Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 157 complaints with NHTSA about the 2010 Dodge Caliber, and it carries 2 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 15 | 10% |
| Air bags | 14 | 9% |
| Air bags | 13 | 8% |
| Electrical system | 13 | 8% |
| Unknown or other | 9 | 6% |
| Power train | 9 | 6% |
| Exterior lighting | 4 | 3% |
| Vehicle speed control | 4 | 3% |
| Engine | 4 | 3% |
| Vehicle speed control | 4 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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
NHTSA complaint: Steering
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 i
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
The contact owns a 2010 Dodge Caliber. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V668000 (SEAT BELTS, AIR BAGS) by a local dealer. Recently, the contact stated that the ai
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
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?
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
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 t
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
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 fro
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
Subframe rusty and broke while driving car went left almost causing a head on coalition
NHTSA complaint: Steering
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 a
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2010 Dodge Caliber. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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 pret
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 deploy
Fix: 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
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.
Fix: 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.
| Reliability raw | 66 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 70 | good |
| Maintenance | 81 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 60 | average |
| Performance | 45 | below average |
| Efficiency | 47 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other wagons in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 157 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and suspension is the most reported area with 15 of them (10%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 66/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 70/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2010 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 65/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.