KnownCarProblems2011 Dodge Nitro Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 122 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 Dodge Nitro, most often about the electrical (44% of complaints, typically around 66,000 miles). It is the 3rd most complained-about Nitro model year since 2000 and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2011 Dodge Nitro problems
Electrical
54 complaints · 44%Half of these problems showed up before 66,000 miles. Parts named most often: wiring.
The horn sounds unexpectedly and usually when parked or moving slowly thru parking areas. Not only does this startle the driver, pedestrians could attempt to move away but into the vehicles path. There have also been incidents of the front door windows rolling down and the moonroof opening after the vehilce has been…
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.
Air bags
24 complaints · 20%Half of these problems showed up before 97,500 miles. Parts named most often: side/window.
The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Nitro. While idling at a red light, the contact's vehicle was rear ended. As a result, the contact rear ended the preceding vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact and a passenger were injured and transported to the hospital by ambulance. A police report was filed. The vehicle…
The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Nitro. The contact stated that the rear passenger side brake light did not illuminate when depressing the brake pedal. The contact also mentioned that the ABS and air bag warning indicators were illuminated. The contact called mac haik Dodge chrysler jeep ram (12111 katy fwy, houston, tx…
Fuel system
17 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 75,500 miles.
There is an issue with the fuel tank/ valve in this model Dodge vehicle. Every time I go to fuel up I have to guess the number of gallons it will take before I stop pumping in fuel, otherwise fuel will spill out all over the side and the ground. This happens every time I fuel up, no matter the gas station or type of…
2011 Dodge Nitro gasoline fill spout and fuel tank is affected part. Every time I fill up the vehicle with gasoline it spews out of the gas tank all over me and the side of the SUV. I've contacted Dodge and they say there is no recall. I contacted the dealer I bought it from and they claimed to have fixed the issue…
Engine
17 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 56,500 miles.
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 would hope a recall…
The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Nitro. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH, the engine began to rev as the rpms increased independently. In addition, the doors failed to lock electronically and all doors locked independently. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where…
Transmission
16 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 48,000 miles.
My vehicle stalled out due to a failure with a defective totally integrated power module. According to the dealer making the repair wires leading to the alternator and wires leading to the PCM were fried. The wiring issue appear to be a fire hazard. My first concern is this defective part has caused me about $2,000 in…
The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Nitro. While driving 20 MPH, the seat belt warning lamp illuminated despite all the passengers being secured in the seat belts. The wiper blades then independently powered on as all of the warning lights on the instrument panel simultaneously illuminated. The engine seized and the contact…
Visibility and wipers
12 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 63,000 miles. Parts named most often: windshield wiper/washer, defroster/defogger/hvac 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.
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…
Brakes
9 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 100,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Nitro. The contact stated that the rear passenger side brake light did not illuminate when depressing the brake pedal. The contact also mentioned that the ABS and air bag warning indicators were illuminated. The contact called mac haik Dodge chrysler jeep ram (12111 katy fwy, houston, tx…
For the past year or so the brake pedal goes to the floor usually while braking and hitting a bump. Brakes will eventually go back to normal sometimes after a few minutes and sometimes after a few hours. Pumping the brake pedal does not help. Unsafe because never know when it's going to happen and braking power is…
Other or unspecified
9 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 64,000 miles.
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.
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…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2011 Dodge Nitro recalls
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: Projectiles as a result of driver air bag deployment in the event of a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating the deployment of the active head restraints , their non-deployment could increase the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Steering: column
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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Electrical overstress
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect.â during the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events. The subject vehicles may be equipped with an airbag control unit (acu) for the supplemental restraint system (SRS) electronic control unit (ecu) manufactured by zf-trw. â the ecu receives signals from crash sensors mounted in the vehicle and deploys the vehicle air bags and seat belt pretensioners in accordance with m
Totally integrated power module failure
Summary
In a letter dated august 21, 2014, the center for auto safety (cas) petitioned the national highway traffic safety administration (NHTSA) to initiate a defect investigation of alleged failures associated with the totally integrated power module (tipm) installed in chrysler SUV?s, trucks, and vans beginning in the 2007 model year. The petitioner alleges that tipm defects may result in engine stall, airbag non-deployment, failure of fuel pump shutoff resulting in unintended acceleration, fire, and other symptoms. On september 25, 2014, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened dp14-004 to evaluate the petition for a grant or deny decision. Odi analyzed complaint data provided by cas as
Questions about the 2011 Dodge Nitro
- What are the most common problems with the 2011 Dodge Nitro?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (54 complaints, typically around 66,000 miles); air bags (24 complaints, typically around 97,500 miles); fuel system (17 complaints, typically around 75,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2011 Dodge Nitro have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from July 7, 2020 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2011 a bad year for the Dodge Nitro?
- It is the 3rd most complained-about Nitro model year since 2000, with 122 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.