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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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102,000 miles · Sep 29, 2015
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING OUT THE DRIVEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE UNDER CARRIAGE WAS FRACTURED DUE TO RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING OUT THE DRIVEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE UNDER CARRIAGE WAS FRACTURED DUE TO RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000. UPDATED 11/19/15*LJ

NHTSA ODI #10778517

88,400 miles · Sep 23, 2015
Suspension

I OWN A 2008 DODGE CALIBER THAT IS BUILT ON THE SAME CHASSIS THAT THE 2007 DODGE CALIBER WAS BUILT ON AND AS A RESULT OF RUST AND CORROSION THE FRONT SUSPENSION CROSS MEMBER FAILED AND DODGE/CHRYSLER ISSUED A TECHNICAL SAFETY BULLETIN TO THE OWNERS OF THE 2007 VEHICLES TO BRING THE VEHICLES TO A DODGE/CHRYSLER REPAIR FACILITY T…

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I OWN A 2008 DODGE CALIBER THAT IS BUILT ON THE SAME CHASSIS THAT THE 2007 DODGE CALIBER WAS BUILT ON AND AS A RESULT OF RUST AND CORROSION THE FRONT SUSPENSION CROSS MEMBER FAILED AND DODGE/CHRYSLER ISSUED A TECHNICAL SAFETY BULLETIN TO THE OWNERS OF THE 2007 VEHICLES TO BRING THE VEHICLES TO A DODGE/CHRYSLER REPAIR FACILITY TO HAVE THE CROSS MEMBER REPLACE AT NO CHARGE. I HAVE CONTACTED DODGE/CHRYSLER THREE TIMES INCLUDING PICTURES OF MY RUSTED AND CORRODED CROSS MEMBER AND THEY HAVE REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I WORK AT A VOCATIONAL TRAINING SCHOOL WHERE THEY TEACH AUTOMOTIVE REPAIRING AS CLASS, AND I OFFERED TO DODGE/CHRYSLER THAT I WOULD ABSORB THE LABOR COST IF THEY WOULD SEND ME THE CROSS MEMBER AT NO COST AND THE REFUSED TO DO THAT ALSO. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH THEIR DECISION AS I AM CONCERNED WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AT THE TIME THE CROSS MEMBER FAILS. I WOULD BE HAPPY TO INCLUDE THE PHOTOS HERE BUT THERE IS NO WAY TO ATTACH THEM.

NHTSA ODI #10775353

145,000 miles · Sep 10, 2015
Service BrakesSuspensionWheels

OWNED THE CAR FOR ALMOST 4 YEARS. TIE RODS HAVE BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES. RECENTLY HAD TO REPLACE, STRUTS, BALL JOINTS, BRAKES ON THE FRONT FOR THE 5TH TIME, BACK BREAKS ARE OUT AND ROTORS AS WELL HAD THEM REPLACED LESS THAN A YEAR AGO. MANIFOLD HAD TO BE REPLACED. BARRINGS ON THE FRONT AND ONE ON THE RIGHT BACK. WENT THROUGH A SET…

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OWNED THE CAR FOR ALMOST 4 YEARS. TIE RODS HAVE BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES. RECENTLY HAD TO REPLACE, STRUTS, BALL JOINTS, BRAKES ON THE FRONT FOR THE 5TH TIME, BACK BREAKS ARE OUT AND ROTORS AS WELL HAD THEM REPLACED LESS THAN A YEAR AGO. MANIFOLD HAD TO BE REPLACED. BARRINGS ON THE FRONT AND ONE ON THE RIGHT BACK. WENT THROUGH A SET A TIRES IN LESS THAN 6 MONTHS. HAS BEEN TO DODGE AND OTHER MECHANICS PROBLEMS STILL PERSIST.

NHTSA ODI #10762967

133,833 miles · Aug 24, 2015
Service BrakesSuspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SWERVED AND MADE A CLICKING SOUND WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT BALL JOINT AND THE LOWER CONTROL ARM FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SWERVED AND MADE A CLICKING SOUND WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT BALL JOINT AND THE LOWER CONTROL ARM FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE AN ALIGNMENT WAS PERFORMED BUT FAILED TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED. THE BRAKE EMITTED A METAL GRINDING NOISE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE BRAKE SYSTEM AND FOUND CORROSION ON THE BRAKE LINES THE CORROSION WAS REMOVED FROM THE BRAKE LINES HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,833. MA 10/15/2015 *CN

NHTSA ODI #10758841

133,807 miles · Aug 23, 2015
Suspension

WHILE PERFORMING AN OIL CHANGE AND BRAKE INSPECTION, I SAW THE REAR SECTION OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION CROSS MEMBER HAS RUST THROUGH IN SEVERAL LOCATIONS. THE VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE IN THIS CONDITION.

NHTSA ODI #10758686

Mileage unknown · Aug 20, 2015
Suspension

THE CAR WAS MAKING A RATTLING NOISE. TOOK IT TO THE SHOP THE ENTIRE BOTTOM WAS RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. COST $1500.00. HAD TO HAVE THE FRONT SUSPENSION REPLACED THREE YEARS PRIOR.

NHTSA ODI #10750039

60,000 miles · Jul 27, 2015
SuspensionCrash

LEFT FRONT WHEEL (LEFT TIE ROD ASSEMBLY?) BROKE AND WHEEL/TIRE WAS DETACHED FROM VEHICLE WHILE IT WAS BEING DRIVEN, CAUSING THE CAR TO "COLLIDE" WITH THE GROUND (GEICO DEFINITION - POLICY 4324 0054 06, CLAIM 048 555 271010 1019; ADJUSTER CHARLES FINCHER) ) AND LOSING CONTROL BEFORE SKIDDING TO A STOP. DAMAGE INCLUDED WHEEL WELL…

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LEFT FRONT WHEEL (LEFT TIE ROD ASSEMBLY?) BROKE AND WHEEL/TIRE WAS DETACHED FROM VEHICLE WHILE IT WAS BEING DRIVEN, CAUSING THE CAR TO "COLLIDE" WITH THE GROUND (GEICO DEFINITION - POLICY 4324 0054 06, CLAIM 048 555 271010 1019; ADJUSTER CHARLES FINCHER) ) AND LOSING CONTROL BEFORE SKIDDING TO A STOP. DAMAGE INCLUDED WHEEL WELL, HOOD, DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR, BREAKING SYSTEM, AND WHEEL CONNECTION HARDWARE. RECEIPT IS IN THE MAIL FROM THE REPAIR SHOP (NORTH CANTON COLLISION IN CANTON OH) SO WE DON'T HAVE EXACT DAMAGE SPECIFICS YET.

NHTSA ODI #10743875

110,000 miles · Jul 20, 2015
Power TrainSteeringSuspension

I BOUGHT MY 2008 DODGE CALIBER IN JULY 2010. IT HAD 27,000 MILES ON IT. IT WAS A CAMPAIGN CAR. IT HAS ALWAYS HAD A PROBLEM WITH PICKUP. ACCELERATION IS NOT GREAT, BUT WE NOTICED ON A JULY 4 TRIP, THAT THE CAR WAS NOT ONLY MAKING THE "NORMAL" STEERING/SUSPENSION NOISE, BUT IT WAS ALSO MAKING A WHIRRING NOISE THAT MY HUSBAND F…

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I BOUGHT MY 2008 DODGE CALIBER IN JULY 2010. IT HAD 27,000 MILES ON IT. IT WAS A CAMPAIGN CAR. IT HAS ALWAYS HAD A PROBLEM WITH PICKUP. ACCELERATION IS NOT GREAT, BUT WE NOTICED ON A JULY 4 TRIP, THAT THE CAR WAS NOT ONLY MAKING THE "NORMAL" STEERING/SUSPENSION NOISE, BUT IT WAS ALSO MAKING A WHIRRING NOISE THAT MY HUSBAND FEARED WAS THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT AT THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE AND FOUND OUT THAT THE WHIRRING NOISE WAS NOT THE TRANSMISSION, BUT THE ALTERNATOR IS BAD. $550.00. THE BALL JOINTS AND THE TIE ROD ENDS ARE BAD AND NEED TO BE REPLACED, $1040. THE STRUTS ALSO NEED TO BE REPLACED AS WELL AS THE FRONT BRAKES. $800. YES, MY CAR HAS 110,000 MILES ON IT, BUT THE TRADE IN VALUE IS ONLY ABOUT $3500 ANYWAY. ITS LUCKILY BEEN PAID OFF FOR MANY YEARS. THE BALL JOINT/TIE ROD ISSUE IS VERY WORRYSOME, THOUGH. IT IS DANGEROUS.

NHTSA ODI #10735293

155,000 miles · Jul 13, 2015
SteeringSuspension

I HAVE A 2008 DODGE CALIBER WE BOUGHT IT IN APRIL 2013 AND ABOUT EVERY 5-6 MONTHS WE HAVE TO REPLACE STRUTS, BALL JOINTS,ETC. PLUS HAVE THE SWAY BAR WORKED ON THAT OFTEN AS WELL..... DODGE NEEDS TO RECALL ALL THESE CARS WITH THIS DEFECT AND WE HAVE PROBLEMS WITH ALIGNMENTS... THESE CARS ARE VERY HIGH MAINTENANCE BECAUSE THEY ARE…

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I HAVE A 2008 DODGE CALIBER WE BOUGHT IT IN APRIL 2013 AND ABOUT EVERY 5-6 MONTHS WE HAVE TO REPLACE STRUTS, BALL JOINTS,ETC. PLUS HAVE THE SWAY BAR WORKED ON THAT OFTEN AS WELL..... DODGE NEEDS TO RECALL ALL THESE CARS WITH THIS DEFECT AND WE HAVE PROBLEMS WITH ALIGNMENTS... THESE CARS ARE VERY HIGH MAINTENANCE BECAUSE THEY ARE SO DEFECTED AND NO ONE CAN AFFORD TO REPLACE ALL THIS AND KEEP THEIR CARS IN SHOPS EVERY 5-6 MONTHS... PLEASE DODGE DO SOMETHING ABOUT ALL OF THIS...

NHTSA ODI #10733672

160,000 miles · Jul 1, 2015
EngineSuspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE INADVERTENTLY TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE BRAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CASE F…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE INADVERTENTLY TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE BRAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CASE FRAME OF THE ENGINE AND THE CONTROL ARM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

NHTSA ODI #10731500

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.