Dodge›Caliber›2010›2.4L/dodge/caliber/2010/2-4l/

PM platform

2010 Dodge Caliber — 2.4L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2010 Caliber 2.4L.

Body PASSENGER CAREngine 2.4LTransmission Automatic (variable gear ratios)

The 2010 Dodge Caliber 2.4L is a compact passenger car built on the PM platform and powered by a 2.4‑liter engine paired with an automatic transmission that offers variable gear ratios. Its EPA‑rated fuel economy stands at 21 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined, while the recommended oil is 4.5 quarts of 5W‑20 or 5W‑30 API viscosity. In the 2006‑2012 reliability window, the Caliber’s complaint count peaked in 2007 with 958 reports and dipped to just one in 2006, yet the 2010 model still recorded 157 owner complaints, the most frequent issue being suspension problems, and was subject to two recalls. This places the 2010 Caliber toward the upper end of its reliability spectrum, underscoring the importance of attentive maintenance, particularly of the suspension system.

Model year2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.5 qt w/ filterOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-20 / 5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy21/25/23 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 86 · 525 CCA battery, OE oil filter 04892339BE. Note the factory engine air filter is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 86 · 525 CCAOEM · verified

Tire sizeP215-55R18OEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	04892339BE
Engine air filter	04891694AA discontinued
Spark plug	SP0ZFR5F11 alt SP00ZFR5AP
Battery	BB34A901AA alt BBL02540AA
Front wiper blades	05183260AA alt 05183258AA
Thermostat	55111016AC alt 55111017AB
Cabin air filter	05058693AA

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic (variable gear ratios)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	173.6 in
Overall width	68.9 in
Overall height	60.2 in
Wheelbase	103.9 in
Curb weight	2965 lb
Track (front / rear)	59.8 / 59.1 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	59/41

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	21 / 25 / 23 mpg
Drivetrain	Front-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuel	Regular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.5 qt w/ filter of 5W-20 / 5W-30 API engine oil. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 21.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Engine Coolant	HOAT · MS9769
Engine Oil	5W-20 · API · 5W-30 · MS-6395
Engine Oil Capacity	4.5 qt w/ filter
Engine Oil	80W-90 · GL-5 · MS-9020
Engine Oil Capacity	1.1 PInts
Power Steering Fluid	ATF +4

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs	M6 Bolts: 9 ft-lbs, M8 Bolts: 22 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	155 ft-lbs
Cylinder Head Steps	If your bolt has the short head
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	18.4 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	25 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	18.4 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	25 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	21.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	100 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	180 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-4-2
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance	.504-.616 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance	5220-6380 ohms
Spark Plug Manufacturer	Champion
Spark Plug Gap	0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque	20.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.13-1.31 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Oil Capacity	3.40-4.10 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	86
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	525 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test	15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	Primary: 179, Secondary: 203 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)	58.0 + or - 5.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance	12 approx. @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression	170
Intake Valve Lash	Hydraulic in
Exhaust Valve Lash	Hydraulic in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	32 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	52 ft-lbs / 80 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.040; Rear: 0.040 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.0006 in / 0.0002 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.0024 in / 0.0016 in / 0.004 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	0.386 in / 1.02 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To	0.402 in / 1.028 in
Rotor Discard at or Under	0.331 in / 0.961 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

15 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90

15 ft. lbs

Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

22 ft. lbs., Step 2: 51

22 ft. lbs

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

Prep Bolts stamped with the letter B or the number 6 use the following torque procedure.

1	11 ft. lbs., Step 2: 20 ft. lbs., Step 3: 45 degrees; Bolts that are not stamped with the letter B or the number 6 use the following torque procedure.	11 ft. lbs
1	11 ft. lbs., Step 2: 33 ft. lbs., Step 3: 45 degrees	11 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 6,000 mi; spark plugs at 102,000 mi; coolant at 102,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 102,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 6,000 mi	Brake Line (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate) · Transmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
At 12,000 mi	CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 12,000 mi	Brake Linings (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Suspension System (inspect) · Tie Rod (inspect)
Every 24,000 mi	CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 30,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Parking Brake System (adjust)
At 48,000 mi	CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
At 102,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 120,000 mi	Drive Belt (replace) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)

Owner how-tos

Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.

Common procedures

Key fob — remote (RKE) programming programming new fob buttons Dealer tool OEM · verified

Tool required	DRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
Why	Transmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module

Anti-theft (SKIS) — module initialization after immobilizer module replacement Dealer tool OEM · verified

When needed	After Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool required	DRBIII scan tool
Also required	The vehicle's four-digit PIN code

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2010 Dodge Caliber occupies the latter half of the model generation's complaint decline, registering 157 complaints—a significant reduction from the 2007 peak of 958 yet preceding the generation's low of 49 in 2012. This year recorded two recalls and one investigation, matching 2011's regulatory activity but exceeding 2009's single recall and zero investigations, indicating sustained safety scrutiny despite decreasing owner reports. Federal data identifies suspension (15 complaints), air bags (14), and electrical systems (13) as primary concern areas, with 12 crash-related and 3 fire-related complaints recorded, though specific root causes are not specified in the federal record. While 2010 shows modest improvement over 2009's 232 complaints, it carries higher recall volume than the immediately preceding years and nearly identical complaint counts to 2011. Against the backdrop of the generation's turbulent early years, 2010 represents a moderately improved vintage with stabilized complaint rates, making it a comparatively reasonable selection provided both recall campaigns have been addressed.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

157

Owner complaints

12 involved a crash · 3 a fire

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’06 ’07 ’08 ’09’10’11 ’12

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 157 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Suspension15

Air Bags14

Air Bags,Seat Belts13

Electrical System13

Unknown Or Other9

Power Train9

Exterior Lighting4

Vehicle Speed Control4

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

16V668000Seat Belts:PretensionerReported 15/09/2016

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… Remedy: 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…

10V197000Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:LatchReported 11/05/2010

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 DODGE CALIBER VEHICLES. SOME VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH AN INCORRECT DOOR LOCK ROD IN THE RIGHT FRONT DOOR. Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE FRONT RIGHT DOOR LOCK ROD AS REQUIRED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JUNE 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 44 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
9100226	2023-09-15	Electrical System	Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar…
9100226	2023-09-15	Electrical System	Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar…
9100196	2023-07-27	Equipment	Lubrication and Maintenance Fluids If MOPAR fluids and chemicals are not readily…
S2209000004	2022-04-02	Engine And Engine Cooling	If a Mopar oil filter is not available, use a filter that meets or exceeds USCAR36…
9004509	2022-03-30	Power Train	Oil Filter If a Mopar Oil Filter is not available, use a filter that meets or exceeds…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Caliber. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 86 battery Vehicles taking 4.5 qt w/ filter PM-platform vehicles Engine oil filter 04892339BE Engine air filter 04891694AA Spark plug SP0ZFR5F11 Battery BB34A901AA

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2010 Caliber 2.4L take?

4.5 qt w/ filter of 5W-20 API OR 5W-30 API MEETING CHRYSLER SPECIFICATION MS-6395, per the factory manual.

Does the 2010 Caliber have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 2.4L get?

EPA figures are 21 city / 25 highway / 23 combined mpg.