2012 Dodge Caliber User Reviews

Pros

Good gas mileage, very reliable, low maintenance

Cons

Brakes aren't very good, traction and acceleration are horrible

Purchased As Used

My mom bought this car used 5 years ago. It was great then. Since it was still almost brand new like we had very little problems. She then gave it to me 3 years ago when I was 16. Since then I have literally had to replace everything which is to be expected of a car that is technically 6 years old (it's a 2008). My main issue is the car has very low traction. I bought new tires in August and I still slip and slide everywhere. And don't even try the snow. But the little guy is very reliable. I drive about 75 miles almost everyday and it has not broken down at all. Only thing is starting it in the cold it takes longer than usual but if you take care of it like I have it should start right up no problem. If your looking for a reliable car with low acceleration and not so great traction in snow/rain then this is perfect for you....read morehide

Pros

MPG, Radio, Layout, Seating, HVAC, Paint

Cons

Hey Dodge - these brakes are the worst

Purchased As New

I like the adjustable drivers seat; warms up quickly in the winter - best heater ever in any car. Comes with Satellite radio without buying a $1000 option pkg! Armrests and layout are very good. Seats acceptable for price of car. Backseat actually useable for 2 adults! Sorta noisy inside cabin, but the brakes are what irk me the most. ABS works fine, but brake pad fail in 10K and squeal and require annual replacement! Dodge should recall all of these cars and put new brake pads in them. Gas mileage great on highway (about 27, but only low 20s in the city with A/C on). Neat glove compartment for water bottles. Decent car for the money IF they fix the brake problems. Wish it came with a 'compass' display and optional heated seats. Good ground clearance and paint is better than most low-end cars. Wish Dodge still made these instead of the Dart. Like all CVT cars, the acceleration is poor in exchange for better gas mileage. Wish they had a hybrid version or all electric version for sale!...read morehide

Pros

Good quality for the cost, mileage is excellent, perfect size with awesome cargo space.

Cons

My only complaint is if the front windows are up and back windows down there is a loud vibration.

Purchased As New

I absolutely love this vehicle. I've had it for over a year now and would recommend it for anyone. My daughter "borrows" it often. That alone validates it in my book. The little extras are a nice touch...the 110w plug, the cooler/ glove compartment, the recharging flashlight in the hatch, the phone chargers for the back seat...all very nice. It handles well in bad weather also....read morehide

Pros

gas economy is around 23 m.p g to 25 m.pg

Cons

none

Purchased As New

not a bad car for the money , not sure about the bad reviews here . must be kids and they think $18,000 is high end car

Pros

good mileage

Cons

this is not the kind of car you buy used

Purchased As Used

I bought the car the used and I have numerous problems. Problem with no a quiet riding car this is because I need brake hubs which are expensive. Then I had a over heating problem that was hard to detect. After find out and fixing the problem the motor went out I will never buy another.

Pros

great gas milage, I love this car, Havn't had any problems with this car

Cons

Wish mine came with Goodyear tires new.

Purchased As New

I just love to ride in this car. I have the 2.0 Lt.engine and the gas mileage is great 34-36 if you drive it right. This the first small car I have owned and I fill like I am in a larger car when I ride in it. I don't get tried of riding long distance. Grant it is not a luxury car, but you are not prying the big bucks either.
I would buy another one....read morehide

Pros

I like the engine power performance

Cons

With windows down, it makes to much vibration/ noise.

Purchased As New

The suspension on this car is to stiff. Went you hit a bump , ride to rough.

Pros

looks alright from a distance

Cons

Buy this car only if you are deaf and dumb

Purchased As Not Purchased

I have to bow down in awe; this chariot is indeed a feat of engineering. How else can one explain all the squeaks, squeals, squawks and thump produced by this 2012 (AD) model?
We rented this tiny Caliber of a car from Enterprise for 12 days while our Mazda was being fixed.
There was hardly a maneuver that did not occasion an unwanted noise: accelerating, breaking, turning, loading, not to mention going over the smallest bump. I double checked the mileage to make sure it was not reading 400k. No, it was barely 40k.
Pushing the accelerator pedal was a most painful thing to do; the engine produced a roar akin to the distress bray of a female donkey being violated and yet, not much else happened in terms of motion that is.
Although I am sure that I would learn to like and maybe love such a beast, just like mothers learn to love the ugliest of kids, why even go there when there are so many other better options out there??...read morehide

Pros

I've had no problems with this car, I love it.

Cons

Seats could be a bit more plush.

Purchased As New

Gets super MPG. It is easy to manuvre around in a city and drives really well on curvy country roads. I lay down the back seats and load it up with everything I need for a week. I can carry everything I need plus have at least two passengers with one of the second row's seats down for more room to carry packages etc.
I get around really well in snow, maybe because I have it loaded up with things and it weighs more....read morehide