Head-to-head reliability
Dodge Caliber vs Toyota Camry
How the Dodge Caliber and Toyota Camry compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Dodge Caliber vs Toyota Camry: The Caliber averages 277 complaints per year with 10 recalls, while the Camry averages 205.6 complaints per year with 31 recalls. The Caliber has more suspension and structural complaints; the Camry has more power train and electronic issues. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Dodge Caliber or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Dodge Caliber
The Dodge Caliber is a compact hatchback that, based on owner complaints, can be a headache to own. It averages 277 complaints per year over seven years, with many reports of suspension, electrical, and structural problems. Owners frequently describe clunking noises, rusted subframes, and electrical shutdowns. These issues often appear at low mileage, suggesting a pattern of premature wear.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a midsize sedan with a generally better complaint rate: about 206 per year over ten years. However, owners of newer models report power train hesitation, brake noises, and multiple electronic system malfunctions. Recalls are more frequent (31 vs. 10), often for seat and air bag sensors. While the Camry has fewer complaints per year, the issues reported can be serious and affect drivability.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Dodge Caliber | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1,939 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 10 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 121 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 277.0 | 205.6 Better |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 95 Better | 158 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 4 | 1 Better |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
Dodge Caliber
- 01SUSPENSION522
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM357
- 03STRUCTURE345
- 04POWER TRAIN227
- 05VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL201
Owners report leaking struts, replaced control arms, and clunking noises from the front end, often diagnosed as failed cross members. These failures can affect steering and ride comfort, and may lead to costly repairs even at low mileage.
Complaints include keypad locks failing, doors not locking, and complete vehicle shutdowns. Such issues can leave you stranded and are often intermittent, making them hard to diagnose.
Reports of wobbling at highway speeds, rattling from the front subframe, and rusted subframes. Structural rust can compromise safety and is expensive to fix.
Owners describe shift interlock assembly failures causing vehicles to roll away when parked, and transmission settings not engaging. This is a serious safety concern that can lead to crashes.
“MY CAR CURRENTLY HAS 23000 MILES ON IT AND STILL UNDER STANDARD WARRANTY. WITHIN THE LAST MONTH & 1/2 OR SO THEY HAVE HAD TO REPLACE NEARLY EVERYTHING UNDERNEATH, ALL HAVING TO DO WITH SUSPENSION AND STEERING. STRUTS WERE LEAKING, CONTROL ARMS WERE REPLACED,…”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A CLUNKING NOISE EMERGING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CROSS MEMBERS ON BOTH SIDES NEED…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners of 2023 Camrys report the ignition key getting stuck in Park, requiring battery disconnection to remove. Others note hesitation and shuddering with the check engine light on, which can indicate transmission or engine issues.
Multiple system malfunctions are reported, including smart stop, stability control, power steering, blind spot monitoring, and lane keeping assistance failing simultaneously. These electronic glitches can be unpredictable and costly to repair.
Complaints include delayed throttle response when pressing the accelerator, with several seconds of hesitation before the car moves. This can be dangerous when merging or crossing traffic.
The electronic parking brake may not disengage, requiring a tow, and a clicking or vibrating noise from the brake pedal area is common. Owners are told it's normal, but it can be annoying and may indicate ABS issues.
“My 2023 Toyota Camry has developed an intermittent defect where the ignition key becomes stuck and cannot be removed even though the dashboard shows the vehicle is in Park. The only way to remove the key is to disconnect the vehicle's battery, which is not a…”
“The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was hesitating and shuddering, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
Dodge Caliber — 10 recalls
The defect: 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 pret…
The 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.
The 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 Chrys…
The defect: 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 pret…
The 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.
The 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 Chrys…
The defect: 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 BUIL…
The 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…
The 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.
The defect: 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 pret…
The 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.
The 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 Chrys…
Toyota Camry — 31 recalls
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The lug nuts that attach the wheels to the vehicle may be loose, which can result in wheel detachment.
The risk: A wheel that detaches from a moving vehicle can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Dealers will inspect and tighten the lug nuts, and replace any damaged components, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…
The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short cir…
The risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…
The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…
Buyer analysis
Dodge Caliber or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Toyota Camry has fewer complaints per year (205.6 vs. 277.0), suggesting a lower overall rate of owner-reported problems. However, the Camry has more recalls (31 vs. 10) and more crash-related complaints (171 vs. 121). In practice, the Caliber may require more frequent repairs, while the Camry may have fewer but potentially more severe issues.
Key differences
- The Dodge Caliber has a higher complaint rate per year (277 vs. 205.6), with suspension and electrical issues being most common.
- The Toyota Camry has more recalls (31 vs. 10), often for seat and air bag sensors, which may require dealer visits.
- Caliber owners report structural rust and subframe failures, while Camry owners report electronic system malfunctions and brake noises.
- The Caliber has fewer crash-related complaints (121 vs. 171) but more injuries per crash? Actually, injuries: Caliber 95, Camry 158; deaths: Caliber 4, Camry 1.
- Inspect the front suspension for leaking struts, worn control arms, and clunking noises during a test drive.
- Check the subframe and undercarriage for rust, especially in areas with road salt, as rusted subframes are a reported issue.
- Test the ignition key removal in Park; if it sticks, it may indicate a power train defect.
- Listen for clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal area and check if the electronic parking brake disengages properly.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report to check for recalls and accident damage.
- Have a mechanic inspect the suspension and undercarriage for rust or worn components, especially on the Caliber.
- Test drive at various speeds and listen for unusual noises from the engine, transmission, and brakes.
- Verify that all electronic systems (lights, locks, infotainment, driver aids) function correctly.
- Ask for maintenance records to see if known issues have been addressed.
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Dodge Caliber or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Dodge Caliber vs Toyota Camry
- Dodge Caliber total complaints
- 1,939
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- Dodge Caliber total recalls
- 10
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Dodge Caliber avg complaints/year
- 277.0
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- Toyota Camry
- Dodge Caliber top complaint area
- SUSPENSION
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN