Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

2011 Dodge Caliber: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2011 Dodge Caliber, most recently filed September 2016. Owners have filed 165 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags. In NHTSA crash tests it earned 3 stars overall.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Compare

Recalls (2)

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2011 Dodge Caliber. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 2011 Dodge Caliber. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 16V668000 Filed Sep 15, 2016

Air Bags/Seat Belt Pretensioners may be Disabled

Air bags
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Consequence
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.
41.1% repairedof 1,435,625 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 16V668000
Listed for 2011 Dodge Caliber. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 11V315000 Filed Jun 8, 2011

STEERING COLUMN

Steering · column
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Consequence
A MISSING OR INCORRECTLY INSTALLED RIVET COULD COMPROMISE THE ABILITY OF THE STEERING COLUMN TO SUPPORT THE OCCUPANT LOADS IN THE EVENT OF A FRONTAL CRASH, DECREASING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE FRONTAL IMPACT SAFETY SYSTEM. AS A RESULT, THE CONDITION MAY INCREASE THE POTENTIAL FOR INJURY IN A FRONTAL CRASH.
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.
Repair progress not yet reported11,096 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 11V315000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Owner complaints (165)

165 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The air bags is mentioned most often.

9involved a crash
1involved a fire
9injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2011 Dodge Caliber, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 165.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 2011 compares with other Caliber years

Best and worst Caliber years →
2006200720082009201020112012
This year (2011)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Crash tests: 3 stars overall

Overall★★★☆☆
Frontal crashDriver 4★ · Passenger 4★★★★★☆
Side crashDriver 3★ · Passenger 5★★★★☆☆
Side pole★☆☆☆☆
RolloverRollover risk 15.5%★★★★☆
Front seat of a modern car with the seat belt buckled across the passenger seat
Compare fairly. Compare stars only between vehicles of similar size and weight. Ratings apply to the tested configuration.

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), 2011 Dodge Caliber 5 hb fwd, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 27 mpg combined

27
mpg combined
24
city
31
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$2,500
CO₂ tailpipe
329 g/mi
EPA class
Small Station Wagons

What it costs you to run

$2,419per year
$202per month
556gallons a year

Miles ÷ 27 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

2011 Dodge Caliber configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive24 / 31 / 27$2,500329
2.4 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive23 / 28 / 25$2,700356
2 L 4-cyl · CVTFront-Wheel Drive23 / 27 / 24$2,800370
2.4 L 4-cyl · CVTFront-Wheel Drive22 / 27 / 24$2,800370

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 2011 Caliber for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All Caliber years

Where to next

2011 Dodge Caliber FAQ

How many recalls does the 2011 Dodge Caliber have?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns: 16V668000 (air bag), 11V315000 (steering). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 2011 Dodge Caliber problems?

Owners filed 165 complaints with NHTSA. Air bags (36), Suspension (30), Engine (26) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 2011 Dodge Caliber get?

EPA rates the 2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual version at 24 city, 31 highway and 27 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

What safety rating did the 2011 Dodge Caliber get?

NHTSA rated the 2011 Dodge Caliber 5 hb fwd 3 stars overall, with 4 stars frontal, 3 stars side and 4 stars rollover (15.5% rollover risk).

How does the 2011 Caliber compare with other years?

Among the 2006–2012 Dodge Caliber model years at least five years old, the 2006 drew the fewest complaints (1) and the 2007 the most (958). The 2011 drew 165. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
Was this report useful?Report a data error
My Garage
Save this car and we'll flag new recall campaigns next time you visit.