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2011 Dodge Nitro

The Verdict

69 Solid Pick

The 2011 Dodge Nitro has 122 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are electrical (52 complaints) and engine (33 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 69/100, it earns a "Solid Pick" rating. If you're shopping for a Dodge Nitro, consider the 2012 model year which has 98% fewer complaints.

Safe Bet

The 2012 has 98% fewer complaints

View the 2012 Dodge Nitro dashboard →

69

Klunk Score: Solid Pick

Fewer complaints than most vehicles. Generally dependable, but check the top problems below.

How is this calculated?

The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.

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Under the Hood

Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.

YearBodyBrakesElectricalEngineTransmission
20071674222431080
2008252917214520
2009611793
201013730235
2011149523314
201200200

By Category

Electrical
52
Engine
33
Body
14
Transmission
14
Brakes
9

By Severity

1
62
2
53
3
1
4
6

Worst Problems

Complaints

Electrical 1

The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Nitro. The contact stated that the vehicle frequently experienced electrical malfunctions, and the interior lights and windshield wipers would activate spontaneously. The “TEM” warning light was illuminated, and the radio display lights unexpectedly illuminated. Additionally, activating the turn signals unintendedly caused the wipers to activate, and the air bag warning light would remain illuminated. While the vehicle was turned off, the warning lights continued flashing intermittently. The dealer was notified of the failure, but the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 126,174.

5mo ago
Electrical 2

I am experiencing electrical issues with my 2011 Dodge Nitro SXT. Despite replacing the alternator and battery, the SUV continues to have operational problems. Additionally, I replaced the TMP. I subsequently took the vehicle to a local mechanical shop, where it was confirmed that the issue lies with the PCM (Powertrain Control Module). I have read about a recall related to electrical issues in the Nitro, and I would like to inquire about the possibility of obtaining reimbursement. Thank you for your assistance.

21mo ago
Electrical 2

The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Nitro. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently lost electrical and motive power. The contact was able to coast to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle was able to be restarted. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure had since become a regular occurrence. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 103,000.

33mo ago
Electrical 2

Airbags: This vehicle has had a recall for a "Ram" emblem being placed over the airbag such that it becomes a projectile in an airbag depleyment. Dodge makes it very difficult to avail of getting it removed. I am not close to the dealership, I am very busy and somewhat disabled. Since the first notice arrived in the mail-- maybe three years ago-- I have returned the notices with a request for them to send a tech to my home and make the repair. I see there has been at least one death due to this obvious flaw, butthey have not cared enough to answer. Why should I take a day so that they can fix this deadly "extra feature" of shrapnel being placed over an explosive? Electrical: This is a serious safety issue that Dodge will not recognize or even discuss. Getting the window back up is a matter of finessing the "up" switch every which way, multiple attempts required (switch has now fallen out). Very distracting, after going through a toll booth after dark and 15 degrees. You can't stop and F with it, you have to do it on the move. It can take as long as five minutes to get it back up (Window now completely disabled). They will do anything to save seventeen cents per car, who cares if it makes it unsafe for the owner. Not Dodge! I wrote to Dodge (no reply), then the MI Attorney General about this, they responded "We have written to this manufacturer twice and have not received a response". Dodge takes no responsibility for their shoddy work. We pay, we die, they keep doing what they do. It disappoints that even the AG's "Consumer Protection Division" has no teeth. Visibility: It would be interesting to learn how many pedestrians have been hit with this particular model. With all the safety regs out there, it's amazing that a design that blocks visibility gets a pass. Unfortunately it is not the kind of thing you can discover in a test drive, but - crosswalks and four-way stops in particular are dangerous. You can hide a Ryder truck behind these A pillars.

42mo ago
Electrical 2

Airbag symbol keeps jumping on and dinging and their is a malfunctioning of the airbag which showed after being but on a machine. The tire even when changed or applying air the light still jumps on like it’ has low air pressure. And the electrical the door lock n unlock is backwards lock will be unlock and unlock is locked. Only 3 doors will lock automatically.

43mo ago
Transmission 1

While my husband was driving home from work, the drive shaft of our vehicle completely snapped at 50mph causing him to come to a complete stop. There is a recall specially specially this on the 2008 models and after this incident we believe it should for the 2011s also.

53mo ago
Engine 2

Loss of power, engine completely shut off at a redlight

54mo ago
Transmission 1

The contact's daughter owns a 2011 Dodge Nitro. The contact stated that while his daughter was starting the vehicle, the steering wheel inadvertently lost power steering functionality. Additionally, the windshield wipers remained operational after the windshield wiper button was disengaged. The contact's daughter was also unable to move the gear shifter from PARK to DRIVE. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer but was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 118,000.

54mo ago
Engine 1

My car is always acting as if it is going to flip or gets locked up, even in slow speeds below the speed limit. I am a single mom, not a speed racer.

54mo ago
Electrical 1

I purchased a 2011 Dodge Nitro SUV in March 2021 from a dealer with all recall information. I contacted online about recall and they set-up to take this vehicle to a Dodge dealer to have required recall work done. I took this vehicle to this dealer and on this INVOICE from dealer repair it states: Recall/ CSN 1 [Safety Recall W09 – Driver Air Bag Emblem] CAUSE: F 19W09183 Safety Recall W 09 Driver Airbag Emblem – Remove Remove Driver Airbag Emblem (2 -Skilled) 997471W FC: Part#: Count: Claim Type: W AUTH CODE: Parts: 0.00Labor: 0.00Other: 0.00Total Line B:0.00 Removed DAB emblem 19 – WO -91 – 83 After this job was completed, I was told by this dealer that It might take 6 months for a replacement part to come available. I will be notified by the recall company when a new part to be place in this vehicle. Now, when I enter this same vehicle VIN it states as 0 recalls. My airbag concern light on my dash remains on and sometimes alerts me by sound! Nothing has been replaced for over 7 months and now it shows no recalls! I have both original Invoice pages from this dealer still stapled together and scanned to email if needed! My vehicle would not pass inspection if needed, because of this issue and safety concerns. [XXX] Roane County, TN INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

57mo ago
Electrical 2

The horn started blowing randomly, Pulled the negative battery connector as recommended to reset TIPM. The horn continued to go off pulled the fuses as recommended. Was told if it kills the battery the TIMP needs to be replaced. That is a common issue for this year model vehicle. Called about a recall the recall is for vehicles manufacturer from 07/17/2011 to 12/2011. My truck was manufactured three days prior to this recall time frame. I believe my vehicle is affected by the faulty TIPM as well. I would like the part to be covered under the recall.

61mo ago
Engine 2

When fueling the vehicle gas will spew out after the pump has shut off. I've tried many different things to try and stop this issue. If I fill the tank very slowly it will sometimes not spew or it may cut down on the amount spewed, but it has not made the issue stop. This really is dangerous and ridiculous. From my online research into the issue, it appears to be common with this vehicle. Although an easy, definitive reason was not given. Please address this. Thank you.

62mo ago
Body 2

DATE OF INCIDENT: 05202021 SPEED: VEHICLE PARKED/DRIVING 30 MPH MILEAGE: 110000 VEHICLE HORN SOUNDED NUMEROUS TIMES ON OWN. VEHICLE PARKED AND KEY NOT IN IGNITION. VEHICLE ALSO SOUNDED WHILE IN ON POSITION AT STOP LIGHT AND IN ON POSITION WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH. VEHICLE DOES THIS ON OWN WITHOUT PROMPTING AND CAN ONLY BE STOPPED BY DISCONNECTION OF THE BATTERY.

62mo ago
Body 2

THE ALARM GOES OFF FOR MAYBE 1 TO 4 SECONDS AT ANY TIME IT'S PARKED AND THE HORN BLOWS TIME TO TIME WITHOUT ME TOUCHING IT WHILE DRIVING.

63mo ago
Brakes 2

MY SUV KEEP HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRICAL ISSUES, FIRST IT STARTED WITH THE RADIO AND THEN MY BRAKE LIGHT KEEP BOWING AND WE REPLACED THE CIRCUIT BOARD AND BULPS AND WITHIN THREE DAYS THEY BLOWED AGAIN AND AT NIGHT WHEN I TURN MY LIGHTS ON MY BRAKE LIGHTS OR TURN SIGNALS DO NOT WORK,

63mo ago
Body 1

AFTER DEALERSHIP REMOVED THE EMBLEM FROM THE STEERING WHEEL DUE TO THE RECALL, THE HORN WOULD START TO BLOW ON ITS OWN FOR NO APPARENT REASON AND STAY ON. IT WOULD SHUT OFF AND THEN A FEW MOMENTS LATER START TO BLOW AGAIN. THE DEALERSHIPS ANSWER WAS TO DISCONNECT MY HORN AND SEND ME ON MY WAY. I AM NOW DRIVING IN A VEHICLE THAT WILL NOT PASS THE REQUIRED STATE INSPECTION. IT IS ALSO A SAFETY HAZARD!! THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THAT UNTIL THE PARTS CAME IN TO FINISH THE RECALL ON MY VEHICLE I WOULD HAVE TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE THIS WAY. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE!!

64mo ago
Electrical 4

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 ILLUMINATED. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT FILED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,220.

71mo ago
Electrical 1

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE NITRO. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY HIS WIFE THAT THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE TAIL LIGHT WAS INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE BULBS WERE REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000.

73mo ago
Engine 1

THE CAR JUST TURNED OFF ON ITS OWN AS I WAS DRIVING IN A PARKING LOT ABOUT 15 MPH.

73mo ago
Electrical 2

MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO START, WHILE DRIVING AT THE HIGHWAY OR AT A LIGHT IT SLOW DOWN AS IF GOING TO SHUTS OFF, REAR WINDOWS NOT WORKING, DOORS POWER LOCKS INTERMITTENT. *TR

74mo ago

122 total

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