DodgeCaliber20122.4L/dodge/caliber/2012/2-4l/
PM platform

2012 Dodge Caliber — 2.4L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2012 Caliber 2.4L.

Body PASSENGER CAREngine 2.4LTransmission Automatic (variable gear ratios)

The 2012 Dodge Caliber 2.4L is a passenger car built on the PM platform, powered by a 2.4-liter engine paired with an automatic transmission featuring variable gear ratios and EPA-rated fuel economy of 22 city/27 highway/24 combined mpg. Routine maintenance calls for 4.5 quarts of 5W-20 or 5W-30 API oil with the filter. As the final model year of a 2006–2012 run whose complaint peak came in 2007 with 958 reports, the 2012 Caliber sits near the quieter end of that history, logging 49 owner complaints, one recall, and air bags/seat belts as the top cited concern.

Model year201220112010200920082007

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 economy22/27/24 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. 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 sizeP205-70R15OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter04892339BE
Engine air filter04593914AB
Spark plugSP0ZFR5F11
BatteryBB86F101AA
Front wiper blades05183258AA alt 05183260AA
Thermostat55111017AB alt 55111016AC
Cabin air filter05058693AA

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (variable gear ratios)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length173.6 in
Overall width68.9 in
Overall height60.2 in
Wheelbase103.9 in
Curb weight2965 lb
Track (front / rear)59.8 / 59.1 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)56/44

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined22 / 27 / 24 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular 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, 80W-90 · GL-5 · MS-9020 in the differential. Torque lug nuts to 100 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

Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5 · MS-9020
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.1 Pints
Engine CoolantHOAT · MS9769
Engine Oil5W-20 · API · 5W-30 · MS-6395
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 qt w/ filter
Engine Oil5W-20 · API · 5W-30 · MS-6395
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 qt w/ filter
Power Steering FluidATF +4

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or StudsM6 Bolts: 7 ft-lbs, M8 Bolts: 22 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts155 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts70 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts18.4 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts25 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts100 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub180 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance.504-.616 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance5220-6380 ohms
Spark Plug ManufacturerChampion
Spark Plug Gap0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque20.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.13-1.31 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity3.40-4.10 oz
Standard BCI Group Number86
Standard BCI Cranking Performance525 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test15, Do not allow pressure to exceed 20 psi.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)58.0 + or - 5.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance12 approx. @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression170
Engine Oil Pressure25-80 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM3000 rpm
Intake Valve LashHydraulic in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket32 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle52 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket32 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle80 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.040; Rear: 0.040 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0006 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.0024 in / 0.0016 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.386 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9015 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

125 ft. lbs.25 ft. lbs
254 ft. lbs.54 ft. lbs
354 ft. lbs.54 ft. lbs
490 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.

111 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
111 ft. lbs., Step 2: 33 ft. lbs., Step 3: 45 degrees11 ft. lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
122 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9022 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 8,000 mi; spark plugs every 32,000 mi; coolant at 104,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 104,000 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 8,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
At 16,000 miExhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 16,000 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Steering System (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect)
Every 24,000 miCV Joint Boot (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 32,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Parking Brake System (adjust) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 48,000 miExhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 96,000 miPCV Valve (inspect)
At 104,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 120,000 miDrive 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 requiredDRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
WhyTransmitter 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 neededAfter Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool
Also requiredThe 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 2012 Dodge Caliber recorded 49 complaints, 1 recall, 1 investigation and 100 TSBs, a sharp decline from the 165 complaints, 2 recalls, 1 investigation and 86 TSBs reported for 2011. Across the 2006‑2012 generation, complaint volume peaked in 2007 at 958 and then fell steadily, with 2012 representing the lowest complaint total in the dataset. Recall activity followed a similar pattern, dropping from four recalls in 2007 to a single recall in 2012, while investigations remained at one each in 2010, 2011 and 2012. The top complaint areas for 2012 were Air Bags/Seat Belts (11), Air Bags (5), Structure (4) and Engine (3), with nine crash‑related and three fire‑related complaints also noted. Given the markedly lower complaint and recall counts in 2012 relative to surrounding years, this model year presents a comparatively safer option for a used purchase, though a pre‑purchase inspection of the noted systems is still advisable.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
100
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
49
Owner complaints
9 involved a crash · 3 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 49 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags,Seat Belts11
Air Bags5
Structure4
Engine3
Electrical System2
Vehicle Speed Control2
Unknown Or Other2
Power Train,Vehicle Speed Control2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 100 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
U67 Combo Rev112026-06-18EngineEmissions Recall U67 - Catalytic Converter Efficiency - Dealer Notification (Revision 11)
91002292023-09-20SuspensionLIFTER, Hydraulic Roller Deactivating Please do not replace MDS lifters because the…
91002292023-09-20EquipmentLIFTER, Hydraulic Roller Deactivating Please do not replace MDS lifters because the…
91002262023-09-15Electrical SystemConnector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar…
91002262023-09-15Electrical SystemConnector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar…

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.

Reference guides

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

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2012 Caliber 2.4L 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 2012 Caliber have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 2.4L get?

EPA figures are 22 city / 27 highway / 24 combined mpg.