I WAS STOPPED AT A INTERSECTION WAITING FOR TRAFFIC TO PASS ON A CITY STREET, AS I PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HAD A LOUD EXPLOSION NOISE AND FELT AS IF I WAS REAR ENDED, IMMEDIATELY THE SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED ON ME AND MY TWO SONS AND OBJECTS FLEW EVERYWHERE, THE TRUCK IMMEDIATELY BEGAN TO ROLL BACKWARDS AS I COULDN'T CONTROL OR STOP IT. I PULLED THE EMERGENCY BREAKS AND JUMPED OUT …
2011 dodge Nitro powertrain problems
severe 14 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500
Complaints
14
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$2,500
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
MY VEHICLE STALLED OUT DUE TO A FAILURE WITH A DEFECTIVE TOTALLY INTEGRATED POWER MODULE. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER MAKING THE REPAIR WIRES LEADING TO THE ALTERNATOR AND WIRES LEADING TO THE PCM WERE FRIED. THE WIRING ISSUE APPEAR TO BE A FIRE HAZARD. MY FIRST CONCERN IS THIS DEFECTIVE PART HAS CAUSED ME ABOUT $2,000 IN REPAIRS FROM REPLACING THE BATTERY, 2 ALTERNATORS AND TOWING. MY SECOND CONC…
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2011 dodge Nitro?
It's a meaningful issue. 14 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $2,500.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
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