NHTSA vehicle safety data

2011 Dodge Nitro Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2011 Dodge Nitro has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 122 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Dodge dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2011 Dodge Nitro, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

2011 Dodge Nitro owner complaints

Owners have filed 122 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 Dodge Nitro, describing incidents dated February 15, 2011 to January 1, 2025.

Most-cited components

  • Electrical System 54 complaints
  • Air Bags 24 complaints
  • Engine 17 complaints
  • Fuel/Propulsion System 17 complaints
  • Power Train 16 complaints
  • Visibility/Wiper 12 complaints

Of the 122 complaints on file, 5 report a crash and 1 a fire; across all 122 complaints, owners report 7 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

  • ODI #11715387 · Filed

    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…

  • ODI #11618955 · Filed

    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…

  • ODI #11548202 · Filed

    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…

Read all 122 complaints

Owner-reported

2011 Dodge Nitro mileage at failure

88 of the 122 complaints on file for the 2011 Dodge Nitro give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.

Mileage at failure by component, from owners' complaints to NHTSA
Electrical SystemMedian 90,000 milesMiddle half 50,000–105,000 milesBased on 41 complaints

A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.

Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.

These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.

Most complaints NHTSA received since May 17, 2021 give no mileage. So that they aren't undercounted, each one received since then that gives a mileage also stands in for those that gave none, which can put a component's median above most of the mileages it is based on.

Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2011 Dodge Nitro in 2 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Brand Emblem and Securing Nuts May be Projectiles

NHTSA #20V396000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Driver Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

Reported July 7, 2020 · Chrysler (FCA US LLC)

Potentially affected: 925,239 vehicles

Repair completion: 27.66% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign W09 · Owners notified February 11, 2021

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

Projectiles as a result of driver air bag deployment in the event of a crash can increase the risk of injury.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Non-Deployment of Head Restraints

NHTSA #13V282000 · Electrical System · NHTSA notice

Reported July 2, 2013 · Chrysler Group LLC

Potentially affected: 442,320 vehicles

Repair completion: 71.46% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign N38 · Owners notified November 19, 2013 · Vehicles built June 17, 2011 – December 15, 2011 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

In the event of a crash necessitating the deployment of the active head restraints , their non-deployment could increase the risk of injury.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

STEERING COLUMN

NHTSA #11V315000 · Steering — Column · NHTSA notice

Reported June 8, 2011 · CHRYSLER GROUP LLC

Potentially affected: 11,096 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign L23 · Owners notified July 4, 2011 · Vehicles built April 21, 2011 – May 2, 2011 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

CHRYSLER'S SAFETY RECALL NO. L23.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

Other Dodge Nitro model years

Check your 2011 Dodge Nitro VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Dodge Nitro at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a Dodge VIN