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2009 Dodge Nitro

The Verdict

91 Smooth Ride

The 2009 Dodge Nitro has 36 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are electrical (17 complaints) and engine (9 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 91/100, it earns a "Smooth Ride" rating. If you're shopping for a Dodge Nitro, consider the 2012 model year which has 94% fewer complaints.

Safe Bet

The 2012 has 94% fewer complaints

View the 2012 Dodge Nitro dashboard →

91

Klunk Score: Smooth Ride

This vehicle year has significantly fewer complaints than average. A reliable choice.

How is this calculated?

The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.

Get notified if a recall hits this car.

We email you when NHTSA issues a new recall on the 2009 Dodge Nitro. No spam, no marketing.

Under the Hood

Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.

YearBodyBrakesElectricalEngineTransmission
20071674222431080
2008252917214520
2009611793
201013730235
2011149523314
201200200

By Category

Electrical
17
Engine
9
Body
6
Transmission
3
Brakes
1

By Severity

1
12
2
22
3
1
4
1

Worst Problems

Complaints

Electrical 1

The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Nitro. The contact received recall notification of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V396000 (Air Bag, Steering) however, the vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repair where the emblem was removed however, the emblem was then replaced due to parts were unavailable to complete the recall . The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

38mo ago
Engine 2

The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Nitro. The contact stated while refueling the vehicle, the contact became aware of pressure build up which caused gasoline to not be able to be added to the fuel tank. The contact was unsure if there were any warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

42mo ago
Electrical 2

TIPM MODULE MALFUNCTIONS. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. I BELIEVE IT IS ABOUT A $1000.00 REPAIR.STATIONARY IN MY DRIVEWAY

70mo ago
Transmission 1

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE NITRO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND DECELERATED INDEPENDENTLY WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND DRIVEN TO HIS DESTINATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED HAWK CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM LOCATED AT 7911 W. ROOSEVELT RD, FOREST PARK, IL 60130, (708) 366-1001, TO NOTIFY THE DEALER OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,456.

72mo ago
Body 1

ON 5/24/2019 JONES JUNCTION T/A JONES CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE DIAGNOSED MY 2009 DODGE NITRO WITH A FAILING FRONT DRIVE SHAFT (THE ASSEMBLY FROM THE TRANSFER CASE TO THE DIFFERENTIAL JOINT) AND RECOMMENDED IMMEDIATE REPLACEMENT. I WAS TOLD NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THERE WAS A SAFETY CONCERN THAT THE JOINT INSIDE THE BOOT COULD COMPLETELY FAIL AND THE SOLID METAL SHAFT WOULD DROP AND SNAG THE ROAD. THE PART (#52853363AF) HAS BEEN ON BACKORDER WITH DODGE CHRYSLER SINCE LATE MAY. FIRST DELIVERY DATE QUOTED WAS 6/7/19, THEN 6/20/19, AND NOW 7/7/19. I HAVE NO ANSWERS TO WHEN THIS ISSUE WILL BE RESOLVED AND WHEN THE VEHICLE WILL BE SAFE TO DRIVE AGAIN.

86mo ago
Electrical 1

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE NITRO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE TO CHECK THE DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE AND STATED THAT THE FAILURE MAY BE RELATED TO THE AIR BAG MODULE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *BF CONSUMER STATED DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND WAS TOLD HER DODGE NITRO WAS NEVER ON RECALLED. ENCLOSED IS A REPORT STATING AIR BAGS HAS BEEN RECALLED.*JB

87mo ago
Engine 2

FUEL TANK OVERFLOWS WHEN FILLING UP AT THE PUMP. I'VE HAD GASOLINE SPEW OUT ALL OVER ME SEVERAL TIMES NOW. I CAN SEE BY INVESTIGATING THIS ONLINE THAT THIS IS A "DANGEROUS" AND "KNOWN" ISSUE ON MANY DODGE MAKES, MODELS AND YEARS.

91mo ago
Brakes 1

I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR STARTING FOR ABOUT A LITTLE OVER 3 YEARS. IT RANDOMLY WILL NOT START AND WILL ONLY CLICK WHEN YOU TRY TO START. IT STARTED OUT TURNING ON AFTER A COUPLE OF ATTEMPTS AND HAS ESCALATED TO MORE THAN 20 ATTEMPTS BEFORE IT WOULD START. WE HAVE REPLACED A LOT OF PARTS, HAVE CONTACTED DODGE CORPORATE, GOT 2ND OPINION AND STILL HAVING PROBLEMS. TODAY I WENT TO WORK AND HAD TO GO TO A MTG SO DROVE THERE AND WHEN I CAME BACK AND WENT TO START MY CAR IT WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING. I HEARD A HUMMING SOUND IN MY CAR BUT NOTICED THE ESP AND BAS LIGHTS WERE ON ON THE DASHBOARD. I THOUGHT OK MAYBE MY FIRST PROBLEM HAS COME TO A HEAD AND NOW WILL NOT START. I CALLED THE DEALER, CALLED A TOW TRUCK, AND AFTER WAITING ABOUT 30 MINUTES, IT STARTED. I DECIDED TO DRIVE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP MYSELF. UPON READING INFO ON INTERNET I SEE THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS TO DO WITH THE BRAKE SYSTEM, I THINK. I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM DEALER. THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON MY CAR BUT THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX MY CAR FOR THE FIRST PROBLEM AND NOW I WILL WAIT ON SECOND PROBLEM. MY CAR ONLY HAS 85,534 MILES AND WHEN PROBLEMS STARTED I BELIEVE I HAD ABOUT 58,000 TO 60,000 MILES. IT HAS BEEN A GOOD CAR UP UNTIL THESE PROBLEMS. ONLINE I SEE PEOPLE HAVE SOME OF THESE PROBLEMS BUT NO ANSWERS. HELP US PLEASE TO FIX MY CAR. CAR IS ALWAYS STATIONARY WITH THESE PROBLEMS.

91mo ago
Electrical 2

TAKATA RECALL / SEVERAL TIMES MY 4WD WILL GET A SERVICE 4WD LIGHT AND I WILL LOSE 4WD. THIS TIME I WAS SITTING STILL IN NEUTRAL AND TURNED MY SELECTOR SWITCH FROM 2WD TO 4WD AND RECEIVED THE SERV 4WD LIGHT. DODGE DEALERSHIP AS WELL AS LOCALLY OWNED SHOPS ARE AT A LOSS OF WHAT'S WRONG. AFTER MANY SEARCHES ONLINE I FIND I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON WITH THIS PROBLEM AND NO ANSWER. ALSO, THE SECURITY LIGHT IS FLASHING, WINDSHIELD WIPERS GOING CRAZY, HORN BLARING, AND WASHER FLUID SQUIRTING OUR RANDOMLY FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME. HELP!!! DODGE SAYS 4WD SHOULD BE FINE BUT IS NOT... I ONLY HAVE 2WD AND THE SERVICE LIGHT IS STILL ON.

92mo ago
Engine 2

DRIVING ON HIGHWAY FOR 75 MINUTES. PULLED OVER TO REST AREA- GOT OUT OF VEHICLE AND NOTICED THE BUMPER ON THE BACK RIGHT SIDE WAS MELTED AND VERY HOT TO TOUCH. THEN NOTICED MY TAIL PIPE WAS GONE. MY GUESS IS THE EXHAUST FROM THE MUFFLER WAS HOT AND MELTED THE BUMPER.

94mo ago
Electrical 1

RESENTLY WHEN CAR IS STARTED ALL DASH LIGHTS GO OUT & THEN THE AIR BAG LIGHT REAPPEARS AS I DRIVE IT GOES OUT & THEN COMES BACK ON SO IT'SLIKE ITS DOES SPORADICALLY

95mo ago
Electrical 2

WHILE DRIVING OVER ICE ON THE WINTER I WAS APPROACHING A STOP SIGN. I PRESSED ON MY BRAKES LIGHTLY TO AVOID SLIDING OVER THE ICE, THE VEHICLE STILL SLIDED AND, THE ABS, BAS, BRAKE AND SLIPPERY LIGHTS TURNED ON IMMEDIATELY AFTER IT CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND THE PUSH BACK ON THE BRAKES STOPPED WORKING. THE LIGHTS TURN OFF FOR A WEEK OR SO AND THEN THEY TURN BACK ON.

98mo ago
Body 2

THE VEHICLE ACTED LIKE IT WAS POSSESSED. THE DASH LIGHTS WENT OFF THEN BACK ON, THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OFF THEN BACK ON, THE WIPERS TURNED ON BY THEMSELVES, ENGINE TURNED OFF WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD AT 60MPH, STARTER KEEPS TURNING AFTER THE KEY IS REMOVED, DOORS LOCK BY THEMSELVES WITH NOBODY AROUND, AND NOW IT WONT START. IT JUST CRANKS OVER.

101mo ago
Electrical 1

THE TWO DOOR LOCKS LOCATED IN THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE IN QUESTION CURRENTLY HAVE 78000 MILES AND THE TWO ACTUATORS,ONE IN THE FRONT AND ONE IN THE BACK RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE NEED TO BE REPLACE. PROBLEMS REGARDING THE CAR LOCKS STARTED APPROXIMATELY 8 MONTHS AGO.THE PASSENGER FRONT AND BACK DOOR CAN ONLY BE UNLOCK FROM THE INSIDE. THERE IS NOT A KEY HOLE IN THE PASSENGER SIDE, THEREFORE THE PASSENGER DOOR CAN ONLY BE UNLOCK FROM THE INSIDE .REPAIR ACCORDING TO JEEP DEALERSHIP IS APPROXIMATELY A THOUSAND DOLLARS.

110mo ago
Electrical 2

WHILE DRIVING TO DETROIT METRO AIRPORT TIRE WENT FLAT. HAVE SEEN ON YOUR WEBSITE COMPLAINTS REGARDING CORROSION AT RETAINING NUT THAT HOLDS VALVE STEM IN PLACE ON THIS VEHICLE AND MODEL YEAR. KEY FOB WAS WORKING INTERMITTENTLY, LOCK AND UNLOCK. NOW KEY FOB ONLY UNLOCKS DRIVER SIDE DOOR. AGAIN THIS COMPLAINT IS LISTED ON YOUR WEBSITE FOR THIS VEHICLE AND MODEL YEAR.

112mo ago
Engine 1

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE NITRO. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS REFUELED, THE FILLER PIPE FAILED TO SHUT OFF WHEN THE TANK WAS FULL. AS A RESULT, FUEL SPILLED OUT. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL TANK VALVE FAILED AND THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

115mo ago
Electrical 2

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE NITRO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AUTOMATIC LOCK SYSTEM STOPPED WORKING WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AUTOMATIC LOCK SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REMEDIED. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,747.

121mo ago
Electrical 2

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE NITRO 4X2. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO USE THE KEY FOB TO UNLOCK THE DOORS, THE LOCKS FAILED. THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT LOCK FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE AS WELL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE DOOR LATCH NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,054.

125mo ago
Electrical 1

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE NITRO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER LOCKS FAILED TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. AS THE FAILURE PROGRESSED, THE POWER LOCKS FAILED TO WORK COMPLETELY WITHIN THE PAST SIX MONTHS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIPM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT ALSO INDICATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID WAS FULL, BUT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO WORK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE.

127mo ago
Body 2

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE NITRO 4X2. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH REAR EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR POWER DOORS LOCKS FAILED TO UNLOCK OR LOCK. IN ADDITION, ON SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE FRONT PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR POWER DOOR LOCKS FAILED TO LOCK OR UNLOCK. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SPORADICALLY. WHEN THE FAILURES OCCURRED, THE CONTACT WOULD MANUALLY UNLOCK THE DOOR TO EXIT OR ENTER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

131mo ago

36 total

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