2010 Dodge Caliber problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Suspension (20) · Vehicle Speed Control (18) · Seat Belts (15)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Dodge Caliber model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
115 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (2)
Seat Belts:pretensioner 2016-09-15 · campaign 16V668000 · 1,435,625 vehicles
Defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Chrysler 200, 2010 Chrysler Sebring, 2010-2012 Dodge Caliber and 2010-2014 Jeep Patriot, Compass and Dodge Avenger vehicles. The Occupant Restraint Control (OCR) module may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags from deploying in the event of a crash.
Risk: If the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the OCR, free of charge. Interim letters informing owners that parts are not available yet were mailed on October 26, 2016. The recall began on August 15, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S61.
Latches/Locks/Linkages:doors:latch 2010-05-11 · campaign 10V197000 · 123 vehicles
Defect: CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 DODGE CALIBER VEHICLES. SOME VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH AN INCORRECT DOOR LOCK ROD IN THE RIGHT FRONT DOOR.
Risk: AN UNLATCHED DOOR COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF AN UNBELTED FRONT SEAT PASSENGER BEING EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE FRONT RIGHT DOOR LOCK ROD AS REQUIRED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JUNE 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Service bulletins (44)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Electrical System 2023-09-15 · 9100226 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
connector kit before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957a$, check it in the mopar connector repair kit website to confirm part number and applicability. there is an error with the wiring diagrams in service library that is causing the incorrect repair kit part number to populate. please use
Electrical System:wiring 2023-09-15 · 9100226 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
connector kit before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957a$, check it in the mopar connector repair kit website to confirm part number and applicability. there is an error with the wiring diagrams in service library that is causing the incorrect repair kit part number to populate. please use
Equipment:other:owners/Service/Other Manual 2023-07-27 · 9100196 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
lubrication and maintenance fluids if mopar fluids and chemicals are not readily available, please review service library for specifications so a suitable alternative can be used
Equipment 2022-04-02 · S2209000004 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
if a mopar oil filter is not available, use a filter that meets or exceeds uscar36 specification and is compatible with semi and full synthetic oils.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:fluid/Lubricant:filter/Screen 2022-03-30 · 9004509 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
oil filter if a mopar oil filter is not available, use a filter that meets or exceeds uscar36 specification and is compatible with semi and full synthetic oils. recommended brands: wix, purolator, and napagold
Power Train 2021-04-07 · 9004009 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
transmission kit with torque converter 1. all promaster (vf) 3.6l/62te equipped vehicles. if the transmission bracket to the transmission case fasteners are removed during servicing, the fasteners (part number 06511385a$) are one-time usage. vehicles built prior to 10/23/2015 requires service kit p
Showing the 6 most recent of 44 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-11-02 · Unknown Or Other“i was just at the dealer mechanic for an oil change and asked about a slight pull to one side when stopping. after doing the oil change he cam back with a list of things the most significant of which was a that the front sub-frame was rotted out, as well as the rear bumper metal under the plastic cover. they gave me an estimate for the repairs exc…”
2025-04-21 · Electrical System · 103,000 mi“the contact owns a 2010 dodge caliber. the contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine unexpectedly shut off. the vehicle was able to be restarted. the engine oil warning light as intermittently illuminated. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but no cause of failure was found. the vehicle was no…”
2025-03-10 · Seat Belts · 115,000 mi“the contact owns a 2010 dodge caliber. the contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under nhtsa campaign number: 16v668000 (seat belts, air bags) by a local dealer. recently, the contact stated that the air bag warning light was displayed on the instrument panel. the contact notified the dealer of the failure, and the contact was inf…”
2024-10-15 · Wheels“severe rust to vehicle frame common to this vehicle, no accident. rust has corroded frame despite normal use and normal care. vehicle hasn't reached 75k miles yet, and the frame is failing. how is this not a recall?…”
2024-04-05 · Suspension · 77,200 mi“the contact's daughter owns a 2010 dodge caliber. the contact stated while his daughter was driving at various speeds, she heard an abnormal sound and felt a vibration in the rear end of the vehicle. the contact stated that he had also noticed the failure while test-driving the vehicle. upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that the rear…”
2023-11-01 · Suspension · 125,000 mi“the contact owns a 2010 dodge caliber. the contact stated that while making a right turn at 10 mph, the vehicle kept turning. the vehicle was steered into a parking lot where it was observed that the passenger’s side front axle had separated. the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the cross member needed to be …”
2023-05-12 · Unknown Or Other“subframe rusty and broke while driving car went left almost causing a head on coalition…”
2022-09-29 · Air Bags · 153,883 mi“the contact owns a 2010 dodge caliber. the contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the air bag warning light intermittently illuminated. the vehicle was taken to the local dealer where an unknown diagnosis and repair were completed; however, the failure persisted. the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. the approximate failur…”
2022-08-30 · Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification“the airbag light on the dashboard kept going on and off with a ring when it came on.…”
2022-07-24 · Suspension“noticed the vehicle was making creaking and grinding sounds from the rear suspension. this forcing the car to struggle to reverse. noticed a large portion of the rear suspension/subframe was rusted and was cracking. …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.