DodgeCaliber20112.2L/dodge/caliber/2011/2-2l/
PM platform

2011 Dodge Caliber — 2.2L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2011 Caliber 2.2L.

Body PASSENGER CAREngine 2.2L

The 2011 Dodge Caliber is a compact passenger car built on the PM platform and powered by a 2.2‑liter engine, pairing a straightforward hatchback architecture with modest displacement. Across its production run from 2006 to 2012, the model logged a total of 165 owner complaints and two recalls, with air‑bag and seat‑belt issues emerging as the most frequently reported problem area. While the 2007 model year saw a peak of 958 complaints, the earliest 2006 model recorded only a single complaint, placing the 2011 Caliber in the middle of a reliability curve that is neither the worst nor the best for the generation. This positioning suggests that the 2011 iteration offers a relatively average reliability record within the model’s overall history.

Model year201220112010

Quick specs

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

Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses OE oil filter 04892339BE. 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.

Tire sizeP205-70R15OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter04892339BE
Engine air filter04593914AB
Spark plugSP0ZFR5F11
BatteryBB86F101AA
Front wiper blades05183260AA alt 05183258AA
Thermostat55111017AB alt 55111016AC
Cabin air filter05058693AA

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length173.6 in
Overall width68.9 in
Overall height60.2 in
Wheelbase103.9 in
Curb weight2941 lb
Track (front / rear)59.8 / 59.1 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)56/44

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine 80W-90 · GL-5 · MS-9020 in the differential. 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

Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5 · MS-9020
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.1 Pints
Engine CoolantHOAT · MS9769
Power Steering FluidATF +4

Engine torques

Cylinder Head StepsIf your bolt has the short head
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug21.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts100 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub180 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance.504-.616 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance5220-6380 ohms
Spark Plug ManufacturerChampion
Spark Plug Gap0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque20.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.13-1.31 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity3.40-4.10 oz

Service checks

Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)58.0 + or - 5.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance12 approx. @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression170
Engine Oil Pressure25-80 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM3000 rpm
Intake Valve LashHydraulic in
Exhaust Valve LashHydraulic in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket32 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle52 ft-lbs / 80 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.040; Rear: 0.040 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0006 in / 0.0002 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.0024 in / 0.0016 in / 0.004 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.386 in / 1.02 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To0.402 in / 1.028 in
Rotor Discard at or Under0.331 in / 0.961 in

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 8,000 mi; spark plugs every 32,000 mi; coolant at 104,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 104,000 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 8,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate) · Transmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
At 16,000 miCV Joint Boot (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 16,000 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Suspension System (inspect) · Tie Rod (inspect)
Every 24,000 miCV Joint Boot (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 32,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Parking Brake System (adjust) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 48,000 miCV Joint Boot (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 96,000 miPCV Valve (inspect)
At 104,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 120,000 miDrive 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 requiredDRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
WhyTransmitter 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 neededAfter Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool
Also requiredThe 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 2011 Dodge Caliber sits within a generation that saw complaint volumes spike dramatically in 2007 (958 complaints) before steadily declining through 2010 (157 complaints). The target year records a slight uptick to 165 complaints, accompanied by 2 recalls and 1 investigation, which mirrors the prior year’s recall count and continues a pattern of moderate regulatory attention. Notably, the 86 technical service bulletins for 2011 are substantially higher than earlier years, suggesting that many potential issues have been identified and documented by the manufacturer, though the data does not specify root causes. Top complaint areas—air bags, seat belts, and suspension—align with the vehicle’s aging systems, and the presence of 9 crash-related complaints warrants consideration. Overall, the 2011 Caliber represents a relatively stable point in the model’s lifecycle, but the slight complaint increase and high TSB count imply that a 2012 model, with fewer complaints and similar bulletin coverage, may offer a more refined ownership experience.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
86
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
165
Owner complaints
9 involved a crash · 1 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 165 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags,Seat Belts19
Suspension14
Air Bags12
Structure9
Engine & Engine Cooling8
Power Train7
Engine7
Electrical System5

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…

11V315000Steering:ColumnReported 08/06/2011

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… Remedy: 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 86 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
U67 Combo Rev112026-06-18EngineEmissions Recall U67 - Catalytic Converter Efficiency - Dealer Notification (Revision 11)
91002262023-09-15Electrical SystemConnector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar…
91002262023-09-15Electrical SystemConnector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar…
91001962023-07-27EquipmentLubrication and Maintenance Fluids If MOPAR fluids and chemicals are not readily…
U67 Combo Rev102023-01-14Power TrainEmissions recal U67 Catalytic Converter Efficiency

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.

Reference guides

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

Frequently asked

Does the 2011 Caliber have open recalls?

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