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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

Suspension complaints

113 reports
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Mileage unknown · Dec 11, 2022
Suspension

Rear subframe rusted right through control rods snapped rear end of car dropped down. Upon researching they know that this is bad and unsafe even gave a 10 year extended warranty for front and rear subframe so how long will and how many complaints before this is an actual recall. I see here in your complaints that there is a lar…

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Rear subframe rusted right through control rods snapped rear end of car dropped down. Upon researching they know that this is bad and unsafe even gave a 10 year extended warranty for front and rear subframe so how long will and how many complaints before this is an actual recall. I see here in your complaints that there is a large number of complaints on this issue. How are they getting away with this and nothing being done. I will have photos also police had said if this happened while it was on interstate would have crashed and could have been fatal. The tire would have ripped right off. So not only was my safety but the safety of the others being jeopardized cause everyone just keeps looking away at this issue. I would love to know how many of these subframes have had to be replaced I bet if you do research there is not one of them out there that either should be replaced have been replaced or will need to be replaced. Stop allowing these car companies to use sub standard parts. I am sure this will fall to the wayside along with the other 100 complaints. I will try my hardest to make sure everyone knows this is a problem that the car company is fully aware of and nobody has done anything about and keep researching on how many more this has happened to and try to get everyone to file a complaint. There was NO WARNING SIGN just broke loose passenger side of car was practically on the ground the broken control arm is what held everything up. Please can we really check into this if there is a recall at least people will know the problem exist.

NHTSA ODI #11496934

Mileage unknown · Dec 8, 2022
EngineSuspensionVehicle Speed Control

I’ve only had the car since Aug. Im the second owner, it drove just fine. Then I got an oil change. Then the car began to rev down hill and struggled to make it uphill. Then my exhaust became excessively loud. Then the wheel became loose ,and started pulling ALOT. I was on my way to get an alignment this morning and the whole fr…

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I’ve only had the car since Aug. Im the second owner, it drove just fine. Then I got an oil change. Then the car began to rev down hill and struggled to make it uphill. Then my exhaust became excessively loud. Then the wheel became loose ,and started pulling ALOT. I was on my way to get an alignment this morning and the whole front end began to buckle not even a minute down the road. I tmade it in back the driveway before the front end collapsed completely

NHTSA ODI #11496552

Mileage unknown · Nov 24, 2022
Electrical SystemStructureSuspension

The entire underneath of my car is rusted out. I was driving to work one day when someone pulled out in front of me and I had to hit the brakes. That resulted in the subframe and front drivers axel to break as I’m driving! The sunroof leaks when it rains and half the time the electricity doesn’t work on the sunroof button. My do…

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The entire underneath of my car is rusted out. I was driving to work one day when someone pulled out in front of me and I had to hit the brakes. That resulted in the subframe and front drivers axel to break as I’m driving! The sunroof leaks when it rains and half the time the electricity doesn’t work on the sunroof button. My doors have completely stopped auto locking and my hazards will randomly start flashing without pushing the button. Steering is absolutely terrible, it feels like you’re skidding on ice or hydroplaning the entire drive.

NHTSA ODI #11494825

Mileage unknown · Nov 12, 2022
Suspension

Rear crossmember/ subframe rusted thru and broke. Replaced front several years ago. Car has always been garaged.

NHTSA ODI #11493282

Mileage unknown · Jan 12, 2022
SteeringSuspensionUnknown Or Other

I was informed at inspection that the main front cross member has a huge hole in the center of it and is rusting out badly. At 162,356 miles this car will not pass safety inspection. This car is not safe for me or my family. No warning lamps or messages. I was told that one bad bump could do us in. We were told to contact the de…

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I was informed at inspection that the main front cross member has a huge hole in the center of it and is rusting out badly. At 162,356 miles this car will not pass safety inspection. This car is not safe for me or my family. No warning lamps or messages. I was told that one bad bump could do us in. We were told to contact the dealership and found out about the extended warranty that had already passed during the previous owners time. This should have been a recall, but what else can you expect from dodge.

NHTSA ODI #11447209

99,999 miles · Apr 7, 2021
StructureSuspension

2008 DODGE CALIBER SUB FRAME/K-FRAME FRONT END CROSSMEMBER COMPLETELY RUSTED THRU CAUSING THE DRIVER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM TO RIP FREE FROM FRAME (SEPERATING PART OF FRAME, WITH LOWER CONTROL ARM) FROM REST OF FRAME. THIS LEFT DRIVER WITH NO CONTROL OF AFFECTED WHEEL WHICH TURNING IT 90 DEGREES OUT FROM NORMAL OPERATING POSITIO…

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2008 DODGE CALIBER SUB FRAME/K-FRAME FRONT END CROSSMEMBER COMPLETELY RUSTED THRU CAUSING THE DRIVER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM TO RIP FREE FROM FRAME (SEPERATING PART OF FRAME, WITH LOWER CONTROL ARM) FROM REST OF FRAME. THIS LEFT DRIVER WITH NO CONTROL OF AFFECTED WHEEL WHICH TURNING IT 90 DEGREES OUT FROM NORMAL OPERATING POSITION. LEFT OPERATOR WITH NO ABILITY TO STEER WHILE DRIVING ON MAIN PRIMARY (35 MPH SPEED LIMIT) TWO LANE ROAD. CAR SLID TO HALT IN MIDDLE OF ROAD. CAR NEEDED TO BE TOWED. DODGE/CHRYSLER APPARENTLY KNEW OF THIS PROBLEM AND NEVER NOTIFIED OWNER. PLEASE SEE ATTACHED NOTICE. FRONT AND REAR CROSSMEMBER CORROSION (X69 WARRANTY EXTENSION) - 2008-2012 DODGE CALIBER & JEEP COMPASS/PATRIOT OEMDTC JULY 17, 2017 15 COMMENTS NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10140027 MANUFACTURER COMMUNICATION NUMBER: 23-007-17 REV. B SUMMARY FRONT AND REAR CROSSMEMBER CORROSION (X69 WARRANTY EXTENSION) THE DRIVER OF THIS CAR COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED OR SERIOUSLY HURT. IT IS UNFATHOMABLE THAT DODGE CHRYSLER WAS ALLOWED TO GET AWAY WITH NOT NOTIFYING POTENTIAL CRASH VICTIMS

NHTSA ODI #11406812

Mileage unknown · Sep 20, 2020
Suspension

I HAVE HAD MY 2008 DODGE CALIBER SINCE 2009. SINCE THEN I HAVE REPLACED BOTH TIE RODS 4 TIMES. I JUST HAD THEM DONE AGAIN ABOUT 1 1/2 YEARS AGO AND THEY ARE BROKEN AGAIN. I HAVE CHANGED THE BALL JOINTS AS WELL.. THIS IS RIDICULOUS AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED I READ A LOT OF FORUMS AND EVERYBODY COMPLAINS ABOUT THE SAME THING.

NHTSA ODI #11360103

133,687 miles · Jul 18, 2020
Suspension

MY 2008 DODGE CALIBER CROSS-MEMBER BROKEN IN THE MIDST OF ME DRIVING

NHTSA ODI #11340093

190,000 miles · Jun 30, 2020
StructureSuspension

RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2008 DODGE CALIBER(OHIO). ON INITIAL DRIVE RETURNING WITH VEHICLE I NOTICED A VIBRATION COMING THROUGH STEERING WHEEL. UPON INSPECTION, WAS INFORMED THE TIE ROD ENDS AND CONTROL ARMS BOTH COULD USE REPLACEMENT, BUT COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THE MORE IMPORTANT BAD FRONT AND REAR CROSSMEMBERS AS WELL AS FRONT …

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RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2008 DODGE CALIBER(OHIO). ON INITIAL DRIVE RETURNING WITH VEHICLE I NOTICED A VIBRATION COMING THROUGH STEERING WHEEL. UPON INSPECTION, WAS INFORMED THE TIE ROD ENDS AND CONTROL ARMS BOTH COULD USE REPLACEMENT, BUT COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THE MORE IMPORTANT BAD FRONT AND REAR CROSSMEMBERS AS WELL AS FRONT AND REAR CRASH BARS, BOTH HAVE SEVERE RUST DEVELOPMENT WITH METAL DETERIORATION WHICH COULD IMPOSE A SAFETY CONCERN DOWN THE ROAD. WAS ADVISE TO LOOK INTO REPLACEMENT. REACHED OUT TO ONE OF THE LOCAL DEALERSHIPS AND WAS INFORMED IT WAS A BULLETIN, HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, BUT AM OUTSIDE OF 10 YEAR PERIOD. RUST FROM CROSSMEMBER IS NOW IN PROCESS OF TRANSFERRING TO ACTUAL FRAME AND COMING THROUGH AS HOLES IN ROCKERS NOW AS WELL. DEALERSHIP OFFERING NO HELP AFTER STATING THE ENHANCED SAFETY CONCERN. HARD TO BELIEVE AN 08 CAN DETERIORATE SO FAST. YOU WOULD THINK WITH THE COMPLAINTS AND T.S.B. AS WELL AS SAFETY CONCERNS, SEEING STILL ORIGINAL PARTS THAT HAVE BEEN WARRANTIED TO REPLACE BUT HAVE NOT ON THIS VIN, GETS NO HELP AT ALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11331646

48,000 miles · Jun 26, 2020
SteeringSuspension

MAKING NOISE GOING AROUND BEND 06052020. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11331022

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.