The Lemon Index
201020121st generation
About average · most complaints: engine
41 owner complaints, first 3 years 24–27 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2011 Honda Civic 252011 Toyota Corolla 372011 Hyundai Elantra 40
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2011 Dodge Caliber
- Rust / frame corrosion28 complaintsmostly at 111,000–127,000 miles (179,000–204,000 km)
- Engine stalling25 complaintsmostly at 516–38,000 miles (830–61,000 km)
- Throttle body / loss of power10 complaintsmostly at 68,000–91,000 miles (109,000–146,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 165 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2011 Dodge Caliber (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 900 and 37,000 miles (1,400–59,000 km) (the middle half of the 36 complaints, of all 41 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 16V668000 (seat belts) and 11V315000 (steering) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Dodge sent dealers 86 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Oil Pump Assembly If error code P06DD present on any Pentastar V6 application, please inspect…”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Dodge's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 41 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 0K to 36K miles (1K to 59K km) on the car (36 of all 41 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
2011 Dodge Caliber 2.0. Has stalled 5 times while driving. Just stops! The ignition sticks as well. This car only has 1200 miles on it. The stalling occurs just while driving - no specific warning..just shuts down.
2011 Dodge Caliber owner · NHTSA complaint 10416934
More owner reports
Engine will stall while turning at low speeds, will also stall with a/c on while sitting. Has done so 5 times
NHTSA complaint 10420408
Problems Dodge told dealers about
Dodge sent dealers 86 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Oil Pump Assembly If error code P06DD present on any Pentastar V6 application, please inspect…
- Transmission Kit with Torque Converter 1
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 2
- Seat belts · recall issued 2016
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.
- Steering · recall issued 2011
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 …
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- ClosedActive head rest inadvertent deployment2019–2026
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dodge Caliber 5 HB FWD | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,200–$2,500 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl.
Every Dodge Caliber year. 2011 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
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Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2011 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/dodge-caliber/?y=2011" title="Dodge Caliber reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="330" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/dodge-caliber/2011/">Lemon Index</a> (2011 Dodge Caliber reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2011 Dodge Caliber reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew somewhat fewer complaints than the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 89; 100 is average, lower is better). The Dodge Caliber year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2010.
What are the most common 2011 Dodge Caliber problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (39%), engine (24%) and electrical (22%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2011 Dodge Caliber have?
2 safety recalls (latest: seat belts). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2011 Dodge Caliber get?
24 to 27 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2011 Dodge Caliber safe?
NHTSA gave it 3 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2011 Dodge Caliber problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 900 and 37,000 miles (1,400–59,000 km) (the middle half of the 36 complaints, of all 41 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2011 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2011 Dodge Caliber have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 17% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2011 Dodge Caliber cost in fuel a year?
About $2,200 to $2,500 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2011 Dodge Caliber have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl.
What Dodge Caliber year is better than the 2011?
Nearby, the 2010 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about half as many complaints as the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works