Driving to massachusetts from nh...3 hour ride...just outside of springfield, ma on a very busy highway, the car suddenly deaccelerated, lost power, and dash warning lights came on. The car went from approx 75/80 MPH down to 30mph and lower. I was in the middle of the third lane, and had to try to get over to the break down lane with a car full of kids. This is not safe, and several vehicles were…
2011 Dodge Caliber powertrain problems
moderate 15 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
15
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
When does it fail?
Of the 15 powertrain complaints filed for the 2011 Dodge Caliber, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 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
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 10 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: A 2011 Dodge Caliber with CVT transmission carries serious risk of sudden power loss on the highway—a fault dealers acknowledge but cannot fix, only manage by restarting. Avoid if you drive long distances or live in hot climates, as the transmission overheats and goes into limp mode with no permanent remedy.
The 2011 Dodge Caliber's CVT transmission and powertrain electronics are unreliable and create genuine safety hazards. Owners report the transmission overheats and enters limp mode during sustained highway driving, particularly in hot climates. The vehicle suddenly loses power—dropping from 75 mph to 30 mph with no way to recover—forcing drivers to pull over on busy roads. One owner's wife sat stranded in 110-degree Arizona heat for 30 minutes. Restarting the car restores function temporarily, but the problem recurs.
Dealers acknowledge the overheating issue exists but offer no fix—only advice to let it cool. Transmission fluid flushes and software updates don't resolve it. One owner at 115,000 miles was told the transmission cannot be repaired, only replaced. Electronic throttle control malfunctions also plague these vehicles: cold starts produce abnormal high revving, warning lights flash, and the car stalls between 35-45 mph. Throttle body replacement and accelerator pedal swaps have failed to correct the fault. Transmission slipping, gear-shift lever spontaneously switching to manual mode, and bearing noise at 100,000 miles round out the complaints. Owners repeatedly note that Nissan—which uses the same CVT—extended its transmission warranty and is actively seeking fixes.
Same Dodge Caliber powertrain reports on nearby years: 2008 · 2009 · 2010
Failure modes owners describe
CVT transmission overheating and limp mode
Transmission enters limp mode and loses power under sustained highway driving in high-temperature conditions. Dealer acknowledges the issue but offers only cooldown as a workaround. Flushing and fluid changes do not resolve the problem.
When: 30+ miles on highway when ambient temperature exceeds 110°F; recurring seasonally; also reported at 115,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission warning light illuminates; Vehicle enters limp mode, refuses to exceed 10 mph; Transmission overheats despite fluid service; Whining noise from transmission at 60-70 mph; Inability to accelerate
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission flush and fluid change attempted; dealer stated transmission is fine after testing but problem persists. One owner reports transmission cannot be repaired, only replaced, at 115,000 miles.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer advises to pull over and allow transmission to cool. Owners note Nissan has extended CVT warranty and is seeking a fix for the same transmission used in their vehicles.
Sudden power loss and limp mode while driving
Vehicle abruptly loses power and enters limp mode during highway operation, forcing driver to pull over. Power returns only after restart or cool-down period. Poses serious safety risk, especially when carrying passengers.
When: Multiple instances reported from 30 mph to 70-75 mph; some recurring multiple times per 90-mile trip; one instance at 27,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden deceleration from 75-80 mph down to 30 mph or lower; Inability to accelerate even with pedal to the floor; Feels like vehicle went into neutral; Warning lights illuminate on dash; Loss of air conditioning during event; Loss of speed at highway speeds requiring pull-over
Codes mentioned: Traction control warning, Throttle body failure code
Repairs/costs cited: Throttle body replaced twice, accelerator pedal replaced; failure not corrected. PCV hose replacement attempted. Engine restart temporarily restores function.
Electronic throttle control malfunction and stalling
Engine revs abnormally high on cold start, electronic throttle control warning light illuminates intermittently. Vehicle stalls or feels like it stalls between 35-45 mph. Condition not resolved by sensor replacement or software updates.
When: On cold start and at 35-45 mph speeds; one instance at 67,000 miles after oil service
Symptoms owners cite: RPM revs past 2500 on initial start (abnormal vs. normal 1800 rpm); Car vibrates when revving; Electronic throttle control light flashes or comes on; Vehicle stalls or feels like stalling at 35-45 mph; Jerking sensation and feeling weird while driving
Codes mentioned: Electronic throttle control light
Repairs/costs cited: MAP sensor replaced, PCV hose replaced. Software flash update performed; neither parts replacement nor flash resolved the issue.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dodge dealer performed flash update as troubleshooting step.
Transmission gear slipping and loss of power engagement
Transmission slips between gears or fails to engage properly. RPM increases but vehicle speed does not match. Occurs on takeoff from stop and during normal driving. Owner reports significant fuel economy degradation.
When: During acceleration from stop light and at highway speeds; recurring issue
Symptoms owners cite: Slipping between gears; Inability to exceed 15 mph from stop despite engine revving; RPM increases without corresponding speed increase; Weird vacuum-like sound; Loss of power; Excessive fuel consumption
Transmission fluid leakage and RPM hunting
Transmission leaks fluid during highway driving. Engine RPM jumps to 4000 and refuses to shift gears. Fluid leak discovered on side of road after problem occurs.
When: While driving uphill; mileage not specified
Symptoms owners cite: RPM jumps to 4000; Fails to shift gears; Transmission fluid leaking visibly from transmission
Repairs/costs cited: Towed to dealer for repair; repair status unknown. Prior dealer visits for similar noises reported no problems found.
Engine stalling and no-start condition
Engine stalls unexpectedly while driving at low speed. Vehicle will not restart immediately; requires 15-minute wait before engine will turn over. Occurs multiple times on same trip.
When: After turning a corner at unspecified speed; recurring during single trip
Symptoms owners cite: Engine light comes on; Engine stalls without warning; Vehicle will not restart immediately; Requires 15-minute delay before restart is possible; Stalls again later in same trip
Codes mentioned: Engine warning light
Transmission bearing failure
Transmission makes noise indicating bearing failure. Vehicle has 100,000+ miles. Repair facility advises bearings in transmission are wearing out.
When: At 100,000+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: Noise from transmission
Repairs/costs cited: Repair facility diagnosed bearing wear in 5-speed transmission.
Gear shift lever unintended mode switching
Transmission gear shift lever intermittently shifts vehicle into manual operation mode without driver input, causing unexpected behavior and confusion.
When: Recurring issue during normal driving
Symptoms owners cite: Shift lever shifts into manual operation without driver action; Driver does not realize manual mode is engaged until performance issue noticed
Ignition and accessory system issues
Ignition switch sticks on initial daily startup and after vehicle sits for several hours. Whining noise from front end during cold start and after vehicle sits. Dealer unable to reproduce either issue.
When: On initial daily startup and after sitting several hours without running
Symptoms owners cite: Ignition sticks during cold start; Whining noise from front end on initial drive; Whining noise after vehicle sits for several hours
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer unable to duplicate issues at two separate visits.
Synthesized from 15 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
I got my oil change done at 67,000 miles and since then my car jerks and feels weird when I drive it. I'm worried that it may stall on me when driving on the highway or city and that's dangerous for my kids and others on the road. Please investigate the transmission as it's made by Nissan and Nissan has a lot of problems with their cvts.
Had powertrain 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 powertrain problem on the 2011 Dodge Caliber?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 15 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 14 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 49,000 and 91,000 miles, with the median around 79,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 49,000; a quarter make it past 91,000. 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 $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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.