2012 Dodge Caliber problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Seat Belts (13) · Vehicle Speed Control (7) · Air Bags (5)
🧭 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
28 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (1)
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.
Service bulletins (100)
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.
Engine 2026-06-18 · U67 Combo Rev11 · Warranty Program/Extension
emissions recall u67 - catalytic converter efficiency - dealer notification (revision 11)
Equipment 2023-09-20 · 9100229 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
lifter, hydraulic roller deactivating please do not replace mds lifters because the disconnecting pin is not lined up, this is normal and not a defect.
Suspension 2023-09-20 · 9100229 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
lifter, hydraulic roller deactivating please do not replace mds lifters because the disconnecting pin is not lined up, this is normal and not a defect.
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
Showing the 6 most recent of 100 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-02-26 · Structure:body“rear subframe rotted out, detached at tire arm...see many complaints online…”
2024-04-25 · Structure:frame And Members · 108,000 mi“the contact owns a 2012 dodge caliber. the contact stated that there was a rattling noise coming from the front sub frame of the vehicle. the vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the sub frame was rusted. the vehicle was not repaired. a local dealer was contacted. the manufacturer was made aware of the failu…”
2023-07-15 · Wheels · 💥 crash“due to the subframe rusting on the undercarriage of the car, the lower ball joint completely detached from the car, cause the driver side tire to fall off during operation. …”
2023-06-29 · Structure:body“front and back subframes of car are/were rusted. the front was replaced last year and the rear needs to be done. i'm waiting for an estimate for that. pic shows the rust taken by my mechanic 2 weeks ago..…”
2022-10-21 · Electrical System“i recently only had my 2012 dodge caliber for a year now and out of that year it’s been giving me problems since i had it! the car had completely shut down on me for weeks while i was in the process of burying my father in law who gave me covid after he passed. weeks later we ended up figuring out what the issue was which was the tipm. i remember h…”
2022-09-17 · Structure:body“subframe on the vehicle at 90,000 was found to have severe huge rotted holes in the subframe that is supporting the engine. this can allow the engine to drop out of the vehicle at any given moment and cost to repair is $1200 which is insane. …”
2022-03-24 · Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System:throttlebody/Manifold · 88,000 mi“the contact owns a 2012 dodge caliber. the contact stated while driving at 15 mph, the stability and throttle body malfunction indicators warning lights illuminated. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. an unknown dealer was notified of the failure. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaire…”
2021-07-25 · Structure:body“lately i have noticed a wobble when i drive on the highway. saturday, 07/24/2021, i took my 2012 dodge caliber with only 74,753 miles on it to the mechanics for an alignment, rotation and weight balance on the car. this is not my first time at the mechanics and they had seen the car in the summer of 2020 and for inspection november of 2020. the …”
2020-09-21 · Seat Belts“tl* the contact owns a 2012 dodge caliber. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 16v668000 (seat belts, air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. the contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. an unknown dealer was contacted and confirme…”
2020-06-29 · Suspension · 92,516 mi“local repair shop doing oil change noticed front cross member was rusted out. *tr…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.