2007 DODGE NITRO Complaints and Recall Information
The 2007 DODGE NITRO has 11 complaints and 5 recalls filed with NHTSA. Owners frequently report issues with the air bag warning light, problems with key registration causing the vehicle to enter theft mode and shut down, electrical stalling at highway speeds, and heater core failure affecting visibility. Some complaints involve unexpected air bag deployment related to a structural defect.
Common Issues- Air bag warning light. Multiple owners report the air bag warning light is continuously illuminated despite repairs performed under recall campaign 13V121000.
- Unintended air bag deployment. The transfer case heat shield rubbing on the drive shaft results in weakened driveshafts that may break and cause the air bag computer to falsely deploy side airbags while stopped.
- Electrical stalling. One owner reported the vehicle stalled three times electrically at highway speeds, linked to a transmission issue and a pending recall.
- Key registration failure. Several owners describe the security system not recognizing the key, causing the vehicle to shut down automatically and enter theft mode, preventing operation.
- Heating system failure. Heater core failure occurred twice in one vehicle, impairing window defrosting and reducing visibility during cooler weather.
- Drive shaft noise and damage. Reports of underbody shield striking the drive shaft, leading to vehicle towing and ongoing inspection without repair.
There are 5 recalls affecting various systems including structure, air bags, and powertrain components. The recalls cover drive shaft defects causing loss of motive power and unintended air bag deployment, as well as driver air bag inflator module issues linked to loose or missing steering wheel emblems.
Recalls- Transfer case heat shield. Recall 13V121000 affects 62,578 vehicles. The heat shield may rub against and weaken the drive shaft which can break and strike the transfer case tunnel, causing unintended air bag deployment and loss of power. Dealers perform repairs by adding a bracket to support the heat shield free of charge.
- Side air bags. Included in recall 13V121000, unintended deployment can occur if the weakened driveshaft breaks and triggers the airbag system. The risk includes potential crash from sudden loss of motive power or air bag inflation.
- Drive shaft. Part of recall 13V121000 addressing driveshaft damage from a faulty heat shield. Broken driveshaft sections may strike vehicle components and falsely initiate air bag deployment, increasing crash risk. Repair involves heat shield support bracket installation.
- Steering wheel emblem. Recall 20V396000 involves 925,239 vehicles. Loose or missing emblem and securing nuts in the steering wheel may become projectiles during driver air bag deployment, raising injury risk. Dealers replace the driver’s air bag cover with a redesigned version free of charge.
- Driver air bag inflator module. Also under recall 20V396000, related to the steering wheel emblem defect. The fix includes replacing the air bag cover to prevent loose parts from becoming projectiles in a crash.
Owners with ongoing repairs due to repeated failures, unresolved safety defects, or open recalls may want to review their legal rights under their state’s lemon law for potential protection or remedies.
2007 DODGE NITRO Summary
2007
Model Year
11
Total Complaints
2
Total Recalls
987817
Vehicles Affected
Recalls
2007 DODGE NITRO
925239 vehicles affected
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
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.
Risk: Projectiles as a result of driver air bag deployment in the event of a crash can increase the risk of injury.
2007 DODGE NITRO
62578 vehicles affected
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
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.
Risk: If the drive shaft breaks, a section of it can strike the transfer case tunnel with enough force that the airbag computer will believe the vehicle is in a crash and thus deploy the airbags. Additionally, the drive shaft failure will result in a loss of motive power. Either condition may increase the risk of a crash.
Complaints
2007 DODGE NITRO
ID: 2092919STRUCTURE
The contact owned a 2007 Dodge Nitro. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V121000 (POWER TRAIN, AIR BAGS, STRUCTURE). The contact stated that while stopped, the sound of an explosion was heard, and the side air bags deployed. The contact believed the vehicle had been struck by another vehicle. The contact suffered injuries to the neck and had issues with his hearing. The contact stated that medical attention was not required. A Police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to the residence, and then towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the underbody shield was striking the drive shaft while driving. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer advised the contact that a field inspector would be sent to inspect the vehicle. The field inspector inspected the vehicle and the contact was awaiting the results. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.
2007 DODGE NITRO
ID: 2092918AIR BAGS
The contact owned a 2007 Dodge Nitro. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V121000 (POWER TRAIN, AIR BAGS, STRUCTURE). The contact stated that while stopped, the sound of an explosion was heard, and the side air bags deployed. The contact believed the vehicle had been struck by another vehicle. The contact suffered injuries to the neck and had issues with his hearing. The contact stated that medical attention was not required. A Police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to the residence, and then towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the underbody shield was striking the drive shaft while driving. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer advised the contact that a field inspector would be sent to inspect the vehicle. The field inspector inspected the vehicle and the contact was awaiting the results. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.
2007 DODGE NITRO
ID: 2092917POWER TRAIN
The contact owned a 2007 Dodge Nitro. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V121000 (POWER TRAIN, AIR BAGS, STRUCTURE). The contact stated that while stopped, the sound of an explosion was heard, and the side air bags deployed. The contact believed the vehicle had been struck by another vehicle. The contact suffered injuries to the neck and had issues with his hearing. The contact stated that medical attention was not required. A Police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to the residence, and then towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the underbody shield was striking the drive shaft while driving. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer advised the contact that a field inspector would be sent to inspect the vehicle. The field inspector inspected the vehicle and the contact was awaiting the results. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.
2007 DODGE NITRO
ID: 2090085VISIBILITY/WIPER
Our heater core has gone out twice now, preventing us from properly being able to defrost our windows /windshield in winter and remove moisture during cooler days. It creates a substantial risk by reducing, or in some cases, completely removing visibility
2007 DODGE NITRO
ID: 2088623STEERING
Ever since I bought this vehicle, I have been having issues with it registering the key, which keeps causing an automatic security alert system to shut down my vehicle the moment I start it. I've already replaced the battery to my car. I've already had locksmiths examined the issue and nobody can seem to find the problem. The issue with the car is definitely a security issue. The car shuts down automatically and goes into theft mode which prevents me from driving my vehicle. That could be a result to a software malfunction or something but it doesn't register the keys which originally sets off the security warning. Whenever the car does register the key it drives and operates just fine. It's the computer that prevents me from driving it or whatever automatic system that is related to theft mode.
2007 DODGE NITRO
ID: 2088622ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Ever since I bought this vehicle, I have been having issues with it registering the key, which keeps causing an automatic security alert system to shut down my vehicle the moment I start it. I've already replaced the battery to my car. I've already had locksmiths examined the issue and nobody can seem to find the problem. The issue with the car is definitely a security issue. The car shuts down automatically and goes into theft mode which prevents me from driving my vehicle. That could be a result to a software malfunction or something but it doesn't register the keys which originally sets off the security warning. Whenever the car does register the key it drives and operates just fine. It's the computer that prevents me from driving it or whatever automatic system that is related to theft mode.
2007 DODGE NITRO
ID: 2088621UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Ever since I bought this vehicle, I have been having issues with it registering the key, which keeps causing an automatic security alert system to shut down my vehicle the moment I start it. I've already replaced the battery to my car. I've already had locksmiths examined the issue and nobody can seem to find the problem. The issue with the car is definitely a security issue. The car shuts down automatically and goes into theft mode which prevents me from driving my vehicle. That could be a result to a software malfunction or something but it doesn't register the keys which originally sets off the security warning. Whenever the car does register the key it drives and operates just fine. It's the computer that prevents me from driving it or whatever automatic system that is related to theft mode.
2007 DODGE NITRO
ID: 2085477ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This 2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 4x4 electrically stalled and died at 65mph on the [XXX] . This is the 3rd time it has stalled out electrically. The vehicle was inspected and told bad TIMP. Told the G25 RECALL should be placed on this vehicle. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
2007 DODGE NITRO
ID: 2071651STRUCTURE
The contact owns a 2007 Dodge Nitro. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer, where the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V121000 (Power Train, Air Bags, Structure); however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
2007 DODGE NITRO
ID: 2071650POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2007 Dodge Nitro. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer, where the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V121000 (Power Train, Air Bags, Structure); however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
2007 DODGE NITRO
ID: 2071649AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2007 Dodge Nitro. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer, where the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V121000 (Power Train, Air Bags, Structure); however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.