Dodge Nitro

85 complaints across 2 scored model years and 5 recall campaigns.

Which years to avoid

Ownership label · Dodge Nitro Full report

Grade 2010–2011

2011 vs model median 1.4×

Model median3× median

Electrical 15

Airbags & Restraints 8

Fuel System 7

Weakest

2010 · 2011

Best

2010 · 2011

Year by year

Severity-weighted complaints filed in each model year’s first 60 months on the road, so every year is measured over an identical window.

Severity-weighted complaint volume and grade by model year for the Dodge Nitro
Year	Complaint volume	vs median	Reports	Grade
2010		0.64×	28	B
2011		1.36×	55	C

What it costs to run

EPA figures for the most recent model year on record.

EPA fuel economy and drivetrain
Combined MPG	17.5
City / Highway	16 / 21
Engine	3.85L, 6 cyl
Drive	Rear-Wheel Drive
Annual fuel cost	$3,500

Recalls

5 campaigns on record.

Recall campaigns, largest first
Campaign	Component	Model years	Units affected
20V396000	AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE	2010, 2011	925,239
13V282000	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	2011	442,320
10V315000	SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER	2010	20,626
10V009000	SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC	2010	20,045
11V315000	STEERING:COLUMN	2011	11,096

Others in Midsize SUVs

Same body and size class. Each grade describes that model against its own history — these are not ranked against each other.

Other models in the same segment
Model	Years to avoid	Grade
Acura MDX	20162020	C
Audi Q7	20172021	C
Audi Q8	2019	C
BMW X5	20112021	D
BMW X6	none flagged	C
Chevrolet Traverse	20102011	C
Dodge Durango	20112012	C
Dodge Journey	20142015	C

How this was calculated

Every model year is scored over an identical window: complaints filed with NHTSA during the first 60 months after that model year went on sale. Without this, older cars look worse purely because they have had longer to accumulate reports.

Limitations. Complaints are unverified reports submitted voluntarily by owners; they are allegations, not findings, and reporting rates vary between models. Model years with fewer than 60 months on the road are marked provisional and excluded from verdicts. Cross-model comparison is withheld pending production-volume data.

Full methodology · Sources · Data vintage August 9, 2026

Working 2011 Nitro

Complaints in window: 55
Severity-weighted: 92.5
Model median (weighted): 68
vs model median: 1.36×
Recall campaigns (weighted): 3
Open investigations: 0

Score 58.4 C