The Lemon Index
20101st generation
About average · most complaints: electrical
Better years to buy
33 owner complaints, first 3 years 17–18 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2011 Toyota RAV4 532011 Honda CR-V 282011 Nissan Rogue 40
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2011 Dodge Nitro
- Engine stalling10 complaintsmostly at 525–36,000 miles (844–58,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 122 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2011 Dodge Nitro (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 5,500 and 43,000 miles (8,900–69,000 km) (the middle half of the 27 complaints, of all 33 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 20V396000 (airbags), 13V282000 (electrical) and 11V315000 (steering) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Dodge sent dealers 86 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Transmission Kit with Torque Converter 1”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Dodge's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 33 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 5K to 42K miles (9K to 69K km) on the car (27 of all 33 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
The air bag light will not go off driver side front.
2011 Dodge Nitro owner · NHTSA complaint 10562492
Problems Dodge told dealers about
Dodge sent dealers 86 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Transmission Kit with Torque Converter 1
- Hands Free Module Prompts Begin Erroneously This bulletin involves diagnosing and based on…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 3
- Airbags · recall issued 2020
These vehicles may have a loose or missing brand emblem in the center of the steering wheel.
- Electrical · recall issued 2013
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.
- Steering · recall issued 2011
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 …
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- ClosedElectrical overstress2019–2024
- ClosedTotally integrated power module failure2014–2015
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dodge Nitro SUV 4WD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★☆☆ |
| Dodge Nitro SUV RWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★☆☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,350–$3,550 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 3.7L 6-cyl, 4.0L 6-cyl.
Every Dodge Nitro year. 2011 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2011 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/dodge-nitro/?y=2011" title="Dodge Nitro reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="307" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/dodge-nitro/2011/">Lemon Index</a> (2011 Dodge Nitro reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2011 Dodge Nitro reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew a bit more than the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 114; 100 is average, lower is better). The Dodge Nitro year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2010.
What are the most common 2011 Dodge Nitro problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (33%), airbags (21%) and transmission & drivetrain (15%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2011 Dodge Nitro have?
3 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2011 Dodge Nitro get?
17 to 18 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2011 Dodge Nitro problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 5,500 and 43,000 miles (8,900–69,000 km) (the middle half of the 27 complaints, of all 33 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2011 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2011 Dodge Nitro have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 15% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2011 Dodge Nitro cost in fuel a year?
About $3,350 to $3,550 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2011 Dodge Nitro have?
3.7L 6-cyl, 4.0L 6-cyl.
What Dodge Nitro year is better than the 2011?
Nearby, the 2010 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (a bit over half as many complaints as the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works