Which Dodge Caliber year should I avoid?

NHTSA data does not designate an official avoid year for the Caliber, but 2010 has the highest Complaint Index (100) and the most complaints (157) among the 2010-2012 years covered.

What is the best Dodge Caliber year to buy?

Based on NHTSA data, 2012 has the lowest Complaint Index (0) and fewest complaints (49) of the years covered, though no year is formally rated best.

What are the most common problems with the Dodge Caliber?

NHTSA complaints across 2010-2012 point most often to the engine (101 complaints, 27%), airbags (84 complaints, 23%), and electrical system (70 complaints, 19%).

Are there recalls on the Dodge Caliber?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns across the 2010-2012 Dodge Caliber, with 2010 and 2011 each having 2 recalls and 2012 having 1, none marked do-not-drive.

At what mileage do Dodge Caliber problems typically show up?

Median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA is 78,000 miles for 2010, 63,000 miles for 2011, and about 70,284 miles for 2012.

Dodge Caliber Best and Worst Years (2010–2012)

Among 2010-2012 Dodge Caliber years, 2010 has the highest Complaint Index (100) with 157 complaints, while 2012 has the lowest (0) with 49 complaints. No year is officially flagged as avoid or best in the data, but 2010 shows the most reported problems relative to the others.

Model years: 3; 2010–2012
NHTSA complaints: 371
Recall campaigns: 3
Crashes reported: 30
Fires reported: 7
Top problem area: Engine

Caliber Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Dodge Caliber problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2010	No verdict	100	157	12	3	2	Electrical System	25	—
2011	No verdict	50	165	9	1	2	Engine	24.5	3★
2012	No verdict	0	49	9	3	1	Airbags	24	3★

Most common Dodge Caliber problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.

Engine101 (27%)
Airbags84 (23%)
Electrical System70 (19%)
Suspension, Wheels & Tires65 (18%)
Seat Belts53 (14%)
Structure & Body43 (12%)
Other40 (11%)
Transmission & Powertrain39 (11%)
Brakes31 (8%)
Steering23 (6%)

Frequently asked questions

Which Dodge Caliber year should I avoid?: NHTSA data does not designate an official avoid year for the Caliber, but 2010 has the highest Complaint Index (100) and the most complaints (157) among the 2010-2012 years covered.
What is the best Dodge Caliber year to buy?: Based on NHTSA data, 2012 has the lowest Complaint Index (0) and fewest complaints (49) of the years covered, though no year is formally rated best.
What are the most common problems with the Dodge Caliber?: NHTSA complaints across 2010-2012 point most often to the engine (101 complaints, 27%), airbags (84 complaints, 23%), and electrical system (70 complaints, 19%).
Are there recalls on the Dodge Caliber?: NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns across the 2010-2012 Dodge Caliber, with 2010 and 2011 each having 2 recalls and 2012 having 1, none marked do-not-drive.
At what mileage do Dodge Caliber problems typically show up?: Median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA is 78,000 miles for 2010, 63,000 miles for 2011, and about 70,284 miles for 2012.