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2008 Dodge Caliber

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Caliber years

Owner complaints for the 2008 Dodge Caliber are substantially higher than the model-year median of 165.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

294 reports with mileage · 66 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Suspension. Review the 113 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 87 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 58 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

21 crash reports4 fire reports12 injury reports

Structure complaints

87 reports
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162,312 miles · Jul 6, 2019
SteeringStructureWheels

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD EVERY TIME I SHIFTED GEARS THE FRONT END WOULD JUST GO LIKE WOBBLE WOBBLE SO I SLOW DOWN FROM 45 TO ABOUT 10 MILES AN HOUR IF THAT I MADE IT HOME WITH ZAGG GOT UNDERNEATH THERE AND THE SUB FRAME IS LITERALLY BUSTED THE WAY IT SITS IT LOOKS LIKE IT DOES NOT HAVE A MOTOR IN IT ANYMORE IF I WANT TO KNOW…

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I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD EVERY TIME I SHIFTED GEARS THE FRONT END WOULD JUST GO LIKE WOBBLE WOBBLE SO I SLOW DOWN FROM 45 TO ABOUT 10 MILES AN HOUR IF THAT I MADE IT HOME WITH ZAGG GOT UNDERNEATH THERE AND THE SUB FRAME IS LITERALLY BUSTED THE WAY IT SITS IT LOOKS LIKE IT DOES NOT HAVE A MOTOR IN IT ANYMORE IF I WANT TO KNOW WHAT TO DO I WOULD'VE WRECKED IF I DO NOT GET AN ANSWER SOON I AM GOING TO CHANNEL 13 NEWS I HAVE PICTURES OF WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE AND I'M GOING TO THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU IT'S A 2008 THERE IS NO WAY THAT FRAME SHOULD'VE BUSTED LIKE IT DID NO WAY I WAS ON CITY ROADS

NHTSA ODI #11229800

162,321 miles · Jul 1, 2019
StructureSuspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT AN INTERSECTION, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO STEER THE VEHICLE HOME WHILE IT SHOOK. THE CONTACT LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR SUBF…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT AN INTERSECTION, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO STEER THE VEHICLE HOME WHILE IT SHOOK. THE CONTACT LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR SUBFRAME WAS FRACTURED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 162,321. *BF CONSUMER STATED FRONT SUBFRAME RUSTED AND CORROSION, VIN IS XXXX. 'PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'*JB

NHTSA ODI #11228796

112,850 miles · Jun 28, 2019
Power TrainService BrakesStructure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE DRIVING, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE. THE CONTACT LATER DISCOVERED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS RUSTED THROUGH AND CAUSED THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AXLE TO FRACTURE. ALSO, THE TOP OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL WAS TILTED INWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE AXLE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE DRIVING, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE. THE CONTACT LATER DISCOVERED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS RUSTED THROUGH AND CAUSED THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AXLE TO FRACTURE. ALSO, THE TOP OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL WAS TILTED INWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE AXLE, SUBFRAME, ONE OF THE BRAKES, AND THE TRANSMISSION FLUID LINE WERE REPLACED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TRANSFERRED TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,850.

NHTSA ODI #11223181

140,000 miles · Jun 23, 2019
EngineSteeringStructure

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE KNOWING OF RUST BUT WHEN I CLIMBED UNDER IT I SEEN THE SUBFRAME IS ALMOST RUSTED ALL THE WAY THROUGH THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE I'VE HEARD OF A FEW OTHER CALIBER OWNERS WHO'S WHOLE DRIVETRAIN FELL OUT OF ENGINE BAY DUE TO THIS, THIS COULD BE A DANGEROUS PROBLEM IF SOMEONE IS DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS DODGE NE…

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I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE KNOWING OF RUST BUT WHEN I CLIMBED UNDER IT I SEEN THE SUBFRAME IS ALMOST RUSTED ALL THE WAY THROUGH THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE I'VE HEARD OF A FEW OTHER CALIBER OWNERS WHO'S WHOLE DRIVETRAIN FELL OUT OF ENGINE BAY DUE TO THIS, THIS COULD BE A DANGEROUS PROBLEM IF SOMEONE IS DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS DODGE NEEDS TO TAKE ACTION AND RECALL THIS PART AND PUT A BETTER COMPONENT ON THE VEHICLES THEY PRODUCE

NHTSA ODI #11222009

170,000 miles · Jun 8, 2019
StructureSuspensionUnknown Or Other

LET ME START BY SAYING THAT I LOVE DRIVING MY 2008 DODGE CALIBER AND WISH THAT IT WAS WORTH REPAIRING ALL OF THE ISSUES THAT I AM RESEARCHING ARE COMMON PROBLEMS AMONG FELLOW OWNERS OF THIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL OF VEHICLE. AS A PERSON WHO PAYS CLOSE ATTENTION TO MY VEHICLE, REPAIR COSTS HAVE BEEN ADDING UP OVER THE PAST COUPLE O…

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LET ME START BY SAYING THAT I LOVE DRIVING MY 2008 DODGE CALIBER AND WISH THAT IT WAS WORTH REPAIRING ALL OF THE ISSUES THAT I AM RESEARCHING ARE COMMON PROBLEMS AMONG FELLOW OWNERS OF THIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL OF VEHICLE. AS A PERSON WHO PAYS CLOSE ATTENTION TO MY VEHICLE, REPAIR COSTS HAVE BEEN ADDING UP OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS. STARTING WITH A COMPLETE REPAIR RELATED TO THE SUSPENSION INCLUDING THE CONTROL ARMS/ BUSHINGS, SWAY BAR, BALL JOINTS, AND TIE RODS, WHICH HAS CAUSED MY 4 NEW TIRES TO EXPERIENCE A SHORTENED LIFESPAN DUE TO UNEVEN WEARING. RECENTLY, I HAD MY CAR IN THE SHOP TO ADDRESS A LOUD NOISE I WAS HEARING WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED A LONG LIST OF ISSUES, INCLUDING RUSTING/CORROSION TO THE ENGINE CRADLE AND FURTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE SUSPENSION THAT IN THEIR PROFESSIONAL OPINION DETERMINED THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO OPERATE. AT THIS POINT, THE MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT THERE HAD BEEN RECALLS AND AN EXTENDED WARRANTY IMPLEMENTED TO ADDRESS THE RUSTING/CORROSION OF THE SUB FRAME, AS I WAS UNAWARE AND DID NOT RECEIVE ANY NOTICES FOR ANY OF THE LISTED RECALLS. TODAY, I FIND MYSELF RESEARCHING THE LIST OF PROBLEMS THAT THE MECHANIC INDICATED WITH THE SUSPENSION AND ROTTING ENGINE CRADLE AND WILL UNFORTUNATELY NOT BE WORTH PUTTING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS INTO TO MAKE IT SAFE, AN ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE HONOURED BY THE MANUFACTURER. I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THE PROPER STEPS TO ADDRESS THIS EXTREME SAFETY CONCERN THAT HAS BEEN AN OBVIOUS ISSUE FOR MANY OWNERS LIKE MYSELF. I WONDER HOW MANY OTHERS DID NOT RECEIVE THE RECALL NOTICE FOR THE ROTTING ENGINE CRADLE AND HAVE SPENT THOUSANDS IN REPAIRS ON THAT AND/OR SUSPENSION MALFUNCTIONS? THESE PROBLEMS ARE NOT MINOR AND NEED TO BE ADDRESSED, AS I AM SURE THERE ARE MANY OWNERS WHO HAVE NOT BEEN MADE AWARE OF THE RECALL AND SAFETY CONCERNS THIS POSES TO OPERATORS OR OTHERS IN THE VEHICLE PRESENCE.

NHTSA ODI #11218619

126,500 miles · Apr 26, 2019
Structure

I WENT TO MY LOCAL DODGE DEALER FOR OIL CHANGE AND WAS INFORMED THAT FRONT SUB FRAME IS ROTTING OUT. WAS TOLD EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT WAS GOOD FOR 10 YEARS EXPIRED 2-18. I HAVE READ ONLINE NUMEROUS CALIBER OWNERS WITH THIS PROBLEM, SOME SO BAD THEY CAN'T BE FIXED. WHAT GOOD IS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT IS ONLY GOOD FOR THE FIR…

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I WENT TO MY LOCAL DODGE DEALER FOR OIL CHANGE AND WAS INFORMED THAT FRONT SUB FRAME IS ROTTING OUT. WAS TOLD EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT WAS GOOD FOR 10 YEARS EXPIRED 2-18. I HAVE READ ONLINE NUMEROUS CALIBER OWNERS WITH THIS PROBLEM, SOME SO BAD THEY CAN'T BE FIXED. WHAT GOOD IS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT IS ONLY GOOD FOR THE FIRST TEN YEARS AND I BOUGHT THIS CAR IN 2012 FROM A DODGE DEALER AND WAS NEVER INFORMED OF EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THIS ISSUE OR THAT THERE WAS EVEN AN ISSUE WITH THIS. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN AS WHAT CHANCES WOULD A PERSON HAVE OF SURVIVING AT A SPEED OF 70 MPH AND THE FRAME BREAKS? OR WHAT INNOCENT PEOPLE COULD BE KILLED BECAUSE OF IT. WITH THIS MANY PERSONS HAVING THIS ISSUE AND SUCH A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL. MY CAR ONLY HAS 126,500 MILES ON IT. IF DODGE DOES NOT WANT TO DO A RECALL THEN I FEEL THEY DON'T GIVE A [XXX] ABOUT THEIR CUSTOMERS AND WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER DODGE OR CHRYSLER AGAIN. PLEASE CONSIDER PERSUING A RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE ISSUE AS IT IS SERIOUS!! PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI #11203972

151,000 miles · Mar 11, 2019
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE MADE UNUSUAL NOISES WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRAME, INCLUDING THE ENGINE CRADLE, WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE MADE UNUSUAL NOISES WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRAME, INCLUDING THE ENGINE CRADLE, WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 151,000.

NHTSA ODI #11185885

139,000 miles · Feb 15, 2019
Structure

FRAME ON VEHICLE IS RUSTED THROUGH, OTHER SIMILIAR VEHICLES WERE ISSUED RECALLS AND THIS CAR WAS NOT

NHTSA ODI #11180307

113,000 miles · Jan 28, 2019
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE THE CONTACT'S SON WAS DRIVING 30 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME AND THE CROSSMEMBER WERE RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE THE CONTACT'S SON WAS DRIVING 30 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME AND THE CROSSMEMBER WERE RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 113,000.

NHTSA ODI #11172647

174,055 miles · Nov 26, 2018
StructureSuspension

I PURCHASED THE 2008 DODGE CALIBER 2 WEEKS AGO NOV 15TH 2008 AND INSPECTED BEFORE PURCHASE. DROVE CAR 1 WEEK AND CROSSMEMBER SUPPORT BEAM BROKE DUE TO POOR PART FROM MOPAR, DODGE. THEY HAD A 120MONTH UNLIMITED WARRENTY ON PART, KNOWING IT WAS A BAD PART. I HAVE TRIED ALL AREAS OF GETTING BAD PART REPLACED TO NO AVAIL. THEY SAY W…

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I PURCHASED THE 2008 DODGE CALIBER 2 WEEKS AGO NOV 15TH 2008 AND INSPECTED BEFORE PURCHASE. DROVE CAR 1 WEEK AND CROSSMEMBER SUPPORT BEAM BROKE DUE TO POOR PART FROM MOPAR, DODGE. THEY HAD A 120MONTH UNLIMITED WARRENTY ON PART, KNOWING IT WAS A BAD PART. I HAVE TRIED ALL AREAS OF GETTING BAD PART REPLACED TO NO AVAIL. THEY SAY WARRENTY "EXPIRED" ON DEFECTIVE PART INSTALLED ON CAR. I NEED CAR REPAIRED AS IT IS A DANGER!! ANY HELP IS GREATLY APPRECIATED! I WAS TURNING INTO MY DRIVEWAY AT NORMAL SPEEDS WHEN CROSSMEMBER SUPPORT BEAM BROKE AT DRIVERS WHEEL AREA.

NHTSA ODI #11154002

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.