2010 Dodge Nitro: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2010 Dodge Nitro: 3 recalls, 78 owner complaints and up to 18 mpg combined.
Recalls
3 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #10V009000 · 2010 · 20,045 vehicles
What's wrong: These vehicles May have been built with an improperly formed or missing brake booster input rod retaining clip.
Why it matters: This could result in brake failure without warning which could cause a crash.
The fix: Chrysler will replace the brake booster input rod retaining clip free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during February 2010.
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #10V315000 · 2010 · 20,626 vehicles
What's wrong: These vehicles May have been built with an improperly formed master cylinder to hydraulic control unit (hcu) brake tube assembly end flare.
Why it matters: This could lead to loss of brake fluid and reduced braking performance increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the brake tubes free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during August 2010.
Airbags, Steering Vehicle recall #20V396000 · 2020 · 925,239 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Projectiles as a result of driver air bag deployment in the event of a crash can increase the risk of injury.
The 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 2 mention a fire, 4 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Electrical (26): the most common themes are electrical failure (10), stalls / loses power (8), door / lock issues (7).
- Airbags (12): the most common themes are warning light on (2).
- Fuel & propulsion (10): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (3).
- Engine (9): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (4), warning light on (4), electrical failure (2).
The 2010 Dodge Nitro has 78 owner complaints, ranking #4 of 7 Nitro model years for complaints (well below the 159 average). Complaints peaked in 2014 (13 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 5 years old, at a median of 70,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2009 (24 complaints, 1 recalls), 2011 (122 complaints, 3 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 21 | 18 | Regular |
| 3.7 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 22 | 18 | Regular |
| 4.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 16 | 20 | 17 | Regular |
| 3.7 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 15 | 21 | 17 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2010 Dodge Nitro.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/moHeads up: we may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. Prices checked 2026-10 and can change. We never host or link to pirated manuals. Disclosure
FAQ
Does the 2010 Dodge Nitro have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recalls for the 2010 Dodge Nitro. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2010 Dodge Nitro problems?
Owners have filed 78 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are electrical (26), airbags (12), fuel & propulsion (10).
What gas mileage does the 2010 Dodge Nitro get?
EPA ratings run up to 18 mpg combined (4.0 L, Automatic 5-spd), across 4 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2010 Dodge Nitro repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.