2012 Dodge Caliber
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Airbags & Restraints
Airbags & Restraints leads by volume: 18 of 49 complaints (37%) mention it.
Complaints filed fell from 165 in 2011 to 49 in 2012.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | vs. 2012 Small Station Wagons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,400–2,700 | 2,300–2,600 | 2,300–2,600 | |
| Combined MPG | 23–26 | 24–27 | 24–27 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 21–23 / 25–31 | 22–24 / 27–31 | 22–24 / 27–31 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 342–386 | 329–370 | 329–370 | |
| Complaints filed | 157 | 165 | 49 | |
| Recalls issued | 2 | 2 | 1 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 12 | 9 | 9 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 3 | 1 | 3 | |
| Injuries reported | 15 | 9 | 6 | |
| Deaths reported | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 4 | 4 | 3 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2012 Dodge Caliber have?
1 NHTSA recall campaign as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2012 Dodge Caliber?
Airbags & Restraints: 18 of 49 NHTSA complaints (37%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Dodge Caliber get?
EPA rates it 24–27 MPG combined across 3 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2012 Dodge Caliber?
EPA estimates $2,300–$2,600 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (3)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Station Wagons | 23 mpg | 27 mpg (low) | 24 mpg (low) | $2,600 (high) | 370 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Station Wagons | 24 mpg (high) | 31 mpg (high) | 27 mpg (high) | $2,300 (low) | 329 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 4 | 2.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Station Wagons | 22 mpg (low) | 27 mpg (low) | 24 mpg (low) | $2,600 (high) | 370 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 18 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 7 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (1)
AIR BAGS; AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE; SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER · Campaign 16V668000 · Sep 15, 2016
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.
Consequence: 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.