VehicleVerdict

2007 Dodge Nitro problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 676 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 6.1 times the median Nitro year — the 2007 model ranks #1 of 7 Nitro years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 44 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (145), fuel system (141), and transmission (55), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

676

NHTSA complaints

7

Recalls

3

Investigations

24

Crash-involved

18

Fires reported

44

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2007 compare to other Nitro years?

Nitro NHTSA complaints by model year, 2007 highlighted676 complaints2005: 1 complaints2007: 676 complaints2008: 609 complaints2009: 36 complaints2010: 111 complaints2011: 197 complaints2012: 3 complaints
Nitro NHTSA complaints by model year, 2007 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Nitro years to avoid →

What are the most common 2007 Dodge Nitro problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System14521%
Fuel System14121%
Transmission558%
Engine548%
Body & Structure538%
Airbags416%
Other406%
Visibility & Wipers335%
Brakes264%
Latches & Locks213%
Steering193%
Speed Control162%
Lighting112%
Seat Belts51%
Suspension41%
Seats30%
Tires & Wheels30%
Driver Assistance30%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)20%
Child Seat10%

Does the 2007 Dodge Nitro have recalls?

7 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

20V396000AirbagsJuly 7, 2020 · 925,239 units

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.

Consequence

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.

13V121000Body & StructureApril 3, 2013 · 62,578 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

If the drive shaft breaks, a section of it can strike the transfer case tunnel with enough force that the airbag computer will believe the vehicle is in a crash and thus deploy the airbags. Additionally, the drive shaft failure will result in a loss of motive power. Either condition may increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will add a bracket to support the rear of the heat shield, free of charge. An interim letter was mailed to owners on May 29, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N10.

09V438000Visibility & WipersNovember 6, 2009 · 82,079 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

INOPERATIVE WIPERS UNDER INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS COULD CAUSE IMPAIRED VISIBILITY INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND ADD EXTERNAL RELAYS AND UPDATE THE TOTALLY INTEGRATED POWER MODULE SOFTWARE TO CONTROL THE WIPER FUNCTIONS. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING FEBRUARY 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-835-1403.

08V525000BrakesOctober 8, 2008 · 3,663 units

Defect

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 3,663 MY 2007-2008 DODGE NITRO AND MY 2008 JEEP LIBERTY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS. THE PARK BRAKE LEVER CLUTCH DRUM MAY DISTORT AND REDUCE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PARK BRAKE SYSTEM.

Consequence

THIS COULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO MOVE INADVERTENTLY AND CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PARK BRAKE LEVER ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 27, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

07V434000BrakesSeptember 14, 2007 · 296,550 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE SOFTWARE PROGRAMMED INTO THE ABS ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE MAY ALLOW A MOMENTARY DELAY IN BRAKING WHEN COASTING UP A HILL DURING CERTAIN CONDITIONS.

Consequence

THIS COULD CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ABS ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE WITH NEW SOFTWARE THAT PREVENTS THIS CONDITION FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 22, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

07V291000Electrical SystemJuly 3, 2007 · 80,894 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE TOTALLY INTEGRATED POWER MODULE (TIPM) WAS PROGRAMMED WITH SOFTWARE THAT MAY ALLOW THE ENGINE TO STALL UNDER CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS.

Consequence

THIS COULD CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE TIPM. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 5, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

06V493000BrakesDecember 29, 2006 · 50,665 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) CONTROL MODULE SOFTWARE MAY CAUSE THE REAR BRAKES TO LOCK UP DURING CERTAIN BRAKING CONDITIONS.

Consequence

THIS COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ABS ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 19, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, WITH MY HEADLIGHTS ON, MY DASH BEGAN TO FLICKER AND SO DID MY INTERIOR LIGHTS. MY ENGINE ALSO STARTED TO STUDDED AS I WAS ACCELERATING. FINALLY I WENT TO ROLL MY REAR PASSENGER WINDOW DOWN FOR MY SON AND THE DOOR STARTED SMOKING AND CAUGHT FIRE! I PULLED OVER ON A CITY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · September 4, 2019 · fire

“WHEN REFUELING, AFTER THE PUMP NOZZLE SHUTS OFF, THERE IS A BACK SPLASH OF GASOLINE FROM THE TANK FILLER TUBE. SUSPECT THE FUEL TANK ROLL OVER VALVE IS STUCK OPEN. THIS CREATES A FIRE HAZARD UPON REFUELING AND WOULD ALLOW FUEL LEAKAGE UPON ROLL OVER, THE EXACT EVENT THE VALVE IS SUPPOSED TO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · November 10, 2010

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 DODGE NITRO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PARKING, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING, SHOOK, AND SMOKE EMERGED FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000. ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · May 15, 2013 · fire

“WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, WITH MY HEADLIGHTS ON, MY DASH BEGAN TO FLICKER AND SO DID MY INTERIOR LIGHTS. MY ENGINE ALSO STARTED TO STUDDED AS I WAS ACCELERATING. FINALLY I WENT TO ROLL MY REAR PASSENGER WINDOW DOWN FOR MY SON AND THE DOOR STARTED SMOKING AND CAUGHT FIRE! I PULLED OVER ON A CITY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · September 4, 2019 · fire

“MY CHILD AND I WERE IN AN ACCIDENT THAT RESULTED IN THE COMPLETE LOSS OF OUR VEHICLE. THE BOTTOM OF CAR WAS LEAKING AND IT ACCORDING TO BYSTANDERS CAUGHT FIRE. THE COMPLAINT THAT I HAVE IS THE FACT THAT I RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE FOR MY VEHICLE BACK IN THE MONTH OF MAY AND CALLED THE LOCAL…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · November 8, 2013 · crash · fire

2007 Dodge Nitro — common questions

Is the 2007 Dodge Nitro reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 676 complaints put the 2007 model at #1 of 7 Nitro years. It is one of the Nitro years to avoid.

What are the most common 2007 Nitro problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (145 complaints), fuel system (141 complaints), transmission (55 complaints).

Does the 2007 Dodge Nitro have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns affecting the 2007 Dodge Nitro. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2007 Dodge Nitro under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Dodge Nitro years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Nitro years to avoid are 2007, 2008, 2011. The cleanest record among Nitro years belongs to 2005.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.