Check a VIN

2010 Dodge Caliber problems

The most common problem on the 2010 Dodge Caliber is electrical system, typically around 77,648 miles. Its complaint count is close to a typical Caliber model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Year score
73/100
Owner complaints
157
Recalls
2
Service bulletins
44
Worst area
Electrical
Fuel economy
23-26mpg

The worst 2010 Dodge Caliber problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 2010 Dodge Caliber

Stalling 23Airbag light 10Ball joint 9Jerking 9Won't start 8No deployment 7Check engine light 6Headlights 6

Recalls 2

Air bagsReported September 15, 2016 · 1,435,625 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 16V668000 · Recall details

Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latchReported May 11, 2010 · 123 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2010 dodge caliber vehicles. Some vehicles may have been built with an incorrect door lock rod in the right front door.
Risk
An unlatched door could increase the risk of an unbelted front seat passenger being ejected from the vehicle.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the front right door lock rod as required free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during june 2010. Owners may contact chrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.

Recall number 10V197000 · Recall details

See all 2 recalls for the 2010 Dodge Caliber

Defect investigations

Active Head Rest Inadvertent DeploymentOpened September 9, 2019, closed February 25, 2026

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 Warning Reports identified driver and/or passenger front seat AHR inadvertent deployments without a rear impact event.Reported safety consequences resulting from the AHR deployments include concussions, headaches, soft tissue injuries, disorientation, nausea, vomiting and/or loss of vehicle control as a result of being surprised and distracted by being struck in the head by the inadvertent AHR deployment. On September 24, 2019, ODI sent an Information Request (IR) letter to Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA).ODI requested certain detailed information from FCA related to the following subject vehicles: MY 2010-2014 Dodge Avenger 200, MY 2010-2014 Dodge Calber, MY 2010-2014 Chrysler Sebring, MY 2013-2015 Ram Tradesman, MY 2012 Ram Van, MY 2010-2019 Dodge Grand Caravan, MY 2010-2016 Chrysler Town and Country, MY 2010-2017 Jeep Compass, MY 2011-2020 Dodge Durango, MY 2011-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, MY 2010-2019 Dodge Journey, MY 2010-2012 Jeep Liberty, MY 2010-2011 Jeep Nitro, and MY 2010-2011 Jeep Patriot vehicles.On December 2, 2019, ODI received a response from FCA that included vehicle production data, consumer complaints, field reports, warranty claims, manufacturer actions, production changes, and other data related to the alleged defect from the start of production (2010) through September 24, 2019.On January 27, 2020, ODI received an update to the December 2, 2019, IR response from FCA.On September 22, 2020, ODI requested additional subject vehicle AHR information from FCA.ODI received FCA's response on October 21, 2020.ODI subsequently received an update to FCA's October 21, 2020, response on February 16, 2021.During the investigation, ODI requested updates to certain IR questions on two occasions.FCA provided updates to question #2 on March 5, 2021, and questions #2 and #5 on May 26, 2023. FCA’s IR response data identified approximately 7.5 million subject vehicles (with approximately 15 million AHR assemblies).Due to the large number of vehicles and failure reports, ODI focused its analysis on the FCA vehicle model with the highest failure rate to represent the worst-case scenario.For this purpose, ODI focused on MY 2012-2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles for its analysis.This population includes 710,890 vehicles that FCA manufactured between August 19, 2011, and August 8, 2015.ODI identified 2,839 alleged AHR failures within this limited population.ODI identified 263 alleged injuries that were caused by AHR failures in MY 2012-2015 Grand Cherokees vehicles.Of these alleged injuries, ODI categorized them as eighty-two (82) soft tissue (neck/whiplash, bruise) injuries, four (4) concussions, fifty-nine (59) headaches, and one hundred eighteen (118) without a specific injury description.Although complainants have alleged injuries, ODI has been unable to obtain evidence to substantiate or validate any injuries where medical treatment was required.Consumer outreach was conducted by ODI, where sixty-three (63) FCA complainants with alleged injuries were contacted.Twelve of the sixty-three FCA consumers responded and were interviewed by ODI.ODI requested medical records, however, only one response was provided. Attorneys representing the responding complainant provided a synopsis that indicated they had experienced prior neck-related injuries dating to the mid-1990s.ODI also contacted one hundred (100) consumers who submitted Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQ) in an attempt to validate alleged injuries. Despite the efforts of ODI, the office has been unsuccessful at obtaining substantive documentation/evidence supporting complaints that allege serious injuries (where pre-existing medical conditions did not already exist). In addition to the low severity of alleged injuries caused by AHR deployments, there have been eleven alleged crashes and two alleged lane departures within the entire subject vehicle population that has been in the field up to sixteen years (with over 8,500 AHR inadvertent deployments).ODI was not able to validate that the alleged crashes were the result of inadvertent head rest deployments, and the crashes were minor in nature. ODI has conducted a thorough investigation of the alleged safety defect and with up to sixteen years of exposure for some vehicles and over 8,500 inadvertent AHR deployments, no serious crashes or injuries could be validated in the sub-population of focus.The lack of serious injuries validated by ODI with such large period of field exposure is consistent with thework done by the federal safety agency’s Human Injury Research Division and the Biodynamic Research Corporation, which support that an inadvertent AHR deployment is not likely to cause serious injury.In addition to the low risk of injury, FCA released an extended warranty program that covers inadvertent AHR deployment for ten years / unlimited mileage from the vehicle's in-service date. PE19014 is closed with the FCA extended warranty program.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that a safety-related defect does not exist, and the Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances. To review a complete closing summary, please the attached closing report. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to

PE19014

Technical service bulletins for the 2010 Dodge Caliber 44

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 44 bulletins for the 2010 Dodge Caliber

2010 Dodge Caliber fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.0L 4‑cylFWD2327-3125-26
2.4L 4‑cylFWD21-2325-2923-25

What 2010 Dodge Caliber owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Nov 2, 2025 · Steering, Suspension · NJ

I was just at the dealer mechanic for an oil change and asked about a slight pull to one side when stopping. after doing the oil change he cam back with a list of things the most significant of which was a that the front sub-frame was rotted out, as well as the rear bumper metal under the plastic cover. They gave me an estimate for the repairs exceeding $7000. Then I came home an researched this problem and find its common on these calibers from 2007-2012 and is a known problem!? but no recall was ever issued! There was a "Customer Satisfaction Notification X69" Which I never received. I have also had the vehicle into the dealer other times recently and was never informed of this issue which couldn't have possibly happened over night.

Filed Apr 21, 2025 · Airbags, Electrical · 103,000 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2010 Dodge Caliber. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine unexpectedly shut off. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The engine oil warning light as intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but no cause of failure was found. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure recurred. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 14V373000 (Electrical System, Air Bags); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000.

Filed Mar 10, 2025 · Airbags, Seat belts · 115,000 miles · PA

The contact owns a 2010 Dodge Caliber. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 16V668000 (SEAT BELTS, AIR BAGS) by a local dealer. Recently, the contact stated that the air bag warning light was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact notified the dealer of the failure, and the contact was informed that the vehicle was no longer covered under recall. The contact was then referred to the manufacturer who also stated that the vehicle was not covered under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.

Filed Oct 15, 2024 · Body, Suspension · ND

Severe rust to vehicle frame COMMON TO THIS VEHICLE, no accident. Rust has corroded frame despite normal use and normal care. Vehicle hasn't reached 75k miles yet, and the frame is failing. How is this not a recall?

Filed Apr 21, 2024 · Airbags · FL

The air bag lights came on

Filed Apr 5, 2024 · Suspension · 77,200 miles · WI

The contact's daughter owns a 2010 Dodge Caliber. The contact stated while his daughter was driving at various speeds, she heard an abnormal sound and felt a vibration in the rear end of the vehicle. The contact stated that he had also noticed the failure while test-driving the vehicle. Upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that the rear cross member was severely rusted and had fractured. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 77,200.

Filed Nov 1, 2023 · Suspension · 125,000 miles · IL

The contact owns a 2010 Dodge Caliber. The contact stated that while making a right turn at 10 MPH, the vehicle kept turning. The vehicle was steered into a parking lot where it was observed that the passenger’s side front axle had separated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the cross member needed to be replaced due to corrosion. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 125,000.

Filed May 12, 2023 · Steering, Suspension · OH

Subframe rusty and broke while driving car went left almost causing a head on coalition

Filed Sep 29, 2022 · Airbags · 153,883 miles · MS

The contact owns a 2010 Dodge Caliber. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the air bag warning light intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where an unknown diagnosis and repair were completed; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 153,883.

Filed Aug 30, 2022 · Airbags · CA

The airbag light on the dashboard kept going on and off with a ring when it came on.

Used buying checklistWhat to check on a 2010 Dodge Caliber before you buy

Compare the 2010 Dodge Caliber

Other model years

2006200720082009201020112012

Questions about the 2010 Dodge Caliber

Is the 2010 Dodge Caliber reliable?

Owners have filed 157 complaints about the 2010 Dodge Caliber, close to a typical Caliber model year.

What is the 2010 Dodge Caliber year score?

The 2010 Dodge Caliber scores 73 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Dodge Caliber: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2010 Dodge Caliber?

Electrical system, with 32 complaints, typically around 77,648 miles. Next is airbags (31).

How many recalls does the 2010 Dodge Caliber have?

2 recalls, covering air bags and latches/locks/linkages.

What year does the Dodge Caliber have the most electrical problems?

The Dodge Caliber model years with the most electrical complaints are 2007 (197 complaints), 2008 (58 complaints) and 2010 (32 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2010 Dodge Caliber get?

Official estimates for the 2010 Dodge Caliber range from 23 to 26 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.0L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 23 city and 27-31 highway.

Share your experience with the 2010 Dodge Caliber

Tell other buyers what went wrong and what it cost. We review every report before it appears, and we never publish names, emails or VINs.

No names, contact details or links. Reports about a dealer or a person are not published.

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used 2010 Dodge Caliber?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history
Is this car on a recall?Check VIN