Fuel Spit Back During Refueling Due To Inlet Check Valve (X46 Lifetime Warranty Extension) This bulletin involves replacing the fuel tank with a revised part. Some customers may experience a fuel spit back condition during a refueling event.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2007 Dodge Nitro fuel system problems
moderate 142 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,200 · see fuel system across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
142
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,200
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 142 fuel system complaints filed for the 2007 Dodge Nitro, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 5 model years of Dodge Nitro we track for fuel system problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 142.
Owners have filed 142 fuel system complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering fuel system on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Fuel Spit Back During Refueling Due To Inlet Check Valve (X46 Lifetime Warranty Extension) This bulletin involves replacing the fuel tank with a revised part. Some customers may experience a fuel spit back condition during a refueling event.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Fuel Spit Back During Refueling Due To Inlet Check Valve (X46 Lifetime Warranty Extension) This bulletin involves replacing the fuel tank with a revised part. Some customers may experience a fuel spit back condition during a refueling event.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗JEEP: ON SOME JEEPS, WHEN REFUELING, THE FUEL WILL SPIT BACK DUE TO INLET HECK VALVE AND INFORMATION IS PROVIDED REGARDING REPLACING FUEL TANK WITH NEW PART. MODELS 2008 LIBERTY, 2007-2008 NITRO.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report fuel splashing or spraying back out of the filler neck every time they fill the tank, typically when the pump nozzle clicks off as the tank reaches capacity. Spill volume ranges from 1–2 cups to as much as a quart or gallon. The overflow hits the vehicle's exterior, the pavement, and frequently splashes the person refueling. This occurs across different gas stations and pump types, ruling out the pump itself as the cause.
Owners cite research pointing to a defective fuel check valve or rollover shutoff valve molded into the fuel tank. This component is designed to prevent fuel leakage during a rollover accident. When stuck open or failing to seal, it allows fuel to back-spray during normal fill-ups. Some owners report attempting workarounds: filling more slowly, stopping the pump before automatic shutoff, or deliberately underfilling.
The fix identified by dealers is replacement of the entire fuel tank, with costs cited between $364 and $1,075 plus labor. Owners note the vehicle has often been out of warranty when the problem emerges. A few owners report Chrysler covered the tank replacement under extended warranties or with a co-pay ($150–$450), but most faced out-of-pocket costs. One owner reported the problem recurred after a dealer replaced the tank under warranty. Owners note that Jeep Liberty models share the same fuel tank and some were recalled; Dodge Nitro owners see this as evidence Chrysler is aware of the defect but has not issued a recall for their vehicles.
Same Dodge Nitro fuel system reports on nearby years: 2008
Failure modes owners describe
Fuel overflow on fill-up – defective check/rollover valve
Fuel sprays or splashes back out of the filler neck when the pump nozzle clicks off at full tank. The defect is attributed to a fuel check valve or rollover shutoff valve stuck open or failing to seal within the fuel tank assembly. This safety valve is meant to prevent fuel leakage during a rollover accident.
When: Occurs at every refueling; problem typically surfaces early in ownership or after warranty expires, reported from 16,500 miles to 72,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Fuel splashes or sprays back out of filler neck when pump shuts off; Volume of 1–2 cups to as much as a quart or gallon per fill-up; Fuel spills onto vehicle exterior, ground, and person refueling; Occurs at every fill-up regardless of gas station or pump type; Workarounds (slow fill, manual shutoff before automatic trigger) may reduce but not eliminate splash-back
Repairs/costs cited: Full fuel tank replacement required; repair costs $364–$1,075 plus labor. Some owners report Chrysler covered replacement under extended warranty with a deductible of $150–$450. One owner reported problem recurred after dealer tank replacement under warranty.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler offered extended warranties (with deductible) on some affected vehicles instead of issuing a recall. Dealers confirmed the defect is a known manufacturing issue but stated no recall exists for 2007 Dodge Nitro (though Jeep Liberty, which shares the same fuel tank, was recalled for the same defect). Owners report Chrysler/Dodge awareness but lack of recall action.
Synthesized from 142 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
Uncontrolled accelleration of 2007 Dodge nitro, w/3.7 litre, has happened 5 times in six months of owning . Cant be fixed by dealer cause doesn't show code or able to duplicate when they have it , only way to stop it is to put in neutral and kill engine . Have had other problems like idle rough and surging , and like someone turning key off and on for split second while driving at highway speeds.…
When filling the gas tank with an automatic cut off nozzle, there is severe splash back as the nozzle shuts off the gas supply. Gas sputs out of the filler pipe under pressure. This is a real fire hazard plus quite a mess if it gets on the driver/gas pump user. Repeated surges will likely take the paint off the left rear fender. If I estimate that the tank will take about 14 gallons, I stop…
When filling the vehicle with gasoline, the auto shut off does not work. This is very dangerous, as it overfills and fuel spills out all over the vehicle and the surrounding area. I have learned that this has something to do with the vapor valve in the fuel tank, and is even a bigger problem if the vehicle was involved in a rollover, as the fuel would come spilling out of the tank. Took it…
2007 Dodge nitro, fuel spills out of tank when filling up vehicle. Gasoline stations pump auto shutoff won't work with vehicle causing fuel to come splashing out when full. *tr
Had fuel system trouble with your 2007 Dodge Nitro?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the fuel system problem on the 2007 Dodge Nitro?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 142 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $1,200 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the fuel system typically fail?
Across the 114 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most fuel system failures cluster between 32,000 and 55,000 miles, with the median around 40,200. A quarter of owners report trouble before 32,000; a quarter make it past 55,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,200 for fuel system repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to fuel system?
No active recalls currently cover fuel system issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2007/Dodge/Nitro.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.