DodgeNitro20103.7L/dodge/nitro/2010/3-7l/
KA platform

2010 Dodge Nitro — 3.7L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2010 Nitro 3.7L.

Body SUVEngine 3.7LTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2010 Dodge Nitro 3.7L is a KA-platform SUV powered by a 3.7-liter engine and four-speed automatic transmission, carrying EPA ratings of 16 mpg city and 22 mpg highway alongside a 5-quart oil capacity with 5W-20 API specification. With just 78 total owner complaints and three recalls, this model year represents a significant improvement over the 2007 high of 825 complaints, placing it among the more reliable entries in the 2005–2012 production span despite electrical system concerns remaining the primary owner-reported issue. This low complaint volume indicates the 2010 Nitro experienced fewer overall reliability challenges compared to peak trouble years, offering researchers a comparatively stable reference point within the model’s eight-year history.

Model year20112010200920082007

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity5 qt w/ filterOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque95 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy16/22/18 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 34 · 600 CCA battery, OE oil filter 05184231AB. 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.

Battery groupBCI 34 · 600 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP225-75R16OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter05184231AB alt 04892339BH
Engine air filter68037059AA
Spark plugSZFR5LP13G alt SPZFR6F11G
BatteryBB34F101AA
Front wiper blades68003937AB
Thermostat68273161AA alt 68174083AA

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length178.7 in
Overall width73.2 in
Overall height69.7 in
Wheelbase108.7 in
Curb weight4105 lb
Track (front / rear)61.4 / 61 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)52/48

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined16 / 22 / 18 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 5 qt w/ filter of 5W-20 API engine oil, Front: 80W-; Rear: 198RB in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 95 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 25.0 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
Engine Oil5W-20 · API · MS-6395
Engine Oil Capacity5 qt w/ filter

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs8.3 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts130 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts70 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts8.75 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts18 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts21 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts17 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug25.0 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
Spark Plug ManufacturerChampion
Spark Plug Gap0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque20.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

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

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
Engine Oil Pressure25-110 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM3000 rpm
Intake 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 Discard at or Under1.049 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; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant every 60,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 60,000 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 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 12,000 miBrake Linings (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect)
Every 18,000 miDifferential (inspect fluid level)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Parking Brake System (adjust) · Transfer Case Assembly (inspect fluid level)
Every 60,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Spark Plug Wires (replace)
Every 90,000 miPCV Valve (inspect)
At 120,000 miDrive Belt (replace)

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 2010 Dodge Nitro occupies a concerning position in the generation's reliability arc. After a dramatic improvement from the catastrophic launch year of 2007 (825 complaints, 8 recalls) down to the generation's best year in 2009 (36 complaints, 1 recall), 2010 reverses that trend with complaints more than doubling to 78 and recalls tripling to 3, alongside 3 federal investigations — matching the highest investigation count in the entire generation. This upward deterioration continues into 2011 (122 complaints), suggesting 2010 sits at the start of a renewed quality decline rather than a one-year anomaly. The target year's top complaint areas — Electrical System (13), Air Bags (8), Fuel/Propulsion System (6) — combined with 3 crash complaints and 2 fire complaints, point to safety-critical system issues, though the federal record does not specify root causes for any of these. TSB coverage also peaked at 68 for the year, the highest to that point, indicating manufacturer awareness of widespread technical issues. For a buyer, the 2010 model is a clear pass: it offers none of the early-year discount of being a "worked-out" design (as 2009 briefly was) and instead reintroduces escalating defect and recall risk at a time when the platform was only two years from cancellation.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
68
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
3
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
78
Owner complaints
3 involved a crash · 2 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 78 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System13
Air Bags8
Unknown Or Other6
Fuel/Propulsion System6
Power Train3
Latches/Locks/Linkages3
Electrical System,Exterior Lighting3
Service Brakes3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 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…

10V009000Service Brakes, HydraulicReported 11/01/2010

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 CHRYSLER SEBRING; DODGE AVENGER AND NITRO; JEEP LIBERTY, COMMANDER AND GRAND CHEROKEE; AND MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 DODGE RAM TRUCK. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH AN… Remedy: CHRYSLER WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE BOOSTER INPUT ROD RETAINING CLIP FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING FEBRUARY 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 68 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…
91001962023-07-27EquipmentLubrication and Maintenance Fluids If MOPAR fluids and chemicals are not readily…
V512022-04-02Power TrainCustomer Satisfaction Notification V51 Reprogram Powertrain Control Module

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

How much oil does the 2010 Nitro 3.7L take?

5 qt w/ filter of 5W-20 API MEETING CHRYSLER SPECIFICATION MS-6395, per the factory manual.

Does the 2010 Nitro have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 3.7L get?

EPA figures are 16 city / 22 highway / 18 combined mpg.