2011 Dodge Nitro Electrical Problems

The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Nitro. The contact stated that the vehicle frequently experienced electrical malfunctions, and the interior lights and windshield wipers would activate spontaneously. The “TEM” warning light was illuminated, and the radio display lights unexpectedly illuminated. Additionally, activating the turn signals unintendedly caused the wipers to activate, and the air bag warning light would remain illuminated. While the vehicle was turned off, the warning lights continued flashing intermittently. The dealer was notified of the failure, but the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 126,174.

NHTSA ID

11715387

Incident

Jan 1, 2025

Mileage

126,174 mi

I am experiencing electrical issues with my 2011 Dodge Nitro SXT. Despite replacing the alternator and battery, the SUV continues to have operational problems. Additionally, I replaced the TMP. I subsequently took the vehicle to a local mechanical shop, where it was confirmed that the issue lies with the PCM (Powertrain Control Module). I have read about a recall related to electrical issues in the Nitro, and I would like to inquire about the possibility of obtaining reimbursement. Thank you for your assistance.

NHTSA ID

11618955

Incident

Nov 1, 2022

The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Nitro. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently lost electrical and motive power. The contact was able to coast to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle was able to be restarted. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure had since become a regular occurrence. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 103,000.

NHTSA ID

11548202

Incident

Oct 2, 2023

Mileage

103,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11501240

Incident

Jan 28, 2015

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.

NHTSA ID

11499395

Incident

Oct 5, 2022

Loss of power, engine completely shut off at a redlight

NHTSA ID

11449338

Incident

Jan 28, 2022

The contact's daughter owns a 2011 Dodge Nitro. The contact stated that while his daughter was starting the vehicle, the steering wheel inadvertently lost power steering functionality. Additionally, the windshield wipers remained operational after the windshield wiper button was disengaged. The contact's daughter was also unable to move the gear shifter from PARK to DRIVE. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer but was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 118,000.

NHTSA ID

11447890

Incident

Jan 18, 2022

Mileage

118,000 mi

The horn started blowing randomly, Pulled the negative battery connector as recommended to reset TIPM. The horn continued to go off pulled the fuses as recommended. Was told if it kills the battery the TIMP needs to be replaced. That is a common issue for this year model vehicle. Called about a recall the recall is for vehicles manufacturer from 07/17/2011 to 12/2011. My truck was manufactured three days prior to this recall time frame. I believe my vehicle is affected by the faulty TIPM as well. I would like the part to be covered under the recall.

NHTSA ID

11422131

Incident

Jun 22, 2021

MY SUV KEEP HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRICAL ISSUES, FIRST IT STARTED WITH THE RADIO AND THEN MY BRAKE LIGHT KEEP BOWING AND WE REPLACED THE CIRCUIT BOARD AND BULPS AND WITHIN THREE DAYS THEY BLOWED AGAIN AND AT NIGHT WHEN I TURN MY LIGHTS ON MY BRAKE LIGHTS OR TURN SIGNALS DO NOT WORK,

NHTSA ID

11412846

Incident

Apr 19, 2021

MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO START, WHILE DRIVING AT THE HIGHWAY OR AT A LIGHT IT SLOW DOWN AS IF GOING TO SHUTS OFF, REAR WINDOWS NOT WORKING, DOORS POWER LOCKS INTERMITTENT. *TR

NHTSA ID

11325489

Incident

Apr 20, 2019

3 WEEKS AFTER HAVING MY 2011 DODGE NITRO DETENATOR WOULD STICK BETWEEN GEARS, AT BOTH SLOW AND HIGH SPEEDS AND I WAS BURNNING THROUGH GAS WAY TOO FAST. NISSIAN FOUND MY TANSMITTION OIL TO BE BLACK, I PAID FOR FLUSH AND TOLD IT WAS GOOD TO GO. NEXT DAY THE CAR DIED, THE THROTTLE BODY INDICATOR CAME ON, THIS WAS FIXED, STILL BURNING THROUGH GAS! COUPLE WEEKS LATER NOW IT SOUNDS LIKE A DISEL ENGINE IDLE, I CAN NOT AFFORD ALL THESE PROBLEMS. I FOUND SEVERAL OWNERS OF THIS CAR HAVE HAD SAME PROBLEMS ALONG WITH ELECTRICAL AS I HAVE HAD AS WELL, MY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CUTS OUT RANDOMLY AND A FEW TIMES MY KIDS AND I HAVE SMELT WHAT SEEMED TO BE THAT OF BURNT RUBBER OR SOMETHING. IM VERY DISPLEASED AND UPSET WITH MY PURCHASE.

NHTSA ID

11280227

Incident

Jun 1, 2019

Mileage

98,000 mi

MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON BECUASE OF THE ROLLOVER SENSOR ISSUE.

NHTSA ID

11268364

Incident

Oct 14, 2019

Mileage

117,200 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE NITRO. AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ERRONEOUSLY ACTIVATED. DURING THE FAILURE, THE TURN SIGNALS BECAME INOPERABLE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WAS NOT DETERMINED. FREEDOM DODGE (815 EAST CAMP WISDOM RD, DUNCANVILLE, TX) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID.

NHTSA ID

11265611

Incident

Sep 1, 2019

Mileage

90,000 mi

WAS DRIVING UP MECHANICSVILLE TURNPIKE IN RICHMOND,VA. HEADING HOME WHEN VEHICLE CUT OFF WITHOUT ANY WARNING THEN HAD TO TRY AND START IT BACK UP AFTER 3CTRIES , BEEN COMPLAINING AND GETTING BRAKES REPAIRED SINCE 2016 HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT REAR DOUBLE CLICKING SINCE 2016

NHTSA ID

11170509

Incident

Dec 11, 2018

Mileage

94,669 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE NITRO. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE IGNITION FAILED TO ENGAGE WHEN PROMPTED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WITHIN ONE WEEK. THE CONTACT INSERTED THE IGNITION KEY AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE CONTACT EXPLAINED THAT THE SEVERITY OF THE FAILURE BECAME INCREASINGLY WORSE OVER A PERIOD OF ONE WEEK. IN ADDITION, AFTER OPENING AND/OR CLOSING ANY OF THE FOUR DOORS ON THE VEHICLE, THE ANTI-THEFT ALARM SOUNDED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT THE FAILURE BY DISCONNECTING THE BATTERY CABLES. UPON RECONNECTING THE BATTERY CABLES, THE ANTI-THEFT ALARM SOUNDED ONCE AGAIN. FURTHERMORE, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE TOTALLY INTEGRATED POWER MODULE FAILED TO DISPLAY THE TIRE PRESSURE. A DEALER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 131,141.

NHTSA ID

11144978

Incident

Oct 29, 2018

Mileage

131,141 mi

TL* 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.

NHTSA ID

11118520

Incident

Dec 21, 2016

Mileage

230,000 mi

TOTAL TIPM FAILURE! AFTER AT LEAST A DOZEN INCIDENTS OF THE FACTORY ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM SOUNDING (AT REST IN MY DRIVEWAY, DRIVING IN TRAFFIC), AND SEVERAL TRIPS TO JIM BROWNE CITRUS CHRYSLER/DODGE/JEEP IN DADE CITY, FL WHERE IT WAS UN OR MIS-DIAGNOSED I WAS CHARGED FOR EVERY DIME OF UNNEEDED PARTS AND LABOR WHICH I PAID. THE ONLY OPTION I HAD WAS TO UNHOOK THE BATTERY TO STOP THE BLARING AND THE LIGHT SHOW THROUGHOUT MY CAR. THE FINAL TIME, THE TIPM WAS REPLACED AND THE PROBLEM HAS STOPPED. IT WAS FIRST DIAGNOSED AS A FAULTY DOOR SENSOR. I PERSONALLY CHECKED AND CLEANED ALL DOOR CONTACT SENSORS BEFORE TAKING IT IN SO I KNEW THAT WAS NOT THE PROBLEM. JIM BROWNE WAS CLUELESS! (SHADE TREE MECHANIC / PARTS CHANGERS). TO MAKE THE INSULT EVEN WORSE, I CAUGHT THEM RED-HANDED CHARGING ME FOR WORK WHICH WAS COVERED UNDER MY FACTORY AND MY EXTENDED WARRANTIES! THE SERVICE MANAGER DOWNFACED ME AND NICELY CALLED ME A LIAR EVEN THOUGH I PROVIDED THEM COPIES OF MY EXTENDED WARRANTY TO STAPLE TO MY CUSTOMER FILE SEVERAL YEARS AGO. THEY RELENTED AND CREDITED ME BACK "SOME" OF THE MONEY THAT WAS UNRIGHTFULLY STOLEN BUT I AM CERTAIN IT IS NOT ALL. I PAID OUT IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF $4000.00 AND LOST USE OF MY NITRO SOMETIMES FOR A WEEK AT A TIME WHILE IT JUST SAT IN THEIR YARD & THEY WAITED TO HEAR THE HORN BLARE (WHICH THEY SAY IT NEVER DID). I AM STILL OUT WELL OVER $1K FOR THE TIPM & LABOR CHARGES (OUTRAGEOUS) AND NO RECALL FROM DODGE ON THIS. WHAT IS DODGE WAITING FOR??? THIS IS NOT A SINGULAR PROBLEM, IT'S MASSIVE. NO REPORT WAS FILED FOR ME. I JUST HAPPENED UPON THIS SITE AFTER I PAID OUT OF POCKET TO FIX EVERYTHING. I REFUSE TO BUY FOREIGN GARBAGE BUT I DON'T KNOW THAT I WILL EVER BUY CHRYS/DODGE/JEEP AGAIN. I HAVE PLENTY OF DOCUMENTATION AS DOES THE DEALER'S REPAIR SHOP BUT I'M NOT GOING TO SCAN AND UPLOAD A REAM OF FILES FOR NOTHING UNLESS REQUESTED. (LIMIT 5 FILES, LOL)

NHTSA ID

11092096

Incident

Oct 1, 2016

Mileage

40,000 mi

TAKATA RECALL

NHTSA ID

11076789

Incident

Oct 10, 2017

Mileage

100,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE NITRO. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY AND REMAINED ACTIVATED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO TURN OFF THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BUTTON CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM (1220 E BLVD ST, KOKOMO, IN 46902, (888) 415-6958) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIPM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

NHTSA ID

11063759

Incident

Jan 12, 2018

Mileage

98,000 mi

WHEN I GET IN THE CAR, ALL THE LIGHTS AND DOOR AJAR SOUNDS HAPPEN LIKE NORMAL. WHEN I PUT THE KEY INTO IGNITION AND ATTEMPT TO CRANK IT, ALL THE LIGHTS IN THE DASH COME ON BUT THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START OR EVEN TURN OVER OR CLICK,,,NOTHING. AFTER START ATTEMPT, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, GAS CAP LIGHT AND TIRE LIGHT STAY ON AND EVERYTHING ELSE SHUTS OFF. I HAVE BEEN A WEEK WITHOUT THE CAR BECAUSE IT WON'T START.

NHTSA ID

11055852

Incident

Dec 12, 2017

Mileage

121,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE NITRO. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, AN ABNORMAL SOUND WAS HEARD AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER TWO ATTEMPTS, THE VEHICLE STARTED AND MADE AN ABNORMAL SOUND. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THERE WERE VARIOUS ELECTRICAL ISSUES IN THE PAST WITH THE HEATER, DEFROST, BRAKE LIGHTS, AIR CONDITIONER, AND RADIO. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 62,000.

NHTSA ID

11040440

Incident

Oct 26, 2017

Mileage

62,000 mi

DOOR LOCK MODULE HAS FAILED POSING A SAFETY HAZARD AS ONLY ONE DOOR HAS A KEY LOCK. REAR HATCH HAS BECOME NON FUNCTIONAL AS THERE IS NO WAY TO RELEASE THE LATCH AS THE ELECTRONIC LATCH IS INOPERABLE AND NO MANUAL KEY LOCK EXISTS. THE PART IS ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER DUE FROM OVERWHELMING FAILURES. I HAVE AN INFANT AND THIS POSES SERIOUS RISK TO MY CHILDREN AS I CAN ONLY UNLOCK THE DOORS FROM INSIDE. THIS NEEDS TO BE A MANDATED RECALL TO FIX THIS ISSUE. THIS HAPPENED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND STARTED INTERMITTENTLY, AND NOW HAS REACHED TOTAL LOCK SYSTEM FAILURE. THIS IS MORE THAN A COMMON PROBLEM WITH WIDESPREAD 2011 DODGE NITRO OWNERS.

NHTSA ID

11030637

Incident

Sep 30, 2017

Mileage

91,222 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11030227

Incident

Jun 16, 2017

Mileage

95,000 mi

I HAVE A DODGE NITRO HEAT, THE CAR IS A LEMON. CONSTANT FAILS WITH HVAC, ELECTRIC, COILS, CATALYTIC CONVERTER. MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I TOOK THE CAR TO THE SHOP NEXT DAY. NOW I AM BEING TOLD THE TRANSMISSION SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE REPLACED FOR 4K. I HAVE ONLY HAD THE CAR SINCE 2012, NEW. NOT EVEN 5 YRS OLD IN USE. I THINK THIS IS A REAL ISSUE THAT I GOT A LEMON FROM DODGE. THEY SHOULD DO SOMETHING.

NHTSA ID

11015315

Incident

Aug 13, 2017

Mileage

125,000 mi

TL* 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*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED ELECTRICAL PROBLEM CAR KEEPS SHUTTING DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. *TR

NHTSA ID

10995543

Incident

Mar 1, 2015

Mileage

95,000 mi