Problems · NHTSA complaints
2007 Dodge Nitro problems
Owners filed 825 complaints about the 2007 Dodge Nitro with NHTSA between Feb 2007 and Nov 2025. The most-cited component is electrical system (246).
Complaints
825
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
24
Reported by owners
Fires
17
Reported by owners
Injuries
30
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Electrical system246
- Fuel system, gasoline146
- Power train94
- Structure89
- Fuel/propulsion system82
- Air bags61
- Engine52
- Engine and engine cooling39
- Latches/locks/linkages35
- Visibility/wiper34
- Steering28
- Vehicle speed control25
- Visibility21
- Service brakes20
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 8, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
95
20
20
81
109
67
93
61
77
47
33
35
34
16
18
8
5
0
6
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 95 |
| 2008 | 20 |
| 2009 | 20 |
| 2010 | 81 |
| 2011 | 109 |
| 2012 | 67 |
| 2013 | 93 |
| 2014 | 61 |
| 2015 | 77 |
| 2016 | 47 |
| 2017 | 33 |
| 2018 | 35 |
| 2019 | 34 |
| 2020 | 16 |
| 2021 | 18 |
| 2022 | 8 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 0 |
| 2025 | 6 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Electrical system
246 reports4 crashes10 fires1 related recall
“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.”
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”
Power train
94 reports5 fires1 related recall
“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.”
Structure
89 reports1 crash1 fire
“The contact owns a 2007 Dodge Nitro. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer, where the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V121000 (Power Train, Air Bags, Structure); however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.”
Fuel/propulsion system
82 reports
“My car didn’t want to start after seeing a check engine light saying cylinder 2 misfire then 4 had fuel pump replaced still had check engine light and was misfiring afterwards a week or two the truck stalled while driving off freeway in middle of traffic breakers did not work, car frozen almost wrecked. I had it towed back to garage and they replace fuel pump again but car won’t stay on it will turn on then shut off by itself not showing any codes mechanics can’t find issue over 2 weeks at garage already!!”
Air bags
61 reports10 crashes2 fires1 related recall
“The wiper relays went out recently and somehow caused the door locks to beep and go crazy then die completely. And a few weeks ago the brake came undone somehow and fell into the wheel well, ripping the inside of the rim open causing a blow out while my wife, 2 year old and I were on the freeway. And now after taking it to 2 different dodge dealerships, the problems are not fixed, there is more warning lights on than I've ever seen. And so far both places have told me they fixed an emblem on the steering wheel, and that the other recalls aren't applicable because of being a 2007 and the recalls are for the 2008. Even though my nitro is obviously having the same if not worse problems. All the way down to the emergency brake not working, we love our nitro and dodge as a company and would please like some kind of help with this situation. Our vehicle is our only source of transportation and it is not safe for us to be driving, especially in the winter conditions we just got hit with here. Thank you for your help to whom this may concern. Here are some pictures of what happened with the brakes, thank the lord we were getting off the freeway when the brakes gave…”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.