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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2012 Dodge Caliber Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
5about this part
Share
10%of 49 total for the year
Median mileage
8,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2012 Dodge Caliber, 10% of the 49 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 8,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, 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.

“This car just droped power on the highway at 60mph to 15 MPH with no warning had to fight my way to the sholder and call a tow truck the Dodge dealer said it was something with the carbarater 700.00 dollars later and not covered the car wasn't even 3 years old this should be a safty issue but not with Dodge never again will I by Dodge they suck.”

NHTSA complaint #10807257, filed 2015-11, 50,000 miles

“I recently bought this car from northtown Dodge in buffalo ny in jan of 2019. As the weather got warmer my transmission overheated lite comes on. I can't drive more than 50 miles tops with out it over heating. I'm the second owner. I am financing this car and can only drive it locally. I've also read that there is a lifetime warranty for the powertrain only if your the original owner. The car only had 64000 miles on it and it has 69771. So please help me with this issue I am a disabled veteran and this car is my only means of transportation.”

NHTSA complaint #11228443, filed 2019-06, 68,567 miles

“My Dodge Caliber 2012 sxt still under warranty had a failed manufacturer component, the 'shift interlock assembly' which controls drive, park, reverse, nuetral and all transmission settings. Vehicle was parked on blacktop area behind my house and rolled forward. It plunged headfirst down a steep hill hill crashing through back yard forest. Trees eventually stopped the vehicle. Neighbor's houses and a public road were at the base of hill. The vehicle was unoccupied. Tied car off to a tree to prevent roll over. Car is now at a Dodge dealership. …”

NHTSA complaint #10544259, filed 2013-09, 7,500 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

“Mt 2012 Dodge Caliber had a roll away incident on 9/6/2103 when parked in a driveway. It rolled and then dove down a very steep hill with trees which eventually stopped the car rolling down the hill. The manufacturer defect has been diagnosed as a failure of the shifter assembly. There are a number of late model cars under recall because of shifter assembly defects and potential for 'roll away'. The car remains at the dealership, not safe to drive, awaiting a new shifter assembly and cable on order. …”

NHTSA complaint #10546385, filed 2013-10, 8,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2012510%
20111710%
20101711%
20096428%
20083710%
2007809%

Other parts of the 2012 Dodge Caliber

Air bags
17 complaints
Seat belts
13 complaints
Vehicle speed control
7 complaints
Body and structure
6 complaints
Electrical system
5 complaints
Engine
5 complaints
Other or unknown
5 complaints
Suspension
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 28, 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