Recalls (3)
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2011 Dodge Nitro. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗Brand Emblem and Securing Nuts May be Projectiles
- Summary
- 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.
Non-Deployment of Head Restraints
- Summary
- 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
- Summary
- 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.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (122)
122 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The electrical system is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 122 |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 54 | 44.3% |
| Air bags | 24 | 19.7% |
| Engine | 16 | 13.1% |
| Power train | 16 | 13.1% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 14 | 11.5% |
| Visibility/wiper | 10 | 8.2% |
| Service brakes | 9 | 7.4% |
| Unknown or other | 9 | 7.4% |
| Exterior lighting | 8 | 6.6% |
| Vehicle speed control | 8 | 6.6% |
How 2011 compares with other Nitro years
Best and worst Nitro years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 1 | 0 |
| 2007 | 825 | 8 |
| 2008 | 393 | 3 |
| 2009 | 36 | 1 |
| 2010 | 78 | 3 |
| 2011 | 122 | 3 |
| 2012 | 2 | 1 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 18 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $3,700
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 494 g/mi
- EPA class
- Sport Utility Vehicle -
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 18 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.7 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 / 22 / 18 | $3,700 | 494 |
| 4 L 6-cyl · 5-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 / 21 / 18 | $3,700 | 494 |
| 3.7 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic | 4-Wheel Drive | 15 / 21 / 17 | $3,950 | 523 |
| 4 L 6-cyl · 5-speed automatic | 4-Wheel Drive | 16 / 21 / 17 | $3,950 | 523 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2011 Nitro for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2011 Dodge Nitro FAQ
How many recalls does the 2011 Dodge Nitro have?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns: 20V396000 (air bag), 13V282000 (air bag), 11V315000 (steering). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2011 Dodge Nitro problems?
Owners filed 122 complaints with NHTSA. Electrical system (54), Air bags (24), Engine (16) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2011 Dodge Nitro get?
EPA rates the 3.7 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic version at 16 city, 22 highway and 18 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 2011 Nitro compare with other years?
Among the 2005–2012 Dodge Nitro model years at least five years old, the 2005 drew the fewest complaints (1) and the 2007 the most (825). The 2011 drew 122. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.