10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
6 / 0
Average Mileage:
51,265 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2011 Dodge Nitro:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #23

Jan 282015

Nitro

  • miles
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.

- Three Rivers, MI, USA

problem #22

Oct 052022

Nitro

  • miles
Airbag symbol keeps jumping on and dinging and their is a malfunctioning of the airbag which showed after being but on a machine. The tire even when changed or applying air the light still jumps on like it-?? has low air pressure. And the electrical the door lock n unlock is backwards lock will be unlock and unlock is locked. Only 3 doors will lock automatically.

- Douglas, GA, USA

problem #21

Mar 192021

Nitro 6-cyl

  • miles
I purchased a 2011 Dodge Nitro SUV in March 2021 from a dealer with all recall information. I contacted online about recall and they set-up to take this vehicle to a Dodge dealer to have required recall work done. I took this vehicle to this dealer and on this INVOICE from dealer repair it states: Recall/ CSN 1 [Safety Recall W09 -?" Driver Air Bag Emblem] CAUSE: F 19W09183 Safety Recall W 09 Driver Airbag Emblem -?" Remove Remove Driver Airbag Emblem (2 -Skilled) 997471W FC: Part#: Count: Claim Type: W AUTH CODE: Parts: 0.00Labor: 0.00Other: 0.00Total Line B:0.00 Removed DAB emblem 19 -?" WO -91 -?" 83 After this job was completed, I was told by this dealer that It might take 6 months for a replacement part to come available. I will be notified by the recall company when a new part to be place in this vehicle. Now, when I enter this same vehicle VIN it states as 0 recalls. My airbag concern light on my dash remains on and sometimes alerts me by sound! Nothing has been replaced for over 7 months and now it shows no recalls! I have both original Invoice pages from this dealer still stapled together and scanned to email if needed! My vehicle would not pass inspection if needed, because of this issue and safety concerns. [XXX] Roane County, TN INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Harriman, TN, USA

problem #20

Aug 182020

Nitro

  • 143,220 miles
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.

- Aurora, MO, USA

problem #19

Feb 202018

Nitro

  • miles
The air bag lights comes on and off constantly.

- Nacogdoches, TX, USA

problem #18

Nov 212019

Nitro 6-cyl

  • 142,022 miles
I was stopped at a intersection waiting for traffic to pass on a city street, as I pressed the gas pedal to drive the vehicle had a loud explosion noise and felt as if I was rear ended, immediately the side airbags deployed on me and my two sons and objects flew everywhere, the truck immediately began to roll backwards as I couldn't control or stop it. I pulled the emergency breaks and jumped out to see my drive shaft had exploded underneath the truck, the ambulance came to take my son to the er because the airbags went off causing him to have severe collar bone pain. I contacted insurance company this morning and waiting to hear who's covering what. I/my son is in severe pain and shocked as to why this wasn't recalled with the other Nitro years. This could've been fatal, I need answers a.S.a.P.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #17

Oct 182017

Nitro

  • 6,000 miles
About a year ago the airbag warning light flashed up on the dash everytime I start the vehicle. The code flashed up for no reason. We did not have an accident nor running over a rut. This is a safety issue even though it it isn't due for a recall. I think it is a module issue, according to the sheet from Chrysler my Nitro is right in the middle of the recall model year. It happened when we driving on a smooth city street. My Nitro is a disaster...I replaced the ccm because of a charging issue myself. I also will probably have to airbag module myself. I am an aircraft and marine mechanic so it is no big deal if I have to.

- Omaha, NE, USA

problem #16

Dec 212016

Nitro

  • 230,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Nitro. While the vehicle was parked, the horn independently engaged. Also, the windshield wipers failed to deactivate. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to mac haik Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram (11000 North freeway, houston, tx 77037, (281) 447-9500), but was not diagnosed or repaired. However, the technician stated that the pressure plate in the air bag area was causing the failure and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in any recall. The approximate failure mileage was 230,000.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #15

May 112018

Nitro

  • 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 77079, (713) 263-3070) and was informed that the vehicle had no recalls; therefore, they could not assist. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing or repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #14

Oct 102017

Nitro

  • 100,000 miles
Takata recall

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #13

Feb 152018

Nitro

  • miles
The airbag light keeps popping up. When parked or moving, it's always on and chimes from time to time.the vehicle has not been hit or in any car accidents. Dealer is unaware of any issues but I've talked with other Nitro owners that are having the same issue. My clock was losing time for a long time I took it to the dealership and they said nothing was wrong. Finally they had a recall and then wanted to charge me for the repair even though it had been in a couple of time for the issue before. I love my Nitro but I don't think I will ever purchase another Dodge vehicle again because of how my issues have been handled.

- Albuquerque, NM, USA

problem #12

Apr 012017

Nitro

  • 150,000 miles
Tipm issues. Causing horn to go off while stationary and driving. Causing car to not start while stationary. And causing issues with the lights, wipers and more.

- Kingston, WA, USA

problem #11

Sep 262016

Nitro

  • miles
Takata recall, the air bag light turned and still on and off and made a whistle. I changed the gas cap 2 times and persist to turn on an advise on panel in the dash.

- Mayaguez, PR, USA

problem #10

Aug 292016

Nitro

  • miles
For several days it turns on the dash light airbag and intermittently the alert sounds indicating the problem with the airbag, when the car is in motion, across the street or in the road.

- Mayaguez, PR, USA

problem #9

Jun 272016

Nitro

  • miles
The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Nitro. The contact stated that the air bag warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 13V282000 (air bags, electrical system). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided no repair solution. The failure mileage was not available.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #8

Dec 262015

Nitro

  • 95,000 miles
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 was towed to an impound lot. The vehicle was in the process of being repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The VIN was invalid. The approximate failure mileage was 95,000.

- Jonesboro, GA, USA

problem #7

Nov 232015

Nitro

  • 100,530 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Nitro. The contact started the vehicle and the air bag warning indicator illuminated continuously. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,530.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #6

Jan 012014

Nitro 6-cyl

  • miles
The air bag light will not go off driver side front.

- Columbus, GA, USA

problem #5

Oct 232013

Nitro

  • miles
The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Nitro. The contact stated that there was a recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 13V3282000 (air bags, electrical system). The vehicle was included in the recall however, the part needed to complete the repair was unavailable. The dealer and manufacturer were notified and neither could provide an expected date for the remedy part to become available. The contact had not experienced a failure.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #4

Oct 232013

Nitro

  • 36,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Nitro. The contact stated that the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where it was found that the air bag had failed. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that the parts needed for completion of NHTSA campaign number 13V282000 (air bags, electrical system) were not available and they were unsure when they would become available. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 36,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Brownsville, TX, USA

Read the next 3 complaints »