Owners have filed 246 complaints
about the 2010 Dodge Caliber with NHTSA between 2010 and 2025.
The largest single group is the electrical system.
Across this model's run it ranks 5 of 6 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 25
Against the median year of the Dodge Caliber. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 71
13.8% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 30
18% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
21.1%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
63.4%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
147.9%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
179.6%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
4022.6%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
4424.9%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
4324.3%
150,000+ miles
116.2%
NHTSA crash tests
The agency crash-tested this model year itself. These are its own
photographs and star ratings.
These stars come from the pre-2011 crash test programme. NHTSA
rebuilt the programme for the 2011 model year and states that
ratings either side of that change are not comparable — so do
not read these against a 2011-or-newer car's stars.
Frontal crash test
Side barrier crash test
Photographs taken by NHTSA during its own New Car Assessment Program crash
tests of this model year. Public domain.
Configuration
Overall
Front
Side
Rollover
2010 Dodge Caliber 4-DR. w/SAB
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When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Apr 2010peak 11Nov 2025
NHTSA investigations into the 2010 Dodge Caliber
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
PE19014Opened 9 Sep 2019Closed 25 Feb 2026SEATS
Active Head Rest Inadvertent Deployment
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE19014 on September 9, 2019, to investigate 128 consumer complaints alleging that the Active Head Rest (AHR) inadvertently deployed without the occurrence of a crash or other rear impact event in model year (MY) 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles.When ODI opened the investigation, ODI was aware of thirteen alleged injuries.A small number of Early Warning Reports identified driver and/or passenger front seat AHR inadvertent deployments without a rear impact event.Reported safety consequences resulting from the AHR deployments in...
Recalls on the 2010 Dodge Caliber
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
16V668000
SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER
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.
10V197000
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
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.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 2016448139,513 units in Canada
Airbag
On certain vehicles in certain types of crashes, airbag and seatbelt pretensioner deployment capability may be lost due to a short in the front impact sensor wiring affecting Occupant Restraint Controller function. Failure of airbags and seatbelt pretensioners to deploy in a crash (when warranted) could increase the risk of injury. Correction: Dealers will replace the Occupant Restraint Controller module.
Recall 20101521 units in Canada
Other
Certain vehicle may have been built with an incorrect door lock rod in the right front door, which could unlatch the door when the window is rolled down. If the window is rolled down while driving and the lock rod unlatched the door, it could result in a crash causing property damage, personal injury or death. Correction: Dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the right door lock rod.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 189,000 milesLong Beach, CACrash
AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2010 Dodge Caliber. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 MPH, she lost control of her vehicle. The contact stated that she crashed into a pole, however, the air bag did not deploy. The contact stated that there were no warning lights illuminated at the time. The contact stated that no medical attention was needed, and no police report was made. The contact stated that she then had the vehicle towed to her residence where it remained in her possession. The contact stated that she then contacted the dealer, as well as the manufacturer who advised her to contact the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was 189,000.
NHTSA complaint #11464499 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 147,000 milesTarkio, MOCrash1 injured
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
TAKATA RECALL ON HWY 59 4 MILES SOUTH OF FAIRFAX MO A DEER RAN ACROSS HWY AND MY VEHICLE SPLIT THE DEER IN HALF AND MY SIDE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY ALSO MY KNEES WERE INJURED AND CUT FROM THE BOTTOM AIR BAG BUT NO AIRBAG EVER HIT MY UPPER BODY. ALSO A CODE FOR FAULT WOR BAG DEPLOY WAS ALWAYS ON WITH MY CAR.
NHTSA complaint #11241063 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 125,000 milesIngram, TXCrashFire1 injured
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
ON OCTOBER 3RD 2018, I HAD AN ACCIDENT HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AFTER BEING HIT FROM BEHIND. MY AIRBAG DID NOT OPEN
NHTSA complaint #11208097 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 123,500 milesBloomfield Hills, MICrash2 injured2 killed
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
RIGHT FRONT DOOR SWUNG OPEN DURING CAR MOVING
NHTSA complaint #11138867 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesSeneca, SCCrash1 injured
SEAT BELTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE SLOWING DOWN TO APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH TOWARDS AN INTERSECTION, ANOTHER VEHICLE COLLIDED INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO LOCK. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED HEAD, CHEST, AND BACK INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000.
NHTSA complaint #10968885 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesSeneca, SCCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE SLOWING DOWN TO APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH TOWARDS AN INTERSECTION, ANOTHER VEHICLE COLLIDED INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO LOCK. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED HEAD, CHEST, AND BACK INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000.
NHTSA complaint #10968885 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Millville, NJ
STEERING
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 exceeding $7000. Then I came home an researched this problem and find its common on these calibers from 2007-2012 and is a known problem!? but no recall was ever issued! There was a "Customer Satisfaction Notification X69" Which I never received. I have also had the vehicle into the dealer other times recently and was never informed of this issue which couldn't have possibly happened over night.
NHTSA complaint #11697050 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Millville, NJ
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 exceeding $7000. Then I came home an researched this problem and find its common on these calibers from 2007-2012 and is a known problem!? but no recall was ever issued! There was a "Customer Satisfaction Notification X69" Which I never received. I have also had the vehicle into the dealer other times recently and was never informed of this issue which couldn't have possibly happened over night.
NHTSA complaint #11697050 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Millville, NJ
SUSPENSION
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 exceeding $7000. Then I came home an researched this problem and find its common on these calibers from 2007-2012 and is a known problem!? but no recall was ever issued! There was a "Customer Satisfaction Notification X69" Which I never received. I have also had the vehicle into the dealer other times recently and was never informed of this issue which couldn't have possibly happened over night.
NHTSA complaint #11697050 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 103,000 milesMontgomery, NY
AIR BAGS
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 not repaired. The contact stated that the failure recurred. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V373000 (Electrical System, Air Bags); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000.
NHTSA complaint #11655861 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 103,000 milesMontgomery, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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 not repaired. The contact stated that the failure recurred. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V373000 (Electrical System, Air Bags); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000.
NHTSA complaint #11655861 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 115,000 milesStevens, PA
SEAT BELTS
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 informed that the vehicle was no longer covered under recall. The contact was then referred to the manufacturer who also stated that the vehicle was not covered under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.
NHTSA complaint #11647386 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 115,000 milesStevens, PA
AIR BAGS
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 informed that the vehicle was no longer covered under recall. The contact was then referred to the manufacturer who also stated that the vehicle was not covered under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.
NHTSA complaint #11647386 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Minot, ND
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?
NHTSA complaint #11619984 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Minot, ND
SUSPENSION
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?
NHTSA complaint #11619984 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Minot, ND
STRUCTURE:BODY
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?
NHTSA complaint #11619984 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Winter Haven, FL
AIR BAGS
The air bag lights came on
NHTSA complaint #11584289 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 77,200 milesGreendale, WI
SUSPENSION
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 cross member was severely rusted and had fractured. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 77,200.
NHTSA complaint #11581302 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 125,000 milesPlainfield, IL
SUSPENSION
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 replaced due to corrosion. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 125,000.
NHTSA complaint #11553074 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cincinnati, OH
STEERING
Subframe rusty and broke while driving car went left almost causing a head on coalition
NHTSA complaint #11521788 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cincinnati, OH
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Subframe rusty and broke while driving car went left almost causing a head on coalition
NHTSA complaint #11521788 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cincinnati, OH
SUSPENSION
Subframe rusty and broke while driving car went left almost causing a head on coalition
NHTSA complaint #11521788 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 153,883 milesHermanville, MS
AIR BAGS
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 failure mileage was 153,883.
NHTSA complaint #11487026 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Richmond, CA
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
The airbag light on the dashboard kept going on and off with a ring when it came on.
NHTSA complaint #11482008 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Streator, IL
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.
NHTSA complaint #11475585 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 189,000 milesLong Beach, CACrash
AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2010 Dodge Caliber. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 MPH, she lost control of her vehicle. The contact stated that she crashed into a pole, however, the air bag did not deploy. The contact stated that there were no warning lights illuminated at the time. The contact stated that no medical attention was needed, and no police report was made. The contact stated that she then had the vehicle towed to her residence where it remained in her possession. The contact stated that she then contacted the dealer, as well as the manufacturer who advised her to contact the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was 189,000.
NHTSA complaint #11464499 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rantoul, IL
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I took my car to my repair man he was trying to see why my tires had the steel treads showing and the car shaking. Once up on the lift he found the subframe was rusted out. He ordered a new frame which took all my savings. He was surprised I made it off the expressway without an accident.
NHTSA complaint #11457378 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rantoul, IL
SUSPENSION
I took my car to my repair man he was trying to see why my tires had the steel treads showing and the car shaking. Once up on the lift he found the subframe was rusted out. He ordered a new frame which took all my savings. He was surprised I made it off the expressway without an accident.
NHTSA complaint #11457378 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Manchester, NJ
SUSPENSION
I went to mavis to get new tires for my car they showed me the frame car is not repairable and they showed me the back frame under neith the car and also showed me the rotted frame that's 2 places that's rotted I hope dodge dealer will replace the rotted frames some one can get killed because of the rotted frames and I think dodge should recall the cars and put new frames on their cars for free
NHTSA complaint #11451624 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Manchester, NJ
SUSPENSION
I forgot to tell you that the control arms on both sides and lower ball joints on both sides went bad because of the rotted frame on the car where the A frame sits is loose because of the rotted frame I grew up at the beach area and we never had rotted frames on any of the cars that we had dodge should have told people about the rotted frames and they are responsible that's how I feel about it what's it going to take for them to be held accountable people don't need to die or get serious injured because they did nothing about the rotted frames they should have been able to recall the cars they sold and said something about the frames getting rotted
NHTSA complaint #11451629 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Woodward, OK
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Driver's side headlight stopped working and the bulb is still good. Called the dealership and apparently this is a common problem they know that they r trying to charge 1200 dollors to fix. They should have to fix the headlights because it's the manufacturers fault that they don't work correctly. Can't drive this car anymore cause you can't see to drive at night. Because the headlights don't work and it's not because of the bulbs. It's the manufacturers installation that was done wrong..
NHTSA complaint #11444082 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
