Nitro (1st)
NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings
Engine Reliability Ratings
Dodge Nitro Unidentified Engine
View details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
4.0-V6-Gas
4.0L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
Magnum
3.7L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
Show 7 additional engine variants with limited data
2.5-I4-Gas
2.5L 4-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
5.7T-V8-Gas
5.7L 8-cyl TurboView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
2.5T-I4-Diesel
2.5L 4-cyl TurboView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
3.6-V6-Gas
3.6L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
3.3-V6-Gas
3.3L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
2.4T-I4-Gas
2.4L 4-cyl TurboView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
8.0-V10-Gas
8.0L 10-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
Vehicle-Level Issues
These issues affect the Dodge Nitro regardless of engine variant.
Recalls (11)
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.
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 Dodge Nitro 4X2 vehicles manufactured March 21, 2006, through March 1, 2008; and 2008 Jeep Liberty 4X2 vehicles manufactured February 15, 2007, through March 1, 2008. The transfer case heat shield may drop down and rub on the drive shaft, weakening it and potentially causing the drive shaft to break.
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.
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.
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 CHRYSLER SEBRING; DODGE AVENGER AND NITRO; JEEP LIBERTY, COMMANDER AND GRAND CHEROKEE; AND MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 DODGE RAM TRUCK. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH AN IMPROPERLY FORMED OR MISSING BRAKE BOOSTER INPUT ROD RETAINING CLIP.
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 LEFT HAND DRIVE JEEP LIBERTY, DODGE NITRO AND RAM 1500 TRUCK; RIGHT AND LEFT HAND DRIVE JEEP WRANGLER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH AN IMPROPERLY FORMED MASTER CYLINDER TO HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT (HCU) BRAKE TUBE ASSEMBLY END FLARE.
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007 DODGE NITRO PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE WINDSHIELD WIPER SYSTEM MAY EXPERIENCE A CONDITION OVER TIME WHERE HIGH USAGE OF THE VARIABLE PAUSE WIPER FUNCTION ("DELAY" MODE) MAY EVENTUALLY AFFECT PRIMARY WIPER FUNCTION, RENDERING THE WIPER SYSTEM INOPERABLE.
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 3,663 MY 2007-2008 DODGE NITRO AND MY 2008 JEEP LIBERTY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS. THE PARK BRAKE LEVER CLUTCH DRUM MAY DISTORT AND REDUCE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PARK BRAKE SYSTEM.
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE SOFTWARE PROGRAMMED INTO THE ABS ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE MAY ALLOW A MOMENTARY DELAY IN BRAKING WHEN COASTING UP A HILL DURING CERTAIN CONDITIONS.
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE TOTALLY INTEGRATED POWER MODULE (TIPM) WAS PROGRAMMED WITH SOFTWARE THAT MAY ALLOW THE ENGINE TO STALL UNDER CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS.
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) CONTROL MODULE SOFTWARE MAY CAUSE THE REAR BRAKES TO LOCK UP DURING CERTAIN BRAKING CONDITIONS.
Alternatives in Compact SUV
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2007-2011 Dodge Nitro problems?
The 2007-2011 Dodge Nitro has accumulated 1,449 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Electrical System, Fuel System, Engine. As with any used vehicle, an inspection before buying and a vehicle history report are recommended.
Which Dodge Nitro engine is most reliable?
The 2007-2011 Dodge Nitro was offered with 10 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 4.0L 6-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.
Is the 2007-2011 Dodge Nitro a good used car?
The 2007-2011 Dodge Nitro can be a sound used car depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 1,449 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2007-2011 Dodge Nitro have?
The 2007-2011 Dodge Nitro has 1,449 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.
What recalls affect the 2007-2011 Dodge Nitro?
There are 11 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2007-2011 Dodge Nitro vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN — check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.
What should I check before buying a used Dodge Nitro?
Before buying a used Dodge Nitro, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Electrical System, Fuel System, Engine, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.
What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the Nitro?
The 2011 Dodge Nitro received an overall N/A-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: N/A stars. Side crash: N/A stars. Rollover: 3 stars (21.9% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: No. Lane Departure Warning: No. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 1,449 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-05-23.