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2007 Dodge Nitro Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2007 Dodge Nitro has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 5 recurring issue clusters, led by “TIPM failure causing stalling or no-start.” Dodge uses Stellantis' Oil Change Indicator — it watches engine load and duty cycle and messages when to change oil, capped at 10,000 miles or 12 months. Know your engine: the 3.6L Pentastar V6 goes 100,000 miles on plugs, while HEMI V8s carry sixteen plugs (two per cylinder) on a roughly 30,000-mile interval — that's a real cost difference at the service counter. HEMI models with MDS cylinder deactivation are especially sensitive to overdue oil.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2007 Dodge Nitro.

Reported to NHTSA

TIPM failure causing stalling or no-start

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

45 NHTSA complaints · 2016-01 → 2025-04

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 DODGE NTIRO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE GEAR SHIFTER WOULD NOT SHIFT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10851540
“The TIPM is starting to fail. The power locks do not work, the car has problems starting has a very slow start, the horn will randomly go off and sometimes it does not want to start at all. Every article I’ve read, and every dealership I’ve talked with has said to replace the”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11469164
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11656716

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Underbody shield striking drive shaft; air bag deploys

POWER TRAIN, AIR BAGS, STRUCTURE

18 NHTSA complaints · 2016-07 → 2025-05

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 DODGE NITRO. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS AN EXPLOSION THAT OCCURRED UNDER THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE ELEVATED WITH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. IN ADDITION, SMOKE EMITTED INTO THE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10887837
“The contact owns a 2007 Dodge Nitro. The contact stated that the underbody shield was striking the drive shaft while driving. The vehicle was serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number 13V121000 (Power Train, Air Bags, Structure) however, the fix failed to repair the vehicle”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11526789
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11661958

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Wiper motor failure before or after recall repair

VISIBILITY/WIPER

30 NHTSA complaints · 2016-01 → 2023-07

“MY CAR LOST ALL POWER. IT WOULD NOT START OR ROLL UP THE WINDOWS BUT AT TIMES IT WOULD BLOW THE HORN AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD TURN ON BUT CAR WOULD NOT START. THIS WAS AFTER I DROVE IT HOME AND TURNED IT OFF. ALSO THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL STOP WORKING WHILE DRIVING IT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10873144
“Windshield wipers stopped working while in the “on” position on the windshield. I replaced the wiper motor but the wipers still do not work. Yes, this issue was inspected by several reputable mechanics and service centers”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11500050
“Took car in for windshield wiper safety recall on 3/24/23. BEFORE the recall the wipers worked perfectly. After the dealer serviced the wipers they sometimes would not go off and then seemed to be stalling a lot but I did not have many occasions where I needed to use the wipers”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11530233

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine or dash wiring smoking and catching fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE

12 NHTSA complaints · 2016-02 → 2023-01

“WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, WITH MY HEADLIGHTS ON, MY DASH BEGAN TO FLICKER AND SO DID MY INTERIOR LIGHTS. MY ENGINE ALSO STARTED TO STUDDED AS I WAS ACCELERATING. FINALLY I WENT TO ROLL MY REAR PASSENGER WINDOW DOWN FOR MY SON AND THE DOOR STARTED SMOKING AND CAUGHT FIRE! I PULLED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11253315
“ENGINE STARTED SMOKING WHILE MY DAUGHTER WAS SITTING IN PARKING LOT AREA FOR ABOUT 30 MIN. ENGINE WAS OFF. SHE GOT OUT OF VEHICLE GRABBING HER DOG FROM THE BACK. SHE RAN INSIDE THE BUILDING TO GET ME (MOTHER) LESS THAN 2 MIN THE SMOKE GRADUALLY GOT HEAVIER AND DARKER THEN FIRE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11422228

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Fuel pump failures causing misfire or no-start

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

23 NHTSA complaints · 2016-03 → 2023-01

“ONCE FUEL TANK REACHES IT'S CAPACITY, GAS SPITS BACK OUT OVERFLOWING THE TANK. ISSUE HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR AWHILE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10852370
“Throttle body light came on car died. Thought it was throttle body replaced it didn’t start. It has crank but no start. Have had 11 people look at it now have replaced spark plugs, coils, battery terminals, crankshaft sensor, camshaft sensor, fuel pump but the car still will not”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11480682
“My car didn’t want to start after seeing a check engine light saying cylinder 2 misfire then 4 had fuel pump replaced still had check engine light and was misfiring afterwards a week or two the truck stalled while driving off freeway in middle of traffic breakers did not work”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11501385

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (Oil Change Indicator)

Every 10,000 mi

Change when the indicator says so — never beyond 10,000 miles or 12 months. Pentastar 3.6L: 0W-20. HEMI 5.7L: 5W-20 (0W-40 for 6.4L SRT). MDS-equipped HEMIs punish stretched oil intervals with lifter and cam wear.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 8,000 mi

Rotate every 8,000 miles. Charger/Challenger R/T and Scat Pack: staggered-width setups can't rotate front-to-rear — budget rear tires accordingly.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 10,000 mi

Inspect pads and rotors at every oil change. Heavy Durangos used for towing and hard-driven Chargers both run through rear pads faster than the front-pad-first rule of thumb suggests.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Spark Plugs

Every 30,000 mi

HEMI 5.7L: sixteen plugs roughly every 30,000 miles — check your year's manual. Pentastar 3.6L (Charger/Challenger V6, Durango V6, Journey, Grand Caravan): 100,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

Grand Caravan/Journey (62TE): ATF+4 service every 60,000 miles in family duty. Charger/Challenger/Durango with the TorqueFlite 8-speed: no published normal interval, but specialists recommend service around 60,000-100,000 miles — sooner with towing.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Rear Differential Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

RWD Charger/Challenger and AWD Durango: replace rear diff fluid around 60,000 miles, sooner with towing or drag-strip duty. Limited-slip units need the friction-modifier additive.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace every 30,000 miles. HEMIs pull serious airflow — a clogged filter costs measurable power before it throws a code.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Serpentine Belt

Every 60,000 mi

Inspect from 60,000 miles, replace on cracking or glazing. On the HEMI, a shredded belt can take the cooling drive with it mid-drive.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 20,000 mi

Replace every 20,000 miles where equipped (behind the glovebox on most models). Some earlier Journeys and Avengers shipped without one — check before buying a filter.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Coolant Replacement (OAT)

Every 100,000 mi

Stellantis OAT coolant is scheduled for 10 years / 150,000 miles; shops commonly refresh by 100,000. OAT-compatible coolant only — mixing chemistries gels the system.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Battery Test & Service

Every 25,000 mi

Test annually after year 3. Big-audio Chargers and tow-package Durangos lean on the battery hard; weak batteries surface as gremlins in the electronics before they fail to crank.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$225–$390

Shop

~$160–$280

DIY

~$130–$250

Most auto-parts stores test and install batteries free with purchase. Skip the dealer markup.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

80 crashes 1990–2024

How the 80 occupant deaths break down

52

driver deaths

28

passenger deaths

80

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2008 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

24

complaints mentioning a crash

17

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2007 Dodge Nitro reflects Dodge's published service intervals and the Oil Change Indicator System system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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