Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2011 Dodge Caliber owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Caliber. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the contact heard an abnormal banging sound coming from the driver's side front wheel well while turning left or driving over bumps in the roadway. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the front frame members were rusted, and the driver's side front steering arm had fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The contact stated that the mechanic was aware of a known manufacturer failure about the severe rusting of the frame. The failure mileage was 111,102.
The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Caliber. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle was making abnormal sounds coming from the undercarriage. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed and determined that the undercarriage needed to be replaced. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.
Rotted Subframe on Dodge Caliber I was driving home after picking my kids up from school and my front tires would not steer and were wobbling while driving, losing control of my vehicle. I had to pull over on the side of the road so I did not crash with my children in the car. I called a tow company and had it towed to the closest independent service center. Yes, the problem was reproduced by a local mechanic ASE certified that the car is not driveable because the subframe was completely rotted out and needed to be replaced. No, the car is still at the garage and not inspected by manufacturer, police or insurance. There were no warning lamps, message or other symptoms prior to the failure. There were no issues driving to school and driving home it began to be hard to steer and then starting losing control over the vehicle and keeping it on the road. …
I just bought this vehicle July 28 of 23. It was supposed to have been inspected to be sold. It's completely rusted out the whole bottom of the car it's unsafe to drive. I've been told by three people the people that did the inspection and said it was OK, and then Belle tire, which I tried to get a Alignment for him because it's so bad and separating. I can't get an alignment it hydroplanes and back in bounces up and down and it's not for me to drive. I'm [redacted] and I need a good safe vehicle and I need something done with this or someone to take it back so that I can get a different car that is safe for me to drive.
I started having noise problems with my car and also had inspection due so I brought it into a mechanic and he was horrified to see that my front cross member was so rusted that my sway bar came out and he said lucky my wheels didn't come off and that a car accident would be horrible as it is that rusted , and he also stayed the back cross member is the same . This is a huge safety concern specially where my car itself isn't even rusted only the cross members. I hope you can help me and my family so we can be safe . Thank you Richard
2011 Dodge Caliber Mainstreet - Subframe is completely rotted and broke away from the sensor control. Mileage - 121,000. $2,500 to repair, in the shop for 9 days, $800 for a rental. Never again with a Dodge. They are garbage. And from research, I see that many other people are having the same issue, yet no recall and Dodge refuses to acknowledge!
At 140000 miles I noticed that my entire subframe was ready to completely collapse and no auto shop would work on it whatsoever. I reached out and found out that there was nothing I could do about it It I had the car for 2 years and it's had this issue the whole time Not cool safety should be first.
While looking at the under carriage of my 2011 Dodge Caliber, flakes of black pain peeling off the front subframe. Upon further investigation, the front subframe that provides structure for important components such as engine mounting and suspension and steering is being succumbed to rust. The vehicle has only been serviced at the Dodge dealership where I purchased it from and strangely this subframe which a "certified mopar mechanic" would have to look at just to drain the oil appeared to pass the safety inspection. Listen, any competent human knows rust just doesn't appear on a cars under carriage overnight but somehow in my case it happened to be when the warranty expires.
Rusted out sub-frame. I've had the car for a year, it's had all of it's servicing done prior at Dodge dealers and no mention of rusted out sub-frame. Was driving this morning when my tire seized then started to wobble while in 45mph traffic on a divided highway. Thankfully I was able to pull off and park before getting into an accident! It's now sitting at my mechanic's shop waiting on an investigation and pricing. This needs to be brought to the general public's knowledge! This sub-frame rusting out this quickly is going to kill someone! I'm collecting pictures and statements from my mechanic and the tow truck driver and will contact the press if I have to!!
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Dodge Caliber. The contact stated that while driving about 20 MPH, a pop sound was heard and there was smoke from underneath the vehicle. There was no fire. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who was closing for the day. The technician crawled under the vehicle the next day and stated that the sub-frame rotted out and caused the frame to collapse. The contact called an unknown Dodge dealer located at 7400 s. Western ave, chicago, il, and was told to bring the vehicle to the repair facility. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 119,000.
Body complaints in other Caliber years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 2011 Dodge Caliber?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the body & structure of the 2011 Dodge Caliber, 13% of the model year's 165 complaints. The component named most often is body (13 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2011 Dodge Caliber body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for the 2011 Dodge Caliber, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2011 Dodge Caliber body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 119,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 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.