Dodge Caliber Years to Avoid — Worst & Best Years to Buy
Every Dodge Caliber model year (2007–2012) ranked by recall count, complaint volume, deaths, and injuries. Data sourced directly from NHTSA.
Dodge Caliber Years to Avoid
2 recalls · 689 complaints
26 reported injuries
Top issue: SUSPENSION
Problem score: 747
0 recalls · 300 complaints
14 reported injuries
2 reported deaths
Top issue: SUSPENSION
Problem score: 338
0 recalls · 181 complaints
5 reported injuries
Top issue: POWER TRAIN
Problem score: 191
Best Dodge Caliber Years to Buy
0 recalls · 49 complaints
Main area: AIR BAGS
Problem score: 59
1 recall · 121 complaints
Main area: AIR BAGS
Problem score: 134
1 recall · 128 complaints
Main area: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Problem score: 153
Found the right year? Verify that specific Caliber with a free VIN report.
Dodge Caliber — Year-by-Year Problem Report
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Problem Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 0 | 49 | 5 | — | 59 | Excellent |
| 2011 | 1 | 121 | 5 | — | 134 | Good |
| 2010 | 1 | 128 | 11 | — | 153 | Good |
| 2009 | 0 | 181 | 5 | — | 191 | Good |
| 2008 | 0 | 300 | 14 | 2 | 338 | Caution |
| 2007 | 2 | 689 | 26 | — | 747 | Avoid |
All 6 model years shown. Deaths and injuries from NHTSA complaint filings. Higher problem scores indicate more reported safety issues.
Dodge Caliber Shopping Guide by Era
Pre-2013
Proceed with CautionOlder Caliber models have more accumulated wear and a larger recall history. These are higher-risk purchases without documented maintenance records and a clean VIN history report.
Frequently Asked Questions
What year Caliber should I avoid?+
Avoid the 2007 Dodge Caliber if possible. It has 2 recalls, 689 owner complaints. The overall problem score is 747 — the highest in our dataset.
What is the best year Caliber to buy?+
The 2012 Dodge Caliber is the lowest-risk year in our analysis, with a problem score of 59. It has only 0 recalls and 49 complaints on record with NHTSA.
Which Caliber has the fewest problems?+
The 2012, 2011, 2010 model years have the fewest documented problems. Even for low-problem years, verifying a specific vehicle's history via its VIN is always recommended before purchase.
More Dodge Caliber Research
Check a Specific Dodge Caliber VIN
Model-year rankings show statistical risk. A VIN-specific report reveals the individual vehicle's full history — accidents, odometer rollbacks, auction records, and open recall status.
Run a Free VIN Report →