Most common 2012 Dodge Caliber problems
Share of the 49 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 →
2012 Dodge Caliber recalls (1)
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2012 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 2012 Dodge Caliber owners say
Air bags
Air bags did not deploy in my car accident in April 2017, car was totaled. Received concussion and whiplash as a result of my air bags not deploying. My car was reg maintained at the Dodge dealership on river dale rd, ogden, ut called in and spoke with a rep (shay) 10/09/2017 and she gave me a case # 32584117 ...updated 10/13/17 updated 7/26/18
"Takata recall" I have a 2012 Dodge Caliber and the horn has suddenly stopped working and I am unsure why. The horn is located in the airbag assembly and because of this I have not been able to get it replaced. I don't understand why a horn on a 4 year old car would suddenly stop working, and if it's not the horn it would be the airbag. The car has not been in a collision, nor has the airbag been deployed so I still don't understand why this is occurring. I have googled the issue and numerous people with the same vehicle different years are experiencing the same issue, but Chrysler is refusing to deem it a recall issue. One night I was awaken to my horn/alarm going off, but the vehicle was inside a closed garage. The horn won't blow if pressed, but will later blow on it's on if you attempt to press it. …
Seat belts
The recall describes problems with the occupant restraint controller, air bag deployment, and safety belt restraint. The dealer suggested I call the manufacturer, who told me they had deemed the vehicle safe to drive and to take it to the dealer for an inspection before they would consider giving me a different car to drive while the manfucaturer finds a solution. While checking in my car at the dealership, I was told that recall has 'only' resulted in injury and not death. Anybody want to volunteer themselves or their children? I didn't think so. The dealership employee checking in my car didn't think it was a problem to drive for uber.... Really? This is a safety issue and I don't think it's unreasonable to have alternate transportation paid for by the manufacturer until this is resolved. Please contact me so that my family can remain safe while this resolved. …
My drivers side seat belt automatically unlatches itself. I don't have to be doing anything. I give it tug every time I buckle to make sure it fasten. But while driving it will on it's on come unlatched and released. It has happened while driving and just sitting at red light. I immediately refasten it but this has happened enough time to raise concern if I would be safe in the event of an accident.
Speed control & acceleration
My Dodge Caliber 2012 sxt still under warranty had a failed manufacturer component, the 'shift interlock assembly' which controls drive, park, reverse, nuetral and all transmission settings. Vehicle was parked on blacktop area behind my house and rolled forward. It plunged headfirst down a steep hill hill crashing through back yard forest. Trees eventually stopped the vehicle. Neighbor's houses and a public road were at the base of hill. The vehicle was unoccupied. Tied car off to a tree to prevent roll over. Car is now at a Dodge dealership. Chrysler corporation is sending an 'independent' Chrysler inspector who then sends a damage report to Chrysler. Then a 'special investigation' will follow. No estimate on when Chrysler May respond. Ongoing lack of urgency in Chrysler corporation response cannot be penetrated. Car was in the woods for 2 days and now in shop for the 3rd day. …
Mt 2012 Dodge Caliber had a roll away incident on 9/6/2103 when parked in a driveway. It rolled and then dove down a very steep hill with trees which eventually stopped the car rolling down the hill. The manufacturer defect has been diagnosed as a failure of the shifter assembly. There are a number of late model cars under recall because of shifter assembly defects and potential for 'roll away'. The car remains at the dealership, not safe to drive, awaiting a new shifter assembly and cable on order. Chrysler was contacted about warranty defect and took two weeks to respond by letter and declines participation with any costs associated with this incident. Letter is a contradiction saying all sysrems were found to be operating properly but noted a problem with the ignition switch the dealer should repair. Roll away can have very serious consequences.
2012 Dodge Caliber engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 24 / 31 / 27 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | CVT | FWD | 23 / 27 / 24 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | CVT | FWD | 22 / 27 / 24 |
EPA ratings. Class: Wagon.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2012 Dodge Caliber a good car?
Based on 49 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2012 Caliber rates better than average: 75% 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 2012 Dodge Caliber?
The air bags — 17 complaints, 35% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the seat belts (13) and speed control & acceleration (7).
How many recalls does the 2012 Dodge Caliber have?
There is 1 recall for the 2012 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 2012 Dodge Caliber problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 72,000 miles; 25% 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.