The Lemon Index

All cars · Dodge Caliber · 2012

2012 Dodge Caliber. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index–100 = average car
Complaints11NHTSA, first 3 years

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 7,500 and 50,000 miles. Median 30,147, from 10 complaints with a mileage.

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Speed control36%
Transmission & drivetrain36%
Airbags27%
Suspension9%
Steering9%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
1161200

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 1

  • 16V668000 Sep 2016 Seat Belts / Pretensioner

    Defect. 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 investigations

StatusSubjectOpenedClosed
ClosedActive head rest inadvertent deployment20192026

Manufacturer communications 100

Dodge filed 100 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • 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…

Crash ratings by version

VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Dodge Caliber 4 DR FWD★★★☆☆★★★★☆★★★☆☆★★★★☆

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
StandardNoNo

Engines and drivetrains 3

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
2.0L 4-cylManual 5-spdFWD24 / 31 / 27Regular$2,300
2.0L 4-cylAuto (variable gear ratios)FWD23 / 27 / 24Regular$2,600
2.4L 4-cylAuto (variable gear ratios)FWD22 / 27 / 24Regular$2,600

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
20091554536,098Transmission & drivetrain
2010542745,082Electrical
2011894135,049Engine
2012–11–Speed control

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated · Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Get the data

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