2011 Dodge Caliber Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2011 Dodge Caliber ranks 5th of 7 model years for reported problems, with a complaint index of 33 and a Good verdict relative to other Caliber years. It has 165 complaints, 2 recalls, and no do-not-drive recalls, with engine issues the top concern.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 33/100
- #5 of 7 Caliber years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 165
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 9
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 9
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 3 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 24.5
- 23 city / 27.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 9 / 0
Top 2011 Dodge Caliber problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine54 (33%)
- Airbags36 (22%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires31 (19%)
- Electrical System29 (18%)
- Seat Belts25 (15%)
- Structure & Body23 (14%)
- Brakes18 (11%)
- Transmission & Powertrain17 (10%)
- Other13 (8%)
- Steering9 (5%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags fail to deploy during low-speed side-impact and head-on crashes, sometimes resulting in serious injury.
- Driver and passenger airbags reportedly sprayed a mist that burned occupants' skin.
- The engine stalls without warning at various speeds, including right after a turn or at a stop light, sometimes within days of purchase.
- The steering wheel has locked up at low speed, causing a stall along with a traction control warning light.
- The vehicle caught fire while driving after the air conditioner reportedly failed, with no clear diagnosis from the dealer.
2011 Dodge Caliber recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 16V668000Sep 15, 2016Airbags1,435,625 vehicles
Air bags
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.
Remedy: 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.
- NHTSA 11V315000Jun 8, 2011Steering11,096 vehicles
Steering:column
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2011dodge journey, jeep wrangler, chrysler 200, chrysler 200 convertible, dodge avenger, dodge nitro, jeep liberty, dodge caliber, jeep compass, jeep patriot, dodge grand caravan and chrysler town & country vehicles. Some of these vehicles may have been built with a missing or incorrectly installed steering column pivot rivet.
Risk: A missing or incorrectly installed rivet could compromise the ability of the steering column to support the occupant loads in the event of a frontal crash, decreasing the effectiveness of the frontal impact safety system. As a result, the condition may increase the potential for injury in a frontal crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect for rivet presence and alignment and repair the steering column pivot as required, free of charge. The safety recall began on july 4, 2011. Owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
2011 Dodge Caliber fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 23 MPG
- Highway
- 27.5 MPG
- Combined
- 24.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,650
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2011 compared with other Caliber years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2011 Dodge Caliber reliable?
- Compared with other Caliber model years, 2011 ranks 5th of 7 and carries a Good verdict, with a complaint index of 33 versus a high of 100 for the worst year (2007).
- What problems does the 2011 Dodge Caliber have?
- NHTSA complaints point to the engine (33% of complaints, median mileage 39,500), airbags (22%), and suspension/wheels/tires (19%) as the top problem areas.
- Does the 2011 Dodge Caliber have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2011 Caliber, one for airbags (campaign 16V668000) and one for a steering column issue (campaign 11V315000). Neither is a do-not-drive recall.
- How does the 2011 Caliber compare to other years?
- 2011 has a complaint index of 33, well below 2007's 100 and 2008's 83, but higher than 2012's 17, which is the Caliber's Best-rated year.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2011 Dodge Caliber?
- EPA rates it at 24.5 mpg combined (23 city / 27.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,650.