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Engine & cooling

2010 Dodge Nitro Engine problems

Owners have filed 11 complaints about the 2010 Dodge Nitro's engine & cooling with NHTSA - 14% of all its complaints, most recently on December 23, 2021. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.

Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
0

Engine complaints

Electrical systemEngine & cooling

The contact owns a 2010 Dodge Nitro. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the horn was inoperable while needed. The check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and diagnosed with rear shocks and struts, air compressor, condenser, HVAC system, and electrical system failure. The mechanic replaced the spark plugs, engine coils, air compressor, and condenser. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that they could not assist since the vehicle was purchased from a Chevrolet dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.

Filed Incident Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11444817
Electrical systemEngine & cooling

I was driving at about 20-30 mph. My car started making a whining sound then my dashboard lit up with multiple lights starting with the battery and then all of them. Luckily I was able to get to the side of the road before it completely died. I had it towed to a garage. They tried changing the alternator and battery. It still won't turn on. It is now at a dealership and currently can't figure out what is wrong with it.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Unknown or other · EngineNHTSA 11257156
Engine & cooling

Takata recall engine locked up while driving on the highway while moving from one state to another. Oil in engine, didn't know why engine locked up. Replaced transmission, starter and a/c condenser leaked.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11171350
Electrical systemDriver assistanceEngine & cooling

Takata recall. My 2010 dodge nitro makes a very loud, almost diesel truck like sound, whenever my car is running. It almost sounds like a vacuum cleaner inside the car. The steering wheel, seats, pedals, body, and gear shift of the dodge shake constantly. This happens sitting still and in motion. The anti theft light turned on when the car was running, then the car turned off and would not turn back on for at least fifteen minutes. The drivers side window is starting to not work.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Electronic stability control (ESC) · EngineNHTSA 11160556
Electrical systemEngine & cooling

While driving vehicle shuts off without any warning indicators. There is check engine light. The seatbelt warning lights come one but we all have the belts buckled. This happened about 3 times since purchasing it. I have taken in to get checked but they have not been able to detemine malfunction. This is very scary cause I loose sterring control when it shuts down.

Filed Incident Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 10968728
Engine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 dodge nitro. While driving at an unknown speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic multiple times who diagnosed that the number two cylinder needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired numerous times; however, the failure persisted. The dealer diagnosed that the valve and cylinder head were not properly seated. The technician stated that both cylinder heads needed to be removed and rebuilt. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10862228
BrakesEngine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 dodge nitro. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle failed to restart on the first attempt. The contact also indicated that the traction control and abs systems would randomly stop operating causing the driver to loose control of the vehicle. In addition, the contact indicated that while the vehicle was parked on a hill the park/brake interlock failed and the vehicle began to roll. The check engine light had also illuminated and the...

Read the full complaint

vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the engine was misfiring but the cause of the failures were not determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 500.

Filed Incident Traction control system · Service brakes · EngineNHTSA 10723686
Engine & coolingFuel system

Upon filling up gasoline at two separate gas stations on two separate days, gasoline was observed to spew out even though the gas pump itself had shut off. Possible inlet control valve defect, filler tube defect. Unsure but gas simply spews out, about a half gallon before stopping. *Tr

Filed Incident Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 10668637
Acceleration & cruise controlEngine & cooling

At 10 mph it accelerator pedal no response to engine and brake booster was lost but engine still running. *Tr

Filed Incident Vehicle speed control · EngineNHTSA 10641374
Engine & coolingVisibility & wipers

The heater and air conditioner flap does not open and close properly. This results in cold air in the winter at times and no defroster and the windows ice up and fog up. It has been in the shop 4 times and not repaired properly. Some days it will work and some days it will not. This is very dangerous as it might be working when you leave and turn the vehicle off and then it just blow cold air out the defroster. *Tr

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · VisibilityNHTSA 10376295
Engine & cooling

Tl*the contact owns a 2010 dodge nitro. While driving approximately 3 mph, the contact attempted to make a turn and the engine stalled without warning. The engine was restarted and the vehicle resumed normal operation. The failure occurred sporadically. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer three different times for the identical failure. The computerized system was reset after the first occurrence and the failure continued. The failure mileage and vin were unavailable.

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10362293

Dodge Nitro engine complaints by year

Nitro engine problems, every year

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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