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
Complaints
15
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$2,500
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.
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?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
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.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. 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.
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