Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Dodge caliber. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v668000 (seat belts, air bags). The part to do the repair was not available. 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 tool confirms parts not…
2011 Dodge Caliber airbags problems
severe 33 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Complaints
33
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
5crashes
6injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 33 airbags complaints filed for the 2011 Dodge Caliber, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 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 33 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 #2 by owner-complaint volume.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2011 Caliber has a widespread recall (16V668000) for occupant restraint controller failure that left thousands of owners waiting months or years for parts. More critically, multiple owners reported airbags failing to deploy during actual crashes, resulting in serious injuries—this is a proven safety hazard, not just a pending recall.
The bulk of these complaints center on recall 16V668000, issued in 2016 to address a shorting condition in front impact sensor wiring that can disable airbag and seat belt pretensioner deployment. The problem: replacement occupant restraint controllers (ORC) were not manufactured or distributed for months, sometimes over a year. Owners received recall notices but dealers across multiple states confirmed parts were unavailable. Manufacturer responses confirmed the remedy was incomplete and no ETA was given, leaving owners stranded with a known safety defect and unable to trade the vehicle.
Beyond the recall lag, several owners reported actual airbag failures during crashes. One owner was hit at 10 mph making a left turn; airbags did not deploy, resulting in broken neck and back injuries. Another was hit at 30 mph on the passenger side with no deployment, sustaining soft tissue injuries. A third hit a pole at 50 mph head-on—the steering wheel bent from impact but no airbags fired. These are not theoretical failures; they happened in real accidents.
Additional reports noted airbag warning lights staying on, seat belts unbuckling on their own, and one case where an active headrest deployed without cause. One owner described faulty airbags that sprayed a chemical mist, burning occupants' skin.
Same Dodge Caliber airbags reports on nearby years: 2008 · 2010 · 2012
Failure modes owners describe
Takata recall — parts unavailability (16V668000)
NHTSA campaign 16V668000 for occupant restraint controller (ORC) replacement due to loss of airbag and seat belt pretensioner deployment capability from a shorting condition in front impact sensor wires. The core issue: manufacturers issued the recall but replacement parts were not available for months to over a year, leaving owners unable to have the defect corrected despite recall notices.
When: Recall issued 2016; multiple owners reported waiting 8–10+ months into 2017 without remedy availability
Symptoms owners cite: Recall notice issued but parts unavailable for repair; Manufacturer unable to confirm when parts would be available; Potential loss of airbag and seat belt pretensioner deployment in crash events
Codes mentioned: 16V668000
Repairs/costs cited: Occupant restraint controller (ORC) replacement required; parts distribution disconnect noted across multiple dealerships
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA campaign 16V668000 (airbags, seat belts); recall incomplete, remedy not yet available at time of complaints
Airbag failure to deploy in crashes
Multiple owners reported airbags did not deploy during actual crashes. One owner was in a 10 mph left-turn collision; another at ~30 mph passenger-side impact; a third at ~50 mph front-end impact into a pole. No airbags deployed in any event, resulting in serious injuries.
When: Failures at 42,000 miles, 93,000 miles, and unspecified mileage during accidents
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag did not deploy during frontal/side crash; Serious occupant injuries (broken neck, broken back, soft tissue injuries)
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicles declared destroyed; one owner sustained broken neck and broken back, another soft tissue injuries requiring continuous medical attention
Airbag warning light illuminated; seat belt unbuckles on its own
Owner reported airbag warning light remaining on continuously and driver's seat belt unbuckling independently. Vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired, and neither manufacturer nor dealer was notified.
When: At 90,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light illuminated; Driver's seat belt unbuckled independently
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle not diagnosed or repaired
Active headrest deployment with no cause; airbag light on
Owner reported active headrest in driver's seat deployed unexpectedly with no apparent cause, and airbag warning light has remained on since purchase.
When: Vehicle purchased August 29, 2023
Symptoms owners cite: Active headrest deployed with no apparent cause; Airbag warning light illuminated
Faulty airbags deploying with chemical spray; skin burns
Owner reported both driver and passenger airbags were faulty and sprayed a mist that burned the occupants' skin during deployment.
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag deployed and sprayed mist; Occupants' skin burned by airbag spray
Synthesized from 33 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 6 most recent
Tl-contact owns a 2011 Dodge caliber ----- received tk holdings postcard ---- contact brought vehicle at a used car dealership knows worcestor Dodge - called dealership and dealership gave contact a case number -- contacted adam at Dodge and he is not responding to phone calls regarding airbag recall...contact refused to give VIN number. Cb
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Dodge caliber. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v668000 (air bags, seat belt). The parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts…
The vehicle was involved in an accident. The vehicle was going approximately 50 MPH and jumped a ditch and struck a pole on the front driver side of the vehicle. The front driver side of vehicle was pushed up to the windshield. The force of the impact caused the driver to bend the steering wheel by impact. None of the airbags deployed at any point during this.*dt*jb the consumer provided photos…
Tl* the contact owned a 2011 Dodge caliber. While driving approximately 30 MPH, another vehicle crashed into the contact's vehicle on the passenger side. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained soft tissue injuries through the body and continuously sought medical attention. The vehicle was towed to a towing lot where the vehicle was declared destroyed. The…
I own a 2011 Dodge caliber with a recall for loss of air bag and seat belt pretensioner deployment capability. I do not want to drive my car due to this safety issue in addition to having children in my car. I cannot even get a reasonable trade offer due to this. I am told that the parts my not be available until june 16, 2016. This is a serious danger to my family and a huge financial loss for…
Had airbags trouble with your 2011 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 2011 Dodge Caliber?
It's a meaningful issue. 33 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?
Based on the 33 complaints filed, airbags issues most often appear around 105,833 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
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/2011/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.