The Lemon Index
20111st generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 10,176 in the U.S. in 2012 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 11 complaints in its first 3 years.
11 owner complaints, first 3 years 24–27 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2012 Honda Civic 572012 Toyota Corolla 202012 Hyundai Elantra 81
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 10 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recall 16V668000 (seat belts) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Does it accelerate and hold speed smoothly, with no surging or stalling?
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
- Dodge sent dealers 100 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Transmission Kit with Torque Converter 1”?
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 11 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 7K to 50K miles (12K to 80K km) on the car (10 of all 11 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
Rear speed sensor went messing with traction control cruise control and abs system none of them working sue to one sensor on one wheel not working properly after a wheel bearing hub went and got replaced.
2012 Dodge Caliber owner · NHTSA complaint 10608835
Problems Dodge told dealers about
Dodge sent dealers 100 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Transmission Kit with Torque Converter 1
- Gear Ratio DTC?s, Transmission Shift Concerns, Does Not Shift At Times, Shudders
- TRANSMISSION, 5 Speed On replacing OE transmission 05106567A$/68042567A$ with reman…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 1
- 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.
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 4 DR 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. 2012 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2012 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/dodge-caliber/?y=2012" 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/2012/">Lemon Index</a> (2012 Dodge Caliber reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2012 Dodge Caliber reliable?
We can't score it: only 10,176 were sold in the U.S. in 2012 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 11 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2012 Dodge Caliber problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are speed control (36%), transmission & drivetrain (36%) and airbags (27%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2012 Dodge Caliber have?
1 safety recall (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 2012 Dodge Caliber get?
24 to 27 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2012 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.
Does the 2012 Dodge Caliber have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 36% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2012 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 2012 Dodge Caliber have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl.
What Dodge Caliber year is better than the 2012?
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