasn't been inspected yet. No warning signs.

Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft
Filed Dec 19, 2024160,000 milesMD

The contact owns a 2010 Dodge Nitro. The contact stated while attempting to accelerate from being stationary, the rear driveshaft suddenly detached from the rear of the vehicle and dragged on the ground. The vehicle was later towed to the residence. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 160,000. The VIN was not available.

Air Bags
Filed Oct 12, 2023145,000 milesDC

The contact owns a 2010 Dodge Nitro. The contact received a recall notification of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V396000 (Air Bags, Steering) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was intermittently illuminated. An undisclosed dealer was contacted and confirmed that the part may not be available, and the contact was informed that she would receive a call back to schedule an appointment but had not yet received a callback. 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 145,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

Air Bags
Filed Jul 3, 2022MO

One day the airbag light started cutting on and off and then the horn started blowing randomly without being touched or even without even being in the vehicle with the car turned off. Took it to a mechanic and they have no clue what’s wrong.

Engine
Filed Dec 23, 202165,000 milesNC

The contact owns a 2010 Dodge Nitro. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the horn was inoperable while needed. The check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and diagnosed with rear shocks and struts, air compressor, condenser, HVAC system, and electrical system failure. The mechanic replaced the spark plugs, engine coils, air compressor, and condenser. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that they could not assist since the vehicle was purchased from a Chevrolet dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed Dec 14, 202147,000 milesTX

The contact owns a 2010 Dodge Nitro. The contact stated that the rear driver's side door would not unlock to open. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 47,000.

Parking Brake
Filed Nov 10, 2021100,000 milesCO

The contact owns a 2010 Dodge Nitro. The contact stated that the spring inside the parking brake had become defective causing the parking brake to not operate as needed. The dealer had been notified of the failure and the contact was informed that there were no recalls on the vehicle regarding the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

Air Bags
Filed Aug 6, 2021WA

2010 DODGE NITRO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO FRONT SEAT ACTIVE HEAD RESTRAINT SAFETY RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED THE STEERING WHEEL HAD 3 SMALL HOLES WHERE THE EMBLEM SHOULD BE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT KNOW WHEN A FIX WOULD BE AVAILABLE.

Air Bags
Filed Feb 25, 202135,500 milesMO

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 DODGE NITRO. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V396000 (AIR BAGS, STEERING) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER HAVING A ROUTINE CHECK AT NAPLETON'S MID RIVERS CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (44951 VETERANS MEMORIAL PKWY, SAINT PETERS, MO 63376, (636) 242-1471) WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED, THE DAB (DIGITAL AUDIO BROADCASTING) WAS NO LONGER PRESENT ON THE STEERING WHEEL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 35,500. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.*DT*JB

Air Bags
Filed Aug 24, 202075,000 milesIN

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, MY HEADREST MALFUNCTIONED AND UNEXPECTEDLY DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT HIT, NOR HAS IT EVER BEEN. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET, SLOWING DOWN TO APPROACH A STOPLIGHT.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Aug 10, 2020MI

I GOT MY DODGE NITRO 4 MONTHS AGO FIRST MONTH I NOTICED MY ENGINE WAS STARLING AND I KNOW IS I HAD ELECTRIC ISSUES I TOLD MY DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THAT IF THE CAR STILL RUNNING IT'S NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT SOME DAYS MY WINDSHIELD WIPER WILL CUT ON BY ITSELF SOME DAYS MY BLINKER DON'T WORK I HAVE 6 MONTH WARRANTY . SO I WAS ON MY WAY GOING HOME COMING OFF THE FREEWAY STOP AT THE RED LIGHT THE LIGHT HIT GREEN I PRESS THE GAS MY WHEELS LOCK UP MY BRAKE LOCK UP AND THE CAR KEEP GOING INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC MY CAR IS GOING INTO THE WRONG LANE I HAVE PICTURES OF THAT MAKING. HARD FOR ME TO TURN MY WHEEL NOW MY CAR BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR A MONTH STILL PAYING PAYMENTS

Electrical System
Filed Mar 26, 202098,000 milesNY

THE IGNITION SWITCH OR W.I.N. HAS STOPPED WORKING , THROUGH RESEARCH THIS IS A COMMON FAILURE ON THESE MODEL YEAR TRUCKS. UNSAFE AS IGNITION MAY TURN OFF WHILE DRIVING. THANKFULLY MINE HAS NOT FAILED IN THAT ASPECT, BUT, HAS FAILED ENTIRELY, I SHUT ENGINE OFF, WENT TO RESTART, AND IGNITION SWITCH FAILED TO START VEHICLE.

Electrical System
Filed Sep 21, 2019147,500 milesME

I WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 20-30 MPH. MY CAR STARTED MAKING A WHINING SOUND THEN MY DASHBOARD LIT UP WITH MULTIPLE LIGHTS STARTING WITH THE BATTERY AND THEN ALL OF THEM. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BEFORE IT COMPLETELY DIED. I HAD IT TOWED TO A GARAGE. THEY TRIED CHANGING THE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY. IT STILL WON'T TURN ON. IT IS NOW AT A DEALERSHIP AND CURRENTLY CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jun 25, 201995,000 milesWA

KEY SWITCHES GOING BAD AND CANT GET KEYS OUT 1000S OF COMPLAINTS ON FORUMS FAULTY DESIGN OR EQUIPMENT

Service Brakes
Filed Jun 12, 2019127,400 milesWI

TIPM FLASHING , WIPERS DO NOT WORK, ABS LIGHT ON- SPEED WILL NOT GO OVER 40 AND TAKES A WHILE TO REACH SPEED. ACTS AS IF THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING OUT OF GAS, BRAKES NOT WORKING PROPERLY

Electrical System
Filed Jun 2, 2019122,000 milesMI

TIPM ISSUES

Air Bags
Filed May 21, 2019100,000 milesNM

AIRBAG-DASH LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND SHUTTING OFF. WENT ONLINE AND FOUND SEVERAL FORUMS WITH SEVERAL PEOPLE THAT HAVE THE SOME ISSUE. ISSUE STARTED WHEN GOING OVER A STREET HUMP.

Electrical System
Filed May 8, 2019FL

AFTER LOCKING MY CAR AND LEAVING IT I COME BACK TO FIND IT UNLOCKED AND THE WINDOWS DOWN CONSTANTLY. NOW MY BRAKE LIGHTS WONT WORK ON THE SIDES BUT THE TOP BRAKE LIGHT DOES. BULBS AND FUSES ARE FINE. ALL THREE LIGHTS ARE CONNECTED BY WIRE SO THEY ALL SHOULD BE ON OR OFF TOGETHER. TODAY MY BATTERY JUST UP AND DIED. JUST WONDERED IF ITS ALL RELATED. I HAVE READ OTHER PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH WINDOWS AND DOOR LOCKS.IT HAPPENS ANYWHERE ANYTIME OVERNIGHT OR IN THE POURING RAIN WHEN IM OUT AND ABOUT. AFTER THE CAR IS PARKED AND LOCKED. THE TWO SIDE BRAKE LIGHTS ARE OUT ALL THE TIME THE TOP ONE LIGHTS. THE BRAKE LIGHT ISSUE JUST HAPPENED 5/2019 THE WINDOW ISSUE HAS BEEN A FEW YEARS 2015

Exterior Lighting
Filed Feb 10, 201990,000 milesPA

HEADLIGHTS FLASH BUT DONT COME ON SOMETIMES ! AFRAID TO DRIVE AT NIGHT

20 of 78 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2007
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20122100Routine
2011122310Routine
2010 — this page78320Routine
200924100Routine
20083933120Above average
20074947110Above average
20051000Routine

Compare every Nitro year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Jul 7, 2020. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.