Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2010 Dodge Caliber owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
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.
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.
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.
I was traveling at approximately 40 MPH when I lost consciousness due to adverse reaction to a prescribed medication. Approached retro-style pickup truck stopped at red light & because of being unconscious didn't apply brakes to slow down & stop. Frontal crash into rear end of stopped vehicle. Airbags didn't deploy nor did seatbelt engage to prevent me from being thrust forward face first into steering wheel. Incurred significant damage to front teeth & neck/back strain. Was informed by Chrysler corp. That airbag sensors are positioned too low for deployment. Also informed because I did not apply brakes this was cause for both seat belt not engaging to prevent forward thrust into steering wheel and deployment if airbags. …
This is my second complaint to you in regards to a faulty airbag that was installed at your yorkville, ny carbone location. On December 28 ,2018 I went into the yorkville, ny location to have an airbag recall taken care of. Then I had to return to carbone in yorkville, ny on December 30 , 2019 because my airbag light was on. They charged me $107.66 to diagnose the issue and were going to charge me an additional $438.50 for a faulty airbag that they installed, stating this was my problem not there problem. How is this my problem when it was an airbag they fixed and now my airbag light is on due to a faulty airbag they repaired that I had no previous problems with before the recall. I then had to take my car to maugeri's in utica, ny for them to fix this faulty airbag. Parts were $150.00 and labor was $82.50 which is a total of $232.50. …
On December 28, 2018 I went to carbone Dodge in yorkville ny for them to fix an airbag recall. Then on December 30, 2019 I had to return to carbon Dodge because the my airbag light came on in my car. Now this is a faulty airbag that they replaced on my car an charged me $107.66 to diagnosis the issue and were going to charge me an additional $438.50 to fix a faulty part that they originally replaced again due to a recall order. Now I have to take it to my mechanic to fix an issue that carbone Dodge should be liable for. I would like carbone Dodge to be held accountable for the faulty airbag that they installed and I would like to be reimbursed the $107.66 that they charged me for the diagnosis and all the additional charges that I had to pay to my mechanic. Thanks
Tl* the contact rented a 2010 Dodge Caliber from a local vehicle rental company. While driving at speeds of 50 MPH, the vehicle crashed and the air bags did not deploy upon impact. There were three reported injuries and both the police and medical units arrived on scene. A police report was filed accordingly. The vehicle was towed to the vehicle rental company. The current and failure mileages were 3,000. Updated 08/12/10 updated 08/18/10
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Dodge Caliber. While driving 70 MPH, the vehicle lunged forward. The SRS and check engine warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was determined that the driver side air bag spiral cable spring needed to be replaced and reset. A tune up was recommended. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000. Updated 10/28/16
Related recalls
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.
Airbag complaints in other Caliber years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2010 Dodge Caliber?
NHTSA has 31 complaints about the air bags of the 2010 Dodge Caliber, 20% of the model year's 157 complaints. The component named most often is sensor › occupant classification (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2010 Dodge Caliber airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 16V-668 (air bags, Sep 15, 2016). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2010 Dodge Caliber airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 90,000 miles, and 20% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 7 crashes, 1 fire and 9 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.