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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
140,000 miles · Jun 22, 2018
EngineSuspensionUnknown Or Other

TOOK OUR DODGE CALIBER 2008 (MANUFACTURER DATE: 11/2007) TO A MECHANIC FOR REPAIRS THOUGHT TO BE STRUTS AND WAS TOLD THE FRONT CRADLE WAS RUSTED OUT AND NEED TO BE REPLACED TO CONTINUE ANY SAFE DRIVING. THIS WAS A 2007 RECALL BUT WAS NEVER INCLUDED IN ANY TITLED 2008 CARS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED IN 2007. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS …

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TOOK OUR DODGE CALIBER 2008 (MANUFACTURER DATE: 11/2007) TO A MECHANIC FOR REPAIRS THOUGHT TO BE STRUTS AND WAS TOLD THE FRONT CRADLE WAS RUSTED OUT AND NEED TO BE REPLACED TO CONTINUE ANY SAFE DRIVING. THIS WAS A 2007 RECALL BUT WAS NEVER INCLUDED IN ANY TITLED 2008 CARS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED IN 2007. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE AND SEEMS TO BE REPORTED MORE OFTEN NOW AT THE 10 YEAR MARK. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS NOT A TRADITIONAL PROBLEM ON MOST VEHICLES AND SEEMS TO BE A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IT RECALLED, BECAUSE THE REPLACEMENT COST ON THIS IS IN THE THOUSANDS AND IT IS A SEVERE SAFETY HAZARD.

NHTSA ODI #11103479

107,000 miles · Jun 12, 2018
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE INSPECTING UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE CROSS MEMBER WAS RUSTED AND CONTAINED HOLES. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE INSPECTING UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE CROSS MEMBER WAS RUSTED AND CONTAINED HOLES. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000.

NHTSA ODI #11101426

199,990 miles · Jun 2, 2018
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

I HAVE REPORTED THIS BEFORE AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE I HAVE A HAVE A 2008 DODGE CALIBER AND HAVE HAD TO CHANGE THE ELECTRICAL THROTTLE THIS IS VERY SERIOUS FIR MY CAR HAVE TURNED OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING IN TRAFFIC THIS PART NEEDED TO BE RECALLED BEFORE I ALL SOME ONE ELSE GET KILLS OR GET BADLY HURT I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE …

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I HAVE REPORTED THIS BEFORE AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE I HAVE A HAVE A 2008 DODGE CALIBER AND HAVE HAD TO CHANGE THE ELECTRICAL THROTTLE THIS IS VERY SERIOUS FIR MY CAR HAVE TURNED OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING IN TRAFFIC THIS PART NEEDED TO BE RECALLED BEFORE I ALL SOME ONE ELSE GET KILLS OR GET BADLY HURT I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THIS PART 3 TIMES AND I'M VERY TIRED OF THIS PLEASE FIND OUT WHY THIS PART GOES BAD SO FAST ON THESE CARS I HAVE READY PLENTY OF STORIES ABOUT THIS PART GOING OUT ON THESE DODGE CALIBERS AND STILL NO RECALLS DO SOMETHING BEFORE SOME ONE GETS HURTS AND PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS MATTER BECAUSE ITS SERIOUS WHEN YOU'RE DRIVING THE CAR SHUTS OFF IN TRAFFIC AND I'M SURE I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE THAT HAVE BROUGHT THIS TO Y'ALL ATTENTION DO SOMETHING BEFORE ITS TO LATE AND THIS IS MY SECOND DODGE CALIBER AND HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE ELECTRIC THROTTLE AND MY CAR WAS IN MOTION IT HAPPENED ALL 3 TIMES

NHTSA ODI #11099296

119,000 miles · May 11, 2018
Suspension

RUSTED SUB-FRAME , PAPER THIN MANY COMPLAINTS LISTED ALL OVER THE WEB, DRIVING IN A LOT HIT A SPEED BUMP FRONT RIGHT TIRE CAME ALMOST ALL THE WAY OFF THE CAR. CALLED CHRYSLER THEY DONT CARE IF MY CAR COULD HAVE KILLED ME AND MY CHILD, THEY HAVE NO RECALL SO ITS MY ISSUE NOT THEIRS.

NHTSA ODI #11093394

175,000 miles · Apr 25, 2018
StructureSuspension

RUSTED SUB-FRAME & OIL PAN

NHTSA ODI #11090104

Mileage unknown · Mar 28, 2018
Structure

TOOK MY CAR IN FOR AN ALIGNMENT AND WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT MY K FRAME ROTTING. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME HE WORKED ON A JEEP COMPASS WITH SAME PROBLEMS AND CHRYSLER HAD A EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERING IT. CALLED DODGE THEY TOLD ME TO BRING IT INTO A DEALERSHIP SO THEY CAN VERIFY AND WHEN THEY DID VERIFY IT THEY TOLD CHRYSLER ABOUT THE ISSUE…

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TOOK MY CAR IN FOR AN ALIGNMENT AND WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT MY K FRAME ROTTING. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME HE WORKED ON A JEEP COMPASS WITH SAME PROBLEMS AND CHRYSLER HAD A EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERING IT. CALLED DODGE THEY TOLD ME TO BRING IT INTO A DEALERSHIP SO THEY CAN VERIFY AND WHEN THEY DID VERIFY IT THEY TOLD CHRYSLER ABOUT THE ISSUE. CHRYSLER CALLED AND TOLD ME THEY WILL NOT FIX MY FRONT K FRAME BECAUSE I HAD RECENTLY PUT IN AFTER MARKET PARTS IN THE REAR OF MY CAR WHICH CAUSED MY FRONT K FRAME TO RUST AND I'VE ONLY HAD THOSE PARTS INSTALLED A WEEK BEFORE TAKING IT TO DODGE. SO I TOLD THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REP. THERE'S NO NEED TO MAKE EXCUSES OR LIES IF THEY DON'T WANT TO FIX AND THAT I'VE TALKED TO MY MAIN MECHANIC, THE ALIGNMENT MECHANIC, AND THE DODGE SERVICE REP., ALL 3 SAID IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACE AND IS DANGEROUS TO CONTINUE DRIVING AS THE FRONT K FRAME HOLDS MOSTLY EVERYTHING UNDER THE HOOD. SAD AS IT IS CHRYSLER GAVE NO CARE.

NHTSA ODI #11081873

60,000 miles · Feb 22, 2018
Air BagsElectrical SystemVehicle Speed Control

AIR BAG LIGHT CAME UP ON, HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING. MANY PEOPLE WITH SAME ISSUES ON FORUMS. IT IS THE CLOCK SPRING.

NHTSA ODI #11074250

Mileage unknown · Feb 21, 2018
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTED OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRABLE. A LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTED OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRABLE. A LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #11074028

80,000 miles · Feb 11, 2018
Unknown Or Other

THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING ON IH35, I LOST POWER AND MYVEHICLE WENT ON 5 MILES PER HOUR THEN STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY.

NHTSA ODI #11072176

176,000 miles · Jan 19, 2018
EngineVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PLACED THE GEAR SHIFTER IN NEUTRAL, TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND BACK ON, SHIFTED THE GEAR SELECTOR BACK IN DRIVE, AND THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS INTENDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MONROE DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP RAM SUPERSTOR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PLACED THE GEAR SHIFTER IN NEUTRAL, TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND BACK ON, SHIFTED THE GEAR SELECTOR BACK IN DRIVE, AND THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS INTENDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MONROE DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP RAM SUPERSTORE (15160 S DIXIE HWY, MONROE, MI 48161, (734) 230-7872) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY REPLACED THREE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 176,000.

NHTSA ODI #11063671

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.