2012 Dodge Caliber Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 10%of 49 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 86,012miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the engine of the 2012 Dodge Caliber, 10% of the 49 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 86,012 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Was driving and lost all power when the lightening bolt light came on. Had the throttle body replaced and was fine for a few months. Now the light keeps coming on again and I've taken the car to the dealer at least 15 times and they keep relplacing different sensors and wiring. I have spent thousands of dollars for an issue that will not go away and no one can seem to figure out what the real issue is because everytime they 'fix' one thing it seems to bring up other codes.”
NHTSA complaint #11204215, filed 2019-04, 90,000 miles“Ignition key can be removed from any position. Drive, neutral, reverse or any. This lets vehicle key be removed without being in park position. The 2012 Dodge Caliber can just roll away. Caught car a few times rolling. Now had a very recent serious crash. It was sitting behind house and rolled down a steep hill through trees, with body damage. It was stopped by trees and winched out of the woods. Did not hit neighbors house below and no one was in the car to be injured.”
NHTSA complaint #10543786, filed 2013-09, 6,500 miles“The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Caliber. While driving 30 MPH, the contact noticed an abnormal burning odor coming from the engine. The vehicle started smoking and then ignited into flames near the engine. There were no warning indicators prior to the fire. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed by the insurance company, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10863053, filed 2016-05, 90,000 miles“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 $1200 which is insane.”
NHTSA complaint #11484938, filed 2022-09Related service bulletins
- 11034343Jun 18, 2026Emissions Recall U67 - Catalytic Converter Efficiency - Dealer Notification (Revision 11)
- 10177457Jun 24, 2020THROTTLE BODY For clarification, only use 68414676A$ on 2010 & earlier vehicles as supply is limited.
- 10128948Feb 6, 2013Gasoline Engine Diagnostic Inspection Procedure This bulletin provides a procedure to determine repair versus replacement of a gasoline long block engine assembly. This procedure…
Engine: other model years
Other parts of the 2012 Dodge Caliber
17 complaintsSeat belts
13 complaintsVehicle speed control
7 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaintsElectrical system
5 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaintsSuspension
5 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsElectronic stability control
3 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaintsFuel system
2 complaintsSteering
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 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