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 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10231753Jan 14, 2023Emissions recal U67 Catalytic Converter Efficiency
- 10230438Nov 1, 2022Some of the above-involved vehicles may exceed NOx (Oxides of Nitrogen) emission level standards due to loss of catalytic converter efficiency
- 10228020Apr 2, 2022Customer Satisfaction Notification V51 Reprogram Powertrain Control Module
- 10212248Mar 30, 2022Oil Filter If a Mopar Oil Filter is not available, use a filter that meets or exceeds USCAR36 specification and is compatible with semi and full synthetic oils. Recommended…
- 10221150Apr 16, 2021Gear Ratio DTC?s, Transmission Shift Concerns, Does Not Shift At Times, Shudders
- 10221097Apr 7, 2021Transmission Kit with Torque Converter 1. All Promaster (VF) 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles. If the transmission bracket to the transmission case fasteners are removed during…
- 10223509Jun 17, 2020TRANSMISSION, 5 Speed On replacing OE transmission 05106567A$/68042567A$ with reman transmission R8142074A$ replace with new Hydraulic Clutch Tube 05273429A$ to avoid…
- 10177454Jun 17, 2020TRANSMISSION, 5 Speed On replacing OE transmission 05106567A$/68042567A$ with reman transmission R8142074A$ replace with new Hydraulic Clutch Tube 05273429A$ to avoid…
- 10220106Nov 22, 2019No Start After Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Replacement and/or Reprogramming
- 10169254Nov 22, 2019No Start After Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Replacement and/or Reprogramming
Transmission and drivetrain: 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 complaintsEngine
5 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaintsSuspension
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 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