Model year guide

2009 Dodge Nitro

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2009 Dodge Nitro is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 31 on record.

2009 Dodge Nitro — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2009 Dodge Nitro at a glance

Safety recalls1
Owner complaints36
Combined18 mpg
Typical price$8,409

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

2009 Dodge Nitro recalls 1

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.

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.

2009 Dodge Nitro common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 36 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.
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.
Wheels
Inspect wheels for bends, cracks and curb rash, and feel for vibration at highway speed.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Fuel System
Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.
Gasoline
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

2009 Dodge Nitro MPG & running costs

Combined18 mpg
City16 mpg
Highway21 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,500

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

What's a 2009 Dodge Nitro worth?

Low
$6,100
Typical price
$8,409
High
$11,000

From 31 comparable 2009 Dodge Nitro listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2009 Dodge Nitro costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$17,500
Fuel only$17,500
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.

2009 Dodge Nitro trims & engines on record

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

2009 Dodge Nitro vehicles on record

2009 Dodge Nitro 2009 Dodge Nitro SLT1D8GT58K59W506363 2009 Dodge Nitro 2009 Dodge Nitro SE1D8GT28K19W527435 2009 Dodge Nitro 2009 Dodge Nitro SLT1D8GU58K69W518079 2009 Dodge Nitro 2009 Dodge Nitro SLT1D8GU58K09W518885 2009 Dodge Nitro 2009 Dodge Nitro SLT1D8GU58K09W531698 2009 Dodge Nitro 2009 Dodge Nitro SE1D8GU28K79W500818 2009 Dodge Nitro 2009 Dodge Nitro SLT1D8GT58K79W507045 2009 Dodge Nitro 2009 Dodge Nitro SLT1D8GU58K49W522017 2009 Dodge Nitro 2009 Dodge Nitro SLT1D8GU58K99W522174 2009 Dodge Nitro 2009 Dodge Nitro SE1D8GT28K69W507066 2009 Dodge Nitro 2009 Dodge Nitro SE1D8GU28K59W514281 2009 Dodge Nitro SE1D8GU28K99W505650 2009 Dodge Nitro 2009 Dodge Nitro SE1D8GU28K59W508948 2009 Dodge Nitro 2009 Dodge Nitro SE1D8GT28K39W549582 2009 Dodge Nitro 2009 Dodge Nitro SE1D8GU28K89W511018 2009 Dodge Nitro SLT1D8GU58K49W505685 2009 Dodge Nitro 2009 Dodge Nitro SE1D8GT28K79W538648 2009 Dodge Nitro 2009 Dodge Nitro SLT1D8GU58K69W535268 2009 Dodge Nitro 2009 Dodge Nitro SLT1D8GU58K89W550192 2009 Dodge Nitro SLT1D8GU58X79W520922 2009 Dodge Nitro SE1D8GT28K59W514008 2009 Dodge Nitro SE1D8GU28K19W514486 2009 Dodge Nitro SLT1D8GT58K69W525021 2009 Dodge Nitro SE1D8GU28K19W514438

Other Dodge Nitro model years

2011 2010 2008 2007

2009 Dodge Nitro — frequently asked questions

Does the 2009 Dodge Nitro have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 safety recall for the 2009 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 2009 Dodge Nitro?

Based on 36 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are electrical system, air bags, wheels.

What gas mileage does the 2009 Dodge Nitro get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2009 Dodge Nitro at about 18 mpg combined (16 city / 21 highway).

How much is a 2009 Dodge Nitro worth?

Comparable 2009 Dodge Nitro listings run roughly $6,100–$11,000, typically around $8,409 (from 31 vehicles).

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