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EnginePart report

2010 Dodge Caliber Engine Problems

Complaints
20about this part
Share
13%of 157 total for the year
Median mileage
71,020miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 20 complaints about the engine of the 2010 Dodge Caliber, 13% of the 157 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 71,020 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“This has happened a few different time, but when trying to accelerate from 45mph onto the highway from an on ramp my Dodge Caliber 2010 started to jerk and wouldn't let me go any faster, which made my car actually decelerate. Also there were times when I tried accelerating to pass someone and it just wouldn't go any faster, but there were no jerks.”

NHTSA complaint #10928418, filed 2016-11, 70,000 miles

“2010 Dodge Caliber with headlight failures caused by faulty fuse box (tipm). I replace bulbs and one headlight will not light low beam or high beam. All the fuses are good. It has also affected how the car runs and has stalled on the road. This is the 4th or fifth incident I have had with the car, headlights, stalling, turn signals, air bag indicators. The headlights will not work moving or sitting still and turn signals.”

NHTSA complaint #11337076, filed 2020-07, 94,500 miles

“I had took my car to get service at jiffy lube with a air filter and oil change. When driving to school I slowly started to notice a strange smell and decided to return to jiffy lube. Well on my way the problem increased and smoke and flames started appearing, that's when I quickly got out the car and called 911. I had only made it a block away from reaching jiffy lube when incident occurred .”

NHTSA complaint #10643711, filed 2014-10, 72,039 miles

“When I start my car, it starts just fine and then about 1-2 minutes later the engine check sign will come on followed by a red lighting bold on the dashboard. Once the red lightning bolt comes on either parked or driving in a city street or highway, the car immediately starts making loud noises, shakes uncontrollably and speed reduces, sometimes to the point where it shuts off while I'm still driving on the highway or city street. It sort of starts forcing itself to move while in motion. …”

NHTSA complaint #11281281, filed 2019-11, 145,000 miles

“The vehicle stalls without warning as I am coming to a stop (such as a stop light or stop sign). There is no warning in the warning lights and this is very dangerous. I have had this happen numerous times. I bought the car used and have had the car under a year. I bought it with almost 39, 000 miles on it and only have 41, 800 on there now. It has been taken in for service at the dealership where I purchased the vehicle and they found nothing wrong. …”

NHTSA complaint #10493050, filed 2013-01, 41,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2012510%
20112616%
20102013%
2009229%
20084312%
2007597%

Other parts of the 2010 Dodge Caliber

Electrical system
32 complaints
Air bags
31 complaints
Suspension
26 complaints
Other or unknown
22 complaints
Vehicle speed control
18 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
17 complaints
Seat belts
15 complaints
Steering
12 complaints
Fuel system
11 complaints
Body and structure
10 complaints
Exterior lighting
7 complaints
Electronic stability control
6 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2010 Dodge Caliber

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology