DecodedCars2010 Dodge Nitro
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2010 models.
- Class
- Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
- Body styles
- 4dr SUV RWD Sxt
- Engines
- 4.0L 6-cyl, 3.7L 6-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 18 combined · 16 city / 22 hwy
- Length
- 178.7 in
- Curb weight
- 4,105 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 3 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
Watch out for
- Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 18 MPG combined, 13% below the 2010 SUV - average of 20.7 MPG.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 35 similar 2010 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2010 Dodge Nitro is a SUV - offered with 2 engines (4.0L 6-cyl and 3.7L 6-cyl) and rear-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive.
It measures about 179 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 109-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,105 lb.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 18 MPG combined (16 city / 22 highway), 13% worse than the 2010 SUV - average of 20.7 MPG, for an estimated $3,700 a year in fuel.
It has 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 51 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the electrical system.
What changed for 2010
- Lightest version 172 lb heavier
Compared with 2009; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2009 Nitro →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr SUV RWD Sxt | 178.7 in | 73.2 in | 69.7 in | 108.7 in | 61.4 / 61 in | 4,105 lb | 52/48 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nitro 2WD | 4.0L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 / 21 / 18 | -13% | $3,700 | 494 |
| Nitro 2WD | 3.7L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 / 22 / 18 | -13% | $3,700 | 494 |
| Nitro 4WD | 4.0L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 16 / 20 / 17 | -7% | $3,950 | 523 |
| Nitro 4WD | 3.7L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 15 / 21 / 17 | -7% | $3,950 | 523 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2010 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2010 Dodge Nitro under the current (2011+) test program.
Similar 2010 SUV -s
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 Dodge Nitro (this car) | 18 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2010 Toyota Land Cruiser | 15 MPG | Not rated | 6 |
| 2010 Toyota RAV4 | 24 MPG | Not rated | 14 |
| 2010 Honda CR-V | 24 MPG | Not rated | 15 |
| 2010 Hyundai Tucson | 26 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2010 Subaru Forester | 22 MPG | Not rated | 17 |
| 2010 Toyota Highlander | 26 MPG | Not rated | 11 |
Recalls (3)
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module · Jul 7, 2020
NHTSA campaign 20V396000 · 925,239 vehicles
- Problem
- 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 driver air bag module may become projectiles in the event of a driver air bag deployment.
- 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 service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W09.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Master Cylinder · Jul 7, 2010
NHTSA campaign 10V315000 · 20,626 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jan 11, 2010
NHTSA campaign 10V009000 · 20,045 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
Not every 2010 Dodge Nitro is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2010 Dodge Nitro buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Electrical System — 16 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Air Bags — 11 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Engine — 7 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 90,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2010 Dodge Nitro. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Nitro years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 Nitro | 18 | 178.7 in | Not rated | 3 | 89 |
| 2009 Nitro | 18 | 178.7 in | Not rated | 1 | 24 |
| 2008 Nitro | 19 | 178.7 in | Not rated | 2 | 193 |
| 2007 Nitro | 19 | 178.7 in | Not rated | 2 | 279 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Dodge. How we calculate this →