Dodge Nitro Air Bags Problems
Owners have filed 105 complaints with NHTSA about air bags problems on the Dodge Nitro across 6 model years. The 2007 model year has the most (41). The words owners use most often: “air bag” (40% of reports).
- 105air bags complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 24mention a crash
- 25mention an injury
- 3related recalls
- 18%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Air bag: mentioned in 42 of 105 complaints (40%)
- Power train structure: mentioned in 6 of 105 complaints (6%)
- Side airbags: mentioned in 6 of 105 complaints (6%)
- Medical attention: mentioned in 6 of 105 complaints (6%)
At what mileage do air bags problems happen?
Based on 68 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 105 complaints, 24 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 25 an injury.
Dodge Nitro air bags complaints by model year
| Model year | Air Bags complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 Nitro | 1 | 50% | 38,000 |
| 2011 Nitro | 24 | 20% | 97,500 |
| 2010 Nitro | 12 | 15% | 80,500 |
| 2009 Nitro | 4 | 17% | 45,000 |
| 2008 Nitro | 23 | 6% | 115,642 |
| 2007 Nitro | 41 | 8% | 114,784 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (3)
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module; steering: steering wheel/handle bar
Model years: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
Problem: 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.
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.
Air bags; electrical system
Model years: 2011, 2012
Problem: Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Sebring and 200 vehicles manufactured June 28, 2011, through December 13, 2012; model year 2011-2013 Dodge Avenger vehicles manufactured June 25, 2011, through January 14, 2013; model year 2011-2012 Dodge Nitro vehicles manufactured June 17, 2011, through December 15, 2011; and model year 2011-2012 Jeep Liberty vehicles manufactured June 17, 2011, through August 15, 2012. Electrical over-stress of a resistor in the occupant restraint control module may lead to the non-deployment of the active head restraints during a rear impact collision.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating the deployment of the active head restraints , their non-deployment could increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will flash the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) or replace the occupant restraint control module, as needed, free of charge. The recall began on November 19, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N38.
Structure; air bags; power train:driveline:driveshaft
Model years: 2007, 2008
Problem: 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.
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.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Nitro. The contact stated that while the son was driving approximately 5 MPH, the front drive shaft fractured, causing the vehicle to abruptly stop, and the front driver's side and passenger's side airbags erroneously deployed. The contact stated that there was no…
Passengers front seat head rest deployed on its own. The air back feature of my head rest deployed and it broke in the process. It is available for inspection. It happened when I was cleaning my car. So thank goodness not when I am driving. I was actually cleaning my car to trade it in for a dodge…
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…
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…
The contact owns a 2010 Dodge Nitro. The contact received a recall notification of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V396000 (Air Bags, Steering) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was intermittently illuminated. An…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Dodge Nitros have air bags problems?
No. NHTSA has 105 owner complaints about air bags for the Dodge Nitro. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Dodge Nitro air bags?
Yes: 3 safety recalls list air bags. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about air bags problems on the Dodge Nitro?
The most frequent phrase is “air bag”, in 42 of 105 complaints, followed by “power train structure” (6).
Other Dodge Nitro problems
See all Dodge Nitro problems.