Although it had capable underpinnings from the Jeep Liberty, the 2008 Dodge Nitro suffered from rather serious problems. Some of these issues stem from a faulty power distribution panel and led to recalls for a dangerous airbag cover design and premature driveshaft failure.
Key Points
- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the 2008 Dodge Nitro a perfect five-star front and side-impact crash test rating.
- The NHTSA also recalled the 2008 Nitro for a very dangerous steering wheel airbag cover design that could become a projectile.
- Electrical faults plague the Dodge Nitro and can range from irritating to downright unsafe, with Totally Integrated Power Module defects possibly resulting in an engine stall, airbag non-deployment, and unintended acceleration.
- Although the NHTSA’s sole investigation into the 2008 Nitro’s alleged power failures did not lead to a recall, the problem still plagued owners, as evidenced in a large number of registered complaints.
- Transmission issues like shuddering at speeds above 35 mph can make owning this compact SUV an expensive proposition.
The 2008 Dodge Nitro Had One Investigation and Three Recalls, Including Two Related to Malfunctioning Airbag Deployment
The first of the 2008 Dodge Nitro recalls is a bit unusual. It seems that the nuts securing the Dodge emblem to the center of the steering wheel can work their way loose and become dangerous projectiles when the airbag deploys.
That recall was in 2020. But when it was new, the 2008 Dodge Nitro received a five-star front and side-impact crash test rating from the NHTSA.
Another Dodge Nitro recall is for driveshaft failure. According to the NHTSA, the transfer case heat shield can come in contact with the driveshaft and cause it to break.
If this happens, the vehicle’s airbag computer can trigger the airbags. But this is probably secondary to the fact that the truck will lose drive power, and possibly become difficult to control.
The last 2008 Nitro recall was over the failure of the parking brake system on a small number of units equipped with a manual transmission.
The NHTSA also launched an investigation into the alleged failure of the truck’s Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM). This issue could cause a number of problems, including airbag failure, engine stalling, and unintended acceleration.
Electrical Problems are the Number One Complaint about the 2008 Dodge Nitro
In 2014, the NHTSA conducted a formal investigation into the Totally Integrated Power Module used on the 2008 Nitro. This main power distribution panel was responsible for sending electricity to all of the vehicle’s systems.
Although the investigation did not lead to a recall, the symptoms of this problem plagued owners.
This is evidenced by the number of related complaints filed with NHTSA. Among them are sudden acceleration and engine stalling. It doesn’t take a mechanical engineer to surmise that these two issues could lead to a serious accident, or worse.
In addition to lodging their complaints with the NHTSA, owners have taken to websites like Car Complaints. Among the numerous complaints, electrical problems are familiar issues, like the horn randomly honking, the door locks randomly activating, and the windshield wipers turning on by themselves.
2008 Dodge Nitro Transmission Problems are a Common Theme on Owner Forms
On a thread on the owner forum Dodge-Nitro, many owners report a shuddering coming from their automatic transmission at speeds above 35 mph.
Owners on the website Nitro Forumz also report the same 2008 Dodge Nitro transmission problems. Replacing the torque converter seems to be the most common repair.
Repair Pal reports that a software update to the transmission control module may be needed in order to fix a condition where the gearbox remains in limp mode (i.e. the only forward gear available is third).
This can be a disconcerting problem. However, the repair is relatively simple, especially compared to replacing the entire transmission wiring harness. This fix is noted by the website Transmission Cost Repair Guide as a fix for slipping and harsh shifts.
Despite Some Reported Mechanical Issues, the 2008 Dodge Nitro Has a Durable Engine That’s Built to Last a Long Time
Back in 2008, the Dodge Nitro offered buyers a unique styling, a host of useful features, as well as decent performance and safety. But as time marched on, electrical and mechanical issues began to crop up.
However, if you pay attention to the reported mileage when issues have occurred, you’ll notice that these little rigs can actually go for a lot of miles.
Granted, many owners have to pay a princely sum to keep their trucks on the road after problems occur. But at least the motors do seem fairly durable.
Photos: Stellantis
