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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 · Jan 23, 2017
Engine And Engine CoolingStructureSuspension

ENGINE CRADLE MOUNTING AND FRONT SUSPENSION PLATES HAVE FAILED OR BROKEN TWICE ON THIS CAR ONLINE COMPLAINTS SEEM VERY SIMILAR DEALER SEEMS TO IGNORE THIS PROBLEM BUT WILL FIX IT FOR 2000.00 CAR PULLS OR VEERS UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE MOVING I CANNOT I FEEL SAFELY DRIVE ANYMORE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10947216

Mileage unknown · Jan 12, 2017
Suspension

REPLACED BALL JOINTS 2X SINCE PURCHASED

NHTSA ODI #10944663

Mileage unknown · Dec 20, 2016
StructureSuspension

2008 DODGE CALIBER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE SUB-FRAME CORROSION REPAIR ISSUES, REQUESTS FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WAS DENIED AND EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR SAME PREMATURE CORROSION WAS ISSUED FOR 2007 DODGE CALIBER. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE FAILED INSPECTION. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10936888

122,010 miles · Dec 15, 2016
SteeringStructureSuspension

I HAD A DANGEROUS SITUATION. I FIRST NOTICED A VIBRATION IN THE WHEEL AT 55 MPH. I THEN STARTED HEARING CLUNKING SOUNDS WHILE STEERING OR GOING OVER BUMPS. I TOOK IT IN THINKING THAT IT'S A BALL JOINT, BECAUSE I HAD THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS REPLACED AT AROUND 75,000 MILE, WHILE THEY WERE STILL UNDER WARRANTY.. THE MOTOR CRADLE WAS…

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I HAD A DANGEROUS SITUATION. I FIRST NOTICED A VIBRATION IN THE WHEEL AT 55 MPH. I THEN STARTED HEARING CLUNKING SOUNDS WHILE STEERING OR GOING OVER BUMPS. I TOOK IT IN THINKING THAT IT'S A BALL JOINT, BECAUSE I HAD THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS REPLACED AT AROUND 75,000 MILE, WHILE THEY WERE STILL UNDER WARRANTY.. THE MOTOR CRADLE WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. I HAD TO HAVE THAT REPLACED PLUS 2 LOWER CONTROL ARMS. IT COST ME 1458. THERE'S ALREADY BEEN A RECALL OF THE 2007 MODEL. MINE WAS MANUFACTURED IN AUGUST OF 2007, AND THE CUTOFF DATE WAS JULY 2007. I HAVE PHOTOS AND INVOICES ATTACHED.

NHTSA ODI #10935506

60,920 miles · Nov 22, 2016
Suspension

I TOOK MY 2008 DODGE CALIBER IN FOR A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE. I WAS INFORMED BY THE TECH THAT THE FRONT CROSS MEMBER WAS RUSTING AWAY AND NEEDED IMMEDIATE ATTENTION. THIS VEHICLE HAS A LITTLE UNDER 61,000 MILES. THIS APPEARS TO BE THE SAME ISSUE COVERED UNDER THE SERVICE BULLETIN #23-012-14/X58 EXTENDED WARRANTY, BUT DOESN'T INCLUDE…

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I TOOK MY 2008 DODGE CALIBER IN FOR A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE. I WAS INFORMED BY THE TECH THAT THE FRONT CROSS MEMBER WAS RUSTING AWAY AND NEEDED IMMEDIATE ATTENTION. THIS VEHICLE HAS A LITTLE UNDER 61,000 MILES. THIS APPEARS TO BE THE SAME ISSUE COVERED UNDER THE SERVICE BULLETIN #23-012-14/X58 EXTENDED WARRANTY, BUT DOESN'T INCLUDE MY 2008. I'VE OWNED MANY DODGES OVER MY LIFETIME, INCLUDING MY FIRST CAR, AS WELL AS THREE CURRENT VEHICLES. IT'S VERY DISAPPOINTING THAT DODGE ISN'T TAKING THIS SERIOUSLY AND COVERING THE 2008'S OR ANY OTHER MODEL YEAR EFFECTED. THE REPAIRS COST ME $1145.43 OUT OF POCKET. I'VE READ ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND IT SOUNDS LIKE CALLING DODGE TO COMPLAIN GETS YOU NO WHERE. HAS ANYONE BEEN ABLE TO GET RESTITUTION AT ALL? IF SO, HOW? I HAVE MY REPAIR INVOICES AND PHOTOS TO BACK THIS UP. MY HOPE IS THAT DODGE WILL DECIDE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS IN THE NEAR FUTURE, BUT I WON'T HOLD MY BREATH.

NHTSA ODI #10927485

87,000 miles · Nov 22, 2016
SteeringStructureSuspension

DRIVING AND STEERING GOT LOSE.PULLED INTO WORK AND WAS TURNING THE WHEEL HEARD CRUNCHING NOSE.GOT OUT AT LOOKED STEERING GEAR BOX WAS MOVING ON FRAME AND ALL KINDS OF RUST WAS FALLING OFF.I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO CHRYSLER DEALER SHIP AND WAITING ON TO SEE IF THE SUBFRAME BEING RUSTED OUT IS COVERED IN ANY WAY.THIS SEEMS TO BE A CO…

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DRIVING AND STEERING GOT LOSE.PULLED INTO WORK AND WAS TURNING THE WHEEL HEARD CRUNCHING NOSE.GOT OUT AT LOOKED STEERING GEAR BOX WAS MOVING ON FRAME AND ALL KINDS OF RUST WAS FALLING OFF.I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO CHRYSLER DEALER SHIP AND WAITING ON TO SEE IF THE SUBFRAME BEING RUSTED OUT IS COVERED IN ANY WAY.THIS SEEMS TO BE A CONSISTENT PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. THIS CAR IS DRIVEN ABOUT 24 MILES A DAY AND KEEPED IN A GARAGE AND WASHED.THIS WAS A PROBLEM IN 2007 MODEL DODGE CALIBERS.

NHTSA ODI #10927362

76,800 miles · Oct 30, 2016
Electrical SystemStructureSuspension

CAR STARTED MAKING POPPING AND CREAKING SOUNDS WHEN MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN. WE HAVE REPLACED EVERYTHING THERE IS AS FAR AS TIE RODS EVEN TO THE POINT OF MOTOR MOUNTS. LAST NIGHT I GET A CALL AND THE CAR HAD DONE SOMETHING I HAD NEVER HEARD OF. THE HARMONIC BALANCE PULLEY HAD FLOWN OFF AND THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED HOME. I AL…

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CAR STARTED MAKING POPPING AND CREAKING SOUNDS WHEN MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN. WE HAVE REPLACED EVERYTHING THERE IS AS FAR AS TIE RODS EVEN TO THE POINT OF MOTOR MOUNTS. LAST NIGHT I GET A CALL AND THE CAR HAD DONE SOMETHING I HAD NEVER HEARD OF. THE HARMONIC BALANCE PULLEY HAD FLOWN OFF AND THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED HOME. I ALSO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AS IT SEEMS CAZILLION OTHER PEOPLE HAVE POSTED ONLINE. THIS CAR LEAKS. IT HAS LEAKED SINCE DAY ONE AND THE DEALERSHIP IN CONROE, TX SAID IF YOU GET A CAR WITH A SUNROOF, ITS GONNA LEAK. THEY ARE FULL OF CRAP. THIS CAR'S HEADLINER LOOKS AS IF IT HAS BEEN TRODDEN ON WITH MUDDY BOOTS. IT LEAKED SO BAD THAT CARPETING WOULD GET WET THEN IT WAS LEAKING DOWN INTO THE DASH WHICH CAUSED THE LIGHTS TO DO WEIRD THINGS. I CAN'T EVEN GET RID OF IT BECAUSE I WOULD FEEL GUILTY FOR ENDANGERING SOMEONE ELSE'S LIFE.

NHTSA ODI #10920094

120,000 miles · Oct 27, 2016
Suspension

SO DANGEROUS CROSS MEMBER SUB FRAME AS THE MECHANIC DROVE OUT OF THE SHOP THE FRONT AXLE FELL OUT AND THE WHEEL BECAME DISCONNECTED. THE SUB FRAME IS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH. IF I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY SURELY WOULD HAVE BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT POSSIBLE DEATH. THEY NEED TO RECALL THIS BEFORE PEOPLE ARE KILLED

NHTSA ODI #10919347

114,000 miles · Oct 4, 2016
StructureSuspension

MY CAR STARTED MAKING A CLUNKING NOISE FROM THE FRONT END. THE NOISE HAPPENED WHEN TURNING LEFT AND RIGHT, THEN HAPPENED JUST DRIVING THE CAR AT ALL. MECHANIC SHOWED ME THAT THE SUBFRAME IS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH PREMATURELY. VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE! MILEAGE IS 114,000. I CALLED CHRYSLER TO SEE IF THE RECALL THEY HAD OUT FOR…

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MY CAR STARTED MAKING A CLUNKING NOISE FROM THE FRONT END. THE NOISE HAPPENED WHEN TURNING LEFT AND RIGHT, THEN HAPPENED JUST DRIVING THE CAR AT ALL. MECHANIC SHOWED ME THAT THE SUBFRAME IS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH PREMATURELY. VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE! MILEAGE IS 114,000. I CALLED CHRYSLER TO SEE IF THE RECALL THEY HAD OUT FOR 2005-2007 CALIBERS ON THE SAME PART WOULD COVER MINE. THEY EXTENDED THE WARRANTY FOR 10 MORE YEARS ON THOSE YEAR CARS.THEY REFUSED TO ADD THE 2008 MODELS EVEN THOUGH THERE ARE PLENTY OF COMPLAINTS.THIS IS GOING TO COST ME CLOSE TO $1600.00 AND A WEEK IN THE REPAIR SHOP.

NHTSA ODI #10913820

Mileage unknown · Sep 13, 2016
Service BrakesSuspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. AFTER THE VEHICLE UNDERWENT A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE AND TUNE UP, THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE MORE THAN ONCE AND PROVIDED NO SOLUTION. IN ADDITION, WHEN DRIVING OVER UN-LEVELED LAND, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO M…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. AFTER THE VEHICLE UNDERWENT A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE AND TUNE UP, THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE MORE THAN ONCE AND PROVIDED NO SOLUTION. IN ADDITION, WHEN DRIVING OVER UN-LEVELED LAND, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO MAKE AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND THE SUSPENSION WAS UNSTABLE FROM THE FRONT TO THE REAR. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE IF THE DEALER WOULD PROVIDE A REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10906195

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.