YearToAvoid

2012 Dodge Caliber Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Best The 2012 Dodge Caliber has 49 NHTSA complaints and a complaint index of 17, ranking 6th worst of 7 model years and earning a Best verdict relative to other Caliber years. Its top problem area is airbags, with one recall issued for a defective occupant restraint control unit.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
17/100
#6 of 7 Caliber years
Verdict
Best
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
49
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
1
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
9
reported in complaints
Fires
3
Injuries
6
Top issue
Airbags
Best nearby year
2011
rated Good
NHTSA overall rating
3 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
24
23 city / 27 hwy
Injuries / deaths
6 / 0

Top 2012 Dodge Caliber problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Airbags17 (35%)
  2. Seat Belts13 (27%)
  3. Engine11 (22%)
  4. Structure & Body7 (14%)
  5. Electrical System5 (10%)
  6. Other5 (10%)
  7. Suspension, Wheels & Tires5 (10%)
  8. Transmission & Powertrain5 (10%)
  9. Brakes4 (8%)
  10. Fuel System2 (4%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Side curtain airbags failed to deploy in multiple crashes, including a rollover and a rear-end collision.
  • Some owners reported the ignition key could be removed while the vehicle was in drive, neutral, or reverse, allowing the car to roll away unattended.
  • A shift interlock assembly failure let a parked vehicle roll forward and crash down a hill.
  • One owner reported an engine fire with a burning smell and smoke while driving at low speed, with no warning lights beforehand.
  • Active head restraints deployed after a rear-end collision and could not be reset by a body shop.
  • A rusted subframe caused a lower ball joint to detach, making a tire fall off during driving.
2012 Dodge Caliber complaints: complaints filed per month4Sep 2012Sep 2014Nov 2016Aug 2017Nov 2018May 2020Sep 2022Apr 2024
49 complaints filed with NHTSA from Sep 2012 to Feb 2026; peak Feb 2017 (4).

2012 Dodge Caliber recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. 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.

2012 Dodge Caliber fuel economy and fuel cost

City
23 MPG
Highway
27 MPG
Combined
24 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,700
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.

2012 compared with other Caliber years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)02550751002006200720082009201020112012
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2010Caution50157225
2011Good33165224.5
2012Best1749124

All Dodge Caliber years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2012 Dodge Caliber a good model year?
Among the 7 Caliber model years with data, 2012 ranks 6th worst with a complaint index of 17, giving it a Best verdict relative to other Caliber years.
What is the biggest problem with the 2012 Dodge Caliber?
Airbags are the top problem area, accounting for 35% of complaints (17 of 49), including reports of airbags not deploying in crashes.
Does the 2012 Dodge Caliber have any recalls?
NHTSA lists one recall, campaign 16V668000, covering a defective Occupant Restraint Control unit affecting the airbags.
How many complaints does NHTSA have for the 2012 Dodge Caliber?
NHTSA lists 49 complaints for the 2012 Caliber, including 9 crashes, 3 fires, and 6 injuries, with no deaths reported.
What is the fuel economy of the 2012 Dodge Caliber?
The EPA rates the 2012 Caliber at 24 mpg combined (23 city / 27 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,700.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.