2011 Dodge Caliber: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 165 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (17% of complaints); the 2012 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Sep 2016
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 165 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Active headrest in drivers seat deployed with no apparent cause and air bag light has been on since I bought the car August 29, 2023”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2024
“seat headrest deployed while car was sitting in the driveway...would have been a problem if driver had been driving pass.side deployed on 1 30 24....driver side deployed 1 30 24”Owner report · Seats · Jan 2024
“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.”Owner report · Structure · Sep 2023
Show 7 more owner reports
“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!”Owner report · Structure · Jan 2023
“The passenger side rear lower control are rusted off of the back frame crossmember which shows a significant amount of rust! This almost caused an accident while driving. It broke loose while driving down the highway.”Owner report · Suspension · Aug 2022
“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”Owner report · Suspension · Mar 2022
“The frame has rusted out and everything attached to it has broken loose. I was driving the car when this happened. I was able to get it off the road but could have been killed if the tire had broke off”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Feb 2022
“Car slowed down and electronic throttle control light and traction control light came on was dangerously slow to accelerate and would not maintain speed”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Dec 2021
“On multiple occasions vehicle completely shuts down and locks up when slowing down and turning. Almost rear-ended and then t-boned in middle of intersection. Takes several minutes to restart and unlock steering wheel then drives fine.”Owner report · Steering · Oct 2021
“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.”Owner report · Structure · Sep 2021
When filing, owners marked a crash in 9 of these complaints and injuries in 9 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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.
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.
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011DODGE JOURNEY, JEEP WRANGLER, CHRYSLER 200, CHRYSLER 200 CONVERTIBLE, DODGE AVENGER, DODGE NITRO, JEEP LIBERTY, DODGE CALIBER, JEEP COMPASS, JEEP PATRIOT, DODGE GRAND CARAVAN AND CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH A MISSING OR INCORRECTLY INSTALLED STEERING COLUMN PIVOT RIVET.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR RIVET PRESENCE AND ALIGNMENT AND REPAIR THE STEERING COLUMN PIVOT AS REQUIRED, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 4, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
How other years compare
Check your exact Caliber by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2011 Dodge Caliber reliable?
NHTSA has 165 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2011 Dodge Caliber. The most complained-about area is air bags (17% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2011 Dodge Caliber problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 67,000 miles or less.
Does the 2011 Dodge Caliber have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning air bags:frontal:sensor/control module-inactive. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.