I was traveling at approximately 40 MPH when I lost consciousness due to adverse reaction to a prescribed medication. Approached retro-style pickup truck stopped at red light & because of being unconscious didn't apply brakes to slow down & stop. Frontal crash into rear end of stopped vehicle. Airbags didn't deploy nor did seatbelt engage to prevent me from being thrust forward face first into…
2010 Dodge Caliber airbags problems
severe 30 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
30
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
7crashes
1fire
9injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 30 airbags complaints filed for the 2010 Dodge Caliber, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 30 airbags complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Among the 6 model years of Dodge Caliber in our records for airbags problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: Airbag non-deployment in frontal crashes is the most serious reported issue—at least four owners were injured when bags failed to deploy during collisions at moderate speeds. Add the widespread Takata recall parts shortages that left owners waiting months with no fix, and this vehicle's safety systems are unreliable enough that a used-car shopper should get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic and be prepared to handle recall work at their own cost.
The 2010 Dodge Caliber has generated 30 complaints centered on airbag system failures. The most critical issue is airbag non-deployment during frontal collisions. At least four owners report that airbags failed to deploy in crashes ranging from 5 mph to 70 mph, resulting in injuries including dental damage, head trauma, chest and back strain, and whiplash. One owner who lost consciousness and struck a parked vehicle stated Chrysler informed them that airbag sensors were positioned too low to detect impact from vehicles of different heights—a geometric design flaw that raises serious safety questions. Most owners reported no warning lights before the crash, giving them no indication the system was compromised.
Takata recall parts shortages dominate the complaint log. Between 2016 and 2017, owners received NHTSA Campaign 16V668000 notifications but dealers could not obtain replacement parts for months. Multiple owners report the manufacturer exceeded reasonable repair timelines with no status updates; one owner waited from June through August with a promised delivery date that never materialized and a dealer who had no record of the order.
Post-recall airbag failures also surface: one owner had their airbag serviced under recall, and within a year the airbag warning light came on. A dealership charged $107.66 to diagnose and quoted $438.50 to fix the faulty part they had installed—then refused warranty coverage. The owner paid a separate mechanic $232.50 to resolve the issue.
Intermittent airbag warning light complaints cite lights triggering during braking, bumps, or highway driving, sometimes after dealer repair attempts failed to resolve the issue. One owner reported a clock spring failure at 90,000 miles requiring replacement.
Same Dodge Caliber airbags reports on nearby years: 2007 · 2008 · 2011 · 2012
Failure modes owners describe
Airbag non-deployment in frontal collision
Airbags failed to deploy during frontal or near-frontal crashes at various speeds (5–70 mph), resulting in injuries ranging from dental damage to head, chest, and back trauma. One complaint cited airbag sensors positioned too low to detect impact from vehicles of different heights.
When: At impact; failure mileages reported between 80,000 and 189,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: No airbag deployment during collision; Occupant struck steering wheel or dash; No warning lights before crash; Injuries sustained due to lack of restraint
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reported Chrysler acknowledged sensors positioned too low; repairs not completed by most owners due to lack of dealer response or refusal to repair at no cost.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler advised contacting NHTSA; manufacturer claimed vehicle no longer covered under recall in some cases; one dealer offered no explanation for non-deployment.
Airbag warning light—intermittent or persistent illumination
Airbag warning light displayed on instrument panel intermittently or continuously. Some complaints link this to recent recall service, suggesting repair-induced faults.
When: Intermittently during driving (triggered by braking, bumps, highway driving); one case shortly after recall repair at ~115,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light on/off intermittently; Light triggered by braking or small bumps; Light persists after dealer repair attempt; Light illuminates after recall service completion
Codes mentioned: SRS warning indicator
Repairs/costs cited: One owner charged $107.66 diagnosis plus $438.50 for faulty airbag installed by Chrysler dealer during recall; owner paid $232.50 (parts $150, labor $82.50) at independent shop. Another dealer repair attempt did not resolve intermittent light.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 16V668000 (Seat Belts, Air Bags); vehicle declared out of warranty/recall coverage in one case despite recent repair.
Clock spring (spiral cable) failure
Driver-side airbag clock spring failed, disabling the airbag system. Clock spring is the coiled electrical connector that allows steering wheel movement while maintaining airbag circuit continuity.
When: At approximately 90,000 miles; noted during routine diagnosis
Symptoms owners cite: Clock spring failure diagnosed by dealer
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer informed owner clock spring replacement was needed. Vehicle was not repaired; owner took no further action.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None documented.
Takata recall—parts unavailability
Owners notified of NHTSA Campaign 16V668000 (Seat Belts, Air Bags) but replacement parts were not available for extended periods, leaving owners unable to complete recall remedy. Manufacturer exceeded reasonable timeframe for parts delivery. Multiple owners reported no status updates or clear timeline for resolution.
When: Notifications issued 2016–2017; parts delays extended months beyond promised dates
Symptoms owners cite: Recall notification received but parts unavailable; Manufacturer exceeded reasonable repair timeframe; No status updates or timeline provided to owners; One owner waited from June through August with no dealer communication
Codes mentioned: NHTSA Campaign 16V668000
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple VIN tool confirmations of parts unavailability. One owner reported promised parts delivery date (6/1/17) passed with no parts arrival; follow-up dealer inquiry (8/1/17) showed dealer had no record of the order.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 16V668000 (Seat Belts, Air Bags) issued; manufacturer made aware of parts delays in some cases; no alternative remedy or timeline provided.
Seat belt failure to lock or retract
Seat belts failed to engage during collision or failed to retract properly during normal operation. One owner reported seat belts not retracting as expected; crash narratives cite seat belt lock failure during impact.
When: During collision at 5–40 mph; one report of intermittent retraction failure
Symptoms owners cite: Seat belt did not lock during frontal collision; Seat belt failed to prevent forward thrust; Seat belt does not retract properly during normal use
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented; owners sustained injuries due to lack of seat belt engagement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler stated seat belt failure was due to insufficient brake application (owner unconscious during one crash); NHTSA Campaign 16V668000 included seat belt component but parts unavailable for recall remedy.
Synthesized from 30 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2010 Dodge caliber. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v668000 (air bags, seat belts); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN…
Had airbags trouble with your 2010 Dodge Caliber?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2010 Dodge Caliber?
It's a meaningful issue. 30 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Across the 14 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 79,856 and 120,000 miles, with the median around 90,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 79,856; a quarter make it past 120,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2010/Dodge/Caliber.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.