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Dodge Nitro problems (2007–2011)

The only engine of the Dodge Nitro that we have documented, the VM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD, has no high or critical severity faults in the versions it is fitted to. Our verdict for the version it is fitted to: «With caution».[1][2]

Outside the engine: For the Nitro sold in Europe we have only been able to document one European safety alert, concerning the steering wheel emblem. We have found no European sources reporting suspension, brake or electronics faults on this model.[3][4]

Dodge Nitro (2007–2011)
Photo: Karrmann · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons. Reference image for this generation.
02468107.7out of 10

Dodge Nitro rating: good reliability

Calculated using only 3 documented faults and their sources: the most serious and frequent faults weigh more. Provisional: we have found few sources for the rest of the car (suspension, brakes, electronics…). Its faults appear on the page, but they do not count towards the score or the rankings until the analysis is complete. How it is calculated

  • Engine7.73 faults
  • GearboxLittle data
  • SuspensionLittle data
  • BrakesLittle data
  • Tyres and wheelsLittle data
  • SteeringLittle data
  • Electrical systemLittle data
  • Electronics and infotainmentLittle data
  • Climate controlLittle data
  • Bodywork and interiorLittle data
  • Airbags and safetyLittle data

The weak points of the Dodge Nitro

  1. 1Medium severity: Wear of the injectors and the high-pressure pumpVM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD engine · repair €800–€1,400
  2. 2Medium severity: Turbocharger failure and intake hosesVM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD engine
  3. 3High severity: Steering wheel emblem not securely fixed (risk on airbag deployment)Airbags and safety
  4. 4Low severity: EGR valve and intake clogged with sootVM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD engine · repair €150–€600

Documented engine

The first label is the most serious fault affecting that engine in this car; the second, our verdict for the versions it is fitted to. Each engine's risk index is calculated only from the faults that affect this car (how we calculate it). We only show engines we have documented with sources: if yours does not appear, we have not analysed it yet. View all engines

See what to check before buying

Outside the engine

1 recall or campaign documented, the latest: Steering wheel emblem not securely fixed (Dodge Nitro 2006-2011). See the campaigns for the Dodge Nitro

10 sourcesHow we work

VM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD

VM Motori 2.8 CRD (R 428 / RA 428 / A 428) and 3.0 V6 CRD (A 630) · Diesel

In the Nitro
2007–2011[5][6][7]
Name
Nitro 2.8 CRD
Faults that affect it
3
Risk index on this car
23
Low risk

Verdict for the version it uses

  • 2.8 CRD RA 428 Euro 4 (ENS, 163-177 hp, 2007-2011)2007–2011 · 163–177 hp · RA 428, ENS

    With caution

    It shares its mechanical base with the other 2.8s: the sources point to wear of the turbo, intercooler, EGR deposits and injection, with no frequency figures. Check the last timing belt change; for the 130 kW Wrangler a German maintenance portal gives 100,000 km.[1][2]

Faults that affect the Nitro

Only those that affect the versions and years that this car used. The VM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD has 4 documented faults in total.

  1. Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalInjectionWear of the injectors and the high-pressure pumpThe injectors and common-rail pump of the 2.8 and the 3.0 V6 CRD can wear with the years: the sources place it between 120,000 and 180,000 km and describe it as loss of power or limp mode, not a widespread failure.Repair (garage): €800–€1,400Appears at around 120,000 km
  2. Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalTurboTurbocharger failure and intake hosesThe variable-geometry turbo can wear, get clogged with soot or lose pressure through cracked hoses. CarsGuide cites it on the Wrangler's 2.8 and AUTO BILD as an occasional fault on the Grand Cherokee's 3.0; no source gives figures.
  3. Low severityFrequency: OccasionalEmissions controlEGR valve and intake clogged with sootWith short journeys, the EGR valve and intake of the 2.8 and 3.0 CRD accumulate sticky deposits that cause jerking, black smoke and uneven running. It is usually fixed by cleaning; if not, the valve has to be replaced.Repair (garage): €150–€600

Nitro VM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD pageAll versions and faults of the VM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD

Faults of the Dodge Nitro outside the engine

Suspension, brakes, tyres, electronics and the rest of the car. They occur with any engine.

Checklist for buying a used Dodge Nitro

Check the advert or the paperwork to see which engine the car has and go through its section. Each point comes from a documented fault; you can tick them off as you inspect.

If it has the VM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD (2007–2011)

Wear of the injectors and the high-pressure pump

Medium severity

Turbocharger failure and intake hoses

Medium severity

EGR valve and intake clogged with soot

Low severity

Buying a Dodge Nitro?

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Own a Dodge Nitro? Tell us what faults you have had, at what mileage and how much you paid. Report your fault.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Dodge Nitro reliable?

The only engine of the Dodge Nitro that we have documented, the VM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD, has no high or critical severity faults in the versions it is fitted to. Our verdict for the version it is fitted to: «With caution». For the Nitro sold in Europe we have only been able to document one European safety alert, concerning the steering wheel emblem. We have found no European sources reporting suspension, brake or electronics faults on this model.

What problems does the Dodge Nitro have apart from the engine?

For the Nitro sold in Europe we have only been able to document one European safety alert, concerning the steering wheel emblem. We have found no European sources reporting suspension, brake or electronics faults on this model. The most important documented faults are: steering wheel emblem not securely fixed (risk on airbag deployment) (airbags and safety, high severity).[3][4]

What faults does the Dodge Nitro have?

The most important by severity and frequency, on the engines we have documented, are: wear of the injectors and the high-pressure pump (VM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD, medium severity), turbocharger failure and intake hoses (VM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD, medium severity) and EGR valve and intake clogged with soot (VM Motori 2.8 and 3.0 CRD, low severity).

Does the Dodge Nitro have recalls?

Yes: we have documented one campaign for the Dodge Nitro, such as steering wheel emblem not securely fixed (Dodge Nitro 2006-2011) (2021). Check with your VIN at the official service centre whether yours has been done.[3]

Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

  1. Jeep Wrangler 2.8 Diesel ProblemsCarsGuide · Motoring press · published 11 December 2020 · consulted 8 October 2026
  2. Zahnriemenwechsel Jeep Wranglerrepareo.de · Technical documentation · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  3. Dodge Nitro (2006-2011): alerta Safety Gate por el emblema del volanteCar-Recalls.eu (EU Safety Gate) · Official body · published 30 January 2021 · consulted 29 October 2026
  4. Dodge NitroWikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 29 October 2026 · in German
  5. VM MotoriWikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
  6. VM MotoriWikipedia (it) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in Italian
  7. WT-2027 Engine Timing Tool Set Chrysler & Jeep 2.8 CRDForce Tools (Kepmar) · Technical documentation · consulted 8 October 2026
  8. Problemas Jeep Wrangler 2.8 CRDTotal Renting · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in Spanish
  9. Problemas Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.0 CRDTotal Renting · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in Spanish
  10. Jeep Grand Cherokee WK2 con kilometraje: se puede comprar, pero con maticesZa Rulyom (zr.ru) · Motoring press · published 28 April 2023 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in another language