10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 8
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
78,458 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2008 Dodge Nitro electrical problems

electrical problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2008 Dodge Nitro:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2008 Dodge Nitro Owner Comments (Page 7 of 10)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #71

Dec 112011

Nitro

  • 65,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Nitro. The contact stated that while driving 25 mph, the windshield wipers powered on independently as all of the warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. Also, the contact mentioned that the horn activated, the air condition fan became inoperable and the engine stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the totally integrated power module was defective and needed to be repaired. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was unavailable. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #70

Oct 272014

Nitro 6-cyl

  • 129,683 miles
I had 2 consecutive instances yesterday where, while driving, all of the notices came on on the dashboard display, my anti lock brakes locked up and then released, along with my horn and front and rear wipers engaging and not being able to be turned off. Also, once I pulled over and removed the keys, these issues continued, and the vehicle was still running despite no key being in the ignition. After waiting approximately 20 minutes, and once all of the anti theft features had stopped, I got back into my car, started it, and no more than 40 feet down the road, the vehicle repeated the earlier issue with the anti lock brakes locking up momentarily, the horn was blaring, and both the front and rear wipers started and wouldn't stop even when trying to use the wiper control to turn them off. Again, the vehicle appeared to still be running even after shutting the key off and removing it from the ignition.

- Albuquerque, NM, USA

problem #69

Nov 012013

Nitro

  • 70,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Nitro. The contact stated that the power locks failed to activate with the key fob, causing the doors to have to be manually unlocked. In addition, the liftgate was manually opened and closed from inside the vehicle intermittently. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic who diagnosed that the tipm needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.

- Lancaster, TX, USA

problem #68

Oct 262014

Nitro

  • 68,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Electrical problems galore. I was driving with my family - and the car horn started honking, wipers went on, and it began shooting fluid all over the front window and back. I could not see to drive - I had my family in the car. Other issues - radio quit working, drivers side adjustment for passenger side rear view mirror does not work, drivers side locks do not work, air conditional compressor already replaced by me, control modular for blower speed replaced. Got in car one day - air vents were going, and nobody had turned on car. I looked on the internet and there are at least fifty examples of people having this happen while driving at high speeds. Reports of peoples car catching fire with little kids in car. Check out M.carcomplaints.com/Dodge/Nitro/2008/electrical/electrical_system.shtml. I called Dodge - they stated they had reports of tipm issues reported, but they did nothing on either model. They did not seem concerned at being reported of peoples car catching fire with kids inside.

- Peoria Heights, IL, USA

problem #67

Oct 012014

Nitro 6-cyl

  • 104,148 miles
My vehicle was parked in the garage and I tried to start it numerous of times and nothing happened. A diagnostic test was done and nothing could be found. I had it towed to Dodge dealership and three days later I received a phone call stating that it was my tipm. I have read a lot of complaints and I see even if replaced it may still have issues. I feel like something need to be said to the manufacture and this issue should be consider a recall so no one would have to come out of pocket for these issues because it is not the buyers fault, there is nothing that we could do to prevent this... this is not safe for anyone. I have children and if my truck would have started blaring out of control and stopping in the middle of the street I don't know what I would have done. What will it take for them to take this situation seriously. Do someone need to have a horrible accident"?" I am having to pay $1254 for an issue I had no control of. This is not fair.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #66

Sep 012014

Nitro

  • 130,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Nitro. While driving approximately 65 mph, the windshield wipers, horn, and all the instrument panel indicators illuminated. In addition, the vehicle stalled. The contact mentioned that the terminal battery had to be disconnected in order for the vehicle to resume normal operation. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the tipm failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.

- West Plains, MO, USA

problem #65

Sep 032013

Nitro 4WD 6-cyl

  • 67,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have had problems with what I believe is the electrical and I am afraid of it causing a fire. I have had dash lights come on for the breaks only to have the Chrysler dealer tell me nothing is wrong. Then when the turn signal is turned on the dome light was flashing. Then 4 dash lights come on and it has something to do with the break system brought to mechanic he done an analysis said I needed a part. A week later the lights are out so I went back and this time was told as long as the lights are out there is nothing wrong. I am not a mechanic or scientist but I don't think it takes a rocket scientist to know something is not right with the electrical. The locks lock and unlock by themselves and this zaps my battery. I have a brand new battery which is dead today. I have called Chrysler and they said I have to have another analysis done"??" this is crazy!

- Aurora, CO, USA

problem #64

Aug 202014

Nitro 4WD 6-cyl

  • 96,000 miles
On August 20th, 2014, I noticed that my power door locks and front windshield washer pump had both stopped working. Looking this up online, I saw that there were numerous complaints with the tipm system for my Nitro as well as other Chrysler models. Since the repair costs were estimated at more than $1000, I decided to go without getting this repaired for the time being. Today, while heading into a local supermarket, I noticed a horn beeping, and turned around to find that it was my Nitro! the horn was going non-stop, the wipers were moving and the washer fluid was spraying out continuously. I ran to the car, embarrassed I moved it to the back of the lot, where two men helped me try and pull fuses out of the tipm unit, in an effort to get the horn to stop. We finally found the right ones, but the wiper pump had to be unplugged as it wouldn't shut off. What a coincidence that this happened to me, after reading numerous stories of the exact same thing happening to other people who own Dodge Nitro's. if Chrysler does not take responsibility for this defect, not only will I never buy from them again, I will tell everyone I can to never waste their hard earned money on a Chrysler product; that's bound to have a negative effect on their sales.

- Highland, MI, USA

problem #63

Sep 062014

Nitro 4WD 6-cyl

  • 89,000 miles
The windshield wipers ran as fast as they could without us being able to shut them off. We had no turn signals or headlights. This was diagnosed as a faulty tipm. We paid $1100 to have it replaced and reprogrammed.

- Draper, UT, USA

problem #62

Aug 242014

Nitro

  • 118,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Nitro. The contact stated that the head lights failed to operate. The contact mentioned that the lights would flash three times before shutting off. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the tipm needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 118,000.

- Douglasville, GA, USA

problem #61

Jun 252014

Nitro

  • 122,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Nitro. The contact stated that while driving 55 mph on a downhill road, the horn and windshield wipers activated independently and the entire instrument panel illuminated intermittently. The contact merged to the side of the road and attempted to turn the vehicle off by removing the key out of the ignition, but the engine continue running. The battery cables had to be disconnected in order to turn the vehicle off. The problem recurred several times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 122,000.

- Imperial Beach, CA, USA

problem #60

Mar 032014

Nitro 6-cyl

  • 136,543 miles
Was driving no warning car over heated pulled over waited hour to cool car wouldn't start had towed motor blown no warning had problems since purchase electrical brakes etc.

- West Covina, CA, USA

problem #59

Aug 022014

Nitro 6-cyl

  • 91,000 miles
When attempting to turn on headlights, they flash 2 or 3 times and go off. They will not stay on. It's like the computer or a relay is attempting several times and then gives up. I disconnected the battery for 30 minutes and the problem cleared for a few hours. It came back exactly like before. Another disconnect would not clear the problem again. Also, the horn will now sound when unlocking the doors. This has been an intermittent problem for several years. Press the remote unlock and the alarm horn sounds. Previously it was about once every couple of months but now is several times per day. Sometimes it does it even when unlocking the door manually rather than with the remote. The fog lights are fine but high and low beams are unusable, now. Based on internet research, this is a very common problem among various Dodge vehicles and often requires replacing the tipm for around $1000.

- Bluefield, VA, USA

problem #58

Jul 242010

Nitro

  • 51,458 miles
I was unloading groceries from my 2008 Nitro with the engine off and the key out of the ignition when the windshield wipers came on at full speed with washer fluid squirting out like a fountain and the horn blaring continuously at the same time. I tried the key fob to turn it off. Didn't work. My husband finally tried turning the ignition on and it stopped. He tried turning on the ignition several more times with no problems. Two days later I went on a short errand and when I got back home it did the same thing. It sat there until we took it to the dealership where we bought it. The service person said he never heard of this happening before. Too many reports on this site for me to believe that. Nitro will be going elsewhere to be looked at. I was lucky not to be out on the road when this happened. Very scary thought. Chrysler should have recalled this vehicle years ago.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #57

May 282014

Nitro

  • 123,000 miles
This situation has happened quite a few time and has escalated over the time period. The first time I walked out to my car. I pressed the key to unlock it and the horn started honking, the windshield wipers and spray was going and the lights flashed. This lasted approx. 5 seconds. And stopped. The next incident occurred while driving down the fwy. Same symptoms occurred, but this time lasted approx. 30 seconds then stopped. The third incidence: Same symptoms but would not stop. I opened up the hood, for some reason slapped the fuse box and it stopped but when I went to drive it would not shift from 2nd to 3rd. Gear. This kept happening with increasing frequency and duration. I took it in to the dealer. As I was waiting in line to check in, it happened. Everyone was stunned and amazed, and laughed at my possessed vehicle. Now they can't get it to happen while it is on the computer. It has been almost 2 weeks and I still don't have my car.

- Phelan, CA, USA

problem #56

Jun 152014

Nitro

  • 130,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Nitro. The contact stated that while in park with the keys removed from the ignition, the doors unlocked automatically. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the ignition switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.

- New Waverly, TX, USA

problem #55

May 012012

Nitro 6-cyl

  • 90,000 miles
I have been a police officer for over 21 plus years of my life worse Dodge vehicle I have ever owned. This vehicle is a 2008 Dodge Nitro.I am praying that this will help before somebody gets killed in this vehicle. The road noise in this vehicle is so loud U cant hear yourself talk. The vehicle started shooting wiper fluid driving down the roadway, turned windshield wipers on and they don't work. Stopped the vehicle without wrecking because of traffic they come on and wont turn off. Horn goes off all the time going down the roadway. The headlights will turn off without any notice. The transmission will stop shifting, stops U in the roadway. The back running lights go off and on. The air conditioner has now stopped working. The window will roll down at any given time. This has happened several times in rain storms where nothing works vehicle will shut off. I know the 2007 had a recall on the tipm but nothing yet on the 2008. I had this vehicle in the shop sense may I had no other means of getting to work so I'm driving this vehicle now and letting my wife drive my truck. The mechanic said I should sell this death trap. I cant do that I will trust that someone on this site will help. Do unto others as you would want them to do unto you. Please help with getting these problem placed on an active recall. Been making payments on a vehicle I cant even drive. I would even be glad to let yall run test on this vehicle. They call me moparlawman. I don't know how long I can stay fateful to a company putting vehicles out for sale like this. Thanks

- Columbus, MS, USA

problem #54

Apr 012012

Nitro 6-cyl

  • miles
While driving, vehicle begins to sound horn, windshield washers/wipers activate. Sometimes won't shift beyond 2nd gear while entering freeway. Headlights, tail lights, flashers come on whenever they feel like it. A/C stops working, then works again. All interior electronics occasionally fail. Engine shuts itself off. Dealer states it is the tipm. Cost to repair with extended warranty - $410... new tipm installed, occasionally still have minor issues.

- Lorena, TX, USA

problem #53

Jun 302014

Nitro 6-cyl

  • 29,273 miles
I was driving down the highway and my horn and lights start flashing and at the same time my windshield wipers and water started going off. As I slowed down and exited the highway I notice my air conditioning had gone off as well. I was lucky I was able to remain calm this was very scary especially with my 15 month old baby in the back seat. After I exited and turned off the car nothing stopped. I pulled out the key and the vehicle remained started with the horn, lights, windshield wipers and water remained on. I ended up popping the hood and undoing the battery to make it stop. After 5 minutes it tried to reconnect and it was still happening. I came back to the car after 30 minutes reconnected the battery and the car acted as normal.

- Irving, TX, USA

problem #52

Jun 092014

Nitro

  • 70,000 miles
SUV starts honking the horn and wipers and wiper fluid start going off, only way to stop it is to disconnect the battery. There are many other complaints about this same issue online, most say is faulty tipm.

- Haltom City, TX, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?