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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

360 reports
23,011 miles · Aug 6, 2009
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER SXT. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. HER VEHICLE ROLLED OVER AND TRAVELED DOWN AN EMBANKMENT. THE FRONTAL AND SIDE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURES TO HER LEGS, NECK, AND INTESTINES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE M…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER SXT. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. HER VEHICLE ROLLED OVER AND TRAVELED DOWN AN EMBANKMENT. THE FRONTAL AND SIDE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURES TO HER LEGS, NECK, AND INTESTINES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND RESPONDED IN WRITING THAT THE AIR BAGS FUNCTIONED PROPERLY. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT SHE WOULD RECEIVE A CALL BACK. THE INSURANCE COMPANY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 23,011. UPDATED 10/27/09.*LJ UPDATED 10/29/09.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10279558

35,000 miles · Jul 7, 2009
SuspensionTiresCrash

I TOOK MY CALIBER IN FOR SOME WARRANTY WORK. THEY FOUND THE LEFT STRUT WAS BAD. THEY ORDERED THE PART. I WENT BACK IN THE NEXT WEEK FOR THE STRUT AND ALIGNMENT. WHILE THEY WERE DRIVING BACK FROM THE ALIGNMENT PLACE, THEY HAD AN ACCIDENT IN MY CAR. THEY FIXED IT. I HAVE SINCE THEN BROUGHT IT BACK TO A ROAR IN THE CAR. THEY…

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I TOOK MY CALIBER IN FOR SOME WARRANTY WORK. THEY FOUND THE LEFT STRUT WAS BAD. THEY ORDERED THE PART. I WENT BACK IN THE NEXT WEEK FOR THE STRUT AND ALIGNMENT. WHILE THEY WERE DRIVING BACK FROM THE ALIGNMENT PLACE, THEY HAD AN ACCIDENT IN MY CAR. THEY FIXED IT. I HAVE SINCE THEN BROUGHT IT BACK TO A ROAR IN THE CAR. THEY TOLD ME MY TIRES WERE BAD. I ASKED IF IT COULD BE BECAUSE OF THE ALIGNMENT WAS OUT AND THEY SAID NO. I ASKED IF IT COULD BE BECAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT, AGAIN NO. WHO IN THEIR RIGHT MIND WOULD ALIGN A CAR WITH BAD TIRES. THEY HAVE MADE NO DEAL FOR ME IN THIS MATTER. THE TIRES DID NOT GO BAD IN A MATTER OF A WEEK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10275998

5,500 miles · Jun 18, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE O2 SENSORS CONTINUE TO FAIL AND CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO DRIVE ROUGHLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP AT LEAST TEN TIMES AND THEY KEEP REPLACING THE SENSORS EACH VISIT. THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,500 AND CURRENT MI…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE O2 SENSORS CONTINUE TO FAIL AND CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO DRIVE ROUGHLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP AT LEAST TEN TIMES AND THEY KEEP REPLACING THE SENSORS EACH VISIT. THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,500 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 18,438.

NHTSA ODI #10274279

Mileage unknown · Apr 26, 2009
Electrical SystemFuel System, OtherStructure

AFTER PURCHASING MY DODGE CALIBER IN FEBRUARY OR 2008 I NOTICED THE GAS GAUGE WAS NOT CONSISTENTLY ACCURATE. IT TOOK A TOTAL OF 6 MONTHS FOR SCHAEFER AND STROHMINGER TO "FIX" IT. I CALLED THEM AFTERWARDS TO TELL THEM IT WAS BETTER BUT NOT COMPLETELY CORRECT AND THEY PUT ME OFF SEVERAL TIMES. THEY SAID THEY WOULD CALL THE ENGINEE…

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AFTER PURCHASING MY DODGE CALIBER IN FEBRUARY OR 2008 I NOTICED THE GAS GAUGE WAS NOT CONSISTENTLY ACCURATE. IT TOOK A TOTAL OF 6 MONTHS FOR SCHAEFER AND STROHMINGER TO "FIX" IT. I CALLED THEM AFTERWARDS TO TELL THEM IT WAS BETTER BUT NOT COMPLETELY CORRECT AND THEY PUT ME OFF SEVERAL TIMES. THEY SAID THEY WOULD CALL THE ENGINEER AND FOLLOW UP WITH ME. THAT NEVER HAPPENED EVEN AFTER THE CEO OF THE VEHICLE MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT TOLD ME I MET THE LEMON LAW REQUIREMENTS. DURING THIS TIME THE CAR BEGAN TO HESITATE FROM TIME TO TIME WHEN STARTING. I ALSO ASKED THEM ABOUT THAT PROBLEM. THEY COULD NOT FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM AFTER HAVING IT IN THE SHOP TWICE. ABOUT A YEAR LATER THE CAR WOULDN'T START AND LEFT ME STRANDED AT WORK. IT WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP. I CALLED AHEAD TO TALK TO THE MECHANIC WHO KNEW EXACTLY WHAT MY PROBLEM WAS BECAUSE HE'D HAD SEVERAL OTHERS NEED TO BE REPLACED ALREADY IN THE CALIBER. IT WAS THE WIRELESS CONTROL MODULE. WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY THEY REPLACED IT. IT'S BEEN A FEW MONTHS NOW AND THE CAR HAS HESITATED WHILE STARTING 4 TIMES ALREADY. OBVIOUSLY THERE IS A FAULT IN THE WIRELESS CONTROL MODULE UNIT THEY ARE USING. FINALLY, I'M TAKING IT BACK TO HAVE THEM CHECK THE WATER IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE TAIL LIGHT AND WET CARPET BEHIND THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT. I'M VERY DISSATISFIED WITH THIS CAR AND DO NOT PLAN ON BUYING FROM DODGE OR SCHAEFER AND STROHMINGER AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10266740

Mileage unknown · Mar 31, 2009
Seats

MY FRONT SEAT MAKES ANNOYING SQUEAKS WHEN TRAVELING ON ROAD IMPERFECTIONS, POT HOLES AND SPEED DUMPS AT ANY SPEED. I NOTICED THE SOUND WHEN MY CAR WAS IN THE MID 4,000 MILES. ALSO THE BRAKES WOULD SQUEAK WHEN I BRAKED IN REVERSE. MY CAR IS NOW 13,383 (SIX MONTHS LATE) AND I'VE TAKEN MY CAR TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS AND THE SE…

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MY FRONT SEAT MAKES ANNOYING SQUEAKS WHEN TRAVELING ON ROAD IMPERFECTIONS, POT HOLES AND SPEED DUMPS AT ANY SPEED. I NOTICED THE SOUND WHEN MY CAR WAS IN THE MID 4,000 MILES. ALSO THE BRAKES WOULD SQUEAK WHEN I BRAKED IN REVERSE. MY CAR IS NOW 13,383 (SIX MONTHS LATE) AND I'VE TAKEN MY CAR TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS AND THE SEAT STILL SQUEAKS. THEY TIGHTENED BOTH FRONT SEATS AND THE TRACKS. THEY ALSO REPLACED ONE OF THE TRACKS DURING ANOTHER VISIT. EACH TIME I TAKE MY CAR IN THEY SAY THAT THEY HAVE SOLVED THE PROBLEM, BUT AS SOON I GO OVER THE SPEED BUMP WHILE EXITING THE DEALERSHIP, THE SEAT STILL SQUEAKS. I CALLED THE MANAGER FOR THE DEALERSHIP WHICH HE WAS THE ONE THAT HAD HELPED ME. HE IS ASKING FOR A SIXTH VISIT TO REPAIR THE SQUEAKING NOISE, BUT I DON'T THINK THAT THAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN. I'M SURE THAT A SQUEAK MAY NOT BE A BIG DEAL BUT IF THERE IS A SOUND THEN THAT MEANS THERE IS FRICTION WHICH OVER TIME WILL CAUSE WEAR TO THE SEAT AND MAY CAUSE A FAILURE TO HOLD IF IN A COLLISION. LASTLY, WHEN IDLING AT RED LIGHTS OR STOP SIGNS THE RHYTHM OF THE ENGINE RANDOMLY JERKS/BOGG AS IF IT FEELS LIKE IT'S ABOUT TO DIE OUT.*TR

NHTSA ODI #10263814

14,100 miles · Mar 27, 2009
Tires

I BOUGHT A USED 2008 DODGE CALIBER WITH 14,100 MILES ON IT. THE TIRES WEREN'T RIGHT FROM THE NIGHT I BROUGHT IT HOME. I CALLED AND COMPLAINED, THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THEY PUT NEW BRAKES ON IT AND TO GIVE IT A FEW DAYS TO SEE IF IT WOULD GET BETTER. IT DID NOT, I STILL HAD A PULSING OR THUMPING NOISE IN THE FRONT END. I TOOK IT…

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I BOUGHT A USED 2008 DODGE CALIBER WITH 14,100 MILES ON IT. THE TIRES WEREN'T RIGHT FROM THE NIGHT I BROUGHT IT HOME. I CALLED AND COMPLAINED, THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THEY PUT NEW BRAKES ON IT AND TO GIVE IT A FEW DAYS TO SEE IF IT WOULD GET BETTER. IT DID NOT, I STILL HAD A PULSING OR THUMPING NOISE IN THE FRONT END. I TOOK IT BACK, THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT. I ASKED ABOUT THE TIRES AND I WAS TOLD "THE TIRES PASSED INSPECTION". I TOOK MY CAR TO A FRIEND WHO ROTATED AND BALANCED THE TIRES, AND WAS TOLD I HAD A BAD TIRE, IT WASN'T ROUND OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. THE BAD TIRE THEN WENT ON THE BACK PASSENGER SIDE. I THEN CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND TOLD THEM WHAT I DID, THEY WERE ANGRY AND SAID NOTHING WAS MECHANICALLY WRONG WITH THE CAR AND AGAIN THE TIRES HAD PASSED INSPECTION. AFTER MUCH ARGUING THEY AGREED TO EITHER PUT ON 4 NEW TIRES AT HALF THE COST TO ME OR PUT ON ANOTHER USED TIRE. I CHOSE TO HAVE ANOTHER USED TIRE PUT ON. THE CAR NOW PULSES OR THUMPS ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. I DIDN'T GET 5 MILES UP THE ROAD AND IT STARTED ALL OVER AGAIN. THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT CALIBERS ARE KNOWN FOR "CHOPPING TIRES" AND IF I GOT NEW TIRES TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE ROTATED WITHOUT FAIL EVERY 6K MILES. I DIDN'T EVEN CALL THE DEALERSHIP BACK ABOUT THE NOISE. I SENT IN A FORM COMPLAINING THAT THE NOISE WAS NOT RESOLVED. THEY WERE HORRIBLE TO EVEN TALK TO, THEY SAID TIRES WERE NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND THE 1/2 OFF THE TIRES WAS A ONE TIME OFFER. I LIKE MY CAR BUT I CAN'T STAND THE THUMPING NOISE THE TIRES MAKE. IF THE CAR IS KNOWN TO DO THIS WHY ISN'T SOMETHING BEING DONE TO CORRECT IT?? BECAUSE I BOUGHT THIS CAR AT A ROCK BOTTOM PRICE I CAN'T EXPECT TO HAVE NEW TIRES ON THE CAR AND I HAVE TO BASICALLY LIVE WITH IT I WAS TOLD SO THAT IS WHY I AM COMPLAINING. I PAID A LITTLE OVER $10000. FOR THIS CAR AND IT IS NEW TO ME, I STILL HAVE THE BALANCE OF THE FACTORY WARRANTY LEFT ON THE CAR. IT'S A NICE CAR TO ME AND IT IS A LOT OF MONEY TO ME. I JUST WANTED SOMEONE TO KNOW. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10263231

Mileage unknown · Mar 12, 2009
Seat Belts

DURING A RECENT TRIP TO LAS VEGAS, MY PARTNER AND I RENTED A DODGE CALIBER. WE BELIEVE THERE IS A SERIOUS SAFETY FLAW IN THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT BELT SYSTEMS. DURING OUR TRIP WE HAD MANY INSTANCES WHEN OUR SEAT BELTS WOULD COME UNBUCKLED. AFTER EXAMINING WHY THIS WAS HAPPENING WE FOUND THE PROBLEM. IF YOU JUST BU…

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DURING A RECENT TRIP TO LAS VEGAS, MY PARTNER AND I RENTED A DODGE CALIBER. WE BELIEVE THERE IS A SERIOUS SAFETY FLAW IN THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT BELT SYSTEMS. DURING OUR TRIP WE HAD MANY INSTANCES WHEN OUR SEAT BELTS WOULD COME UNBUCKLED. AFTER EXAMINING WHY THIS WAS HAPPENING WE FOUND THE PROBLEM. IF YOU JUST BUCKLE YOUR SEAT BELT WITHOUT LOOKING, LIKE MOST AMERICANS DO, YOU CAN ACTUALLY PUT THE BUCKLE INTO THE PLASTIC LATCH HOUSING AND NOT THE LATCH ITSELF. IT FEELS VERY SIMILAR TO WHEN YOU CORRECTLY LATCH THE BELT. IT WILL ALSO HOLD IN THAT POSITION, BUT OBVIOUSLY NOT IN A CAR ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10261668

Mileage unknown · Jan 28, 2009
Service Brakes, ElectricCrashFire

MY HUSBAND AND COUSIN WERE IN THIS CAR SOME HOW LOST CONTROL ON A CLEAR DRY DAY AND ROLLED. THEY SAY THE BRAKES WERE NEVER APPLIED BUT I WONDER WHY NOT, MAYBE THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10256657

6,400 miles · Dec 8, 2008
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH IN RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS AND AT NIGHT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS CUT OFF THE ROAD BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE HYDROPLANED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO THE CEMENT BARRIER…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH IN RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS AND AT NIGHT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS CUT OFF THE ROAD BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE HYDROPLANED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO THE CEMENT BARRIER. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE THREE AIR BAG SENSORS WERE DESTROYED. THE CONTACT WAS SEVERELY INJURED. THE POLICE AND AMBULANCE WERE CALLED TO THE SCENE AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND TOWED TO THE COLLISION CENTER. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 6,400.

NHTSA ODI #10251090

10,000 miles · Oct 22, 2008
Air BagsService Brakes, HydraulicCrash

I WAS TRAVELING TO A T INTERSECTION; I WAS THE ONE WHO WAS REQUIRED TO MAKE THE LEFT OR RIGHT HAND TURN. MY BRAKES STOPPED WORKING AND I WENT FROM ~55MPH TO 45MPH OVER THE COURSE OF A FOOTBALL FIELD OR SO. I SHOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO STOP COMPLETELY BUT THAT WASN'T THE CASE. IT WAS THE 2008 CALIBER SRT4. THE SRT4 HAS A MASSIVE BR…

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I WAS TRAVELING TO A T INTERSECTION; I WAS THE ONE WHO WAS REQUIRED TO MAKE THE LEFT OR RIGHT HAND TURN. MY BRAKES STOPPED WORKING AND I WENT FROM ~55MPH TO 45MPH OVER THE COURSE OF A FOOTBALL FIELD OR SO. I SHOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO STOP COMPLETELY BUT THAT WASN'T THE CASE. IT WAS THE 2008 CALIBER SRT4. THE SRT4 HAS A MASSIVE BRAKE KIT FROM THE CHARGER AND MAGNUM ON IT WHICH SHOULD HAVE MADE IT STOP RELATIVELY QUICKLY. I MASHED MY VEHICLE INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AT THE INTERSECTION AND MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I BELIEVE THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES AND AIRBAGS ON THE 2008 CALIBER SRT4. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10246329

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.