Most common 2010 Dodge Caliber problems
Share of the 157 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Dodge Caliber complaints by model year
Best Caliber years: 2012, 2010, 2011. Years to avoid: 2007, 2008. Compare all years →
2010 Dodge Caliber recalls (2)
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.
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.
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.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the front right door lock rod as required free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during June 2010. Owners May contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2010 Dodge Caliber:
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…
What 2010 Dodge Caliber owners say
Electrical system all 32 →
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.
My headlight went out on my car, I got a replacement bulb, put it in and nothing. I got another bulb thinking maybe it's a malfunctioning bulb. Still didn't work, tested the light socket and no power to it, looked up on google for headlight malfunctioning on 2010 Dodge calibers and there are multiple complaints and videos regarding this issue going back to 2007 Dodge calibers. This is an electrical problem and Dodge is aware of this issue but states its not a "safety issue" however you can get a ticket for a headlight being out and your car will not pass inspection without a headlight. So how can this not be a safety issue? This needs to be a recall on this vehicle, just for the diagnostic of this issue will cost me $114/hour to have the shop diagnose the electrical problem, not fix it, just tell me what it is and then labor and parts to fix it. …
Air bags all 31 →
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.
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.
Engine & cooling all 26 →
When I start my car, it starts just fine and then about 1-2 minutes later the engine check sign will come on followed by a red lighting bold on the dashboard. Once the red lightning bolt comes on either parked or driving in a city street or highway, the car immediately starts making loud noises, shakes uncontrollably and speed reduces, sometimes to the point where it shuts off while I'm still driving on the highway or city street. It sort of starts forcing itself to move while in motion. While the light is still on, if I stop at a red light or stop sign and it's time for me to go or the light is green, when I push the gas paddle the car sort of tries to move with pushes, just as though someone was pushing it while parked and then all of a sudden moves with speed. …
My car started to suddenly slow down on the highway. I have had 4 incidents where when the car is on accelerated speed suddenly slow down. Am still paying loan on the car and I have maintained service on it.I feel I maybe in danger as the car is now a safety hazard. I have researched online and saw that other people have had the same problems. I have contacted Dodge corporate twice and was given case number 26243890 on phone and case number 26233972 on email. They say they can't do anything as the car is not on recall. I do not want life lost for it to be recalled. If there is already other people with the same problems then Dodge should do something before anything bad happened. I have called local Dodge dealer and they told me to pay to diagnose my car. Please help so Dodge to correct this problem before car causes a crash. Thank you
2010 Dodge Caliber engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 23 / 31 / 26 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | CVT | FWD | 23 / 27 / 25 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 23 / 29 / 25 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | CVT | FWD | 21 / 25 / 23 |
EPA ratings. Class: Wagon.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2010 Dodge Caliber a good car?
Based on 157 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2010 Caliber rates average: 28% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Caliber at the same age. It is one of the best Caliber years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2010 Dodge Caliber?
The electrical system — 32 complaints, 20% of all complaints for this model year, most often about instrument cluster/panel. Next are the air bags (31) and engine & cooling (26).
How many recalls does the 2010 Dodge Caliber have?
There are 2 recalls for the 2010 Dodge Caliber, the most recent from September 15, 2016 (air bags). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Dodge Caliber?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2012, 2010 and 2011. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2007 and 2008. See the full Dodge Caliber years comparison.
At what mileage do 2010 Dodge Caliber problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 78,000 miles; 23% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.