Crash Test Rating
Source   NHTSA
MPG (up to)
15 -16 City / 20 -21 HWY
Horsepower
210 -260
Seats
5
Front angle medium view.

Positive Owner Reviews

accountCircle Brittany J
It is very comfortable to drive around in.
Very reliable, can trust that it will get me where I need to go, very comfortable when driving, biggest problem is that it eats gas, love the navigation system/ radio, runs very well, no big problems.
accountCircle CJ Smith
Love My Nitro
I love my Nitro, named Buttercup named our girls. Even though the interior is falling apart, the driver's window doesn't always close, my driver seat won't recline, the panels on both seats have fallen off, but I'll tell you, it's the best vehicle for an accident. I was stopped at a red signal light when we got hit by a driver doing about 40 miles per hour. His vehicle was totaled and Buttercup was in great shape. It didn't look like it got hit at all but we did have to have the back bumper replaced. Oh! At the time we didn't realize that it did something to the air conditioner, so it works and doesn't work. LOL, I still will always love my Buttercup. I just wish Dodge would correct the problems so I could purchase another one.
accountCircle Caitlin C
That it is a great looking car but it has a lot of issues.
I love my car. I love the size and style of it. Unfortunately I'll probably have to get rid of it soon. It's been having a lot of issues lately. The newest issue is that the air conditioning isn't working and it will cost over $1000 to fix.
accountCircle Cole S
The Dodge nitro is the most sturdy and reliable vehicle I have had.
The only issue that me or my parent have had since buying the nitro brand new is that the end piece of the muffler broke off at nine years old. Everything else on it has held up fine. There is so far no rust present on the exterior. One minor issue was that the driver side ac vent got plugged once but it was a simple fix.
accountCircle Shawn H
Great car horrible gas mileage.
It's got horrible gas mileage. It's been dependable very roomy and a great looking vehicle. Easy maintenance to take care of drives smooth. The main problem I'd think gas mileage. Its a girls car for sure you hardly see man driving one of these types of cars. Very dependable.
accountCircle Brian M
I drive my car safely on the roads with you. Please do the same with me.
Dependability common comforts, passenger and cargo space are all positives. The only negative is a poor quality am FM radio.
accountCircle Shellie S
That it has a lot of room to haul stuff. We have have put different stuff in the back that people would say that won't fit.
I like the way it looks, it looks sporty and rough. I like that it is roomy enough for me to haul a lot of stuff.
accountCircle Ashley S
Spacious, comfortable, and reliable black Dodge nitro.
My Dodge nitro is spacious and the seats are very comfortable. The only problem I have had so far is that at almost 100, 000 miles the abs brake system and traction has stopped working and needs to be replaced. The tire pressure sensor also stopped working fairly early.

Negative Owner Reviews

accountCircle Preston L
Dodge Nitro: It ain't amazing but it'll get it done
My vehicle gets the job done and will get me to where I need. The gas mileage is nice, but I've had some problems with the car overheating if I leave it running without driving it.
accountCircle Stephanie H
Highlight is definitely its roughness.
Can't say I've had any real problems. I feel it drinks fuel and its just a rough riding vehicle! It provides plenty of space and is comfortable in that aspect. However, overall its very rough while riding along and accidentally hit an unnoticed bump or god forbid railroad tracks.
accountCircle Erin H
Dodge nitro. Very good car
We have a few problems with tires.. The air in it hasn't worked well since we got it. We have gotten I looked at more than once and it still doesn't work right. Other than the air we love the car. It is kind of top heavy I wouldn't take corners fast on a windy day
accountCircle Lindsay L
Great vehicle, love it and drives great
Works just fine. I have had a Dodge for many years and hardly have any issues. Any Dodge is a great vehicle.
accountCircle Megan W
Easy to drive but takes maintenance I was not prepared to give.
This vehicle is super easy to drive. Drives smoothly on the road. I have issues with my tail lights burning out very quickly tho. There are also issues with it overheating, with no explanation as to why. If I am sitting in traffic or at a traffic light or stopped it will get hot but while driving normal speeds it is fine. I like the car for the most part if it were not having these issues.
accountCircle Barbara G
The Dodge is notorious for air conditioning problems
I like the look, and the feel and the cargo space. I don't like the lack of power when in 4 wheel drive

Dodge Nitro Models

Models also known as Trim Levels, are used to identify a vehicle's level of equipment or special features.

car
SE
210 HP 17 MPG 5 Seats
car
SLT
210 HP 17 MPG 5 Seats
car
R/T
260 HP 17 MPG 5 Seats
Photos may not match model

2009 Dodge Nitro Owner Reviews

4.22
23 Reviews
close Write Review
5 stars 48%
4 stars 26%
3 stars 26%
2 stars 0%
1 star 0%
accountCircle Ashley S on December 13, 2020
Spacious, comfortable, and reliable black Dodge nitro.
My Dodge nitro is spacious and the seats are very comfortable. The only problem I have had so far is that at almost 100, 000 miles the abs brake system and traction has stopped working and needs to be replaced. The tire pressure sensor also stopped working fairly early.
accountCircle stephanie b on November 30, 2020
I like the look of the vehicle and the way it operates. I hate that it does not have automatic lights. I feel like I have good visual awareness when driving in it.
It is an awesome SUV that allows you to feel like you can see everything around you but not overly big where you would hit everything.

Pros from Owners

likeFilled Sam M.

The car is a great gas saver and good for road trips it's also a low maintenance car it doesn't cost much to buy parts to the car when it's broken it can be a great everyday car especially for taking road and camping trips its very spacious.

likeFilled Kristina H.

Comfortable, easy to drive, great handling and cargo space. Does well on gas mileage and is compact enough to fit in busy area areas but still big enough to have good cargo space. 4x4 and tow package make it a great vehicle for people or families who enjoy outdoor activity.

Cons from Owners

dislikeFilled Sam M.

The cons about this car is that the check engine light always comes on even if there's not a problem also the transmission will start to go out after a year it also isn't a fast car it picks up speed very slow.

dislikeFilled Kristina H.

The only con I have for my vehicle is the room in the back seat. It fits the two car seats I have for my young children but that takes up all the space for the seat. If it somehow could have a just a little additional space that would make it perfect for me.

Ranks #11 Compact SUV by Owners

The 2009 Dodge Nitro has an average owner rating of 4.28 out of 5 which ranks it #11 of 25 other Compact SUVs.

1
car
4.67
2
Tie
car
4.5
11
car
4.22

Ranks #11 Compact SUV by Fuel Economy

The 2009 Dodge Nitro has a combined MPG of 26 which ranks it #11 of 25 other Compact SUVs.

1
car
31 MPG
2
car
30 MPG
11
Tie
car
21 MPG

Is The 2009 Dodge Nitro A Good Car?

It is my first own car, I find the car to be very reliable and easy to understand and learn to drive. It's very good on miles, I am not quite sure how much but I do know that $45.00 to fill up the... Read More
Jasment M.

How Reliable Is The 2009 Dodge Nitro?

The only real problems is that the dodge nitro is fussy about getting is regular fuel change. Just have to keep up with maintenance.
Jasment M.

Is The 2009 Dodge Nitro A Good Value?

From $2500- $5000 yes it is a good value with a very good amount of space to carry lots encase your need to for equipment.
Jasment M.

Related Articles for 2009 Dodge Nitro

From the Vehicle History blog

car
Dodge Nitro Problems To Keep On Your Radar

Safety & Reliability

NHTSA Logo
NHTSA Crash Test

Overall

Front

Rollover

Side

*National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
IIHS Logo
IIHS Crash Test

Moderate Overlap Front

Side

Roof Strength

Driver-side Overlap Front

Not Rated
*Insurance Institute for Highway Safety