VehicleVerdict

2011 Dodge Nitro problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 197 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.8 times the median Nitro year — the 2011 model ranks #3 of 7 Nitro years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 60 reports (31% of the total).

197

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

2

Investigations

5

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

9

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2011 compare to other Nitro years?

Nitro NHTSA complaints by model year, 2011 highlighted676 complaints2005: 1 complaints2007: 676 complaints2008: 609 complaints2009: 36 complaints2010: 111 complaints2011: 197 complaints2012: 3 complaints
Nitro NHTSA complaints by model year, 2011 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Nitro years to avoid →

What are the most common 2011 Dodge Nitro problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System6030%
Airbags2412%
Engine179%
Fuel System179%
Transmission168%
Visibility & Wipers137%
Other95%
Brakes95%
Speed Control84%
Lighting84%
Steering63%
Body & Structure32%
Driver Assistance21%
Tires & Wheels21%
Seat Belts21%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)11%

Does the 2011 Dodge Nitro have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

20V396000AirbagsJuly 7, 2020 · 925,239 units

Defect

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 steering wheel. The loose emblem or the securing nuts for the emblem within the driver air bag module may become projectiles in the event of a driver air bag deployment.

Consequence

Projectiles as a result of driver air bag deployment in the event of a crash can increase the risk of injury.

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 FCA US LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W09.

13V282000AirbagsJuly 2, 2013 · 442,320 units

Defect

Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Sebring and 200 vehicles manufactured June 28, 2011, through December 13, 2012; model year 2011-2013 Dodge Avenger vehicles manufactured June 25, 2011, through January 14, 2013; model year 2011-2012 Dodge Nitro vehicles manufactured June 17, 2011, through December 15, 2011; and model year 2011-2012 Jeep Liberty vehicles manufactured June 17, 2011, through August 15, 2012. Electrical over-stress of a resistor in the occupant restraint control module may lead to the non-deployment of the active head restraints during a rear impact collision.

Consequence

In the event of a crash necessitating the deployment of the active head restraints , their non-deployment could increase the risk of injury.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will flash the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) or replace the occupant restraint control module, as needed, free of charge. The recall began on November 19, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N38.

11V315000SteeringJune 8, 2011 · 11,096 units

Defect

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011DODGE JOURNEY, JEEP WRANGLER, CHRYSLER 200, CHRYSLER 200 CONVERTIBLE, DODGE AVENGER, DODGE NITRO, JEEP LIBERTY, DODGE CALIBER, JEEP COMPASS, JEEP PATRIOT, DODGE GRAND CARAVAN AND CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH A MISSING OR INCORRECTLY INSTALLED STEERING COLUMN PIVOT RIVET.

Consequence

A MISSING OR INCORRECTLY INSTALLED RIVET COULD COMPROMISE THE ABILITY OF THE STEERING COLUMN TO SUPPORT THE OCCUPANT LOADS IN THE EVENT OF A FRONTAL CRASH, DECREASING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE FRONTAL IMPACT SAFETY SYSTEM. AS A RESULT, THE CONDITION MAY INCREASE THE POTENTIAL FOR INJURY IN A FRONTAL CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR RIVET PRESENCE AND ALIGNMENT AND REPAIR THE STEERING COLUMN PIVOT AS REQUIRED, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 4, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“I PURCHASED MY 2011 DODGE NITRO BRAND NEW FROM GULF GATE DODGE HERE IN HOUSTON TX. SINCE THEN, I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS ISSUES WITH THIS TRUCK STARTING IN 2013. LAST YEAR, THE WATER PUMP WENT OUT. THIS YEAR THE FUEL INJECTORS WENT OUT. IN BOTH OCCASIONS, I PAID OUT OF POCKET TO GET THE ISSUES CORRECTED.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · October 20, 2014 · fire

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE NITRO. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HIS GIRLFRIEND WAS DRIVING AT 15-20 MPH, SHE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF A UNKNOWN TRUCK. AS A RESULT, THE CROSS MEMBER DETACHED FROM VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO REPORTED INJURIES. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · August 18, 2020 · crash

“THE HEATER CORE ON MY CAR HAS CRACKED AND IS LEAKING FUEL INTO THE DRIVER SIDE FLOOR. THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING ON A CAR WITH 60000 MILES THAT IS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD. I WAS TOLD THAT AN AVERAGE OF 178 HEATER CORES ARE BEING BOUGHT PER WEEK FOR DODGE NITROS. THIS SEEMS LIKE A VERY HIGH NUMBER AND I…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · November 12, 2014

“AFTER PUMPING FUEL INTO MY NITRO ABOUT 1\2 -1 GALLON OF GAS COMES SPRAYING OUT OF THE FILLER PIPE. THIS IS MOST LIKELY CAUSED BY A VALVE IN THE GAS TANK THAT IS THERE TO PREVENT AN EXPLOSION IN THE EVENT OF A ROLLOVER ACCIDENT. THE VALVE IS DEFECTIVE, AND THUS THE GAS SPILLS OUT, AND MY CAR COULD…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · November 20, 2014

“TRANSFER CASE HAS STRIPPED OUT TWICE SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE. I BOUGHT IT USED AND TWO MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT IT WAS THE FIRST INCIDENT. POWERTRAIN WARRANTY REPAIRED IT, BUT NOW IT HAS HAPPENED AGAIN. ROUTINE MAINTINENCE HAS BEEN PERFORMED ON THE TRANSFER CASE AND DIFFERENTIALS. NO CLUE AS TO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · April 24, 2018

2011 Dodge Nitro — common questions

Is the 2011 Dodge Nitro reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 197 complaints put the 2011 model at #3 of 7 Nitro years. It is one of the Nitro years to avoid.

What are the most common 2011 Nitro problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (60 complaints), airbags (24 complaints), engine (17 complaints).

Does the 2011 Dodge Nitro have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2011 Dodge Nitro. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2011 Dodge Nitro under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Dodge Nitro years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Nitro years to avoid are 2007, 2008, 2011. The cleanest record among Nitro years belongs to 2005.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.