2007 Dodge Nitro

Pros

Comfortable, Like the shape and size, good turn radius

Cons

Poor shifting, no power in manaul overide of cruise control, shutters between 35-45, 55-60

Dodge made a dog with this transmission. I've had the torque converter replaced, should have kept the old one as it only had one speed range for shutter. The hills of NH do not play well with the Nitro, you either have full power or no power going up hills. During icing and snow going down hills vehicle shutters. Just to let you know, this is my 2nd Nitro, 1st one was replaced by Dodge @ 21,000 miles 6-months old, This new one has about 19,000. lemon law comes to mind now and will contact Dodge to give them a chance to replace this with a different model SUV or pick-up. Was willing to go into a pickup but they wouldn't allow the rebate? Watch out for the cruise control, if you need power fast you may have little as the electronic throttle control doesn't like manual inputs from the driver while engaged. Notified NHTSA about these issue (view complaint), they seem to be not too concerned until someone in a Nitro can't get out of the way of someone bigger and is hurt or killed. I'm also a firefighter-medic and Cop. Responded to several emergencies. Will not overtake vehicles anymore as you can loose power while overtaking vehicles due to TC lockup or no lockup depending on situation. Good luck and give yourself a wide space between you and the bigger guy....read morehide

Pros

Unique body style, eye catcher

Cons

Stalls constantly, caused me to have accident. Doesn't start all the time, leaves me stranded

This is an SUV-gas mileage is average for this style vehicle. Appearance is definately the selling point to this vehicle. Truck has great exceleration, when it starts and doesn't stall. I bought my Nitro in Dec. 2007 and it started having problems 10 months later with stalling, which is a recall issue and the dealership replaced this part 3 times, still stalling. It doesn't start at least 1-2 times a day, which leaves me stranded, then it will mysteriously start. When the vehicle stalls, then it doesn't start either-which has caused me to have an accident. I've had it at the dealership 4 -5 times for this, needless to say the body shop(which it did the samething to the body shop too).
I'm in New York and my car is just over the requirements for Lemon Law-but since on the recall web-site this vehicle has been recalled for the same problems I've been having along with unsafe brake issues, I'm going to pursue the Lemon Law because it is an unfixable and UNSAFE truck . I think Dodge and their dealerships should be ashamed of themselves for allowing innocent people to drive such an unsafe vehicle and act like they don't know what we are talking about....read morehide

Pros

Great appearance

Cons

Transmission problems

currenty have 5000 miles on it, already had the torque converter repaired twice and problem continues. Dealer wants to install another trans (not a new trans but a refurbished on) currently waiting on the Area rep to contact me regarding resolution prior to filing lemon law :( Sad, cause I really love the truck...read morehide

Pros

Looks good

Cons

Brutal gas mileage, handles poorly in snow/ice, limited 4X4

Traded in a Grand Cherokee, big mistake. For all the hype, doesn't begin to measure up. Very poor in snow/ice, dangerously so. Too light in back-end. Can't drive above 80 kph in 4x4 mode, no high range for highway driving. Not made for Canadian winters.

Got the vehicle in 04/07, driven about 19,000 kms and loathing it more by the day. A 3.7 liter burning more gas than a 4.0 liter in a heavier vehicle, what's up???

At $35,000 in Canada, the Nitro is grossly overpriced for the money, its features can't compare with comparably priced competition.

If I have made a bigger mistake purchasing a vehicle, I can't remember when it was. Can't wait to get out of Dodge!...read morehide

Pros

Great styling, sound system, handling in bad weather conditions

Cons

Transmission shifts roughly sometimes, gas mileage not great

Have had this Nitro for over a year now and still love it. It has a few minor problems associated with any new vehicle release, but I would hope they will continue to make it better. My only complaint is that in certain driving situations the transmission shifts a little roughly. We test drove a lot of SUV's over the period of a year before this one, and value wise this was the best by far and we like the unique styling. Consumer Reports does not rate this vehicle well, but I'm glad we bought this one before their reports came out and didn't spend an extra 10 to 15 thousand dollars to get a vehicle that we didn't like any better....read morehide

Pros

Great look, huge salon, nice audio-system

Cons

Poor mileage, weak a/c

I have my Nitro SLT 4X4 since February and I am pretty happy with the car. The look is very impressive (I have light khaki), leather seats are comfortable (heated seats for Canada shall be standard not option!), Infinity sound system is amazing, great loading floor. All my friends used to buy Japanese SUV (Toyota, Suzuki, Honda) but I still prefer American made car. Dodge/Jeep did benefit greately from Chrysler/Benz family, hopefully it will continue despite the recent "divorce".
I agree with other writers as to downsides of this SUV: poor miledge (where is the truth in advertising and labels), a/c is not powerful for hot days, problems with engine software (all Nitro and Jeep Liberties were recalled)
But despite all contras I like Dodge Nitro....read morehide

Pros

Received many comments on the appearance

Cons

Transmission is rough, Gas mileage stinks

I bought this SUV in June and have about 8500 miles on it. First thing you will notice is the transmission problem from first to second gears, you can literally hear your gas go. The gas mileage is very poor for this size of car and the tank is small. I go on long trips, and it is very frustrating to have to fill up constantly. So do not buy this SUV if you do the same. Towing a small trailer will reduce your gas mileage about 8-10 MPG which is also quite puzzling. Dodge did a great job on the Nitro's appearance but a POOR job on the engine and mechanics of it. I am already looking to trade, my opinion is do not buy....read morehide

Pros

very comfortable, looks great, good fuel economy, easy loading/unloading,best vehicle ever owned

Cons

eps bag light appears often, have to reset, need to have checked!!

AWESOME! LOOKS MEAN, BUILT TOUGH, EASY TO MANEUVER! BEST CAR EVER OWNED. LOOKS LARGE, FEELS LARGE, YET IT FITS IN OUR GARAGE WITH PLENTY OF ROOM AROUND TO EASILY GET IN AND OUT OF. WE CALL IT OUR "BABY HUMMER". HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!!!!!

Pros

Commands the road. Very good looking, everyone stops to look. Quiet & smooth ride.

Cons

Gas mileage is so so.

This SUV is comfortable and when on the highway it is great to drive. I love it. I have the SLT, and I expect with time the gas mileage will get alittle better, mine doesn't even have 1 thousand miles on it yet. I would recommend this car. It has great handling with minimal effort. I love the slide out loading....read morehide

Pros

Outer Appearance is stylish

Cons

Fuel consumption, Computer chip recalls already, no air vents in rear, rough ride

We have only had the vehicle for almost 2 months and have had to take it back to the shop twice...it has been horrible, thus far and we are looking to trade it in already. There are no air vents in the back seat and our daughter gets hot, as well as the engine jerkiness, delays when shifting and its an automatic, and the electric console completely went out while driving and the engine stalled. WORST vehicle I have ever had and the only thing I like is the appearance...will not buy a Dodge again....read morehide