Dodge›Caliber›2010›2.0L/dodge/caliber/2010/2-0l/

PM platform

2010 Dodge Caliber — 2.0L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2010 Caliber 2.0L.

Body PASSENGER CAREngine 2.0LTransmission Automatic (variable gear ratios)

The 2010 Dodge Caliber 2.0L is a passenger car built on the PM platform, powered by a 2.0L engine and paired with an automatic transmission offering variable gear ratios, achieving EPA fuel economy of 23 city, 27 highway, and 25 combined mpg. With 157 total owner complaints and two recalls—the top complaint area being suspension—this model year falls between the Caliber’s best reliability year (2006, with just 1 complaint) and its worst (2007, with 958 complaints), placing it in the middle of the model’s 2006–2012 history and indicating a moderate reliability record for researchers to note.

Model year2012 2011 2010

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.5 qt w/ filterOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-20 / 5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy23/27/25 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 86 · 525 CCA battery, OE oil filter 04892339BE. Note the factory engine air filter is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 86 · 525 CCAOEM · verified

Tire sizeP215-55R18OEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	04892339BE
Engine air filter	04891694AA discontinued
Spark plug	SP0ZFR5F11 alt SP00ZFR5AP
Battery	BB34A901AA alt BBL02540AA
Front wiper blades	05183260AA alt 05183258AA
Thermostat	55111016AC alt 55111017AB
Cabin air filter	05058693AA

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic (variable gear ratios)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	173.6 in
Overall width	68.9 in
Overall height	60.2 in
Wheelbase	103.9 in
Curb weight	2965 lb
Track (front / rear)	59.8 / 59.1 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	59/41

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	23 / 27 / 25 mpg
Drivetrain	Front-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuel	Regular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.5 qt w/ filter of 5W-20 / 5W-30 API engine oil. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 21.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Engine Coolant	HOAT · MS9769
Engine Oil	5W-20 · API · 5W-30 · MS-6395
Engine Oil Capacity	4.5 qt w/ filter
Engine Oil	80W-90 · GL-5 · MS-9020
Engine Oil Capacity	1.1 PInts
Power Steering Fluid	ATF +4

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs	M6 Bolts: 7 ft-lbs, M8 Bolts: 22 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	155 ft-lbs
Cylinder Head Steps	If your bolt has the short head
Engine Flywheel Bolts	70 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	18.4 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	25 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	21.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	100 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	180 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-4-2
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance	.504-.616 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance	5220-6380 ohms
Spark Plug Manufacturer	Champion
Spark Plug Gap	0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque	20.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.13-1.31 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Oil Capacity	3.40-4.10 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	86
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	525 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test	15, Do not allow pressure to exceed 20 psi.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	14-18 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)	58.0 + or - 5.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance	12 approx. @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression	170
Intake Valve Lash	Hydraulic in
Exhaust Valve Lash	Hydraulic in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	32 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	52 ft-lbs / 80 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.040; Rear: 0.040 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.0006 in / 0.0002 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.0024 in / 0.0016 in / 0.004 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	0.386 in / 1.02 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To	0.402 in / 1.028 in
Rotor Discard at or Under	0.331 in / 0.961 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

15 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90

15 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

Prep The front two cylinder head bolts require washers to be installed with the beveled edge facing up. Lubricate bolts with clean engine oil

1	25 ft. lbs.	25 ft. lbs
2	54 ft. lbs.	54 ft. lbs
3	54 ft. lbs.	54 ft. lbs
4	90 degreesCAUTION:Do not use a torque wrench for the Fourth step.	90 degrees

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

Prep Bolts stamped with the letter B or the number 6 use the following torque procedure.

1	11 ft. lbs., Step 2: 20 ft. lbs., Step 3: 45 degrees; Bolts that are not stamped with the letter B or the number 6 use the following torque procedure.	11 ft. lbs
1	11 ft. lbs., Step 2: 33 ft. lbs., Step 3: 45 degrees	11 ft. lbs

Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages

22 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90

22 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 6,000 mi; coolant at 102,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 102,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 6,000 mi	Brake Line (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate) · Transmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
At 12,000 mi	CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 12,000 mi	Brake Linings (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Suspension System (inspect) · Tie Rod (inspect)
Every 24,000 mi	CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 30,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Parking Brake System (adjust)
At 48,000 mi	CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
At 102,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 120,000 mi	Drive Belt (replace) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)

Owner how-tos

Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.

Common procedures

Key fob — remote (RKE) programming programming new fob buttons Dealer tool OEM · verified

Tool required	DRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
Why	Transmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module

Anti-theft (SKIS) — module initialization after immobilizer module replacement Dealer tool OEM · verified

When needed	After Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool required	DRBIII scan tool
Also required	The vehicle's four-digit PIN code

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2010 Dodge Caliber sits within a generation-wide downward trajectory in owner complaints, falling from a peak of 958 in 2007 to 157 in 2010, well below the totals recorded from 2007 through 2009. While complaint volume dropped sharply from 2009’s 232, recalls ticked up from one to two and an investigation was recorded for the first time since 2007, indicating that reduced owner reports did not eliminate federal scrutiny. The leading complaint categories were Suspension, Air Bags, Seat Belts, and Electrical System, with the data specifying 12 crash-related and 3 fire-related complaints, though root causes are not identified in the federal record. Against the following year—165 complaints and 86 TSBs in 2011—2010 represents a relative lull in reported problems, yet the simultaneous recalls and investigation show it was not exempt from safety-related actions. Given its substantially lower complaint count within the generation, 2010 is a comparatively moderate year to consider, but prospective buyers should verify that recall work is complete and investigate the documented complaint patterns before purchasing.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

157

Owner complaints

12 involved a crash · 3 a fire

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’06 ’07 ’08 ’09’10’11 ’12

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 157 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Suspension15

Air Bags14

Air Bags,Seat Belts13

Electrical System13

Unknown Or Other9

Power Train9

Exterior Lighting4

Vehicle Speed Control4

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

16V668000Seat Belts:PretensionerReported 15/09/2016

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Chrysler 200, 2010 Chrysler Sebring, 2010-2012 Dodge Caliber and 2010-2014 Jeep Patriot, Compass and Dodge Avenger vehicles. The Occupant Restraint Control… Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the OCR, free of charge. Interim letters informing owners that parts are not available yet were mailed on October 26, 2016…

10V197000Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:LatchReported 11/05/2010

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 DODGE CALIBER VEHICLES. SOME VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH AN INCORRECT DOOR LOCK ROD IN THE RIGHT FRONT DOOR. Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE FRONT RIGHT DOOR LOCK ROD AS REQUIRED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JUNE 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 44 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
9100226	2023-09-15	Electrical System	Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar…
9100226	2023-09-15	Electrical System	Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar…
9100196	2023-07-27	Equipment	Lubrication and Maintenance Fluids If MOPAR fluids and chemicals are not readily…
S2209000004	2022-04-02	Engine And Engine Cooling	If a Mopar oil filter is not available, use a filter that meets or exceeds USCAR36…
9004509	2022-03-30	Power Train	Oil Filter If a Mopar Oil Filter is not available, use a filter that meets or exceeds…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Caliber. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 86 battery Vehicles taking 4.5 qt w/ filter PM-platform vehicles Engine oil filter 04892339BE Engine air filter 04891694AA Spark plug SP0ZFR5F11 Battery BB34A901AA

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2010 Caliber 2.0L take?

4.5 qt w/ filter of 5W-20 API OR 5W-30 API MEETING CHRYSLER SPECIFICATION MS-6395, per the factory manual.

Does the 2010 Caliber have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 2.0L get?

EPA figures are 23 city / 27 highway / 25 combined mpg.