Car Defect Radar
Built from NHTSA complaints and recalls collected for this model, generated September 22, 2026. Totals reflect what has been collected, not every complaint ever filed.

Recalls

0 total

Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.

No recalls on record for this model

No safety recalls were found in this dataset. It is still worth entering the exact VIN on NHTSA before purchase, since recalls can be added at any time.

Owner complaints by system

122 total

Unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA, grouped by the part of the car. Useful for spotting patterns. Open a group to read recent examples.

Engine & powertrain

Worth reading
33

Most reports here involve fluid leaks. Of these, 1 mention a crash.

fluid leaks 11sudden stalling 10unintended acceleration 4
A recent report: 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…
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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.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11618955 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Electrical & infotainment

Worth reading
45

Most reports here involve software faults.

software faults 13electrical shorts 11sudden stalling 11
A recent report: 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…
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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.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11715387 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Brakes

Minor
7

Most reports here involve loss of braking.

loss of braking 5sudden stalling 1
A recent report: 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.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11447313 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Steering, suspension & tires

Minor
4

Most reports here involve loss of steering.

loss of steering 2electrical shorts 1
A recent report: 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…
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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.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11447890 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Airbags & seat belts

Worth reading
20

Most reports here involve software faults. Of these, 3 mention a crash, 5 mention an injury.

software faults 11airbags not deploying 4
A recent report: 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…
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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.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11501240 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Structure & body

Worth reading
6

Most reports here involve fluid leaks. Of these, 1 mention a crash.

fluid leaks 1software faults 1
A recent report: 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…
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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.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11350300 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Other systems

Worth reading
7

Most reports here involve fluid leaks. Of these, 2 mention an injury.

fluid leaks 1airbags deploying unexpectedly 1
A recent report: 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…
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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.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11451358 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Is 122 complaints a lot? They were filed between 2011 and 2026, roughly 8 a year, which is more than the typical model in this dataset. We do not have sales figures for this model, so treat this as a rough volume, not a rate per car on the road. Popular, high-volume models naturally collect more complaints over time.