2012 Dodge Caliber Problems

Below Average Complaints

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2012 Dodge Caliber.

2011newer >
Complaints
80
Crashes
16
Fires
3
Injuries
6
Fatalities
Recalls
1

Worst 2012 Dodge Caliber Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#117 complaints

Airbags

Avg mileage:54,404 mi
Crash-related:4
Fires:1
#213 complaints

Seat Belt Issues

Avg mileage:73,000 mi
Crash-related:1
#37 complaints

Unintended Acceleration

Avg mileage:46,933 mi
Crash-related:3
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2012 Dodge Caliber.

Airbags
17
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
1
Avg Miles
54,404
Seat Belt Issues
13
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
73,000
Unintended Acceleration
7
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
46,933
Electrical Faults
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
61,074
Engine Problems
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
67,131
Transmission / Drivetrain
5
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
28,113
Body Structure
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
92,516
Suspension Failures
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
92,516
Electronic Stability Control
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Headlight/Taillight Failures
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Steering Defects
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Throttlebody/Manifold
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Fuel System
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat-Related Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Brakes
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Structure:Frame And Members
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wheel Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2012 Dodge Caliber. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2012 Dodge Caliber

1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting ~1,435,625 vehicles.

16V668000Seat Belts:pretensioner · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control Module-inactive · Airbags
~1,435,625 affected

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.

Other Dodge Caliber Years

2012 Dodge Caliber — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2012 Dodge Caliber reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 2012 Dodge Caliber has 80 NHTSA complaints, 16 crash-related, and 1 recall campaign. The most common issue is Airbags with 17 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2012 Dodge Caliber?
Top reported problems: Airbags (17 complaints, avg 54,404 mi); Seat Belt Issues (13 complaints, avg 73,000 mi); Unintended Acceleration (7 complaints, avg 46,933 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2012 Dodge Caliber?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 63,051 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2012 Dodge Caliber?
NHTSA complaints for the 2012 Dodge Caliber include 16 crash-related reports, 3 fire reports, 6 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2012 Dodge Caliber have any recalls?
Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 1,435,625 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2012 Dodge Caliber?
Fewer complaints than typical for this model. That's a good sign, but every individual car is different — the VIN still tells you what happened to this specific one.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Dodge Caliber reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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