DodgeNitro20092.8L/dodge/nitro/2009/2-8l/
KA platform

2009 Dodge Nitro — 2.8L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2009 Nitro 2.8L.

Body SUVEngine 2.8L

The 2009 Dodge Nitro 2.8L is a KA-platform SUV powered by a 2.8-liter engine that attracted 36 owner complaints with the electrical system ranking as the top concern and a single recall issued. Across the 2005–2012 model run, complaint volume peaked at 825 in 2007 and bottomed at just one in 2005, positioning the 2009 model year well below the generation's high-water mark but above its low, indicating a mid-range reliability profile for the Nitro lineup.

Model year200920082007

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Lug nut torque95 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses OE oil filter 04892339BH. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Tire sizeP225-75R16OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter04892339BH alt 05184231AB
Engine air filter68037059AA
Spark plugSPZFR6F11G alt SZFR5LP13G
BatteryBB34F101AA
Front wiper blades68003937AB
Thermostat68174083AA alt 68273161AA
Cabin air filter68535612AA

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length178.7 in
Overall width73.2 in
Overall height69.7 in
Wheelbase108.7 in
Curb weight3971 lb
Track (front / rear)61.4 / 61 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)52/48

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine Front: 80W-; Rear: 198RB in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 95 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF+4
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity5
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear OilFront: 80W-; Rear: 198RB
Differential Gear Oil Capacity3.8 Pints
Engine CoolantHOAT · MS9769
Power Steering FluidATF +4

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs8.3 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts70 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts21 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts17 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs21 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts95 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill PlugSteel case: 35.0, Aluminum case: 18.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain PlugSteel case: 35.0, Aluminum case: 18.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub100 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance.495-.605 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance5,130-6,270 ohms

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.12 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity5.00 oz

Service checks

Pressure Test16 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature176 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)53.0-63.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance12+-0.6 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Intake Valve LashHydraulic in
Exhaust Valve LashHydraulic in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket28 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle100 ft-lbs / 75 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.040; Rear: 0.040 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0004 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.001 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.102 in / 0.472 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.102 in / 0.472 in
Rotor Discard at or Under1.039 in / 0.409 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
120 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9020 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages
1Tighten bolts 1-8, 27 Nm (20 ft. lbs.).20 ft. lbs
2Verify that bolts 1-8, all reached 27 Nm (20 ft. lbs.), by repeating step-1 without loosening the bolts. Tighten bolts 9 through 12 to 14 Nm (10 ft. lbs.).20 ft. lbs
3Tighten bolts 1-8, 90 degrees.90 degrees
4Tighten bolts 1-8, 90 degrees, again. Tighten bolts 9-12, 26 Nm (19 ft. lbs.)90 degrees
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 5 stages

Prep Install the bedplate retaining bolts, making sure to place the stud bolts in the correct location, Torque the bolts in the sequence shown.

1Hand tighten bolts 1D, 1G and 1F until the bedplate contacts the block.
2Tighten bolts 1A - 1J to 40 ft. lbs.40 ft. lbs
3Tighten bolts 1 - 8 to 5 ft. lbs.5 ft. lbs
4Turn bolts 1 - 8 an additional 90 degrees.90 degrees
5Tighten bolts A - E 20 to 20 ft. lbs.20 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 6,000 mi; coolant at 102,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 102,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 6,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
At 12,000 miCV Joint Boot (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 12,000 miBrake Linings (inspect)
Every 18,000 miDifferential (inspect fluid level)
Every 24,000 miCV Joint Boot (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect) · Tie Rod (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Parking Brake System (adjust) · Transfer Case Assembly (inspect fluid level)
At 48,000 miCV Joint Boot (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 90,000 miPCV Valve (inspect)
At 102,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Owner how-tos

Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.

Common procedures

Key fob — remote (RKE) programming programming new fob buttons Dealer tool OEM · verified
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
WhyTransmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module
Anti-theft (SKIS) — module initialization after immobilizer module replacement Dealer tool OEM · verified
When neededAfter Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool
Also requiredThe vehicle's four-digit PIN code

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2009 Dodge Nitro occupies a significant low point in the generation's overall complaint and recall trend. While the 2007 and 2008 models saw high volumes of 825 and 393 complaints respectively, the 2009 model dropped sharply to only 36 complaints and 1 recall. This relative stability is further emphasized by the subsequent rise in complaints for 2010 (78) and 2011 (122). Within the 2009 model year, the most frequent issues were related to the Electrical System (6), Fuel System (3), Air Bags (3), and Latches/Locks/Linkages (3), though the data does not specify the root causes of these reports. Given that it has significantly fewer complaints and recalls than most surrounding years, this is a good year to buy.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
51
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
36
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 1 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 36 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System6
Fuel System, Gasoline3
Air Bags3
Electrical System,Latches/Locks/Linkages3
Fuel/Propulsion System2
Steering,Air Bags1
Power Train1
Suspension1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

20V396000Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator ModuleReported 07/07/2020

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… Remedy: 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 51 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
1074182025-09-18Service BrakesSWITCH - CLUTCH STARTER INTERLOCK & MASTER CYLINDER ASSEMBLY - CLUTCH
91002262023-09-15Electrical SystemConnector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar…
91002262023-09-15Electrical SystemConnector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar…
Y22 Combo Rev12021-11-23Air BagsCustomer Satisfaction Notification Y22 Driver Airbag Emblem
Y22 Combo2021-11-18Air BagsCustomer Satisfaction Notification Y22 Driver Airbag Emblem

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Nitro. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 2009 Nitro have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.