There are 2 stored owner reports matching the steering leading-label group for the 2009 Dodge Nitro in our NHTSA-sourced dataset. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
This group counts stored reports whose component label starts with one of this site's matching prefixes, ignoring case. Each matching report counts once within the group. Components mentioned later in the label or only in the narrative are not searched. How component counts work
Loaded 2 of 2 matching reports.
Open the full vehicle complaint log (all categories)The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Nitro. The contact received recall notification of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V396000 (Air Bag, Steering) however, the vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repair where the emblem was removed however, the emblem was then replaced due to parts were unavailable to complete the recall . The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
WHILE USING THE REMOTE KEY TO LOCK/UNLOCK THE CARE, THE HORN STARTS BLARING, THE WIPERS (FRONT AND REAR) START GOING, WASHER FLUID SHOOTS OUT, DOORS LOCK AND UNLOCK INDEPENDENTLY. DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK/LOCK WITH REMOTE. THE LIGHTS START BLINKING. I HAVE TO PHYSICALLY UNLOCK THE CAR AND QUICKLY OPEN BEFORE IT LOCKS AGAIN. THE SECOND TIME MY SON WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND THIS ALL OCCURRED WHILE HE WAS DRIVING AT NIGHT. HE WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER BUT WAS CLEARLY SHOOK UP. WHEN TURNING ON THE ENGINE THE HORN STARTS BLARING AGAIN, WITH LIGHTS BLINKING. IF HE TUNED ON/OFF THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS THE HORN STARTS BLARING AND THE LIGHTS START FLASHING. WHEN PRESSING THE ACTUAL DOOR LOCK THE HORN STARTS BLARING. IT TOOK 3 RESTARTS TO TRY TO CONTINUE THE DRIVE. IT IS CLEARLY UNSAFE TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE AND IS NEGLIGENT ON OUR PART TO TRY TO DO SO. THIS IS ARE MAIN SOURCE OF TRANSPORTATION. I AM REALLY SCARED OF WHAT COULD HAPPEN SHOULD THE ENTIRE SYSTEM SHUT DOWN ON THE HIGHWAY. WHAT IF THE STEERING GOES OUT AGAIN AND SOMEONE IS KILLED? I LOOKED UP SIMILAR ISSUES AND FOUND THAT THERE WERE NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS REGARDING 2008 AND 2009 DODGE NITROS. THE DIAGNOSIS IS APPARENTLY A FAULTY TIPM. THERE APPEARS TO BE A NATIONAL BACKORDER ON THIS PART AND DESPITE THIS, STILL NO RECALL FOR THE 2008-2009 MODELS ONLY THE 2010-2012 HAVE BEEN ISSUED. I PURCHASED A DODGE BECAUSE I TRULY FELT THAT IT WAS A GREAT VEHICLE AND I AM WORRIED AND DISAPPOINTED THAT THEY ARE NOT STANDING BEHIND THEIR PRODUCTS. WHAT WILL IT TAKE? HOW MANY DEATHS OR NEAR FREAK ACCIDENTS BEFORE THEY ACTUALLY MAKE THIS RIGHT?
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
NHTSA source checks for this vehicle year
Checks are recorded separately for each dataset, not for the whole page. Dates use UTC. A missing check date does not mean no records exist.
Vehicle import recorded: Apr 28, 2026. This is the stored import date, not confirmation that every source was successfully refreshed.