2011 Dodge Nitro Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2011 Dodge Nitro has 122 NHTSA complaints and a complaint index of 67, ranking 3rd worst among 7 model years. It carries a Caution verdict, with Electrical System issues (46% of complaints) as the top problem area, plus 3 recalls including two airbag campaigns.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 67/100
- #3 of 7 Nitro years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 122
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 5
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 7
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 17.5
- 16 city / 21 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 7 / 0
Top 2011 Dodge Nitro problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System56 (46%)
- Airbags24 (20%)
- Engine23 (19%)
- Fuel System17 (14%)
- Transmission & Powertrain16 (13%)
- Brakes14 (11%)
- Visibility & Wipers11 (9%)
- Other10 (8%)
- Steering6 (5%)
- Structure & Body3 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags failed to deploy in low- and moderate-speed rear-end and side-impact crashes, sometimes leaving occupants injured.
- A steering column defect tied to a recall caused concern in multiple trims sharing the same part.
- Owners describe sudden unintended acceleration or the engine revving on its own while trying to park or slow down.
- The engine misfired and smelled of raw gasoline, with the cruise control surging between acceleration and deceleration.
- The keyless entry fob and remote locks stopped responding even with a working battery, leaving the vehicle unable to start.
- Transmission shifting was described as harsh or delayed, including loud banging noises and vehicles failing to move into gear.
2011 Dodge Nitro recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 20V396000Jul 7, 2020Airbags925,239 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 13V282000Jul 2, 2013Airbags442,320 vehicles
Air bags
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 11V315000Jun 8, 2011Steering11,096 vehicles
Steering:column
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.
Risk: 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.
2011 Dodge Nitro fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 16 MPG
- Highway
- 21 MPG
- Combined
- 17.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,700
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2011 compared with other Nitro years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2011 Dodge Nitro reliable?
- It ranks 3rd worst out of 7 Nitro model years by NHTSA complaint index (67), earning a Caution verdict relative to other Nitro years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2011 Dodge Nitro?
- Electrical System issues make up 46% of complaints, followed by Airbags (20%), Engine (19%), and Fuel System (14%), according to NHTSA data.
- Does the 2011 Dodge Nitro have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2011 Nitro, covering airbags (two campaigns) and a steering column pivot defect; none are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2011 Nitro compare to other model years?
- 2011 is worse than 2009 (Good, index 33) and 2010 (Caution, index 50), but far better than 2007 and 2008, both rated Avoid with indexes of 100 and 83.
- At what mileage do 2011 Nitro problems typically show up?
- Median mileage at failure across all complaints is 61,750 miles, with Electrical System issues showing up around 71,685 miles and Transmission issues around 47,792 miles.