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Body and structurePart report

2012 Dodge Caliber Body and structure Problems

Complaints
6about this part
Share
12%of 49 total for the year
Median mileage
100,258miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the body and structure of the 2012 Dodge Caliber, 12% of the 49 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 100,258 miles.

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.

“Front and back subframes of car are/were rusted. The front was replaced last year and the rear needs to be done. I'm waiting for an estimate for that. Pic shows the rust taken by my mechanic 2 weeks ago..”

NHTSA complaint #11529609, filed 2023-06

“Lately I have noticed a wobble when I drive on the highway. Saturday, 07/24/2021, I took my 2012 Dodge Caliber with only 74,753 miles on it to the mechanics for an alignment, rotation and weight balance on the car. This is not my first time at the mechanics and they had seen the car in the Summer of 2020 and for inspection November of 2020. The mechanics then took me in to see the car after it was up on the lift which is never a good thing. There is a gaping rusted hole in the frame, I did not think to take a picture but I should have. …”

NHTSA complaint #11426359, filed 2021-07

“The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Caliber. The contact stated that there was a rattling noise coming from the front sub frame of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the sub frame was rusted. The vehicle was not repaired. A local dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 108,000.”

NHTSA complaint #11585250, filed 2024-04, 108,000 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 2022-09

Related service bulletins

Body and structure: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2012612%
20112113%
2010106%
20094921%
20088724%
200715818%

Other parts of the 2012 Dodge Caliber

Air bags
17 complaints
Seat belts
13 complaints
Vehicle speed control
7 complaints
Electrical system
5 complaints
Engine
5 complaints
Other or unknown
5 complaints
Suspension
5 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
5 complaints
Electronic stability control
3 complaints
Exterior lighting
2 complaints
Fuel system
2 complaints
Steering
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