10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
49,581 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2011 Dodge Nitro engine problems

engine problem

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2011 Dodge Nitro Owner Comments

problem #8

Jan 102019

Nitro

  • 93,600 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Purchased 2011 Nitro. High speed can communication bus, code U0002. Dash cluster faults all light upwith warning bell engaging when pulling off or turning. Traction control light on, engine light on, pull off from stop light and the vehicle is stuck in first gear. Hearing electric gear sound when vehicle is shut off.

- Pasadena, MD, USA

problem #7

May 032018

Nitro

  • 60,000 miles
Started SUV sounded very loud. Put in park sounded better. Started to drive and SUV accelerated on its own, not sure how fast it would of gotten up to, only way to slow down, step on break with both feet. I was close to home so just wanted to get home. Turned into driveway unable to stop in time drove right through garage door. Luckily no one was hurt, garage door demolished, car dents and many scratches. Very dangerous situation.

- Caledonia, WI, USA

problem #6

Jun 162017

Nitro

  • 95,000 miles
I started a complaint before and the ref number is 10995543 but more has happened since. I have had several occasions were my car would accelerate on its own and not stop. I lost all control and it was like the car had a mind of its own. The car then would stall in middle of roads, intersections, ect, I was almost hit head on by a construction truck one time last year cause the car accelerated while driving on a busy street, the car just accelerated, and wouldnt stop at a red light and the brakes would not work. The steering and everything seized up and then the car just shut down. A red lightning bolt popped up on the dash right before it died. This happened once in 2015, once in 2016, and twice in 2017. I was told over and over by ed shults of jamestown that it is not an electrical issue. Then I filed a report in June of 2017 cause it happened again, and again they just charged me and said it wasnt electrical. Now yesterday 9/27/2017 the vehicle did it again so I called ed shults and they wanted me to pay a daignosis fee again and to pay to have it towed 45 miles away, so I sent it to dave Warren in jamestown NY instead and he is a Dodge dealer, and they informed me today that it is electrical. I am so upset because this vehicle has almost killed me, its under warranty but the warranty doesnt seem to cover much of anything or even the diagnosis, and I am still paying on this vehicle that is costing so much in repairs. Please help.

- Jamestown, NY, USA

problem #5

Mar 012015

Nitro 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 95,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Nitro. While driving 25 mph, the vehicle accelerated rapidly without warning and stalled directly afterwards. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal depressed on its own and almost caused a crash. Ed shults Ford of jamestown, New York was made aware of the failure and replaced the relay box that caused the red lightning bolt warning indicator to illuminate without warning on several occasions. The failure recurred. The contact called the same dealer about the failure and the dealer requested that she pay a diagnostic fee. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that there was no warranty coverage because the defect had not originated from the engine. In addition, the manufacturer stated that there was no recall for the failure. The failure mileage was 95,000. Updated 10/18/17 the consumer stated electrical problem car keeps shutting down in the middle of the street.

- Jamestown, NY, USA

problem #4

Dec 112015

Nitro

  • 45,000 miles
Driving on 2 lane highway and had to brake hard as another vehicle cut me off. As soon as I did (brake) my SUV shut off...all the lights flashed on the dash board. I immediately put the flashers on and hoped I didn't get rear-ended. I tried 3X to restart my 2011 Dodge Nitro- it finally started. I was near the dealership where I purchased the vehicle, I pulled in, told them what just happened. They hooked it up to the computer and reported 'no errors'. it was a near miss on a busy highway, and I am worried if this were to happen again. I don't feel safe in my Dodge Nitro. I was alone, but what if I had passengers, children, etc.? it is definitely a safety issue when you brake hard and your vehicle just shuts off, wouldn't move. This is incredible scary. Someone or more than one person is going to be killed when they get slammed from behind and pushed into on coming traffic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

- Cortland, NY, USA

problem #3

Jun 152011

Nitro 6-cyl

  • 23 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Nitro. The contact stated that while at a complete stop, the engine rpms increased and the vehicle accelerated without warning. The brake pedal was depressed several times in order for the vehicle to come to a stop. In addition, the contact stated that while attempting to accelerate from a stop light, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 23. Updated 03/10/15 updated 10/15/2015

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #2

Jul 152011

Nitro 6-cyl

  • 525 miles
Engine stalls while parked or when accelerating from a full stop. It does the same while taking a curve and trying to accelerate when the curve ended. It feels like there is not enough gasoline coming from the tank and the engine starves. It does it when the engine has finished warming and all the time while driving. Vehicle has been in service for warranty because of this issue, but the problem returns as soon as 1 week after.

- Carolina, PR, USA

problem #1

Aug 072011

Nitro

  • 7,500 miles
I drive a 2011 Dodge Nitro and I went on a trip and on my way over I started having problems with the cruise control it would accelerate and decelerate and it smelled like raw gas, and as I would stop at a stop sign the vehicle would start misfiring. Then on my way back I continued having the same problem and another complication arised my air condition stopped blowing air and all the lines were frozen.

- San Diego, TX, USA

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