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Electrical systemPart report

2011 Dodge Nitro Electrical system Problems

Complaints
54about this part
Share
44%of 122 total for the year
Median mileage
65,952miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 54 complaints about the electrical system of the 2011 Dodge Nitro, 44% of the 122 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 65,952 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“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

“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

“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

“Horn started blaring on it own. I was in my house with my Nitro in my drive way. At appox. 10am the horn started blaring on its own. I tried disabling the alarm to no avail. I ended up disconnecting the battery to get the horn to stop. This is the second time this have happened, the first was about two months ago and I had to disconnect the battery then to get it to stop.”

NHTSA complaint #10639620, filed 2014-09, 21,500 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

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
20115444%
20102633%
20091042%
200819850%
200713327%

Other parts of the 2011 Dodge Nitro

Air bags
24 complaintsFuel system
17 complaintsEngine
16 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
16 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
12 complaintsOther or unknown
10 complaintsBrakes
9 complaintsExterior lighting
8 complaintsVehicle speed control
8 complaintsSteering
6 complaintsElectronic stability control
5 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2011 Dodge Nitro

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.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology