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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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94,000 miles · Aug 17, 2016
Structure

I HAD MY CAR TO A GARAGE FOR ALIGNMENT. I WAS TOLD MY SUBFRAME IS RUSTED OUT AND NEEDS REPLACED. I RESEARCHED A 2008 DODGE CALIBER SUBFRAME AND GOT INFORMATION ABOUT CHRYSLER OFFERING A 10 YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY SPECIFICALLY FOR THIS SUBFRAME. ITS STATING THIS IS FOR 2007 MODELS, BUT MINE BEING 2008 ISN'T COVERED? THE MECHANIC S…

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I HAD MY CAR TO A GARAGE FOR ALIGNMENT. I WAS TOLD MY SUBFRAME IS RUSTED OUT AND NEEDS REPLACED. I RESEARCHED A 2008 DODGE CALIBER SUBFRAME AND GOT INFORMATION ABOUT CHRYSLER OFFERING A 10 YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY SPECIFICALLY FOR THIS SUBFRAME. ITS STATING THIS IS FOR 2007 MODELS, BUT MINE BEING 2008 ISN'T COVERED? THE MECHANIC SAID THIS IS AN EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD AND I WANT TO KNOW HOW I COULD GET THIS SUBFRAME REPLACED UNDER THIS EXTENDED WARRANTY. I LIVE IN PA, AND THAT IS A STATE INCLUDED IN THE "SALT-BELT" DUE TO THE SALT TRUCKS DURING WINTER. THIS IS REASONING FOR THE DANGEROUS CORROSION. PLEASE HELP ME WITH THIS SITUATION. THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10896646

75,000 miles · Aug 12, 2016
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE, THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OBSERVED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000.

NHTSA ODI #10895297

Mileage unknown · Aug 2, 2016
StructureSuspension

TOOK IN MY 2008 CALIBER FOR AN INSPECTION AND IT WOULDN'T PASS DUE TO A CORRODED, RUSTED SUBFRAME. THE RUST HAS OCCURRED BECAUSE THE AC DRIPS ONTO SUB FRAME. CALLED DEALERSHIP AND CHRYSLER AND THEY ARE REFUSING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS ISSUE. I HAVE 65,000 ON THIS VEHICLE. IT IS WELL CARED FOR ALSO

NHTSA ODI #10892607

Mileage unknown · Jul 15, 2016
Structure

SUBFRAME RUSTED IN TWO. GARAGE SAID IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. ENGINE COULD HAVE FALLEN OUT.

NHTSA ODI #10885181

49,000 miles · Jul 7, 2016
SteeringStructureWheels

I HAVE A 2008 DODGE CALIBER GARAGE KEPT 49000 MILES WITH A RUSTED BUSTED FRAME. DIDN'T REALIZE UNTIL KNOCKING IN FRONT END. ALWAYS DONE REPAIRS AND RECALLS AND THIS IS DANGEROUS. CALLED TO REQUEST CHRYSLER TO BE ACCOUNTABLE AND THEY BASICALLY TOLD ME ITS MY PROBLEM. WHERE DO YOU GO FROM HERE IN LIABILITY.

NHTSA ODI #10883319

48,000 miles · Jul 7, 2016
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY VEERED LEFT AND A LOUD CLANKING SOUND WAS HEARD. THE FAILURE OCCURRED CONSTANTLY. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT SUBFRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY VEERED LEFT AND A LOUD CLANKING SOUND WAS HEARD. THE FAILURE OCCURRED CONSTANTLY. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT SUBFRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.

NHTSA ODI #10883288

101,448 miles · Jun 30, 2016
Structure

I HAVE A DODGE CALIBUR THAT IS 8 YEARS OLD & THE UNDERCARRIAGE IS ROTTED THROUGH. TOOK IT TO GET NEW TIRES AND THEY REFUSED TO WORK ON THE CAR AND SAID IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD TO DRIVE.

NHTSA ODI #10881891

106,000 miles · Jun 24, 2016
Structure

TOOK VEHICLE TO A REPUTABLE SHOP FOR REQUIRED YEARLY STATE INSPECTION. SHOP FOUND DANGEROUSLY CORRODED FRONT AND REAR SUB FRAME ASSEMBLIES. RESEARCH REVEALED THAT 2007 MODEL YEAR CARS ARE BEING TREATED UNDER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THIS IDENTICAL PROBLEM, BUT 2008 CARS ARE NOT COVERED. BOTH OUR DEALER AND THE CHRYSLER CUSTOM…

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TOOK VEHICLE TO A REPUTABLE SHOP FOR REQUIRED YEARLY STATE INSPECTION. SHOP FOUND DANGEROUSLY CORRODED FRONT AND REAR SUB FRAME ASSEMBLIES. RESEARCH REVEALED THAT 2007 MODEL YEAR CARS ARE BEING TREATED UNDER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THIS IDENTICAL PROBLEM, BUT 2008 CARS ARE NOT COVERED. BOTH OUR DEALER AND THE CHRYSLER CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER HAVE BEEN INFORMED, AND REFUSED TO EXTEND THE COVERAGE TO OUR VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #10876438

92,400 miles · Jun 21, 2016
StructureSuspension

MY 2008 DODGE CALIBER IS GARAGE KEPT AND HAS 92,000 MILES. IT IS WELL MAINTAINED AND TAKEN CARE OF. I TOOK IT FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND THE SERVICE MAN TOLD ME THAT THE SUBFRAME IS ROTTED THROUGH AND IT IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. I WAS TOTALLY SURPRISED AND TOOK IT TO TYSON DODGE IN SHOREWOOD ILLINOIS. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THIS IS NOT …

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MY 2008 DODGE CALIBER IS GARAGE KEPT AND HAS 92,000 MILES. IT IS WELL MAINTAINED AND TAKEN CARE OF. I TOOK IT FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND THE SERVICE MAN TOLD ME THAT THE SUBFRAME IS ROTTED THROUGH AND IT IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. I WAS TOTALLY SURPRISED AND TOOK IT TO TYSON DODGE IN SHOREWOOD ILLINOIS. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THIS IS NOT COVERED. THEY TOLD ME TO CALL CHRYSLER. I CALLED THEM AND THEY SAID THAT EVEN THOUGH IT'S UNUSUAL FOR THAT PART TO RUST QUICKLY, THERE WAS A RECALL ON THAT PART FOR THE 2007 CALIBER AND NOT 2008. THEY COULD NOT HELP ME. TYSON DODGE ALSO SAID I NEED A RIGHT CONTROL ARM. TOTAL TO FIX IT-$1700. UNBELIEVABLE! SAW MANY COMPLAINTS ON LINE!

NHTSA ODI #10875750

150,000 miles · May 17, 2016
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT CROSS MEMBER SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE DUE TO RUST AND CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT CROSS MEMBER SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE DUE TO RUST AND CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA ODI #10865439

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.