10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 8
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
79,288 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

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2008 Dodge Nitro Owner Comments (Page 6 of 10)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #89

May 042015

Nitro

  • 55,000 miles

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

I click the unlock button on my key and the car goes crazy. Wipers go off, horn honks, windsheld wiper fluid sprays. The key isn't even in the ignition.

- Natrona Heights , PA, USA

problem #88

Mar 202015

Nitro

  • 91,000 miles
My 2008 Dodge Nitro had a failure of the total integrated body control module around 91000 miles. It caused my wipers to turn on and stay on continously even when the vehicle was turned off. There has been recalls on this part for the year before my car was made and I'm concerned it may be a continuing problem. It cost 560 dollars to correct the error.

- Wooster, OH, USA

problem #87

May 272015

Nitro

  • 70,000 miles
This is my third incident with a faulty tipm on my 2008 Dodge Nitro slt. Lights, horns, front and rear wipers as well as the washer fluid spraying out of control. I remove the fuse for both the left and right horns to silence them, then remove the positive battery cable to reset the tipm. It has been successful so far. Looking for a replacement unit for preventive measures.

- Sterling, VA, USA

problem #86

May 142015

Nitro

  • 151,800 miles

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

I purchased my pre-owned 2008 Dodge Nitro 2 months ago. A week ago it all went haywire like my car was possessed. It also happened the following week. -- while using the key fob to lock/unlock the car the horn starts blaring, the wipers (front and rear) start going, washer fluid shooting out, doors locking and unlocking, and the lights blinking. -- doors will not lock/unlock with the remote. I have to physically lock/unlock each door with the key. -- rear passenger doors and the rear hatch wont unlock. -- when turning on the engine the horn starts blaring, the wipers (front and rear) start going, washer fluid shooting out, doors locking and unlocking, and the lights blinking for about 5 minutes. When I turned the car off it was still doing the same thing. -- if I turn on/off the windshield wipers the horn starts blaring and lights start flashing -- when pressing the actual door lock the horn starts blaring based on the research I did and other 2008 Dodge Nitro owners the diagnosis is apparently a faulty tipm. There seems to be a national backorder on this part. I am afraid to drive my car for fear of something major happening while driving. My doors wont unlock and I am terrified to have anyone in my car. What would happen if we are in an accident the car catches on fire" I wont be able to get any one out. Dodge has recalled the 2010-2012 but has failed to recall the 2008 despite the national backorder for the part needed to fix these vehicles. I am really surprised that Dodge/Chrysler has not stood by their products and is putting the owners of these vehicles at risk. What is it going to take to issue a recall on the faulty tipm on all Dodge/Chrysler vehicles? why has Dodge/Chrysler not rectified this situation before it becomes a bigger issue like the Ford tire recall, GM ignition recall and the recent airbag recalls"

- Beach Park, IL, USA

problem #85

May 082015

Nitro

  • 79,000 miles
All of our dash warning lights would come on and then eventually go off but the check engine light would stay on. From then on the car would fail to start on occasion. Took in to dealer three times, the first two times they said everything is fine maybe you just need a new battery. Finally on the third try when we couldn't get the vehicle started, they diagnosed that the tipm was bad. Seeing as how this is a reoccurring problem for Dodge maybe they should have started there, also the part to replace it is on indefinite back order.

- Omaha, NE, USA

problem #84

Apr 102015

Nitro 4WD 6-cyl

  • 90,000 miles
The horn will start honking, wipers start going, washer fluid sprays out. Wont turn on has error no bus.

- Provo, UT, USA

problem #83

Dec 122014

Nitro

  • 95,000 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 the key fob failed to activate whenever attempting to access the front passenger side door and both rear doors. Also, the liftgate failed to open with the key fob. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who informed that the timp and the control module needed to be replaced. In addition, whenever the brakes were engaged a loud screeching noise emitted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 95,000.

- Melrose Park , IL, USA

problem #82

Jan 222015

Nitro 6-cyl

  • 86,000 miles
I walked out to my car one morning to make a trip into town. The instant I opened the door the horn started blaring without a pause, the windshield wipers both front and rear were running on their top speed. I have absolutely no control over the car. I cant even get it out of park to have a tow truck pick it up. The gauge cluster says "no bus" and the only culprit I can think of would be the famous Dodge tipm.

- Edmond, OK, USA

problem #81

Jul 172014

Nitro

  • 94,000 miles
I have a 2008 Dodge Nitro that has a faulty tipm, as I was driving the car shut off completely. All lights came on the dash and the passenger air bag seemed to go off in the glove compartment. Windshield wipers, all fluids, honk and lights were going on and off as if it had a mind of its own. I am now out almost $1,600 and car still does not turn on. The tipm is on national backorder due to the overwhelming demand and Chrysler has recalled this vehicle for this known issue but not my year. (2008) I have filed a complaint with carcomplaints.com already. I have called Chrysler and all they do is take my report and say they will call be if its recalled. Im at a loss. I don't know what to do anymore.

- El Paso, TX, USA

problem #80

Apr 012013

Nitro

  • miles
The windshield wipers either won't come on at all or will continually move all over the windshield as you drive. The wiper malfunction is extremely worse if you have the headlights on and use the turn signal. This causes them to quickly fully extend to the very edge of the windshields drivers side. This causes extreme visibility problems. The Dodge dealership has not been able to fix the problem after several visits and multiple attempts of replacing parts including the turn signal wand and the entire wiper assembly. The mechanic said Dodge recommended replacing the tipm, which the manufacturer was aware of a huge problem with this part on Nitros. After doing some research I could not believe all the complaints with no action being taken by Chrysler or the government for my model year. Recalls were issued for older years, so why not the 2008 with the same problems? I can't safely drive my car with my vision constantly compromised and I can't even sell it with all the horrible reviews. Now it just sits in my driveway because I am too nervous to drive it with these problems.

- Cardington, OH, USA

problem #79

Jul 012012

Nitro 6-cyl

  • 75,000 miles

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

On several occasions, the vehicle electrical system has malfunctioned. Lights go on and off, winshield wipers come on, horn honks constantly, engine stalls, etc. The only way to get it to stop is un-hooking the battery and letting it set for a few minutes. This happened several times so we took it to the dealer to get it looked at. They told us it was a sensor in the steering column that needed to be replaced. The car was out of warranty so it cost just over $800. Since the repair, the car has shown the same problems. Most recently a few days ago.

- Murfreesboro, TN, USA

problem #78

Dec 152014

Nitro 6-cyl

  • miles
All passenger door locks to include the back lift gate will not unlock using the remote or the door unlock on the drivers side door. Will only work for the lock position.

- Mangilao, GU, USA

problem #77

Dec 172014

Nitro 6-cyl

  • 83,000 miles
Vehicle began having problems starting and I was told by leith Dodge that it was a faulty fuel pump which was replaced. Then the same issue has come up again. After reading about the problem I have discovered it is something known to Dodge at the time of my purchase which they lied to me when I asked them about said issue. I have been told this time it is a faulty tipm. In researching I found out that Dodge has known this for years.

- Cary, NC, USA

problem #76

May 012013

Nitro 4WD 6-cyl

  • 90,000 miles
It was may of 2013, not sure of exact date. It was evening and raining out. I went to get in my car and when I started the ignition and put my headlights on, they went off. After about 15 seconds they came back on, but started to flicker. After I shut the car off and turned back on the headlights remained on. Over the past year this has happened more and more. Each time is when there is moisture: Rain, snow or frost. This year the occurrences are getting more frequent. I have had head lights replaced. The switch. A battery. I was finally told it is the tipm. The part will be between $600-700 (just for the part), its on national backorder, it could be months until they even get it in. Now this means my only vehicle I can't drive. I leave for work at 5:00 a.M, which is dark and return in the evening (in winter) around 5:30 which is dark. These lights go out randomly and Dodge said they are unaware of any tipm problems. This is a major safety issue to myself and the public.

- Lancaster, PA, USA

problem #75

Jan 212014

Nitro 6-cyl

  • miles
For the past year I have been dealing with my horn randomly honking at all times of day and night, doors locking and unlocking on their own, headlights and taillights turning on by themselves as the Nitro is parked with the engine off. On top of all this, since October 2014 my engine as been stalling when I tried to start it. I tried to start it numerous of times and it would turn on for about 3-5 seconds then shut off and recently it has gotten to the point that it doesn't want to start anymore. A diagnostic test was done and nothing could be found. Due to all these issues, which have drained the battery life, I have replaced the battery twice within the past year.

- Abilene, TX, USA

problem #74

Aug 012014

Nitro

  • 80,000 miles
At first my back hatch started saying it was open when it was not and running the battery down. Then my windshield wipers stopped working followed by my power door locks stopped working right after I put my daughter in her carseat and walked around to the drivers side to get in, the car automatically locked itself, luckily there was a key hole on the drivers side and I had to unlock it and crawl in the back to get the door unlocked to get her out, which was very hard to do considering I had just had surgery. After I got everything unlocked nothing would lock again. The back hatch is locked permanently because there is no other way to get it open but power locks. Then my heater blower stopped working. It is the totally integrated power module that is malfunctioning and I was told eventually the signals or nothing will work and will make it very dangerous to drive. This is a major safety issue that Dodge has known about for a long time. The tipm is on national back order and they have no clue when my vehicle can get fixed!!!!! I am beyond amazed that this hasn't been resolved before now.

- Slab Fork , WV, USA

problem #73

Dec 012014

Nitro 4WD 6-cyl

  • 93,750 miles
In September, we had to have the tipm replaced in our 2008 Dodge Nitro. This has gone out again. The windshield wipers just run and I have not turn signals. I also cannot turn off any other lights. There is not 1 available in the country. We are on hold while Chrysler searches to see if they have one. If not, we will be waiting while they make one. This tells me there is a bigger problem that they cannot even keep these in stock. They have recalled the 2010-2012. Recall the 2008. Chrysler seems to be ok with people driving illegally while they decide to make enough of these.

- Draper, UT, USA

problem #72

Nov 062014

Nitro 4WD 6-cyl

  • 56,000 miles
Headlights came on by themselves and stayed on for approximately 30 seconds each time; this happened 3 times. The keys were lying on a table undisturbed. The doors have also locked by themselves.

- Detroit, MI, USA

problem #71

Dec 112011

Nitro

  • 65,000 miles
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

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