Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 78 complaints with NHTSA about the 2010 Dodge Nitro, and it carries 3 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 13 | 17% |
| Air bags | 8 | 10% |
| Unknown or other | 6 | 8% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 6 | 8% |
| Power train | 3 | 4% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 3 | 4% |
| Electrical system | 3 | 4% |
| Service brakes | 3 | 4% |
| Fuel system | 3 | 4% |
| Steering | 2 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The contact owns a 2010 Dodge Nitro. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the engine cranked, but the vehicle failed to start, and it became inoperable. There was no warning light illuminated. T
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
Passengers front seat head rest deployed on its own. The air back feature of my head rest deployed and it broke in the process. It is available for inspection. It happened when I was cleaning my car. So thank goodness no
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
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
NHTSA complaint: Power train
The contact owns a 2010 Dodge Nitro. The contact received a recall notification of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V396000 (Air Bags, Steering) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact st
NHTSA complaint: Steering
One day the airbag light started cutting on and off and then the horn started blowing randomly without being touched or even without even being in the vehicle with the car turned off. Took it to a mechanic and they have
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
The contact owns a 2010 Dodge Nitro. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the horn was inoperable while needed. The check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independen
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
The contact owns a 2010 Dodge Nitro. The contact stated that the rear driver's side door would not unlock to open. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not
NHTSA complaint: Latches/locks/linkages
The contact owns a 2010 Dodge Nitro. The contact stated that the spring inside the parking brake had become defective causing the parking brake to not operate as needed. The dealer had been notified of the failure and th
NHTSA complaint: Parking brake
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2010 Dodge Nitro. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2008-2010 Chrysler Town and Country and Dodge Grand Caravan and 2007-2011 Dodge Nitro vehicles. 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 dr
Risk: Projectiles as a result of driver air bag deployment in the event of a crash can increase the risk of injury.
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. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer s
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 CHRYSLER SEBRING; DODGE AVENGER AND NITRO; JEEP LIBERTY, COMMANDER AND GRAND CHEROKEE; AND MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 DODGE RAM TRUCK. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH AN IMPROPERLY FORMED OR MISSING BRAKE BOOSTER INPUT ROD RETAINING CLIP.
Risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN BRAKE FAILURE WITHOUT WARNING WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH.
Fix: CHRYSLER WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE BOOSTER INPUT ROD RETAINING CLIP FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING FEBRUARY 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 LEFT HAND DRIVE JEEP LIBERTY, DODGE NITRO AND RAM 1500 TRUCK; RIGHT AND LEFT HAND DRIVE JEEP WRANGLER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH AN IMPROPERLY FORMED MASTER CYLINDER TO HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT (HCU) BRAKE TUBE ASSEMBLY END FLARE.
Risk: THIS COULD LEAD TO LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND REDUCED BRAKING PERFORMANCE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE TUBES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING AUGUST 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-853-1403.
| Reliability raw | 67 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 71 | good |
| Maintenance | 78 | good |
| Depreciation | 67 | good |
| Performance | 65 | good |
| Efficiency | 35 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 78 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and electrical system is the most reported area with 13 of them (17%). There are 3 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 67/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 71/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2010 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 67/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.