2011 Dodge Nitro problems
Owners have filed 197 complaints about the 2011 Dodge Nitro with NHTSA. Electrical system accounts for 27.4% of them — the clear leader, ahead of air bags at 12.2%.
Complaints197
Crashes5
Fires1
Injuries9
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Electrical system 27.4% · 54
Air bags 12.2% · 24
Power train 8.1% · 16
Engine 8.1% · 16
Fuel/propulsion system 7.1% · 14
Visibility/wiper 5.1% · 10
Unknown or other 4.6% · 9
Service brakes 4.6% · 9
Severity
Of those complaints, 5 describe a crash, 1 describe a fire and 9 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 4 model years of the Dodge Nitro in this data, 2011 ranks 3rd by complaint volume — 2007 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 6 in the last three years against 27 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 63,000 miles.
In owners' own words
When I get in the car, all the lights and door ajar sounds happen like normal. When I put the key into ignition and attempt to crank it, all the lights in the dash come on but the vehicle will not start or even turn over or click,,,nothing. After start attempt, the check engine light, gas cap light and tire light stay on and everything else shuts off. I have been a week without the car because it won't start. Electrical system · reported at 121,000 miles
I have a Dodge Nitro heat, the car is a lemon. Constant fails with hvac, electric, coils, catalytic converter. My engine light came on and I took the car to the shop next day. Now I am being told the transmission system needs to be replaced for 4k. I have only had the car since 2012, new. Not even 5 yrs old in use. I think this is a real issue that I got a lemon from Dodge. They should do something. Electrical system · reported at 125,000 miles
Horn started blaring on it own. I was in my house with my Nitro in my drive way. At appox. 10Am the horn started blaring on its own. I tried disabling the alarm to no avail. I ended up disconnecting the battery to get the horn to stop. This is the second time this have happened, the first was about two months ago and I had to disconnect the battery then to get it to stop. Electrical system · reported at 21,500 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…