2011 Dodge Nitro
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Electrical
Electrical leads by volume: 54 of 122 complaints (44%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (7) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 78 in 2010 to 122 in 2011.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | vs. 2011 Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,450–3,650 | 3,450–3,650 | 3,450–3,650 | |
| Combined MPG | 17–18 | 17–18 | 17–18 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 15–16 / 20–22 | 15–16 / 20–22 | 15–16 / 21–22 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 494–523 | 494–523 | 494–523 | |
| Complaints filed | 36 | 78 | 122 | |
| Recalls issued | 1 | 3 | 3 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 0 | 3 | 5 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 1 | 2 | 1 | |
| Injuries reported | 1 | 4 | 7 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2011 Dodge Nitro have?
3 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2011 Dodge Nitro?
Electrical: 54 of 122 NHTSA complaints (44%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2011 Dodge Nitro get?
EPA rates it 17–18 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2011 Dodge Nitro?
EPA estimates $3,450–$3,650 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (4)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 3.7L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD | 16 mpg (high) | 22 mpg (high) | 18 mpg (high) | $3,450 (low) | 494 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 5-spd | 6 | 4.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD | 16 mpg (high) | 21 mpg (low) | 18 mpg (high) | $3,450 (low) | 494 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 3.7L | 4-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 15 mpg (low) | 21 mpg (low) | 17 mpg (low) | $3,650 (high) | 523 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic 5-spd | 6 | 4.0L | 4-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 16 mpg (high) | 21 mpg (low) | 17 mpg (low) | $3,650 (high) | 523 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 16 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 54 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 26 | 4 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (3)
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR; AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · Campaign 20V396000 · Jul 7, 2020
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; AIR BAGS · Campaign 13V282000 · Jul 5, 2013
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
STEERING:COLUMN · Campaign 11V315000 · Jun 9, 2011
Defect: 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.
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.
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.