Recalls (1)
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2012 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 ↗Air Bags/Seat Belt Pretensioners may be Disabled
- 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.
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 (49)
49 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The air bags is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 49 |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 17 | 34.7% |
| Seat belts | 13 | 26.5% |
| Vehicle speed control | 7 | 14.3% |
| Structure | 6 | 12.2% |
| Electrical system | 5 | 10.2% |
| Engine | 5 | 10.2% |
| Power train | 5 | 10.2% |
| Suspension | 5 | 10.2% |
| Unknown or other | 5 | 10.2% |
| Electronic stability control | 3 | 6.1% |
How 2012 compares with other Caliber years
Best and worst Caliber years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 1 | 0 |
| 2007 | 958 | 4 |
| 2008 | 377 | 0 |
| 2009 | 232 | 1 |
| 2010 | 157 | 2 |
| 2011 | 165 | 2 |
| 2012 | 49 | 1 |
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
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), 2012 Dodge Caliber 4 dr fwd, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 27 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $2,500
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 329 g/mi
- EPA class
- Small Station Wagons
What it costs you to run
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
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 24 / 31 / 27 | $2,500 | 329 |
| 2 L 4-cyl · CVT | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 / 27 / 24 | $2,800 | 370 |
| 2.4 L 4-cyl · CVT | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 / 27 / 24 | $2,800 | 370 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2012 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.
Where to next
2012 Dodge Caliber FAQ
How many recalls does the 2012 Dodge Caliber have?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign: 16V668000 (air bag). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2012 Dodge Caliber problems?
Owners filed 49 complaints with NHTSA. Air bags (17), Seat belts (13), Vehicle speed control (7) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2012 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 2012 Dodge Caliber get?
NHTSA rated the 2012 Dodge Caliber 4 dr fwd 3 stars overall, with 4 stars frontal, 3 stars side and 4 stars rollover (15.5% rollover risk).
How does the 2012 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 2012 drew 49. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
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.