Check a vehicle VIN check Latest recalls Latest complaints Common problems Rankings Compare vehicles Recall roundups All makes Guides Share your experience
Theme

Acceleration & cruise control

2012 Dodge Caliber Acceleration problems

Owners have filed 7 complaints about the 2012 Dodge Caliber's acceleration & cruise control with NHTSA - 14% of all its complaints, most recently on May 16, 2020. They describe 3 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries. Unintended acceleration, surging, throttle problems and cruise or adaptive cruise faults.

Complaints
7
Recalls
0
Crashes
3
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
0

Acceleration complaints

Electrical systemLightsAcceleration & cruise control

I recently brought a used vehicle, when I took it for a test drive everything ran smoothly and things were working just fine, no problems. I drove the car home and when I got out the vehicle and tried to use the keypad to lock the doors, it didn't work and actually started the car than the alarm went off. I had to start the engine and shut it back off and manually go and lock all doors because I also noticed the lock door button on the door did not work but the window buttons does. I immediately called them and...

Read the full complaint

informed them of the issue that I was experiencing. About 1 week went by and I started to feel the car dragging when trying to accelerate as well as the check engine light and gas cap light coming on. And most of all I noticed how quickly the mileage was moving versus the mileage I signed it at. I also called in and reported what I was experiencing, they suggested I bring in the vehicle to a shop they contract with to see the problem and resolve it. I took the vehicle in on the next available day for me for about 4-6 hours, I was called back to pick the vehicle back up. The check engine light and gas cap light was off but nothing else as far as the electrical problem within the car, and the dragging feeling as well as the mileage troubleshooting. I wasn't satisfied with the work that was done, so I called again to report the troubles and request for a refund because I was not satisfied with the vehicle and how high the mileage goes when I only drive 25 miles back and forth 6 days a week. I've had the vehicle for 8 weeks now, and this car maintenance is poor as well as I have a strong feeling the cars been tampered with because of the damage to one of the vents in the car on the dash board, as well as the car needing an oil change already and I only had the vehicle since march 20, 2020. *Tr

Filed Incident Electrical system · Exterior lighting · Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 11324810
Acceleration & cruise control

When braking the electric throttle control light flashes momentarily. It does not stay on. The car does not brake completely at these times and continues to accelerate and move forward another foot or two despite pressing the brake. When braking today the car continued to accelerate faster while the foot was on the brake. In researching this, it seems the caliber specifically has a history of etc or electric throttle issues. Years affected by this safety issue include 2007 through 2012; but there is no official...

Read the full complaint

recall from dodge. This is a recall necessary issue! The essential function of acceleration and braking are non compromise areas of vehicle design that dodge has done little to address in the caliber model.

Filed Incident Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 11180654
SteeringAcceleration & cruise controlDriver assistance

My oils and fluid levels were fine. I have about 74,000 on my vehicle, and just had a recent oil change about 300 miles or so ago. While driving around 35 mph on a local street, my vehicle''s check engine light and abs light came on. The steering went out and I immediately lost the ability to steer or maintain speed. I coasted my vehicle into a wendy's. I immediately restarted my car, and made it into the parking lot before losing the ability to steer and manage my speed, again. I managed to get it the 2 miles or so home. I got it towed, and I am waiting to hear from the dealership.

Filed Incident Steering · Vehicle speed control · Electronic stability control (ESC)NHTSA 10926370
Acceleration & cruise control

Rear speed sensor went messing with traction control cruise control and abs system none of them working sue to one sensor on one wheel not working properly after a wheel bearing hub went and got replaced. *Js

Filed Incident Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 10608835
Transmission & drivetrainAcceleration & cruise controlCrash

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. ...

Read the full complaint

Chrysler was contacted about warranty defect and took two weeks to respond by letter and declines participation with any costs associated with this incident. Letter is a contradiction saying all sysrems were found to be operating properly but noted a problem with the ignition switch the dealer should repair. Roll away can have very serious consequences. *Tr

Filed Incident Power train · Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 10546385
Transmission & drivetrainAcceleration & cruise controlCrash

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....

Read the full complaint

Car is now at a dodge dealership. Chrysler corporation is sending an 'independent' chrysler inspector who then sends a damage report to chrysler. Then a 'special investigation' will follow. No estimate on when chrysler may respond. Ongoing lack of urgency in chrysler corporation response cannot be penetrated. Car was in the woods for 2 days and now in shop for the 3rd day. Dealership has been accomodating and provided a rental car for 5 days. The manufacturer safety component that failed creates great potential for injury and damage.

Filed Incident Power train · Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 10544259
Transmission & drivetrainAcceleration & cruise controlEngine & coolingCrash

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. *Tr

Filed Incident Power train · Vehicle speed control · EngineNHTSA 10543786

Dodge Caliber acceleration complaints by year

Caliber acceleration problems, every year

Had a acceleration problem with your 2012 Caliber? Tell other owners.

Your experience goes live straight away and helps every owner and buyer who checks this vehicle. Anonymous, free, no account.

Overall, how would you rate it? *

0/4000 · Please leave out names, phone numbers and your full VIN.

By posting you confirm it's your own, honest experience and agree to the rules. Safety defect? Also report it to NHTSA - that's how recalls start.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

Owners helping owners

Know before you drive.

Every experience you share - good or bad - shows on that vehicle's page and helps the next owner and buyer. Two minutes, anonymous.

Share your experience