(Revision A) No Start No Crank ? Starter Will Not Engage And There Are No Related Codes Or Concerns
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2008 Dodge Nitro engine problems
severe 14 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
14
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
3fires
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Service - Four Piece Oil Pan Gasket All Cummins Equipped Vehicles ONLY - The replacement oil pan gasket can be a four piece gasket rather than a single piece gasket. This applies to Cummins 5.9L and 6.7L engines only. Installation: 1. Clean the oil pan T-joints.~ 2. Fill the T-joint between the pan rail/gear housing and pan rail/rear seal retainer with sealant. Use Mopar® Silicone Rubber Adhesive Sealant or equivalent. 3. Apply a 2-mm [0.063-in] bead of Mopar Engine Sealant RTV Silicone Rubber Adhesive, to the oil pan flange.~ 4. The four piece gasket will need to be assembled to make a complete oil pan gasket. 5. Lay the oil pan gasket(s) onto the oil pan flange.~ 6. Ensure the oil pan gask
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Valve Body. These may cause over drive cycling.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗NAG1 (5A580) Valve Body As per Warranty Bulletin D-13-22, please use R2108213A$ valve body for all Warranty (W), Mopar (M) and Mopar Vehicle Protection (F) claims.~ Assembly also includes Filter (52108325AA) and Gasket (52108332AA).~
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Part Description: 5.7L Long Block Issue Description: This 5.7L Long Block Assembly is compatible with both EGR and Non-EGR applications. An EGR Block-Off Plate (53032739AA) must be ordered when installing this Long Block Assembly in a Non-EGR application. Unless, the EGR Block-Off Plate is being transferred from the old engine.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report two catastrophic engine fires in the 2008 Nitro—one during highway driving with check engine light and steering control issues, another while parked at a school lot. Both vehicles burned completely. Multiple owners describe intermittent stalling at idle and during low-speed driving (20–35 mph), sometimes at higher mileages (75k–120k miles). One owner showed dealers a recall form for 2007 Nitros recalled for identical stalling and noted their 2008 was not recalled despite the same symptoms.
A TIPM (Totally Integrated Power Module) failure left one owner unable to shift transmission and with uncontrollable wipers, fluid spray, horn, and door locks; the owner cross-referenced a 2007 Nitro recall for the same component.
Burning motor oil smell from the engine bay appeared at 28,000 miles; the dealer blamed DOC residue but made no repair, saying newer models have filters.
Additional engine-area complaints include loud knock or ping when climbing hills, improper upshifting instead of downshifting, and whistling from the head gasket or air intake region. One owner's vehicle failed to turn on after purchase from a used-car lot that concealed prior accident history.
Same Dodge Nitro engine reports on nearby years: 2007
Failure modes owners describe
Engine fire / sudden combustion
Vehicle catches fire in engine compartment with minimal or no warning. In one case, fire occurred after check engine light and unstable speed/steering on highway; in another, white smoke turned to fire while parked in school lot. Both vehicles total losses.
When: During normal driving and shortly after stopping; one at approximately highway speeds, one at low speed (20 mph area)
Symptoms owners cite: White smoke from under hood; Check engine light illuminates; Engine shuts off or stalls; Vehicle engulfed in flames
Repairs/costs cited: Both vehicles were total losses. All service performed at dealership; neither had recent major work or crash history.
Stalling at idle or during driving
Engine stalls intermittently or without warning while driving at low speeds or at stops. Multiple owners reported the issue persists despite repeated dealer visits and component replacements. One owner noted 2007 Nitro recall for same stalling issue but their 2008 was not recalled despite identical symptoms.
When: At idle, traffic lights, low speed (20–35 mph), and at higher mileages (75k–120k miles)
Symptoms owners cite: Intermittent stalling at idle; Stalling while driving; Check engine light may illuminate; Vehicle difficult to restart or able to restart
Repairs/costs cited: Throttle body service, fuel injector service, spark plug replacement, fuel pump replacement all attempted at dealership; none resolved the issue.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: 2007 Dodge Nitro recalled for same stalling problem; 2008 model not recalled despite owner's assertion of identical software issue.
TIPM (Totally Integrated Power Module) failure
TIPM failed causing loss of transmission shifting control and uncontrollable electrical operation. Owner noted 2007 Nitro had TIPM recalled under campaign 07V291000; believes 2008 model has same defect.
When: During normal driving
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of shifting capability; Window wipers on and uncontrollable; Windshield fluid spray on and uncontrollable; Horn on and uncontrollable; Door locks locking and unlocking randomly; Engine continues running after ignition turned off
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: 2007 Dodge Nitro TIPM recalled under NHTSA Recall Campaign 07V291000 (Action Number PE07027); 2008 model not recalled despite owner's report of same failure mode.
Burning oil smell from engine
Strong odor of burning motor oil detected inside cabin during normal driving. Dealer diagnosed issue as DOC (Diesel Oxidation Catalyst) work residue. Dealer noted newer models have filters to prevent the issue but made no repair. Manufacturer notified but issue unresolved.
When: At approximately 28,000 miles; occurred while driving 20 mph
Symptoms owners cite: Strong burning motor oil odor inside vehicle; Odor present during normal driving
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer diagnosed as DOC work residue but did not repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified; case number 31564442 filed. Vehicle not repaired. Dealer stated newer models equipped with filters to prevent issue.
Engine knock / pinging on hills and poor gear shifting
Engine produces loud knock or ping noise when ascending hills. Vehicle shifts up into higher gear instead of downshifting when climbing, requiring driver to floor pedal to force downshift. Knocking noise occurs under load.
When: When climbing hills or driving uphill
Symptoms owners cite: Loud engine knock / pinging sound; Improper transmission gear selection (upshift instead of downshift on hills); Engine noise louder than on comparable vehicles of same model; Requires excessive throttle to climb hills after improper upshift
Whistling noise from engine bay
Whistling noise originating from engine area, possibly from head gasket or air intake region. Owner suspects head gasket may be wrong size. Doors adjusted and windshield resealed without resolving noise.
When: <UNKNOWN>
Symptoms owners cite: Whistling noise from vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: Doors adjusted and windshield resealed without fixing noise.
Synthesized from 14 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had engine trouble with your 2008 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 engine problem on the 2008 Dodge Nitro?
It's a meaningful issue. 14 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 11 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 35,000 and 107,000 miles, with the median around 77,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 35,000; a quarter make it past 107,000. 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 $3,100 for engine 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 engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine 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/2008/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.