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Dodge NitroModel year report

2011 Dodge Nitro Problems

Compared with other Dodge Nitro years

Typical for this model

50/100 1.0× a typical year · 50 = typical

Nearby years with fewer complaints than typical and no open NHTSA investigation: 2010

Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated

Complaints
122filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
61,500miles, 91 complaints with mileage
Recalls
3campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—no overall rating published
EPA fuel economy
18 mpgcombined, 3.7L 6-cyl RWD · 16 city / 22 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2011 Dodge Nitro (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

What owners report

Owners of the 2011 Dodge Nitro most often describe electrical faults: wipers that run on their own, alarms that sound unprompted, and intermittent no-start conditions. Many of these trace back to the TIPM (fuse box) and related wiring according to complaints, and they tend to show up across a wide mileage range. Airbag warning lights and non-deployment in crashes, fuel spilling at the pump, and brake pedal travel are also recurring themes.

  1. Electrical system

    Wipers, gauges, alarm and lights behaving on their own

    • 34 complaints (28%)
    • median 63,000 mi at 6.0 yrs old (29 state mileage)
    • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2012–2023

    Owners describe windshield wipers switching themselves on and not shutting off, alarms sounding while the vehicle is locked, and instrument panel gauges dropping out or reading "NO BUS". Some report that turn signals, high beams or horn stop working at the same time. Several had the dealer diagnose the TIPM (fuse/relay box) as the cause; others were told the failure could not be reproduced, and some repairs recurred after being made. Reported at mileages from about 5,000 to over 130,000, often appearing without warning while parked or driving.

    4 related service bulletins

    What to check: Ask whether the TIPM or fuse box has ever been replaced or repaired, and test the wipers, horn, turn signals and all dash gauges at several speeds during a test drive. Look for water intrusion or loose grounds in the wiring.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “The first sign of issues was in september, one morning after my car had been locked all night like always, the car alarm on the vehicle just sounded. I ran outside and unlocked the car then locked it again and went inside, I went back and forth multiple times, each time after locking the vehicle the alarm would sound within five minutes, I proceeded to turn on the car, I had system warnings present stating my trunk was unlocked. I closed the trunk multiple times but the warning never subsided. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10651184, filed 2014-10, 75,000 miles

    “Wipers stopped working 12/20/16. Dealership said it was the wiper motor and it was $300.00 to repair. When the wiper motor replacement didn't work we were told it was the tipm and no recalls however previous years prior there where recalls. The tipm is going to cost $936.00 plus the repair cost looking at rough estimate of $1,500. It's fortunate I was in my driveway and not driving in a rain or snow storm. I have been without a vehicle for a week, a major inconvenience getting back and forth to work. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10937687, filed 2016-12, 63,000 miles
  2. Electrical system

    No-start or sudden loss of power while driving

    • 28 complaints (23%)
    • median 62,767 mi at 5.1 yrs old (24 state mileage)
    • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2011–2023

    Complaints describe the engine shutting off while driving or the vehicle failing to crank even though the dash lights come on, sometimes after several attempts. A few mention a dealer replacing a relay box or tight\ing a loose ground wire, and some say the problem returned afterward. Others describe hard braking or a bump triggering a stall. Spread across the range, from under 5,000 miles to over 130,000, and sometimes recurring within a week.

    3 related service bulletins

    What to check: Ask if the ignition switch, relay box or battery cables have been serviced, and have a mechanic check for stored communication codes and battery/charging condition before buying.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “When I get in the car, all the lights and door ajar sounds happen like normal. When I put the key into ignition and attempt to crank it, all the lights in the dash come on but the vehicle will not start or even turn over or click,,,nothing. After start attempt, the check engine light, gas cap light and tire light stay on and everything else shuts off. I have been a week without the car because it won't start.”

    NHTSA complaint #11055852, filed 2017-12, 121,000 miles

    “Using my keyless entry fob, I unlocked my door and tried to start my vehicle. The vehicle would not start, but the dash lights came on so I knew the battery was not dead. I thought the battery on the key fob might be going out, so I went to purchase another key fob battery. With the new battery in the key fob, I tried to unlock my vehicle and it would not open. I used the key to manually unlock the car door, and the alarm went off. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10438116, filed 2011-12, 5,500 miles
  3. Air bags

    Airbag warning light on and bags not deploying in a crash

    • 19 complaints (16%)
    • median 97,500 mi at 5.7 yrs old (12 state mileage)
    • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2011–2026

    Owners report the airbag warning light staying on after starting the vehicle, with some told the ORC module or a sensor needed replacement. Several complaints describe collisions in which front or side airbags did not deploy. Some owners note the recall repair parts were unavailable when they asked. Warning lights appear from under 20,000 miles upward, and non-deployment reports come from crashes at various mileages.

    Recall 13V282000Recall 20V3960002 related service bulletins

    What to check: Confirm whether recall 13V282000 and the driver airbag emblem campaign have been completed for the VIN, and check that the airbag light goes out after the bulb-check on startup.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “About a year ago the airbag warning light flashed up on the dash everytime I start the vehicle. The code flashed up for no reason. We did not have an accident nor running over a rut. This is a safety issue even though it it isn't due for a recall. I think it is a module issue, according to the sheet from chrysler my Nitro is right in the middle of the recall model year. It happened when we driving on a smooth city street. My Nitro is a disaster...I replaced the ccm because of a charging issue myself. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11278544, filed 2019-11, 6,000 miles

    “When getting into vehicle airbag system warning light came on. Advised Dodge service center immediately. They advised me of an appointment three days away and told me it would be fine. Kept appointment with service center and result as appears from invoice: j# 1 52chz12 sup restraint sys customer states air bag light on in dash check and advise. Air bag light on. Made scan report. Air bag fault 1. B2208 orc internal powers and grounds good to module. Recommend replace orc and recheck. Ordered part; replaced orc module rechecked ok at this time. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10473253, filed 2012-09, 18,883 miles

Buying note. Look closely at the electrical system and ask for service records on the TIPM, and confirm all open airbag recalls have been completed for the VIN. A pre-purchase inspection covering brakes, fuel filler behavior and stored fault codes is worthwhile on this model year.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.

NHTSA recorded 122 consumer complaints for the 2011 Dodge Nitro. 91 of the complaints include a mileage, and 41% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 61,500 miles. Of all complaints, 5 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 7 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 86 technical service bulletins for this model year. Compared with the other 2 Dodge Nitro model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 50 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Steering (6), Electronic stability control (5), Body and structure (3), Forward collision avoidance (2), Seat belts (2), Engine cooling (1), Equipment (1), Tires (1), Wheels (1).

Example complaints

Electrical system: “My 2011 Dodge seems to have an electrical issue. I am unable to use the defrost, or air. Each time I turn it on the engine begins to run hot. Also my windshield wipers turn on when I start my engine, but they were not engaged. This happens wen the vehicle is turned on and stationary as well as when in motion.”

NHTSA complaint #10936569, filed 2016-12, 63,000 miles

Air bags: “I was stopped at a intersection waiting for traffic to pass on a city street, as I pressed the gas pedal to drive the vehicle had a loud explosion noise and felt as if I was rear ended, immediately the side airbags deployed on me and my two sons and objects flew everywhere, the truck immediately began to roll backwards as I couldn't control or stop it. I pulled the emergency breaks and jumped out to see my drive shaft had exploded underneath the truck, the ambulance came to take my son to the er because the airbags went off causing him to have severe collar bone pain. …”

NHTSA complaint #11281903, filed 2019-11, 142,022 miles

Fuel system: “3 weeks after having my 2011 Dodge Nitro detenator would stick between gears, at both slow and high speeds and I was burnning through gas way too fast. Nissian found my tansmittion oil to be black, I paid for flush and told it was good to go. Next day the car died, the throttle body indicator came on, this was fixed, still burning through gas! Couple weeks later now it sounds like a disel engine idle, I can not afford all these problems. …”

NHTSA complaint #11280227, filed 2019-11, 98,000 miles

Engine: “After getting a routine oil change on january 4, 2006. My car stop running while exiting the freeway and would not start again. Called the dealership after finding out that there was a recall on my car engine for january 11, 2016. He told me that the engine had been locked up after checking to make sure this was correct. To no avail the dealership will not honor the recall and I am still stuck without adequate transportation. Need this issue resolve so I can get back to work.”

NHTSA complaint #10853810, filed 2016-04, 75,745 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

41% of the 91 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 30,000 and 100,000 miles.

14%0–109%10–2518%25–5016%50–7518%75–10021%100–1504%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (91 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 61,500 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

’11’1317’15’17’19’21’23’26
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2011 Dodge Nitro. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Nitro · SUV 4WDnot rated———3 · 21.9% risk
Nitro · SUV RWDnot rated———3 · 22.8% risk

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2011 Dodge Nitro version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Nitro 2WD3.7L 6-cyl4-speed automatic162218$3,700
Nitro 2WD4.0L 6-cyl5-speed automatic162118$3,700
Nitro 4WD3.7L 6-cyl4-speed automatic152117$3,950
Nitro 4WD4.0L 6-cyl5-speed automatic162117$3,950

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2011 Dodge Nitro → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 86 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 86 bulletins →

Other model years of the Dodge Nitro

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
201112261,5003—1850 · TypicalFalling
20107870,0003—1829 · FewerFalling
20092495,7161—18—Stable
200839379,0003—1881 · MoreFalling
200749470,0007—18Not compared (before 2008)Falling

All Dodge Nitro model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2011 Dodge Nitro?

Owners of the 2011 Dodge Nitro most often describe electrical faults: wipers that run on their own, alarms that sound unprompted, and intermittent no-start conditions. The issues reported most often: Wipers, gauges, alarm and lights behaving on their own; No-start or sudden loss of power while driving; Airbag warning light on and bags not deploying in a crash.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2011 Dodge Nitro have?

NHTSA recorded 122 consumer complaints for the 2011 Dodge Nitro as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2011 Dodge Nitro is reported most often?

Electrical system is named most often, in 54 complaints (44% of the total), followed by air bags with 24.

Has the 2011 Dodge Nitro been recalled?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2011 Dodge Nitro get?

The EPA rates the 2011 Dodge Nitro (Nitro 2WD, 3.7L 6-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 16 city and 22 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,700 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2011 Dodge Nitro reported?

Among the 91 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 61,500 miles and the middle half falls between 30,000 and 100,000 miles; 41% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.