BestCarRank
Dodge

2010 Dodge CALIBER

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2010 Dodge CALIBER has 246 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 246. The most common issue is electrical problems (13% of all complaints), specifically: tl*the contact owns a 2010 dodge caliber. the contact attempted several times to start the ignition yet the engine failed to engage. the vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer for inspection. the technician reprogrammed the ignition key yet the failure persisted. the vehicle was taken to the deal. There are 2 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 4 fire reports filed.

4 fire reports 15 crash reports 20 injuries

246

Total Complaints

2

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ELECTRICAL

32 complaints
13%
  • • TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED SEVERAL TIMES TO START THE IGNITION YET THE ENGINE FAILED TO ENGAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN REPROGRAMMED THE IGNITION KEY YET THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEAL
  • • EVERY SO OFTEN THE CAR WILL NOT START WHEN YOU PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND TURN IT. IT DOES NOTHING, MAKES NO NOISE. IT ACTS AS IF YOU DID NOTHING. YOU TURN THE KEY AND NOTHING HAPPENS. MOST TIMES, WHEN YOU TURN THE KEY BACK TO THE ORIGINAL POSITION AND TRY AGAIN, IT WILL START AS IF NOTHING WAS
  • • THE VEHICLE STALLS AT THE LIGHTS OR AT A STOP SIGN. NO OTHER TIME, FOR NO REASON IT SPUTTERS A LITTLE AND THEN STALLS. IT STARTS RIGHT AWAY. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DODGE DEALERSHIP AND BECAUSE THEIR COMPUTER DOESN'T FIND ANYTHING,THEY SAY THERE IS NOTHING WRONG, WELL EVIDENTLY THERE IS, AS IT SHO
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED SEVERAL TIMES TO START THE IGNITION YET THE ENGINE FAILED TO ENGAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN REPROGRAMMED THE IGNITION KEY YET THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEAL”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2010 Dodge CALIBER

Based on 177 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 78K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage
0-30K
24
30-60K
38
60-100K
61
100-150K
43
150-200K
11
200K+
0

ENGINE

Reported earliermedian 63K mi · 24 reports
0-30K
3
30-60K
9
60-100K
7
100-150K
5
150-200K
0
200K+
0

FUEL SYSTEM

Reported earliermedian 54K mi · 11 reports
0-30K
1
30-60K
7
60-100K
2
100-150K
1
150-200K
0
200K+
0

STEERING

Reported earliermedian 88K mi · 7 reports
0-30K
0
30-60K
2
60-100K
2
100-150K
1
150-200K
2
200K+
0

ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS

Reported earliermedian 66K mi · 6 reports
0-30K
0
30-60K
3
60-100K
1
100-150K
2
150-200K
0
200K+
0

LIGHTING

Reported earliermedian 95K mi · 5 reports
0-30K
0
30-60K
2
60-100K
1
100-150K
2
150-200K
0
200K+
0

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 76K mi · 28 reports
0-30K
2
30-60K
9
60-100K
10
100-150K
6
150-200K
1
200K+
0

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (2)

SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER15/09/2016

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Chrysler 200, 2010 Chrysler Sebring, 2010-2012 Dodge Caliber and 2010-2014 Jeep Patriot, Compass and Dodge Avenger vehicles. The Occupant Restraint Control (OCR) module may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags from deploying in the event of a crash.

Risk: If the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the OCR, free of charge. Interim letters informing owners that parts are not available yet were mailed on October 26, 2016. The recall began on August 15, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S61.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2010 Dodge CALIBER

Live EIA prices
Per year
$1,920
Per month
$160
Per mile
16.0¢
MPG
25
City driving (worst-case MPG)
$2,286/yr
Highway driving (best-case MPG)
$1,549/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today
Current
$4.00
5-year low
$2.78
5-year high
$5.01
Since 2021
+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2010 Dodge CALIBER

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.
Full coverage / year
$1,352
Full coverage / month
$113
Liability only / year
$607
vs US avg
-19%
How this estimate is calculated
US base full-coverage premium$1674
× state (US)1.00x
× vehicle class (wagon)0.95x
× theft risk1.00x
× safety rating1.00x
× vehicle age0.85x
= Full coverage estimate$1352

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Dodge New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)
3 yr / 36K mi
Powertrain
5 yr / 60K mi
Hybrid/EV battery
8 yr / 100K mi
Corrosion (rust perforation)
5 yr / unlimited mi
Roadside assistance
5 yr / 60K mi

These are the terms for a new Dodge. If you're buying a used 2010 CALIBER, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Dodge dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)
$500
AIR BAGS(~50K mi)
$500
ENGINE(~50K mi)
$500
SUSPENSION(~50K mi)
$500
OTHER(~50K mi)
$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 246 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • ☐
    ELECTRICAL: TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED SEVERAL TIMES TO START THE IGNITION YET THE ENGINE FAILED TO ENGAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN REPROGRAMMED THE IGNITION KEY YET THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEAL

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    AIR BAGS: TL* THE CONTACT RENTED A 2010 DODGE CALIBER FROM A LOCAL VEHICLE RENTAL COMPANY. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE CRASHED AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. THERE WERE THREE REPORTED INJURIES AND BOTH THE POLICE AND MEDICAL UNITS ARRIVED ON SCENE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AC

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    ENGINE: 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

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    SUSPENSION: PER MY MECHANIC THE BALL JOINTS NEED REPLACED. HAVING SPOKEN WITH OTHER CALIBER OWNERS, IT SEEMS FAIRLY UNANIMOUS THAT THEY HAVE REPLACED OR NEED TO REPLACE THE BALL JOINTS ON THEIR CARS NOT LONG AFTER THE MANUFACTURER WARRANTY EXPIRES. FURTHER IT IS RECOMMENDED TO REPLACE THE WHOLE LOWER CONTROL A

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    RECALLS: Verify all 2 recalls have been completed — free at any Dodge dealer
  • ☐
    General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

Dodge CALIBER — Year Comparison

How does 2010 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.

2012
80Above Average
2011
271Avoid This Year
2010
246Below Average
Full years-to-avoid analysis →

NHTSA Safety Rating

No NHTSA safety rating available

At a Glance

Complaints
246
Recalls
2
Fire reports
4
Crash reports
15
Injury reports
20
Segment avg
246

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2010 Dodge CALIBER

Compare With

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