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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

Wheels complaints

16 reports
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Mileage unknown · Aug 2, 2023
EngineSteeringWheels

My vehicle has created a rotten subframe that holds my engine

NHTSA ODI #11535980

283,000 miles · Jan 2, 2021
Electrical SystemService BrakesWheels

THE FRONT CALIPERS WILL NOT ENGAGE WHEN BRAKE PEDAL IS PRESSED. THE BRAKE PEDAL SINKS TO THE FLOOR AND HAS NO STOPPING POWER. THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED AND CALIPERS ARE NEW REPLACEMENTS. AFTER REPLACING THESE PARTS IT NOW SMELL OF BURNT BRAKE FLUID BUT THERE IS NO LEAK AND THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO WORSEN. THE FIRST TIME I WAS…

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THE FRONT CALIPERS WILL NOT ENGAGE WHEN BRAKE PEDAL IS PRESSED. THE BRAKE PEDAL SINKS TO THE FLOOR AND HAS NO STOPPING POWER. THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED AND CALIPERS ARE NEW REPLACEMENTS. AFTER REPLACING THESE PARTS IT NOW SMELL OF BURNT BRAKE FLUID BUT THERE IS NO LEAK AND THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO WORSEN. THE FIRST TIME I WAS DOING 45-50 ON A COUNTY RD WHEN A ANOTHER CAR PULLED OUT 20 FEET AWAY AND I WAS TRYING TO SLOW DOWN WHEN I LOST THE FRONT BRAKES AS PISHED IN ON THE PUSHED IN ON THE BRAKES THE PEDAL SANK AND THEY DIDN'T ENGAGE. I THEN BOUGHT THE NEW CALIPERS AND IT WAS FINE FOR ABOUT A MONTH. THE SECOND TIME I WAS STUCK IN TRAFFIC ON A BUSY CITY STREET WHEN THE ABS BRAKES FAILED RESULTING IN ME RUNNING A RED LIGHT AND ALMOST GETTING HIT. IT HAS CORRODED AND TOOK HUNKS OFF ALUMINUM FROM MY FRONT DRIVER RIM. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM AND KEEP REPLACING PARTS FOR IT TO TEAR UP NEW ONES

NHTSA ODI #11386118

124,000 miles · Dec 3, 2019
SteeringSuspensionWheels

I WAS TURNING IN MY VEHICLE FOR A TRADE IN AND DURING THE APPRAISAL TEST DRIVE THE AXEL BROKE AND IT HAD TO BE TOWED. THE GENTLEMEN STATED THAT IS WAS DUE TO RUST BUILD UP. OVER THE YEARS, I HAVE COMPLAIN ABOUT THE POWER STEERING FEELING OFF, THE CAR NOT DRIVING RIGHT, ETC AND IT HAS BEEN IN THREE PLACES WHERE THE MAINTENANCE …

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I WAS TURNING IN MY VEHICLE FOR A TRADE IN AND DURING THE APPRAISAL TEST DRIVE THE AXEL BROKE AND IT HAD TO BE TOWED. THE GENTLEMEN STATED THAT IS WAS DUE TO RUST BUILD UP. OVER THE YEARS, I HAVE COMPLAIN ABOUT THE POWER STEERING FEELING OFF, THE CAR NOT DRIVING RIGHT, ETC AND IT HAS BEEN IN THREE PLACES WHERE THE MAINTENANCE FOLKS SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. ACCORDING TO THE BULLETIN, THESE SAME ISSUES SHOULD HAVE BEEN CAUGHT SOMEWHERE TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING. I MAY HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED BUT I AM ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY AND MOVE EVERY TWO YEARS TO INCLUDE DEPLOYMENTS WHERE I EASILY COULD HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE NOTICE. MY CAR VALUE WAS 1500 DOLLARS BEFORE IT WAS WRECKED, BUT I SHOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR THE PREVIOUS MAINTENANCE TOTALS AND THE LOST DAYS OF NOT HAVING MY CAR THE OTHER TIMES IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN FIXED. BELOW, I WILL SHOW PICTURES OF THE RUST, INSPECTIONS THAT WAS DONE IN JUNE 2018 SHOWING THAT UNDERNEATH WAS GOOD, AND PREVIOUS WORK ON MY VEHICLE WHEN I COMPLAINT OF ISSUES WITH STEERING, TIRES, SUSPENSION. NUMBER: 23-007-17 REV. C GROUP: 23 - BODY DATE: JULY 13, 2017

NHTSA ODI #11286581

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

80,000 miles · Jun 6, 2019
SteeringSuspensionWheels

THIS CAR HAS HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS HAD TO REPLACE ALL 4 CONTROL ARMS, BALL JOINTS BUSHINGS SPRINGS TIE RODS HAVE SPENT MORE THEN $2000 BETWEEN PARTS AND LABOR AND WORE OUT TIRES DO TO CONTROL ARMS AND OTHER PARTS NEVER A DODGE AGAIN GOT FIXED BACK HAD BE REFIXED 2 WEEKS LATER AFTER CONTROL ARM REBROKE

NHTSA ODI #11218290

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

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

103,514 miles · Jul 8, 2014
Electrical SystemWheels

WE WERE NOTICING THE CAR BEING SLUGGISH AND NOT WANTING TO PICK UP SPEED SO WE MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO GET IT LOOKED AT. BEFORE THAT COULD HAPPEN THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL LIGHT POPPED ON WHEN I WAS GOING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION, THE CAR WOULDN'T GO ABOVE 20MPH AND FELT LIKE IT WANTED TO STALL OUT. I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE GA…

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WE WERE NOTICING THE CAR BEING SLUGGISH AND NOT WANTING TO PICK UP SPEED SO WE MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO GET IT LOOKED AT. BEFORE THAT COULD HAPPEN THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL LIGHT POPPED ON WHEN I WAS GOING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION, THE CAR WOULDN'T GO ABOVE 20MPH AND FELT LIKE IT WANTED TO STALL OUT. I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE GAS AND THE ETC LIGHT WENT OFF AFTER A FEW SECONDS. I WAS LUCKY IT WAS VERY EARLY IN THE MORNING AND THE INTERSECTION WAS EMPTY. I CONTINUED ON MY WAY TO WORK ABOUT 1/2 MILE AND THE ETC CAME BACK ON. I MANAGED TO GET IT TO WORK AND PARKED IT. I LOOKED UP WHAT THE LIGHT MEANS AND PROCEEDED TO GOOGLE WHAT IT WAS FOR MY CAR. I WAS SOCKED BY HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS EXACT PROBLEM FOR THE MAKE AND MODEL. I COULDN'T BELIEVE THIS ISSUE WAS NOT KNOWN OR RECALLED. CAR OWNERS SHOULD HAVE BEEN MADE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE BEFORE IT BECAME A HAZARD. I LEFT WORK AND PRAYED MY CAR WOULD MAKE IT THE 1/2 MILE TO MY HOME. UNFORTUNATELY , THE ETC LIGHT CAME BACK ON THEN STARTED FLASHING. AFTER READING OTHER CAR OWNERS POSTS I DECIDED NOT TO RISK STALING IT ON A BRIDGE SO I COASTED IT INTO A GAS STATION WERE IT CHUGGED OUT. I WALKED THE REST OF THE WAY HOME IN 85 DEGREE WEATHER. WE TOWED THE CAR TO OUR REPAIR PLACE, THEY HOOKED IT UP TO THE COMPUTER TO READ THE CODES, THEN THEY RESET THE CONTROLS HOPING IT WOULD BY PASS A GLITCH. IT DIDN'T. THEY THEN HAD US BRING THE CAR TO A DODGE DEALER TO BE REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS FAMILIAR WITH HE PROBLEM "THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME WITH THESE CARS." THEY COULDN'T GET TO IT UNTIL AFTER THE FOURTH OF JULY WEEKEND. THEY INSTALLED THE REPLACEMENT THROTTLE BODY $272.42 (PART 4891735AC) AT A COST OF 566.00 TOTAL. WE JUST GOT THE CAR BACK TODAY. IT IS RUNNING SMOOTHER BUT ONLY TIME WILL TELL IF THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED. UPDATED 02/27/2015 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10609112

144,000 miles · May 19, 2014
Wheels

HAD A SECOND OCCASION OF THE VALVE STEM CORRODING AND FAILING IN THAT THE ACTUAL STEM BROKE FREE OF THE HOUSING AND DISLIDGES THE PLASTIC CAP. THIS LATEST INCIDENT RESULTED IN A TOTAL LOSE OF AIR PRESSURE AND CONTROL OF THE CAR ON A 65 MPH ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY . *JS

NHTSA ODI #10592338

60,000 miles · Mar 12, 2014
Wheels

THE NUT THAT HOLDS THE TIRE VALVE STEM CORRODED, CRACKED IN HALF, AND FELL OFF THE TIRE. THE RESULT IS THAT THE VALVE STEM FELL INSIDE THE RIM, AND ALL OF THE AIR SUDDENLY LEAKED OUT OF THE TIRE. LUCKILY THERE WAS NO LIGHT TRAFFIC ON THE ROAD OTHERWISE THERE COULD HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THIS HAS HAPPENED AGAIN ON A SE…

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THE NUT THAT HOLDS THE TIRE VALVE STEM CORRODED, CRACKED IN HALF, AND FELL OFF THE TIRE. THE RESULT IS THAT THE VALVE STEM FELL INSIDE THE RIM, AND ALL OF THE AIR SUDDENLY LEAKED OUT OF THE TIRE. LUCKILY THERE WAS NO LIGHT TRAFFIC ON THE ROAD OTHERWISE THERE COULD HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THIS HAS HAPPENED AGAIN ON A SECOND TIRE; THIS OCCURRENCE I WAS DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED IN A PARKING LOT. AFTER A BRIEF INTERNET SEARCH FOR "DODGE VALVE STEM PROBLEMS" AND VIEWING ONLINE FORUMS IT SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE ACROSS SEVERAL DODGE VEHICLES. THIS DEFECT SHOULD BE RECALLED AS IT HAS POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT SAFETY IMPLICATIONS. I CAN ONLY IMAGINE WHAT KIND OF DISASTER COULD HAVE HAPPENED IF ONE BLEW OUT DURING RUSH HOUR. THANK YOU *TR

NHTSA ODI #10568717

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.