Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2007 Dodge NitroRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls and 825 owner complaints for the 2007 Dodge Nitro. Most complaints involve electrical system (246) and fuel system, gasoline (146). The EPA rates it 17–19 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
17–19mpg
EPA · 6 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
7campaigns
Latest Jul 2020
Owner complaints
825
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$3,300est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

7 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Jul 7, 2020NHTSA 20V396000

Power train: driveshaft

Remedy pending

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.

Power trainReported Apr 3, 2013NHTSA 13V121000

Visibility: windshield wiper

Free remedy

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007 DODGE NITRO PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE WINDSHIELD WIPER SYSTEM MAY EXPERIENCE A CONDITION OVER TIME WHERE HIGH USAGE OF THE VARIABLE PAUSE WIPER FUNCTION ("DELAY" MODE) MAY EVENTUALLY AFFECT PRIMARY WIPER FUNCTION, RENDERING THE WIPER SYSTEM INOPERABLE.

VisibilityReported Nov 6, 2009NHTSA 09V438000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 8, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

825 complaints filed with NHTSA · Feb 2007 – Nov 2025
  1. Electrical system246
  2. Fuel system, gasoline146
  3. Power train94
  4. Structure89
  5. Fuel/propulsion system82
  6. Air bags61
  7. Engine52
  8. Engine and engine cooling39
  9. Latches/locks/linkages35

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Nitro model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2007825
2008393
200936
201078
2011122
Crashes reported
24
Fires reported
17
Injuries reported
30
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 8, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

246 reports4 crashes10 fires
“The day after I bought this vehicle it had to go directly back because of the catalytic converter. I was told they replaced it but did not show me the proof nor did they give me a valid warranty card. There is something wrong with the electrical system everything flickers and it just sounds really bad. The driver side passenger side window broke because it's made of plastic. The front both passenger and driver side door handles broke off. I had to Jerry rig it. And the reason I think this would be dangerous is if we were to need to get out of the car we would not be able to in case of an emergency. I've looked under the items that were recalled on this vehicle. But I get a notification that says I'm not allowed to have it fixed. Unless it's out of pocket. I purchased this car in August 2015 or 2016. The dates on the calendar below are inaccurate because the catalytic converter was done the very next day and the driver side indoor handle has been broken off for quite a while. But recently in the last week or so the other one snapped off.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 6, 2025Electrical system, Unknown or other, Visibility/wiperODI 11697909

Fuel system, gasoline

146 reports
“WHEN FILLING TANK WITH GAS, FUEL WILL SPEW BACK OUT SPLASHING ALL OVER PERSON, GROUND AND SURROUNDINGS. THIS HAPPENS WHEN FUELING IS COMPLETE AND YOU ARE REMOVING THE NOZZLE AFTER THE NOZZLE IS SHUT OFF.. THE BACK SPLASHIS SO VIOLENT, GAS WILL SPLASH INTO YOUR EYES. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 3, 2015Fuel system, gasolineODI 10669891

Power train

94 reports5 fires
“The contact owned a 2007 Dodge Nitro. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V121000 (POWER TRAIN, AIR BAGS, STRUCTURE). The contact stated that while stopped, the sound of an explosion was heard, and the side air bags deployed. The contact believed the vehicle had been struck by another vehicle. The contact suffered injuries to the neck and had issues with his hearing. The contact stated that medical attention was not required. A Police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to the residence, and then towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the underbody shield was striking the drive shaft while driving. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer advised the contact that a field inspector would be sent to inspect the vehicle. The field inspector inspected the vehicle and the contact was awaiting the results. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 19, 2025Power train, Air bags, StructureODI 11661958
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

6 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
3.7L 6-cyl · 4.0L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 6-spd · Automatic 4-spd · Automatic 5-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 8, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Nitro 2WD
Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
162219$3,300468
Nitro 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
162218$3,450494
Nitro 2WD
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
162118$3,450494
Nitro 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.7 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
152118$3,450494
Nitro 4WD
Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.7 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
162218$3,450494
Nitro 4WD
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
152017$3,650523
  • Nitro 2WD
    Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.7 L
    16 city · 22 hwy · $3,300/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Nitro 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.7 L
    16 city · 22 hwy · $3,450/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • Nitro 2WD
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L
    16 city · 21 hwy · $3,450/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • Nitro 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.7 L
    15 city · 21 hwy · $3,450/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • Nitro 4WD
    Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.7 L
    16 city · 22 hwy · $3,450/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • Nitro 4WD
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L
    15 city · 20 hwy · $3,650/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 8, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2007 Dodge Nitro as of Nov 8, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 8, 2026Vehicle 2182
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2007 Nitro questions

How many recalls does the 2007 Dodge Nitro have?

7 safety recalls as of Nov 8, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2007 Dodge Nitro problems?

Owners filed 825 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (246), fuel system, gasoline (146), power train (94). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2007 Dodge Nitro get?

The EPA rates the 2007 Dodge Nitro at 17–19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 8, 2026