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2009 Dodge Caliber

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2009 Dodge Caliber do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 165.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

187 reports with mileage · 45 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.

  • Power Train. Review the 64 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 61 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 49 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

13 crash reports2 fire reports9 injury reports

Power Train complaints

64 reports
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1,107,645 miles · Mar 4, 2016
Power Train

THE CVT TRANSMISSION IS JUNK. CONSTANTLY DOWN SHIFTING ITSELF, EVEN WHEN THE CRUISE IS SET, AND BEING DROVE SHORT LOW SPEED DISTANCES. I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE COMPLAINING. SEVERAL PEOPLE I HAVE TALKED TO THAT OWN THEM HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS. ALREADY RETURNED ONE CALIBER TO THE DEALER, EVEN AFTER REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION IT DID NO…

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THE CVT TRANSMISSION IS JUNK. CONSTANTLY DOWN SHIFTING ITSELF, EVEN WHEN THE CRUISE IS SET, AND BEING DROVE SHORT LOW SPEED DISTANCES. I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE COMPLAINING. SEVERAL PEOPLE I HAVE TALKED TO THAT OWN THEM HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS. ALREADY RETURNED ONE CALIBER TO THE DEALER, EVEN AFTER REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION IT DID NO GOOD. A WEEK LATER IT WAS RIGHT BACK IN THE GARAGE

NHTSA ODI #10839921

171,180 miles · Feb 16, 2016
Power TrainStructure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE ABOVE APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO MOVE FROM FIRST GEAR. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE K- FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THAT T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE ABOVE APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO MOVE FROM FIRST GEAR. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE K- FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THAT THE CONTACT NEEDED TO LOCATE A DEALER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE CERTIFIED MECHANIC CLEARED ALL THE CODES FOR THE TRANSMISSION; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 171,180.

NHTSA ODI #10836488

68,000 miles · Jan 14, 2016
Power TrainSteeringSuspension

2009 DODGE CALIBER, WITHIN 3 MONTHS OF BUYING VEHICLE, AS IS, STARTED HAVING ACCELERATION PROBLEMS, BRAKE AND SUSPENSION PROBLEMS. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, WAS INFORMED I NEEDED SUSPENSION BAR AND STRUTS REPLACED WHICH WOULD COST OVER $800. ABOUT THE SAME TIME MY TRANSMISSION OVERHEAT LIGHT STARTED COMING ON, I LOOSE POWER AND HA…

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2009 DODGE CALIBER, WITHIN 3 MONTHS OF BUYING VEHICLE, AS IS, STARTED HAVING ACCELERATION PROBLEMS, BRAKE AND SUSPENSION PROBLEMS. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, WAS INFORMED I NEEDED SUSPENSION BAR AND STRUTS REPLACED WHICH WOULD COST OVER $800. ABOUT THE SAME TIME MY TRANSMISSION OVERHEAT LIGHT STARTED COMING ON, I LOOSE POWER AND HAVE TO PULL OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FOR 15-30 MINUTES BEFORE VEHICLE WOULD DRIVE AGAIN. GO APPROX. 23 MILES AT A TIME WHEN SAME PROBLEM OCCURS. WORSE IN THE SUMMER TIME. TODAY, MY ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL LIGHT, MALFUNCTION INDICATION LIGHT AND ENGINE OVERHEAT LIGHT CAME ON AND REMAINS ON EVERY TIME I START THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE WILL NOT ACCELERATE WITHOUT GETTING UP BETWEEN 3 & 4 RPM'S. NOT MUCH POWER. WHEN HITTING A BUMP OR ICE AT STOPPING POINT, VEHICLE JUMPS AHEAD INSTEAD OF STOPPING, ALMOST CAUSING ME TO REAR END SEVERAL TIMES. TONS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THESE SAME ISSUES. SOMETHING MUST BE DONE. I PAID $10700 FOR MY VEHICLE. CANT EVEN AFFORD TO GET IT FIXED AS REPAIRS ARE NOW ESTIMATED OVER $4200. THIS IS NOT RIGHT TO DO TO PEOPLE...

NHTSA ODI #10820124

86,000 miles · Jan 13, 2016
Power TrainService BrakesVehicle Speed Control

STARTED OUT WHEN I DRIVE MORE THAN 23 MILES, TRANS. OVERHEAT LIGHT COMES ON, LOOSE POWER. GOING UP HILLS, VERY LITTLE POWER. RPM WRAPS BETWEEN 3 & 4, NORMAL DRIVING, WHEN STOPPING CAR JUMPS AHEAD IF I HIT A BUMP. BREAKS SQUEAK AFTER REPLACING BRAND NEW, NOW ENGINE OVERHEAT LIGHT, ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL LIGHT & MALFUNCTION I…

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STARTED OUT WHEN I DRIVE MORE THAN 23 MILES, TRANS. OVERHEAT LIGHT COMES ON, LOOSE POWER. GOING UP HILLS, VERY LITTLE POWER. RPM WRAPS BETWEEN 3 & 4, NORMAL DRIVING, WHEN STOPPING CAR JUMPS AHEAD IF I HIT A BUMP. BREAKS SQUEAK AFTER REPLACING BRAND NEW, NOW ENGINE OVERHEAT LIGHT, ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL LIGHT & MALFUNCTION INDICATION LIGHT ON. HAD TRANSMISSION FILTER AND FLUID REPLACED. LASTED 2 WEEKS. WORSE NOW..

NHTSA ODI #10820121

Mileage unknown · Oct 28, 2015
EnginePower TrainStructure

FOR THE LAST 3 YEARS I HAVE HAD TROUBLE WITH THE CAR LOOSING ACCELERATION AFTER DRIVING IT FOR A PERIOD OF TIME. AT FIRST IT WOULD GO SEVERAL HOURS BUT NOW I CAN'T GO FOR A 30 MINUTE DRIVE AND OVER 70MPH BEFORE IT LOOSES ACCELERATION ON THE HIGHWAY. I WILL BE DRIVING AND THEN THE RPM'S RACE ALL THE WAY TO THE MAXIMUM, THE TEMP. …

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FOR THE LAST 3 YEARS I HAVE HAD TROUBLE WITH THE CAR LOOSING ACCELERATION AFTER DRIVING IT FOR A PERIOD OF TIME. AT FIRST IT WOULD GO SEVERAL HOURS BUT NOW I CAN'T GO FOR A 30 MINUTE DRIVE AND OVER 70MPH BEFORE IT LOOSES ACCELERATION ON THE HIGHWAY. I WILL BE DRIVING AND THEN THE RPM'S RACE ALL THE WAY TO THE MAXIMUM, THE TEMP. GAUGE COMES ON AND IT LOOSES POWER. I CAN PUT THE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR AND IT WON'T GO ANYWHERE. I HAVE TO SIT AND WAIT FOR IT TO 'COOL' OFF WHICH IS CRAZY SINCE IT'S NOT OVER HEATED. THIS CAN TAKE ANYWHERE FROM A HALF HOUR TO AN HOUR EACH TIME. WHEN I TRY TO START OUT AGAIN AFTER IT'S SET, I CAN GO ANOTHER MILE BEFORE IT HAPPENS AGAIN AND I START ALL OVER. I HAVE HAD IT TO SEVERAL MECHANICS AND THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THEY DON'T HAVE THE TIME TO TAKE IT OUT ON A DRIVE LIKE THAT TO HAVE IT HAPPEN TO THEM. IT'S A HAZZARD AND I'VE BEEN ALMOST REAR ENDED A FEW TIMES BY SEMI'S AND OTHER CARS. THIS CAR IS VERY UNSAFE BUT IT'S ALL I HAVE. I NOW HAVE A PIECE OF SOMETHING HANGING FROM THE UNDERCARRIAGE AND THE FRONT END IS VERY LOOSE. THIS IS A DEATH TRAP YET WHEN I CALL THE COMPANY, NOTHING IS DONE. SO GLAD THEY STAND BY THEIR PRODUCT. AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS COMPLAINT IT ASKS WHEN IT HAPPENED, IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME I GET ON THE HIGHWAY SO THERE'S NO SPECIFIC DATE, ALL THE TIME.

NHTSA ODI #10786745

103,000 miles · Oct 19, 2015
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED FIVE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE CRADLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED FIVE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE CRADLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.

NHTSA ODI #10783494

Mileage unknown · May 24, 2015
Power Train

HAVE NOT RECIEVED A RECALL. YOUR SITE SAYS MY CAR COULD HAVE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. DUE TO FAULTY ADHESIVE USED IN POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE AND CAUSE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD TO BREAK. I DID HAVE VEHICLE CHECKED OUT BY SINGERLAND ,CORUNNA,MI. 09-30-14. I ASKED FOR POWERTRAIN RESULTS AND WAS TOLD THEY WOULD BE MAILED....AS O…

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HAVE NOT RECIEVED A RECALL. YOUR SITE SAYS MY CAR COULD HAVE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. DUE TO FAULTY ADHESIVE USED IN POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE AND CAUSE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD TO BREAK. I DID HAVE VEHICLE CHECKED OUT BY SINGERLAND ,CORUNNA,MI. 09-30-14. I ASKED FOR POWERTRAIN RESULTS AND WAS TOLD THEY WOULD BE MAILED....AS OF MAY 2015, I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY PAPERWORK. THEY GAVE ME A VEHICLE CHECKUP SHEET THAT SAYS MY WIPERS NEED TO BE REPLACED....NOTHING ABOUT A RECALL ON POWERTRAIN. PLEASE ADVISE WHAT TO DO REGARDING MY SERIOUS CAR CONDITION? HAVE NOT HAD A CRASH. YOUR SITE REQUIRED DATES...THUS DATES ARE UNTRUE.

NHTSA ODI #10721199

55,000 miles · Nov 19, 2014
EnginePower Train

WHEN DRIVING FOR LONG DISTANCE WITH TWO OR MORE IN CAR, TRANSMISSION OVERHEATS AND SLOWS CAR UNTIL IT COOLS. IT WILL NOT COOL UNLESS STOPPED AND SHUT OFF. THIS TAKES ABOUT 20 MINUTES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10659266

60,000 miles · Sep 4, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

I HAD BEEN DRIVING APPROXIMATELY ONE HOUR WHEN I BEGAN TO CLIMB THE INCLINE OVER SB 5 FWY (GRAPEVINE) AND THE ENGINE BEGAN WHINING, RPMS ROSE TO 4 AND REMAINED THERE, THE TRANSMISSION OVERHEAT DASHBOARD LIGHT ILLUMINATED, SPEED DROPPED TO ABOUT 30 MPH AND I WAS UNABLE TO CONTINUE UP THE INCLINE. HAD TO PULL OFF AND LET THE VEHI…

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I HAD BEEN DRIVING APPROXIMATELY ONE HOUR WHEN I BEGAN TO CLIMB THE INCLINE OVER SB 5 FWY (GRAPEVINE) AND THE ENGINE BEGAN WHINING, RPMS ROSE TO 4 AND REMAINED THERE, THE TRANSMISSION OVERHEAT DASHBOARD LIGHT ILLUMINATED, SPEED DROPPED TO ABOUT 30 MPH AND I WAS UNABLE TO CONTINUE UP THE INCLINE. HAD TO PULL OFF AND LET THE VEHICLE SIT FOR 30 MINUTES AT WHICH TIME I CONTINUED UP THE INCLINE MAKING SURE THAT THE RPMS DID NOT GO ABOVE 2.5 - SO KEEPING THE SPEED LOW - AND HAD NO FURTHER INCIDENT. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN ON 8/21/04, SAME CIRCUMSTANCES, AT APPROXIMATELY 79,000 MILES. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS MODEL AND MODEL YEAR VEHICLE FOR THIS SAME ISSUE (RECALL #08V528000) ON NOVEMBER 10, 2008, BUT ACCORDING TO MY DEALER, MY CAR'S VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. I BELIEVE THIS WARRANTS INVESTIGATION INTO WHETHER OR NOT THIS WAS A MORE WIDESPREAD ISSUE THAN WAS ORIGINALLY THOUGHT AND WHETHER MY VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10630701

33,000 miles · Aug 25, 2014
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. A CERTIFIED MECHANIC PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC, WHICH LOCATED A FAILURE CODE AT THE POWER TRAIN COMPUTER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. A CERTIFIED MECHANIC PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC, WHICH LOCATED A FAILURE CODE AT THE POWER TRAIN COMPUTER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V52800 (POWER TRAIN). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000.

NHTSA ODI #10628037

Official recalls

1

08V528000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

Oct 9, 2008

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 712 MY 2009 SEBRING, DODGE CALIBER, AVENGER, JOURNEY, JEEP PATRIOT, AND COMPASS VEHICLES. A NEW ADHESIVE USED IN THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) MANUFACTURING PROCESS CAN CAUSE THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD TO BREAK.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL AND CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PCM FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 10, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

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.