The 2007 Dodge Nitro is a Jeep Liberty with a fresh coat of paint, and that means that it’s rough-riding, inefficient, and prone to expensive repairs. It also means that it’s a lot of fun to drive off-road. Pricing is fair, starting at well under $6,000, but a high cost of ownership makes up the difference.
Is the 2007 Dodge Nitro a Good Used Car?
- Overall Rating 7/10 – A decent off-roader for the price, but less dependable and less comfortable than pretty much any comparable Ford, Toyota, Honda, or Chevy.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 7/10 – Suspension is stiff, the backseat is tight, and the overall vibe in the cabin is more coach than business class. But, it packs a up to 75 cubic feet of cargo, which ain’t bad.
- Reliability 7/10 – The engine and powertrain are built to last, but expect to make a lot of little repairs for glitchy electronics, stuck door locks, and busted latches on the road to 200,000 miles.
- Safety 7/10 – Crash test scores are decent and anti-lock brakes are standard. “Adequate” is the right word to describe this SUV in terms of safety.
- Gas Mileage 6/10 – 18/24 miles to the gallon, city/highway, isn’t the worst mileage we’ve seen in a Dodge or a Jeep, but it’s not great.
- Value 6/10 – The Dodge Nitro is priced fairly, but expensive maintenance and refueling may eventually cost you more than you were willing to spend on a 16 year old SUV.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the 2007 Dodge Nitro?
Consumer Reports praised the Nitro’s stylish, muscular appearance. That was the only thing they really liked about the SUV. They criticized the Nitro’s clumsy handling, unsettled, jittery ride, awkward interior layout, poor fuel economy, and so on and so forth.
Kelley Blue Book liked the Nitro’s stylish exterior design, and the versatile compact-meets-midsize build. They didn’t like the truck-like ride and handling compared to similar crossover SUVs.
Edmunds, just like Consumer Reports and KBB, liked the Nitro’s bold exterior style. They also note the SUV’s generous cargo space, quiet ride, and easy 360-degree visibility. Slow steering, poor fuel economy, and cheap-feeling interior materials earned some red marks.
What Common Problems Does the 2007 Dodge Nitro Have?
The 2007 Dodge Nitro has generated 816 complaints with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 243 of these are for electrical issues, with drivers reporting the check engine light blinking on at random every few months. This is sometimes, but not always, associated with engine stall.
There are 146 complaints on file for issues with the fuel system. Drivers report gasoline spewing out of the gas tank when filling. In one report the driver reports the fuel splashing them in the eyes. There have been no recalls for this issue, so be careful at the pump.
Drivers have reported a wide range of issues with broken latches, levers, switches, and buttons. One driver states that their door locks became impossible to operate both manually and via keyfob. Where failure mileage has been reported, these issues usually start to creep up at around 100,000 miles.
The 2007 Dodge Nitro has been recalled 8 times in total, which is on the higher end of average for a vehicle this old.
How Long Will the 2007 Dodge Nitro Last?
A Dodge Nitro will almost certainly last more than 150,000 miles, it’ll probably last at least 200,000 with adequate maintenance, and it could go 250,000 miles or more with excellent care. It all depends on how well the previous owner maintained the SUV.
Repairpal estimate an annual maintenance cost of around $433, with the most expensive common fix being a new catalytic converter, starting at around $3,014.
I got a good 5 years without any real problems. This last year I have been having problems with the fuel line, windows, and air conditioner.
Like I said, have had only one problem the rotors needed changed. Usual upkeep, wipers, battery, etc.
My nitro has had many little problems, but nothing to serious. All problems were cheap and worth fixing.
I have had no problems. It has started even in the coldest weather. It is not a 4 wheel drive, but it will hold its own in the snow.
It is reliable, the only problems I have had were with easy to change sensors. The biggest problem I have head was the o2 sensors.
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology in the 2007 Dodge Nitro is basic, but not inadequate for the model year. CD/MP3 players with 6 speakers come standard, and that’s about as fancy as it gets.
Safety technology in the 2007 Nitro is, likewise, basic, but not inadequate. You’ve got anti-lock brakes and stability control as standard features, which is what you should expect of a 2007-era off-roader.
Is the 2007 Dodge Nitro a Good Value?
The 2007 Dodge Nitro is priced fairly. An entry-level SXT should list for around $5,783, while a high-end R/T lists for around $6,989.
Those aren’t bad prices. But, the Nitro is literally a rebranded Jeep Liberty, so, when you add in the refueling and maintenance costs that come with owning a Jeep, that moderately priced SUV starts to look like a money pit.
What are the Different Models of the 2007 Dodge Nitro?
The 2007 Dodge Nitro is available in two trim levels, being the base SXT, and the high-end SLT, or R/T, with the difference between those last two being the five-speed automatic transmission and optional 4.0L V6 engine in the R/T.
With the entry-level SXT you’re getting:
- Manual air conditioning
- CD/MP3 player with 6 speakers
- Anti-lock brakes and traction control
- Remote keyless entry
- Cloth seating
The SLT and R/T models add:
- Fog lights
- Heated mirrors
- Premium cloth seating
- Leather wrapped steering wheel with mounted audio controls
- 6-way power driver seat
What Engines Come In the 2007 Dodge Nitro?
- SXT and SLT model Dodge Nitros come packed with a 3.7L V6 engine delivering 210 horsepower and 235 lb.-ft. of torque. This is paired to a 4-speed automatic transmission in rear/four wheel drive, and it averages 18/24 miles to the gallon. The 3.7L can tow up to 3,500 pounds, depending on your options.
- In the R/T you have an optional 4.0L V6 engine delivering 255 horsepower and 275 lb.-ft. of torque. This is paired to a 5-speed automatic transmission in rear/four wheel drive, it averages 15/21 miles to the gallon, and it can tow up to 5,000 pounds.
What Colors Does the 2007 Dodge Nitro Come In?
How Comfortable Is the 2007 Dodge Nitro?
The 2007 Dodge Nitro is not the most comfortable SUV on the market. It’s technically a Jeep, so you’ve got the trademark rigid suspension, and a tight 47 inches of hip room in the back seat. The interior layout is a bit awkward, too, making the cabin feel a bit smaller than it really is.
How Much Storage Space Does the 2007 Dodge Nitro Have?
The 2007 Nitro starts you out with 32 cubic feet of cargo space in the back, which is comparable to two full-size sedan trunks. This can expand to 75 cubic feet with the seats down, which makes the Nitro one of the more capable cargo-packers in its size class.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The 2007 Dodge Nitro was the first model year in the SUV’s 1st Generation. The nameplate was retired after just six years on the road in the 2012 model year.
2007: The 2007 model Nitro debuted with three trim levels, two engines, and a Europe-exclusive i4 model
2008: For 2008, Dodge added 4×2 and 4×4 SXT and SLT options.
2009: 2009 saw a round of upgrades for safety features, with updated traction and stability control and full airbags.
2010: Trim levels for 2010 were rebranded as Heat, Detonator, and Shock. Shock models came equipped with a power sunroof.
How Does the 2007 Dodge Nitro Compare to the Competition?
The 2007 Dodge Nitro is essentially the same SUV as a 2007 Jeep Liberty, and they list at about the same price, from trim level to trim level, so we can skip that comparison.
If off-roading isn’t a priority, the Honda CR-V is hard to beat as the best all-around compact SUV, and 2007 is no exception. The CR-V offers legendary reliability, a fuel-efficient engine, and agile handling in a comfortable package. It’s about $1,000 more than a Nitro on average, but that evens out with a lower cost of maintenance.
The Toyota RAV4 is a better alternative if off-roading is a priority. Again, this one is a little pricier than the Dodge. But, again, it’s also more fuel-efficient and cheaper to maintain, and Toyotas are almost impossible to beat when it comes to dependability.
A Dodge Nitro is literally a rebranded Jeep Liberty, so if you like Jeeps, you’ll probably find a lot to love in a Nitro. But, it’s not the most practical option on the market, even if you’re specifically looking for an off-roader.
Do Owners Recommend the 2007 Dodge Nitro?
Yes my experience with dodge nitro has been great overall. I bought it used and still got a good 6 years out of it without any major problems.
We bought this car new and have had only one problem. Needed new rotors,. It is comfortable to ride and easy to handle.
My 2007 dodge nitro r t is a strong vehicle. It has plenty of room for passengers as well as trunk space. This vehicle sits up high, giving you a better view of the road in front of you and making you feel safe behind the wheel. It is not a great vehicle is you drive a lot or have a long commute, filling it up with gas can get expensive.
The vehicle has been great for me. No major problems. Has no rust, have only changed wipers for me it is very comfortable and has all the room I need
Yes, I like it, easy to work on. Has plenty of room in both the front and back seats. I have the 4x4 hemi, so it has just the right amount of power to pull a small camper.
