NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008 Dodge Nitro. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
WHILE DRIVING HOME AT NIGHT LIGHTS RANDOMLY GO OFF ALMOST CAUSING ME TO WRECK. ALSO BEFORE THIS THE CAR WOULD RANDOMLY HONK, LIGHT FLASH, HORN BLOW REALLY FAST AND WINDSHIELD WASHER'S AND FLUID WOULD GO OFF.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE NITRO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE HEADLIGHTS BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE COMPUTER MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 132,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
THE HORN GOES OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY FOR HOURS. ONCE IT STOPS THE VEHICLE WON'T START AND (NO BUS) SHOWS UP ON THE CLUSTER GAUGE. THE LOCAL DODGE DEALERSHIP TELLS ME THAT THE TIPM MIGHT HAVE WENT OUT. FROM WHAT THE REVIEWS ARE ON THIS VEHICLE, THE PART AND REPLACEMENT OF THIS PART ARE VERY EXPENSIVE AND I THINK CHRYSLER/DODGE SHOULD REPLACE AND RECALL THIS PART. GREAT VEHICLE JUST CRAPPY MANUFACTURING COMPANY. WON'T DRIVE A DODGE AGAIN EVEN IF THEY GAVE ME ONE FOR FREE.
THE TIPM (TOTALLY INTEGRATED POWER MODULE) IS MALFUNCTIONING. SEVERAL ELECTRONIC FEATURES (BLOWER MOTOR, POWER LOCKS, AND A/C OUTLET) IN THE VEHICLE STOPPED WORKING AT THE SAME TIME. I HAVE READ THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH NITROS BUT FOR ALL KINDS OF DIFFERENT ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS STEMMING FROM THE TIPM AND NOTHING IS BEING DONE ABOUT IT. EVERY ELECTRICAL FEATURE COMES THROUGH THIS BOX INCLUDING POWER TO THE IGNITION. I WOULD HATE TO LOSE POWER WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH MY KIDS IN THE CAR.
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, THE HORN STARTED BLOWING STEADY, WIPERS CAME ON, WASHER FLUID SQUIRTED, LIGHTS WENT OFF, ENGINE WOULD NOT SHUT DOWN. THIS CONTINUED FOR 10 MIN AS I DROVE IT HOME TO GET TOOLS TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY. IT SEEMS TO HAVE FRIED THE HORN AS IT STARTED MAKING FUNNY NOISES THEN QUIT WHILE OTHERS CONTINUED. I COULD SMELL BURNT ELECTRICAL. THE KEYS WOULD NOT SHUT THE CAR OFF. I DISCONNECTED THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE AND AFTER ABOUT A MINUTE EVERYTHING STOPPED THEN THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. THE PCM RELAY WAS VERY HOT. CAR IS CURRENTLY IN MY DRIVEWAY WITH POSITIVE BATTERY DISCONNECTED.
WHEN FILLING THE GAS TANK UP AS THE PUMP KICKS OFF AT LEAST HALF A GALLON OF GAS SPILLS OUT OF THE TANK SPLASHING ONTO MY LEGS AND SPILLING ON TO THE GROUND. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE USED AND WAS TOLD TO CONTACT A DODGE DEALER ABOUT A POSSIBLE RECALL BUT THE DEALERSHIP HAS TOLD ME THERE ISN'T A RECALL BUT THEY'VE HAD SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE. ALSO, RECENTLY I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO LOCK MY VEHICLE BECAUSE A FEW SECONDS AFTER ACTIVATING THE LOCKS EITHER MANUALLY OR USING THE KEY FOB THE CAR UNLOCKS AND THE HEADLIGHTS COME ON. I HAD TO TAKE THE BATTERY OUT OF MY KEY FOB AS IT WOULD CONTINUOUSLY UNLOCK AND ACTIVATE THE HEADLIGHTS DURING THE DAY AND NIGHT. WHEN MANUALLY LOCKING THE VEHICLE IT STILL UNLOCKS ITSELF A FEW SECONDS LATER BUT DOES NOT CONTINUALLY UNLOCK LIKE WHEN THE KEY FOB IS IN USE.
THIS IS MY THIRD INCIDENT WITH A FAULTY TIPM ON MY 2008 DODGE NITRO SLT. LIGHTS, HORNS, FRONT AND REAR WIPERS AS WELL AS THE WASHER FLUID SPRAYING OUT OF CONTROL. I REMOVE THE FUSE FOR BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT HORNS TO SILENCE THEM, THEN REMOVE THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE TO RESET THE TIPM. IT HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL SO FAR. LOOKING FOR A REPLACEMENT UNIT FOR PREVENTIVE MEASURES.
I PURCHASED MY PRE-OWNED 2008 DODGE NITRO 2 MONTHS AGO. A WEEK AGO IT ALL WENT HAYWIRE LIKE MY CAR WAS POSSESSED. IT ALSO HAPPENED THE FOLLOWING WEEK. -- WHILE USING THE KEY FOB TO LOCK/UNLOCK THE CAR THE HORN STARTS BLARING, THE WIPERS (FRONT AND REAR) START GOING, WASHER FLUID SHOOTING OUT, DOORS LOCKING AND UNLOCKING, AND THE LIGHTS BLINKING. -- DOORS WILL NOT LOCK/UNLOCK WITH THE REMOTE. I HAVE TO PHYSICALLY LOCK/UNLOCK EACH DOOR WITH THE KEY. -- REAR PASSENGER DOORS AND THE REAR HATCH WONT UNLOCK. -- WHEN TURNING ON THE ENGINE THE HORN STARTS BLARING, THE WIPERS (FRONT AND REAR) START GOING, WASHER FLUID SHOOTING OUT, DOORS LOCKING AND UNLOCKING, AND THE LIGHTS BLINKING FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES. WHEN I TURNED THE CAR OFF IT WAS STILL DOING THE SAME THING. -- IF I TURN ON/OFF THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS THE HORN STARTS BLARING AND LIGHTS START FLASHING -- WHEN PRESSING THE ACTUAL DOOR LOCK THE HORN STARTS BLARING BASED ON THE RESEARCH I DID AND OTHER 2008 DODGE NITRO OWNERS THE DIAGNOSIS IS APPARENTLY A FAULTY TIPM. THERE SEEMS TO BE A NATIONAL BACKORDER ON THIS PART. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR FOR FEAR OF SOMETHING MAJOR HAPPENING WHILE DRIVING. MY DOORS WONT UNLOCK AND I AM TERRIFIED TO HAVE ANYONE IN MY CAR. WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF WE ARE IN AN ACCIDENT THE CAR CATCHES ON FIRE? I WONT BE ABLE TO GET ANY ONE OUT. DODGE HAS RECALLED THE 2010-2012 BUT HAS FAILED TO RECALL THE 2008 DESPITE THE NATIONAL BACKORDER FOR THE PART NEEDED TO FIX THESE VEHICLES. I AM REALLY SURPRISED THAT DODGE/CHRYSLER HAS NOT STOOD BY THEIR PRODUCTS AND IS PUTTING THE OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES AT RISK. WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE TO ISSUE A RECALL ON THE FAULTY TIPM ON ALL DODGE/CHRYSLER VEHICLES? WHY HAS DODGE/CHRYSLER NOT RECTIFIED THIS SITUATION BEFORE IT BECOMES A BIGGER ISSUE LIKE THE FORD TIRE RECALL, GM IGNITION RECALL AND THE RECENT AIRBAG RECALLS?
WHAT DRIVING IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND HAS NOT WENT OFF EVER SINCE. I HAVE DID THE RESET WITH TURNING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION BUT IT WILL NOT RESET OR TURN OFF.
ALL OF OUR DASH WARNING LIGHTS WOULD COME ON AND THEN EVENTUALLY GO OFF BUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD STAY ON. FROM THEN ON THE CAR WOULD FAIL TO START ON OCCASION. TOOK IN TO DEALER THREE TIMES, THE FIRST TWO TIMES THEY SAID EVERYTHING IS FINE MAYBE YOU JUST NEED A NEW BATTERY. FINALLY ON THE THIRD TRY WHEN WE COULDN'T GET THE VEHICLE STARTED, THEY DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIPM WAS BAD. SEEING AS HOW THIS IS A REOCCURRING PROBLEM FOR DODGE MAYBE THEY SHOULD HAVE STARTED THERE, ALSO THE PART TO REPLACE IT IS ON INDEFINITE BACK ORDER.
I CLICK THE UNLOCK BUTTON ON MY KEY AND THE CAR GOES CRAZY. WIPERS GO OFF, HORN HONKS, WINDSHELD WIPER FLUID SPRAYS. THE KEY ISN'T EVEN IN THE IGNITION.
I PURCHASED MY CAR IN 2012. IN 2013 MY CAR ALL OF A SUDDEN GOES HAYWIRE. WINDSHIELD WIPERS GOING OFF, FLUID GOING OFF, DOOR LOCKS,AND HORN, [XXX] NEAR HAD A WRECK BECAUSE IT HAPPENED OUT OF NOWHERE AND CAR WAS IN MOTION. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE ALARM. IN JULY 2014 BATTERY DIED AND REPLACED THE BATTERY AGAIN. THEN MAY 2015 THE CAR GOES HAYWIRE AGAIN. WIPERS GOING OFF, HORN BLARING, DOOR LOCKS MALFUNCTIONING. I TRIED TO START THE CAR AND THE BATTERY STARTS SMOKING. REPLACE THE BATTERY AND IT CONTINUED TO MALFUNCTION. THIS TIME WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF AND THE KEY WAS OUT OF THE IGNITION, THE CAR WAS STILL RUNNING. I HAD TO UNHOOK THE ALTERNATOR FOR IT TO TURN OFF. THEN I WAS PARKED AND TRIED TO USE THE KEY AND THE CAR WOULDN'T START.AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO START THE CAR I DECIDED NOT TO TRY ANYMORE, PUSHED MY KEY LOCK DOOR AND THE CAR STARTED. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEAL AND AFTER 4YRS THEY CONCLUDED IT WAS THE TOTAL INTEGRATED POWER MODULE. THIS HAS CAUSED MY HEATER, BRAKE LIGHTS, HEADLIGHTS, AND KEY FOB/ALARM TO MALFUNCTION. THIS ISSUE COULD HAVE CAUSE AN SERIOUS ACCIDENT AND THANK HEAVENS IT DID NOT. I'VE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND NOTICE THAT THESE PARTS WERE RECALLED AND REPLACE IN PREVIOUS AND LATTER MODELS OF THIS VEHICLE BUT NOT 2008. IM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM AND SOMEONE COULD HAVE BEEN HURT ESPECIALLY IF ITS DEALING WITH ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS. IS THAT WHAT IT TAKES FOR THEM TO CORRECT IT. DODGE/CHRYSLER SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS DEFECT THAT THEY KNOW ABOUT. THANK YOU *TR INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
THE HORN WILL START HONKING, WIPERS START GOING, WASHER FLUID SPRAYS OUT. WONT TURN ON HAS ERROR NO BUS. *TR
MY 2008 DODGE NITRO HAD A FAILURE OF THE TOTAL INTEGRATED BODY CONTROL MODULE AROUND 91000 MILES. IT CAUSED MY WIPERS TO TURN ON AND STAY ON CONTINOUSLY EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. THERE HAS BEEN RECALLS ON THIS PART FOR THE YEAR BEFORE MY CAR WAS MADE AND I'M CONCERNED IT MAY BE A CONTINUING PROBLEM. IT COST 560 DOLLARS TO CORRECT THE ERROR.
I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED IN OCTOBER 2014 FROM A FRIEND AND EVERY TIME I FILL IT UP AT THE GAS STATION , THE GAS OVER FLOWS WITH FORCE AND GETS ALL OVER MY HAND AND FEET, SOMETIMES IT GETS ON MY BODY TOO. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY IT DOESN'T STOP WHEN IT GETS FULL.? *TR
I WALKED OUT TO MY CAR ONE MORNING TO MAKE A TRIP INTO TOWN. THE INSTANT I OPENED THE DOOR THE HORN STARTED BLARING WITHOUT A PAUSE, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS BOTH FRONT AND REAR WERE RUNNING ON THEIR TOP SPEED. I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO CONTROL OVER THE CAR. I CANT EVEN GET IT OUT OF PARK TO HAVE A TOW TRUCK PICK IT UP. THE GAUGE CLUSTER SAYS "NO BUS" AND THE ONLY CULPRIT I CAN THINK OF WOULD BE THE FAMOUS DODGE TIPM. *TR
REPLACES A NEW AGR VALVE IN JANUARY 2015 AT LOCAL GARAGE, PHILIPS GARAGE IN DEWART, PA. IN OCTOBER THE LIGHT COMES BACK ON AND ONCE AGAIN DIAGNOSED BY BZ.MOTORS IN LEWISBURG, PA THE TEST ARE CONFIRMED THAT THE AGR VALVE IS NOT GOOD. I CANNOT GO BACK TO OTHER MECHANIC , BECAUSE HE HAD A STROKE AND CANNOT WORK AGAIN. I AM SCHEDULED AGAIN FOR REPLACEMENT ON SATURDAY THE 6TH OF FEBRUARY 2016. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE ARE RECALLS ON THE PART OR IF THE COMPANY CAN HELP M PAY FOR THE PART TO BE REPLACED AGAIN COST $324.00. GAS CAP REPLACE AND RUBBER HOUSING REPLACED ON GAS FILLER CAP, COST WAS $ 61.22 HOUSING REPLACED IN WITH NEW SECURE BRACKET AFTER FALLING DOWN INTO THE VEHICLE. THE LINE WAS SECURED AGAIN .COSTING ME $81.62. CAPE REPLACED FOR $21.00. I WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THESE DEFAULTS AS THEY TOO ARE RECALLS. I ALSO HAD SEEN ONLINE THAT THE SHIELD FOR EXHAUST AND ITS PARTS HAD A RECALL. SINCE MINE WAS REPLACED AFTER FALLING OFF IN MARCH 2015 WHILE I WAS DRIVING. NEW PART ATTACHED BACK ON AND NUT-STAMPED FLANGE AND SHIELD EXHAUST. COSTING ME $147.45 IN LABOR AND REPAIRS. PLEASE CALL ME AT [XXX] THANK YOU , [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
BRAKE LIGHTS CONSTANTLY PREVIOUSLY HAD TO REPLACED BY CORRECT BULBS NOTED IN MANUAL. NOW BOTH BRAKE LIGHTS NOT WORKING BUT TOP BRAKE LIGHT DOES.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE NITRO. WHILE USING THE KEY FOBIK TO UNLOCK AND LOCK THE VEHICLE, IT FAILED TO FUNCTION. IN ADDITION, THE DOORS WERE NOT ABLE TO LOCK AND UNLOCK MANUALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.
I HAVE A 2008 DODGE NITRO 4X4 3.7L . MY REAR BRAKE PADS HAVE WORN ABOUT 1/8" INTO THE ROTOR. I HAD GOTTEN NEW TIRES FOR MY VEHICLE NOT TOO LONG AGO & EVER SINCE THEN I HAVE BEEN HEARING WHAT SOUNDS LIKE A CLANKING SOUND THAT SEEMS TO BE COMING FROM EITHER THE DRIVER SIDE REAR OR FRONT TIRE AREA. IT ONLY MAKES THIS SOUND BETWEEN SPEEDS OF 5MPH TO 30MPH, THEN IT SEEMS TO GO AWAY AFTER DOING 40+MPH. MY BRAKES DON'T SQUEAL OR MAKE SOUNDS WHEN I PUSH THEM. ONLY WHEN I ACCELERATE FROM A COMPLETE STOP DOES THIS CLANKING SOUND OCCUR. I HAVE NOT INSPECTED THE ROTOR YET,BUT LOOKS FINE FROM WHAT I CAN SEE. I KNOW I'M GONNA NEED NEW BRAKE PADS SOON BUT I HAVE NO CLUE WHAT OR WHERE THIS SOUND IS COMING FROM. *TR
VEHICLE BEGAN HAVING PROBLEMS STARTING AND I WAS TOLD BY LEITH DODGE THAT IT WAS A FAULTY FUEL PUMP WHICH WAS REPLACED. THEN THE SAME ISSUE HAS COME UP AGAIN. AFTER READING ABOUT THE PROBLEM I HAVE DISCOVERED IT IS SOMETHING KNOWN TO DODGE AT THE TIME OF MY PURCHASE WHICH THEY LIED TO ME WHEN I ASKED THEM ABOUT SAID ISSUE. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THIS TIME IT IS A FAULTY TIPM. IN RESEARCHING I FOUND OUT THAT DODGE HAS KNOWN THIS FOR YEARS. *TR
ALL PASSENGER DOOR LOCKS TO INCLUDE THE BACK LIFT GATE WILL NOT UNLOCK USING THE REMOTE OR THE DOOR UNLOCK ON THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. WILL ONLY WORK FOR THE LOCK POSITION . *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE NITRO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FOB FAILED TO ACTIVATE WHENEVER ATTEMPTING TO ACCESS THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR AND BOTH REAR DOORS. ALSO, THE LIFTGATE FAILED TO OPEN WITH THE KEY FOB. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO INFORMED THAT THE TIMP AND THE CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, WHENEVER THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED A LOUD SCREECHING NOISE EMITTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.
IN SEPTEMBER, WE HAD TO HAVE THE TIPM REPLACED IN OUR 2008 DODGE NITRO. THIS HAS GONE OUT AGAIN. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS JUST RUN AND I HAVE NOT TURN SIGNALS. I ALSO CANNOT TURN OFF ANY OTHER LIGHTS. THERE IS NOT 1 AVAILABLE IN THE COUNTRY. WE ARE ON HOLD WHILE CHRYSLER SEARCHES TO SEE IF THEY HAVE ONE. IF NOT, WE WILL BE WAITING WHILE THEY MAKE ONE. THIS TELLS ME THERE IS A BIGGER PROBLEM THAT THEY CANNOT EVEN KEEP THESE IN STOCK. THEY HAVE RECALLED THE 2010-2012. RECALL THE 2008. CHRYSLER SEEMS TO BE OK WITH PEOPLE DRIVING ILLEGALLY WHILE THEY DECIDE TO MAKE ENOUGH OF THESE. *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE NITRO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR LIFTGATE FAILED TO LOCK WITH THE KEY FOB WHILE CLOSED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE KEY FOB DOOR LOCK WAS ENGAGED AND THE LIFT GATE WAS OPEN, THE LOCK LATCHED AND FAILED TO UNLATCH TO CLOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,471.
HEADLIGHTS CAME ON BY THEMSELVES AND STAYED ON FOR APPROXIMATELY 30 SECONDS EACH TIME; THIS HAPPENED 3 TIMES. THE KEYS WERE LYING ON A TABLE UNDISTURBED. THE DOORS HAVE ALSO LOCKED BY THEMSELVES. *TR
I HAD 2 CONSECUTIVE INSTANCES YESTERDAY WHERE, WHILE DRIVING, ALL OF THE NOTICES CAME ON ON THE DASHBOARD DISPLAY, MY ANTI LOCK BRAKES LOCKED UP AND THEN RELEASED, ALONG WITH MY HORN AND FRONT AND REAR WIPERS ENGAGING AND NOT BEING ABLE TO BE TURNED OFF. ALSO, ONCE I PULLED OVER AND REMOVED THE KEYS, THESE ISSUES CONTINUED, AND THE VEHICLE WAS STILL RUNNING DESPITE NO KEY BEING IN THE IGNITION. AFTER WAITING APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES, AND ONCE ALL OF THE ANTI THEFT FEATURES HAD STOPPED, I GOT BACK INTO MY CAR, STARTED IT, AND NO MORE THAN 40 FEET DOWN THE ROAD, THE VEHICLE REPEATED THE EARLIER ISSUE WITH THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES LOCKING UP MOMENTARILY, THE HORN WAS BLARING, AND BOTH THE FRONT AND REAR WIPERS STARTED AND WOULDN'T STOP EVEN WHEN TRYING TO USE THE WIPER CONTROL TO TURN THEM OFF. AGAIN, THE VEHICLE APPEARED TO STILL BE RUNNING EVEN AFTER SHUTTING THE KEY OFF AND REMOVING IT FROM THE IGNITION. *TR
ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS GALORE. I WAS DRIVING WITH MY FAMILY - AND THE CAR HORN STARTED HONKING, WIPERS WENT ON, AND IT BEGAN SHOOTING FLUID ALL OVER THE FRONT WINDOW AND BACK. I COULD NOT SEE TO DRIVE - I HAD MY FAMILY IN THE CAR. OTHER ISSUES - RADIO QUIT WORKING, DRIVERS SIDE ADJUSTMENT FOR PASSENGER SIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR DOES NOT WORK, DRIVERS SIDE LOCKS DO NOT WORK, AIR CONDITIONAL COMPRESSOR ALREADY REPLACED BY ME, CONTROL MODULAR FOR BLOWER SPEED REPLACED. GOT IN CAR ONE DAY - AIR VENTS WERE GOING, AND NOBODY HAD TURNED ON CAR. I LOOKED ON THE INTERNET AND THERE ARE AT LEAST FIFTY EXAMPLES OF PEOPLE HAVING THIS HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS. REPORTS OF PEOPLES CAR CATCHING FIRE WITH LITTLE KIDS IN CAR. CHECK OUT HTTP://M.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/DODGE/NITRO/2008/ELECTRICAL/ELECTRICAL_SYSTEM.SHTML. I CALLED DODGE - THEY STATED THEY HAD REPORTS OF TIPM ISSUES REPORTED, BUT THEY DID NOTHING ON EITHER MODEL. THEY DID NOT SEEM CONCERNED AT BEING REPORTED OF PEOPLES CAR CATCHING FIRE WITH KIDS INSIDE. *TR
MY VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE AND I TRIED TO START IT NUMEROUS OF TIMES AND NOTHING HAPPENED. A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS DONE AND NOTHING COULD BE FOUND. I HAD IT TOWED TO DODGE DEALERSHIP AND THREE DAYS LATER I RECEIVED A PHONE CALL STATING THAT IT WAS MY TIPM. I HAVE READ A LOT OF COMPLAINTS AND I SEE EVEN IF REPLACED IT MAY STILL HAVE ISSUES. I FEEL LIKE SOMETHING NEED TO BE SAID TO THE MANUFACTURE AND THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE CONSIDER A RECALL SO NO ONE WOULD HAVE TO COME OUT OF POCKET FOR THESE ISSUES BECAUSE IT IS NOT THE BUYERS FAULT, THERE IS NOTHING THAT WE COULD DO TO PREVENT THIS... THIS IS NOT SAFE FOR ANYONE. I HAVE CHILDREN AND IF MY TRUCK WOULD HAVE STARTED BLARING OUT OF CONTROL AND STOPPING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET I DON'T KNOW WHAT I WOULD HAVE DONE. WHAT WILL IT TAKE FOR THEM TO TAKE THIS SITUATION SERIOUSLY. DO SOMEONE NEED TO HAVE A HORRIBLE ACCIDENT??? I AM HAVING TO PAY 1254.00 FOR AN ISSUE I HAD NO CONTROL OF. THIS IS NOT FAIR. *TR
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS RAN AS FAST AS THEY COULD WITHOUT US BEING ABLE TO SHUT THEM OFF. WE HAD NO TURN SIGNALS OR HEADLIGHTS. THIS WAS DIAGNOSED AS A FAULTY TIPM. WE PAID $1100 TO HAVE IT REPLACED AND REPROGRAMMED. *TR
AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN I-459, THERE WAS A LARGE PIECE OF A 18 WHEELER TIRE GOING ACROSS THE INTERSTATE. THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME IN THE OTHER LANE SWERVED TO MISS THE TIRE WHICH KNOCKED IT DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME. I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO GO OVER IT. IMMEDIATELY AFTER I ROLLED OVER IT MY VEHICLE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT. I STOPPED MY CAR AND HAD TO CALL A TOW SERVICE TO COME AND PICK MY VEHICLE UP TO BE SERVICED. I HAD A BUSTED RADIATOR, CONDENSOR, AND RADIATOR BRACKET.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE NITRO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, HORN, AND ALL THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE TERMINAL BATTERY HAD TO BE DISCONNECTED IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE TIPM FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE NITRO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEAD LIGHTS FAILED TO OPERATE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE LIGHTS WOULD FLASH THREE TIMES BEFORE SHUTTING OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIPM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000.
ON AUGUST 20TH, 2014, I NOTICED THAT MY POWER DOOR LOCKS AND FRONT WINDSHIELD WASHER PUMP HAD BOTH STOPPED WORKING. LOOKING THIS UP ONLINE, I SAW THAT THERE WERE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS WITH THE TIPM SYSTEM FOR MY NITRO AS WELL AS OTHER CHRYSLER MODELS. SINCE THE REPAIR COSTS WERE ESTIMATED AT MORE THAN $1000, I DECIDED TO GO WITHOUT GETTING THIS REPAIRED FOR THE TIME BEING. TODAY, WHILE HEADING INTO A LOCAL SUPERMARKET, I NOTICED A HORN BEEPING, AND TURNED AROUND TO FIND THAT IT WAS MY NITRO! THE HORN WAS GOING NON-STOP, THE WIPERS WERE MOVING AND THE WASHER FLUID WAS SPRAYING OUT CONTINUOUSLY. I RAN TO THE CAR, EMBARRASSED I MOVED IT TO THE BACK OF THE LOT, WHERE TWO MEN HELPED ME TRY AND PULL FUSES OUT OF THE TIPM UNIT, IN AN EFFORT TO GET THE HORN TO STOP. WE FINALLY FOUND THE RIGHT ONES, BUT THE WIPER PUMP HAD TO BE UNPLUGGED AS IT WOULDN'T SHUT OFF. WHAT A COINCIDENCE THAT THIS HAPPENED TO ME, AFTER READING NUMEROUS STORIES OF THE EXACT SAME THING HAPPENING TO OTHER PEOPLE WHO OWN DODGE NITRO'S. IF CHRYSLER DOES NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS DEFECT, NOT ONLY WILL I NEVER BUY FROM THEM AGAIN, I WILL TELL EVERYONE I CAN TO NEVER WASTE THEIR HARD EARNED MONEY ON A CHRYSLER PRODUCT; THAT'S BOUND TO HAVE A NEGATIVE EFFECT ON THEIR SALES. *TR
THE HEADLIGHTS STOPPED WORKING. AT FIRST THEY WOULD FLASH ON AND OFF. AFTER 4 OR 5 TIMES OF TURNING ON THE LIGHTS, THEY WOULDN'T EVEN FLASH. WE TRIED CHANGING THE FUSES, BUT NOTHING WORKED. THE LIGHTS REMAINED INOPERATIVE UNTIL IT RAINED. ONCE IT RAINED, ALL OF A SUDDEN THE LIGHTS STARTED OPERATING NORMALLY. THIS PATTERN HAS CONTINUED FOR OVER A YEAR. SOMETIMES THE LIGHTS WORK AND SOMETIMES THEY DON'T. THE DEALER SAYS IT IS A TIPM PROBLEM. APPARENTLY, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH DODGE NITROS. WE DID HAVE A MECHANIC REPLACE THE LIGHTS/TURN SIGNAL LEVER IN THE CAR. THE LIGHTS WORKED WITHOUT ISSUE FOR ABOUT 3 MONTHS. NOW, THEY ARE NOT WORKING AGAIN. AND NOW WE ARE HAVING OTHER ISSUES SUCH AS THE HORN GOING OFF AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND WASHER FLUID GOING OFF RANDOMLY AND NOTHING I DO WILL STOP IT. AFTER ABOUT 5 MINUTES, EVERYTHING STOPPED ON ITS OWN. THANKFULLY, WE WERE IN A PARKING LOT AT THE TIME. I CAN ONLY IMAGINE THE DANGER IF THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC OR AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. CHRYSLER SHOULD RECALL THIS AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES AFFECTED.
WINDSHIELD WIPERS START /SPRAY-DOORS LOCK/UNLOCK- HORN BLARES- ENGINE DIES AND WONT RESTART-
WHEN ATTEMPTING TO TURN ON HEADLIGHTS, THEY FLASH 2 OR 3 TIMES AND GO OFF. THEY WILL NOT STAY ON. IT'S LIKE THE COMPUTER OR A RELAY IS ATTEMPTING SEVERAL TIMES AND THEN GIVES UP. I DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY FOR 30 MINUTES AND THE PROBLEM CLEARED FOR A FEW HOURS. IT CAME BACK EXACTLY LIKE BEFORE. ANOTHER DISCONNECT WOULD NOT CLEAR THE PROBLEM AGAIN. ALSO, THE HORN WILL NOW SOUND WHEN UNLOCKING THE DOORS. THIS HAS BEEN AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM FOR SEVERAL YEARS. PRESS THE REMOTE UNLOCK AND THE ALARM HORN SOUNDS. PREVIOUSLY IT WAS ABOUT ONCE EVERY COUPLE OF MONTHS BUT NOW IS SEVERAL TIMES PER DAY. SOMETIMES IT DOES IT EVEN WHEN UNLOCKING THE DOOR MANUALLY RATHER THAN WITH THE REMOTE. THE FOG LIGHTS ARE FINE BUT HIGH AND LOW BEAMS ARE UNUSABLE, NOW. BASED ON INTERNET RESEARCH, THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AMONG VARIOUS DODGE VEHICLES AND OFTEN REQUIRES REPLACING THE TIPM FOR AROUND $1000. *TR
AT FIRST MY BACK HATCH STARTED SAYING IT WAS OPEN WHEN IT WAS NOT AND RUNNING THE BATTERY DOWN. THEN MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING FOLLOWED BY MY POWER DOOR LOCKS STOPPED WORKING RIGHT AFTER I PUT MY DAUGHTER IN HER CARSEAT AND WALKED AROUND TO THE DRIVERS SIDE TO GET IN, THE CAR AUTOMATICALLY LOCKED ITSELF, LUCKILY THERE WAS A KEY HOLE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AND I HAD TO UNLOCK IT AND CRAWL IN THE BACK TO GET THE DOOR UNLOCKED TO GET HER OUT, WHICH WAS VERY HARD TO DO CONSIDERING I HAD JUST HAD SURGERY. AFTER I GOT EVERYTHING UNLOCKED NOTHING WOULD LOCK AGAIN. THE BACK HATCH IS LOCKED PERMANENTLY BECAUSE THERE IS NO OTHER WAY TO GET IT OPEN BUT POWER LOCKS. THEN MY HEATER BLOWER STOPPED WORKING. IT IS THE TOTALLY INTEGRATED POWER MODULE THAT IS MALFUNCTIONING AND I WAS TOLD EVENTUALLY THE SIGNALS OR NOTHING WILL WORK AND WILL MAKE IT VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE THAT DODGE HAS KNOWN ABOUT FOR A LONG TIME. THE TIPM IS ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER AND THEY HAVE NO CLUE WHEN MY VEHICLE CAN GET FIXED!!!!! I AM BEYOND AMAZED THAT THIS HASN'T BEEN RESOLVED BEFORE NOW. *TR
I HAVE A 2008 DODGE NITRO THAT HAS A FAULTY TIPM, AS I WAS DRIVING THE CAR SHUT OFF COMPLETELY. ALL LIGHTS CAME ON THE DASH AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SEEMED TO GO OFF IN THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT. WINDSHIELD WIPERS, ALL FLUIDS, HONK AND LIGHTS WERE GOING ON AND OFF AS IF IT HAD A MIND OF ITS OWN. I AM NOW OUT ALMOST $1,600 AND CAR STILL DOES NOT TURN ON. THE TIPM IS ON NATIONAL BACKORDER DUE TO THE OVERWHELMING DEMAND AND CHRYSLER HAS RECALLED THIS VEHICLE FOR THIS KNOWN ISSUE BUT NOT MY YEAR. (2008) I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH CARCOMPLAINTS.COM ALREADY. I HAVE CALLED CHRYSLER AND ALL THEY DO IS TAKE MY REPORT AND SAY THEY WILL CALL BE IF ITS RECALLED. IM AT A LOSS. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO ANYMORE. *TR
DRIVING DOWN ROAD WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN HEARD HERENDOUS SQUEALING NOISE SO LOUD COULDN'T STAY INSIDE VEHICLE WHILE MOVING. UPON EXAMINATION I DISCOVERED A HEAT SHIELD HAD FALLEN AGAINST AND WRAPPED ITSELF AROUND THE DRIVE SHAFT. I NOW KNOW THE ALUMINUM PIECE TO BE THE HEAT SHIELD FROM THE TRANSFER CASE. THIS SHIELD IS ONE INVOLVED FOR RECALLS OF SAME YEAR MAKE AND MODEL TWO WHEEL DRIVE. MY DODGE NITRO 2008 IS A 4X4 MODEL NOT INCLUDED IN SAID RECALL. MY QUESTION TO THE GOVERNMENT AS WELL AS CHRYSLER IS ONE OF WHY NOT??? FIX MY VEHICLE SAFETY HAZARD TOO...
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND MY HORN AND LIGHTS START FLASHING AND AT THE SAME TIME MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND WATER STARTED GOING OFF. AS I SLOWED DOWN AND EXITED THE HIGHWAY I NOTICE MY AIR CONDITIONING HAD GONE OFF AS WELL. I WAS LUCKY I WAS ABLE TO REMAIN CALM THIS WAS VERY SCARY ESPECIALLY WITH MY 15 MONTH OLD BABY IN THE BACK SEAT. AFTER I EXITED AND TURNED OFF THE CAR NOTHING STOPPED. I PULLED OUT THE KEY AND THE VEHICLE REMAINED STARTED WITH THE HORN, LIGHTS, WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND WATER REMAINED ON. I ENDED UP POPPING THE HOOD AND UNDOING THE BATTERY TO MAKE IT STOP. AFTER 5 MINUTES IT TRIED TO RECONNECT AND IT WAS STILL HAPPENING. I CAME BACK TO THE CAR AFTER 30 MINUTES RECONNECTED THE BATTERY AND THE CAR ACTED AS NORMAL. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE NITRO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH ON A DOWNHILL ROAD, THE HORN AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS ACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY AND THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT MERGED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF BY REMOVING THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION, BUT THE ENGINE CONTINUE RUNNING. THE BATTERY CABLES HAD TO BE DISCONNECTED IN ORDER TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF. THE PROBLEM RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE NITRO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN PARK WITH THE KEYS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION, THE DOORS UNLOCKED AUTOMATICALLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
SUV STARTS HONKING THE HORN AND WIPERS AND WIPER FLUID START GOING OFF, ONLY WAY TO STOP IT IS TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY. THERE ARE MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME ISSUE ONLINE, MOST SAY IS FAULTY TIPM. *TR
I THINK THAT SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE. I AM HAVING AIR CONDITIONER PROBLEMS WITH MY 2008 DODGE NITRO. I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM HAMILTON AUTO GROUP ON RT 33 IN HAMILTON NJ, DAYS LATER THEY CLOSED THEIR DOORS. I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2009, SO IT WAS 1 YR OLD. I PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY WHICH I NEVER USED. NOW I HAVE AN AIR CONDITIONER BLOWING WARM TO HOT AIR. I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING ON LINE AND IT SEEMS LIKE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. IT ALSO SEEMS AS THOUGH ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS I READ ON LINE ALSO STATE THAT DODGE / CHRYSLER IS NOT COVERING THE REPAIR. SO I AM LOOKING AT ABOUT $600.00 JUST FOR THE PART PLUS LABOR. IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. ISN'T THIS A DEFECT FROM THE MANUFACTURER?? SHOULDN'T THEY BE RESPONSIBLE FOR CORRECTING THE ISSUE IF SO MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE SAME PART?? *TR
THIS SITUATION HAS HAPPENED QUITE A FEW TIME AND HAS ESCALATED OVER THE TIME PERIOD. THE FIRST TIME I WALKED OUT TO MY CAR. I PRESSED THE KEY TO UNLOCK IT AND THE HORN STARTED HONKING, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND SPRAY WAS GOING AND THE LIGHTS FLASHED. THIS LASTED APPROX. 5 SECONDS. AND STOPPED. THE NEXT INCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE FWY. SAME SYMPTOMS OCCURRED, BUT THIS TIME LASTED APPROX. 30 SECONDS THEN STOPPED. THE THIRD INCIDENCE: SAME SYMPTOMS BUT WOULD NOT STOP. I OPENED UP THE HOOD, FOR SOME REASON SLAPPED THE FUSE BOX AND IT STOPPED BUT WHEN I WENT TO DRIVE IT WOULD NOT SHIFT FROM 2ND TO 3RD. GEAR. THIS KEPT HAPPENING WITH INCREASING FREQUENCY AND DURATION. I TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALER. AS I WAS WAITING IN LINE TO CHECK IN, IT HAPPENED. EVERYONE WAS STUNNED AND AMAZED, AND LAUGHED AT MY POSSESSED VEHICLE. NOW THEY CAN'T GET IT TO HAPPEN WHILE IT IS ON THE COMPUTER. IT HAS BEEN ALMOST 2 WEEKS AND I STILL DON'T HAVE MY CAR. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 DODGE NITRO. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT SUDDENLY HEARD A LOUD POP AND THE AIR BAG INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED. THE DEPLOYMENT CAUSED THE CONTACT TO INSTANTLY LOSE CONSCIOUSNESS. THE VEHICLE RICOCHETED OVER A TREE, DITCH, AND THEN BOUNCED UNTIL IT CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE CONTACT RECEIVED MEDICAL ATTENTION AND WAS TREATED FOR A CONCUSSION, HEAD INJURY, CHEST WALL PAIN, BACK PAIN AND CONTUSIONS TO THE KNEE, CHEST, AND ABDOMEN. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V121000 (AIR BAGS, POWER TRAIN, STRUCTURE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE NITRO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND DOOR LOCKS INDEPENDENTLY ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE TOTALLY INTEGRATED POWER MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY WHEN I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT. I T-BONED ANOTHER VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, WHEN THEY TURNED INTO MY PATH. I HIT THE CAR SQUARELY IN THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR. BOTH VEHICLES CAME TO REST 90+ DEGREES CLOCKWISE FROM THE DIRECTION WE WERE TRAVELING. THE PLASTIC FRONT BUMPER, GRILL, FENDERS, AND INNER FENDERS WERE DESTROYED. THE RIGHT SIDE FRONT TIRE OF MY NITRO WAS PUSHED BACK ABOUT 3" FROM ITS NORMAL POSITION. THE CENTER SUPPORT OF THE BUMPER WAS BROKEN AND PUSHED ABOUT 12" INTO THE RADIATOR. I AM SURE THERE IS A DEFECT THAT PREVENTED THE AIR BAGS FROM WORKING. *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE NITRO. WHILE REFUELING THE FUEL TANK, IT FAILED TO REGISTER AS FULL AND FUEL SPEWED BACK OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026