Model year guide

2008 Dodge Nitro

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2008 Dodge Nitro is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 157 on record.

2008 Dodge Nitro — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2008 Dodge Nitro at a glance

Safety recalls3
Owner complaints392
Combined18 mpg
Typical price$7,614

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2008 Dodge Nitro recalls 3

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module NHTSA Campaign #20V396000 · 07/07/2020

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.

Fix: 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.

Power Train:driveline:driveshaft NHTSA Campaign #13V121000 · 03/04/2013

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.

Fix: 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.

Parking Brake NHTSA Campaign #08V525000 · 08/10/2008

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.

Fix: 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.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2008 Dodge Nitro common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 392 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Visibility/wiper
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.

2008 Dodge Nitro MPG & running costs

Combined18 mpg
City16 mpg
Highway21 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,442

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2008 Dodge Nitro worth?

Low
$4,300
Typical price
$7,614
High
$10,600

From 157 comparable 2008 Dodge Nitro listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2008 Dodge Nitro costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$17,210
Fuel only$17,210
Per mile$0.23

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2008 Dodge Nitro trims & engines on record

Trims
SXT · SLT · SLT, R/T
Engines
3.7L 6-cyl · 4.0L 6-cyl

2008 Dodge Nitro vehicles on record

2008 Dodge Nitro 2008 Dodge Nitro SLT1D8GT58698W123723 2008 Dodge Nitro 2008 Dodge Nitro SLT1D8GT58K98W150482 2008 Dodge Nitro 2008 Dodge Nitro SXT1D8GT28K38W100367 2008 Dodge Nitro 2008 Dodge Nitro SXT1D8GT28K08W231076 2008 Dodge Nitro 2008 Dodge Nitro SLT1D8GT58678W101221 2008 Dodge Nitro 2008 Dodge Nitro SXT1D8GU28K98W243949 2008 Dodge Nitro 2008 Dodge Nitro SXT1D8GU28K38W223325 2008 Dodge Nitro 2008 Dodge Nitro SXT1D8GT28KX8W214656 2008 Dodge Nitro 2008 Dodge Nitro SXT1D8GT28K98W254808 2008 Dodge Nitro 2008 Dodge Nitro SXT1D8GU28K28W114516 2008 Dodge Nitro 2008 Dodge Nitro SXT1D8GU28K48W101492 2008 Dodge Nitro 2008 Dodge Nitro SXT1D8GU28K88W275386 2008 Dodge Nitro 2008 Dodge Nitro SXT1D8GT28K18W196404 2008 Dodge Nitro 2008 Dodge Nitro SXT1D8GT28K38W245943 2008 Dodge Nitro 2008 Dodge Nitro SXT1D8GT28K68W222625 2008 Dodge Nitro SXT1D8GT28K68W146484 2008 Dodge Nitro 2008 Dodge Nitro SLT1D8GU586X8W123744 2008 Dodge Nitro 2008 Dodge Nitro SXT1D8GT28K48W233834 2008 Dodge Nitro 2008 Dodge Nitro SLT1D8GT58658W135867 2008 Dodge Nitro 2008 Dodge Nitro SXT1D8GT28K88W134935 2008 Dodge Nitro 2008 Dodge Nitro SLT1D8GT58KX8W114848 2008 Dodge Nitro 2008 Dodge Nitro SLT1D8GT58K88W111947 2008 Dodge Nitro 2008 Dodge Nitro SXT1D8GT28K68W107250 2008 Dodge Nitro 2008 Dodge Nitro SXT1D8GU28K08W275902

Other Dodge Nitro model years

2011 2010 2009 2007

2008 Dodge Nitro — frequently asked questions

Does the 2008 Dodge Nitro have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls for the 2008 Dodge Nitro. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Dodge Nitro?

Based on 392 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are electrical system, power train, air bags.

What gas mileage does the 2008 Dodge Nitro get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2008 Dodge Nitro at about 18 mpg combined (16 city / 21 highway).

How much is a 2008 Dodge Nitro worth?

Comparable 2008 Dodge Nitro listings run roughly $4,300–$10,600, typically around $7,614 (from 157 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.