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 49 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Dodge Caliber, and it carries 1 recall. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 11 | 22% |
| Air bags | 5 | 10% |
| Structure | 4 | 8% |
| Engine | 3 | 6% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 4% |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 4% |
| Unknown or other | 2 | 4% |
| Power train | 2 | 4% |
| Suspension | 1 | 2% |
| Suspension | 1 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
Rear subframe rotted out, detached at tire arm...see many complaints online
NHTSA complaint: Structure
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Caliber. The contact stated that there was a rattling noise coming from the front sub frame of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that
NHTSA complaint: Structure
Due to the subframe rusting on the undercarriage of the car, the lower ball joint completely detached from the car, cause the driver side tire to fall off during operation.
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
Front and back subframes of car are/were rusted. The front was replaced last year and the rear needs to be done. I'm waiting for an estimate for that. Pic shows the rust taken by my mechanic 2 weeks ago..
NHTSA complaint: Structure
I recently only had my 2012 dodge caliber for a year now and out of that year it’s been giving me problems since I had it! The car had completely shut down on me for weeks while I was in the process of burying my father
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
Subframe on the vehicle at 90,000 was found to have SEVERE huge rotted holes in the subframe that is supporting the engine. This can allow the engine to drop out of the vehicle at any given moment and cost to repair is $
NHTSA complaint: Structure
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Caliber. The contact stated while driving at 15 MPH, the stability and throttle body malfunction indicators warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. Th
NHTSA complaint: Electronic stability control (esc)
Lately I have noticed a wobble when I drive on the highway. Saturday, 07/24/2021, I took my 2012 Dodge Caliber with only 74,753 miles on it to the mechanics for an alignment, rotation and weight balance on the car. Thi
NHTSA complaint: Structure
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2012 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
| Reliability raw | 76 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 75 | good |
| Maintenance | 81 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 60 | average |
| Performance | 45 | below average |
| Efficiency | 45 | below average |
| Safety | 67 | good |
Percentile ranks against other wagons in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 49 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and air bags is the most reported area with 11 of them (22%). There is 1 recall on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 76/100 (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 75/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2012 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.