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VEHICLE BUYER'S GUIDE

Dodge Nitro2007–2011

Year-by-year buyer intelligence from NHTSA safety data — reliability, value, and which years to target or avoid.

🚙 SUV
Dodge Nitro
2007–2011
B
Defect Risk
Recall intensity
0.0/yr · seg. median 0.0
Limited data — provisional
Safety
Low
0 inj.
✓No open federal investigations
14
Recalls
0
Complaints
2007
Best Yr
0
Injuries
Avoid 2007
5
Years Analyzed
14
Total Recalls
0
Total Complaints
0
Reported Injuries
0
Reported Deaths

Best Years to Buy a Dodge Nitro

Buyer Score combines reliability (65%) and depreciation value (35%) — higher is better.

#1 PICK17yr old
2009
Acceptable · 51/100
Reliability57/100
Value window39/100
Recalls1
Complaints0
#2 PICK15yr old
2011
Acceptable · 51/100
Reliability57/100
Value window39/100
Recalls2
Complaints0

Dodge Nitro Years to Avoid

#1 WORST
2007

6 recalls · 0 complaints

Top issue: No complaints on record

#2 WORST
2010

3 recalls · 0 complaints

Top issue: No complaints on record

#3 WORST
2008

2 recalls · 0 complaints

Top issue: No complaints on record

Federal Defect Investigations

NHTSA investigations are the stage that precedes a recall. 2 past investigations into the Nitro became recalls.

Recently concluded investigations
PE19014 · seats · closed Feb 2026Closed, no recall
EA19001 · air bags · closed Sep 2024→ Became recall

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Data current as of September 13, 2026.

Dodge Nitro — Year-by-Year Comparison

Every model year ranked by Buyer Score. Click any year for its detailed problem report.

YearRecallsComplaintsInjuriesDeathsReliabilityValueBuyer ScoreVerdict
201120——
57
39
51
Good
201030——
57
39
51
Caution
200910——
57
39
51
Good
200820——
57
39
51
Good
200760——
57
39
51
Avoid

Buyer Score = Reliability (65%) + Value window (35%). Deaths and injuries sourced from NHTSA complaint filings. Year links open full NHTSA problem reports.

Shopping by Era

How each generation of the Nitro compares — best year within each era shown.

Pre-2013

Older Nitro models are deeply depreciated but carry higher wear and repair risk. High mileage is common. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and verify full recall history.

Proceed with Caution
2007 · 512008 · 512009 · 512010 · 512011 · 51

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best year Nitro to buy?+

The 2009 Dodge Nitro scores highest on our Buyer Score (51/100) — combining a reliability score of 57/100 with a value score of 39/100. It has 1 recall and 0 NHTSA complaints on record.

Which Nitro years have the most problems?+

The 2007, 2010, 2008 model years have the highest problem scores in our analysis. The 2007 Nitro leads with 6 recalls and 0 owner complaints.

What is the Buyer Score?+

The Buyer Score is a composite metric that combines reliability (65% weight) and depreciation value (35% weight). Reliability reflects recall and complaint severity. Value reflects how much of the vehicle's depreciation has already been absorbed by prior owners — a 4–6 year old vehicle typically sits in the sweet spot.

What are the most common Nitro problems?+

See the complaint chart on this page for a breakdown by component.

Deep-Dive Research

Common Problems

Full year-by-year breakdown of every documented defect for the Dodge Nitro.

Reliability Score

Reliability rating and score breakdown compared to similar suv vehicles.

Years to Avoid

Every Nitro year ranked by problem score — worst years listed with full reasoning.

Found the right year? Verify the specific car.

A buyer's guide shows model-level risk. A VIN report shows the individual vehicle — accidents, odometer history, open recalls, and auction records.

Run a VIN Check →