Wrench.Pro

2011 Dodge Caliber Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2011 Dodge Caliber carries 2 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering pretensioner and column. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “Electronic throttle control sudden deceleration.” Dodge uses Stellantis' Oil Change Indicator — it watches engine load and duty cycle and messages when to change oil, capped at 10,000 miles or 12 months. Know your engine: the 3.6L Pentastar V6 goes 100,000 miles on plugs, while HEMI V8s carry sixteen plugs (two per cylinder) on a roughly 30,000-mile interval — that's a real cost difference at the service counter. HEMI models with MDS cylinder deactivation are especially sensitive to overdue oil.

2 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER

Campaign #16V668000 · Sep 15, 2016

Issue: 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.

STEERING:COLUMN

Campaign #11V315000 · Aug 6, 2011

Issue: CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011DODGE JOURNEY, JEEP WRANGLER, CHRYSLER 200, CHRYSLER 200 CONVERTIBLE, DODGE AVENGER, DODGE NITRO, JEEP LIBERTY, DODGE CALIBER, JEEP COMPASS, JEEP PATRIOT, DODGE GRAND CARAVAN AND CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH A MISSING OR INCORRECTLY INSTALLED STEERING COLUMN PIVOT RIVET.

Risk: A MISSING OR INCORRECTLY INSTALLED RIVET COULD COMPROMISE THE ABILITY OF THE STEERING COLUMN TO SUPPORT THE OCCUPANT LOADS IN THE EVENT OF A FRONTAL CRASH, DECREASING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE FRONTAL IMPACT SAFETY SYSTEM. AS A RESULT, THE CONDITION MAY INCREASE THE POTENTIAL FOR INJURY IN A FRONTAL CRASH.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR RIVET PRESENCE AND ALIGNMENT AND REPAIR THE STEERING COLUMN PIVOT AS REQUIRED, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 4, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Recall data refreshed Sep 13, 2026.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2011 Dodge Caliber.

Reported to NHTSA

Electronic throttle control sudden deceleration

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ENGINE

22 NHTSA complaints · 2013-12 → 2022-01

“MY CAR SUDDENLY DECELERATES TO 2MPH WHEN ETC LIGHT COMES ON. IT HAPPENS ABOUT 5 TIMES A DAY AND I HAVE TO IMMEDIATELY PULL OVER AND RESTART MY CAR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11078591
“ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL FAILED 4 TIMES, 2 TIMES IN HAZARDOUS SITUATIONS. I.E. NO THROTTLE CONTROL ON A HIGH SPEED INTERSTATE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10823254
“I HAVE EXPERIENCED MY CAR SUDDENLY DECREASING SPEED TO AROUND 30 MPH AFTER THE THROTTLE BODY LIGHT COMES ON”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10816386

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Headlight and taillight housing water intrusion

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

4 NHTSA complaints · 2015-07 → 2019-05

“THE HEADLIGHT HOUSINGS AND THE TAILLIGHT HOUSINGS HAVE ISSUES WITH THE SEALS WHICH ALLOW WATER TO ENTER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10980212
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, MOISTURE LEAKED INTO THE FRONT HEADLIGHTS WITHOUT WARNING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11190256
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT NOTICED EXCESSIVE MIST WITHIN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TAIL LIGHT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10734639

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Subframe and crossmember corrosion

SUSPENSION, STRUCTURE

38 NHTSA complaints · 2016-12 → 2024-01

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD NOISE AND VEERED TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT WARNING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11296933
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 20 MPH, A POP SOUND WAS HEARD AND THERE WAS SMOKE FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11328380
“MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING OUR 2011 CALIBER BACK FROM COLLEGE ON ST RT 14. AS SHE WENT TO TURN RIGHT ONTO OUR ROAD,THE TIRE ON DRIVER SIDE BUCKLED UNDER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11128011

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Airbag and seat belt recall parts unavailable

AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS

21 NHTSA complaints · 2016-11 → 2017-09

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V668000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11000505
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V668000 (AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS), BUT DID NOT RECEIVE A MANUFACTURER RECALL NOTICE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10993906
“I WAS MADE AWARE OF SAFETY RECALL S61/ NHTSA 16V-668 VIA MAIL ON MONDAY THE 21ST AND HAVE MADE MULTIPLE CALLS AND EMAILS TO THE FIAT CHRYSLER AUTOMOTIVE COMPANY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10926859

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Unexpected engine stall while driving

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

17 NHTSA complaints · 2011-06 → 2012-11

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP BUT THE VEHICLE STALLED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10422785
“CAR HAS STALLED ROUGHLY 7-9 TIMES. SEVERAL TIMES IT HAS STALLED WHILE COMPLETELY STOPPED BEHIND ANOTHER VEHICLE OR AT A RED LIGHT AND 2 TIMES HAS STALLED WHILE MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN AND I ALMOST GOT NAILED BY ON-COMING TRAFFIC”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10417152
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10413372

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Airbag non-deployment in crash

AIR BAGS

4 NHTSA complaints · 2015-11 → 2020-12

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10930271
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER DOOR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10806216
“THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH AND JUMPED A DITCH AND STRUCK A POLE ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11383597

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Note: NHTSA also opened 1 defect investigation(s) on this vehicle that closed without action.

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 13, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 13, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (Oil Change Indicator)

Every 10,000 mi

Change when the indicator says so — never beyond 10,000 miles or 12 months. Pentastar 3.6L: 0W-20. HEMI 5.7L: 5W-20 (0W-40 for 6.4L SRT). MDS-equipped HEMIs punish stretched oil intervals with lifter and cam wear.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 8,000 mi

Rotate every 8,000 miles. Charger/Challenger R/T and Scat Pack: staggered-width setups can't rotate front-to-rear — budget rear tires accordingly.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 10,000 mi

Inspect pads and rotors at every oil change. Heavy Durangos used for towing and hard-driven Chargers both run through rear pads faster than the front-pad-first rule of thumb suggests.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Spark Plugs

Every 30,000 mi

HEMI 5.7L: sixteen plugs roughly every 30,000 miles — check your year's manual. Pentastar 3.6L (Charger/Challenger V6, Durango V6, Journey, Grand Caravan): 100,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

Grand Caravan/Journey (62TE): ATF+4 service every 60,000 miles in family duty. Charger/Challenger/Durango with the TorqueFlite 8-speed: no published normal interval, but specialists recommend service around 60,000-100,000 miles — sooner with towing.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Rear Differential Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

RWD Charger/Challenger and AWD Durango: replace rear diff fluid around 60,000 miles, sooner with towing or drag-strip duty. Limited-slip units need the friction-modifier additive.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace every 30,000 miles. HEMIs pull serious airflow — a clogged filter costs measurable power before it throws a code.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Serpentine Belt

Every 60,000 mi

Inspect from 60,000 miles, replace on cracking or glazing. On the HEMI, a shredded belt can take the cooling drive with it mid-drive.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 20,000 mi

Replace every 20,000 miles where equipped (behind the glovebox on most models). Some earlier Journeys and Avengers shipped without one — check before buying a filter.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Coolant Replacement (OAT)

Every 100,000 mi

Stellantis OAT coolant is scheduled for 10 years / 150,000 miles; shops commonly refresh by 100,000. OAT-compatible coolant only — mixing chemistries gels the system.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Battery Test & Service

Every 25,000 mi

Test annually after year 3. Big-audio Chargers and tow-package Durangos lean on the battery hard; weak batteries surface as gremlins in the electronics before they fail to crank.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$225–$390

Shop

~$160–$280

DIY

~$130–$250

Most auto-parts stores test and install batteries free with purchase. Skip the dealer markup.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

51 crashes 2010–2024

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

9

complaints mentioning a crash

1

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2011 Dodge Caliber reflects Dodge's published service intervals and the Oil Change Indicator System system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

Check another vehicle →