Research · Small Station Wagons

2010 Dodge CaliberRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 157 owner complaints for the 2010 Dodge Caliber. Most complaints involve electrical system (32) and air bags (31). The EPA rates it 23–26 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
23–26mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Sep 2016
Owner complaints
157
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$2,400est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

2 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Seat belts: pretensioner

Remedy pending

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.

Seat beltsReported Sep 15, 2016NHTSA 16V668000

Latches

Free remedy

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.

Latches/locks/linkagesReported May 11, 2010NHTSA 10V197000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 8, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

157 complaints filed with NHTSA · Apr 2010 – Nov 2025
  1. Electrical system32
  2. Air bags31
  3. Suspension26
  4. Engine20
  5. Vehicle speed control18
  6. Power train17
  7. Seat belts15
  8. Steering12
  9. Structure10

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Caliber model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2007958
2008377
2009232
2010157
2011165
201249
Crashes reported
12
Fires reported
3
Injuries reported
15
Deaths reported
2
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 8, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

32 reports
“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 NHTSA 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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 21, 2025Electrical system, Air bagsODI 11655861

Air bags

31 reports7 crashes1 fire
“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 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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 10, 2025Air bags, Seat beltsODI 11647386

Suspension

26 reports
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 2, 2025Steering, Suspension, Unknown or otherODI 11697050
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Station Wagons
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl · 2.4L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic (variable gear ratios)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 8, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Caliber
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
233126$2,400342
Caliber
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
232725$2,500355
Caliber
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
232925$2,500355
Caliber
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
212523$2,700386
  • Caliber
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    23 city · 31 hwy · $2,400/yr
    26
    mpg comb.
  • Caliber
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    23 city · 27 hwy · $2,500/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • Caliber
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    23 city · 29 hwy · $2,500/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • Caliber
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    21 city · 25 hwy · $2,700/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 8, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2010 Dodge Caliber as of Nov 8, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 8, 2026Vehicle 5625
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2010 Caliber questions

How many recalls does the 2010 Dodge Caliber have?

2 safety recalls as of Nov 8, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2010 Dodge Caliber problems?

Owners filed 157 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (32), air bags (31), suspension (26). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2010 Dodge Caliber get?

The EPA rates the 2010 Dodge Caliber at 23–26 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 8, 2026