The contact owns a 2010 Dodge Nitro. The contact stated while attempting to accelerate from being stationary, the rear driveshaft suddenly detached from the rear of the vehicle and dragged on the ground. The vehicle was later towed to the residence. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The local dealer was not…
2010 dodge Nitro powertrain problems
moderate 5 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500
Complaints
5
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$2,500
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
OUTSIDE TEMP WAS APPROX 30-35 F, ENGINE WAS RUNNING APROX 10 MINS,WHILE ACCELERATING FROM 30MPH TO 50 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THE GAS PEDAL STAYED TO THE FLOOR AFTER I TOOK MY FOOT OFF, CAUSING VEHICLE TO CONTINUE ACCELERATING TO A HIGHER MPH. I PUT TRANSMISSION SELECTOR INTO NEUTRAL, ENGINE RACED TO A HIGHER RPM, USED BRAKES TO SLOW VEHICLE DOWN AND EXITED HIGHWAY. WHEN I STOPPED THE VEHICLE, I SH…
MOMENT BEFORE MY DRIVE SHAFT BROKE, I WAS DRIVING 70 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. IF MY DRIVESHAFT WOULD HAVE BROKE LIKE THE WAY IT DID, I COULD HAVE SERIOUSLY BEEN INJURED OR CAUSED A DEATH. I EXCITED THE HIGHWAY, AND GOT OFF WAS STOPPED AT A REDLIGHT AND PRESSED THE GAS WITH NO RESULTS. MY VEHICLE STARTED TO BACK UP, AND I HAD TO PRESS THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THANK YOU *TR
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2010 dodge Nitro?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 5 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. 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.
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