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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

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

10 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jun 16, 2021
Power TrainService BrakesVehicle Speed Control

When the vehicle reaches 3,000 RPMs the temperature light comes on and the vehicle seems like it wants to go into neutral The engine light comes on the antilock brake system light comes on.

NHTSA ODI #11421138

125,000 miles · Jan 26, 2020
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control

THE CAR WILL STALL AND NOT TAKE OFF AFTER BEING STOPPED AT A LIGHT FOR TOO LONG . WILL SHUT OFF AS WELL ALONG WITH THROTTLING AS IF IT WANTS TO SHUT OFF

NHTSA ODI #11302111

Mileage unknown · Oct 23, 2019
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

THE CARS TRANSMISSION LIGHT CAME ON INDACATING THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID IS OVER 250 DEGREES AND IT SHUTS DOWN TO WHERE I CANT DRIVE IT IT JUMPS AND IT WON'T LET ME ACCELERATE I WAS GOING TO THE DR OFFICE OUT OF THE TOWN FROM WHERE I LIVE AND IT PUT ME OUT PUT IT ON THE DIAGNOSICT MACHINE AT IT SAID TMC MODUEL I HAVENT HAD IT …

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THE CARS TRANSMISSION LIGHT CAME ON INDACATING THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID IS OVER 250 DEGREES AND IT SHUTS DOWN TO WHERE I CANT DRIVE IT IT JUMPS AND IT WON'T LET ME ACCELERATE I WAS GOING TO THE DR OFFICE OUT OF THE TOWN FROM WHERE I LIVE AND IT PUT ME OUT PUT IT ON THE DIAGNOSICT MACHINE AT IT SAID TMC MODUEL I HAVENT HAD IT VERY LONG AND ALL AND THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IT HAS DONE IT TO ME

NHTSA ODI #11270545

37,000 miles · May 7, 2018
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

THE TRANSMISSION CONTINUOUSLY OVERHEATS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER. THE IS NO NOTIFICATION OTHER THAN A LIGHT AT THE TIME IT STARTS TO SLOW DOWN. AT THIS POINT YOU HAVE TO MANEUVER CAUTIOUSLY THROUGH FAST MOVING TRAFFIC TO PULL OVER FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES EACH TIME. I HAVE ALMOST BEEN IN MULTIPLE ACCIDENTS (AND ALMOST CA…

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THE TRANSMISSION CONTINUOUSLY OVERHEATS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER. THE IS NO NOTIFICATION OTHER THAN A LIGHT AT THE TIME IT STARTS TO SLOW DOWN. AT THIS POINT YOU HAVE TO MANEUVER CAUTIOUSLY THROUGH FAST MOVING TRAFFIC TO PULL OVER FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES EACH TIME. I HAVE ALMOST BEEN IN MULTIPLE ACCIDENTS (AND ALMOST CAUSED A FEW) BECAUSE OF THE UNANNOUNCED EXTREME LOSS OF POWER. I'VE TAKEN THE CAR FOR MULTIPLE TRANSMISSION FLUSHES AND FILTER CHANGES. NOTHING WORKS AND I'M REPEATEDLY TOLD THAT MANY CALIBERS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE BUT THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT CREATED A SOLUTION. THE VEHICLE HAS REMAINED PARKED FOR THE LAST 2 YEARS. MY DAUGHTER TOOK IT OUT FOR A DRIVE TODAY AND WAS STUCK ON THE FREEWAY TWICE IN A 30 MILE TRIP DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION. I CANNOT SELL OR USE THE VEHICLE FOR OBVIOUS SAFETY REASONS.

NHTSA ODI #11092363

130,000 miles · Nov 23, 2016
EngineVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE MORE THAN 5 MPH AND AN UNKNOWN WARNING SENSOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY AND THROTTLE CONTROL FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE MORE THAN 5 MPH AND AN UNKNOWN WARNING SENSOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY AND THROTTLE CONTROL FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND FILED A CASE NUMBER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000.

NHTSA ODI #10927665

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

808,012 miles · Aug 11, 2015
Fuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control

I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY GOING ABOUT 60-65 MPH WHEN MY CAR BEGAN TO RESIST ( PULL BACK) AS I WAS TRYING TO CUT OVER A FEW LANES THE SPEED DROPPED DRAMATIC TO 5PMH AND SOON AS I WAS ABLE TO VEER OFF THE HIGHWAY IT COMPLETELY SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING. GOOD THING I WAS ABLE TO GET OFF THE ROAD. AND I HAD TO GET IT TOWED …

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I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY GOING ABOUT 60-65 MPH WHEN MY CAR BEGAN TO RESIST ( PULL BACK) AS I WAS TRYING TO CUT OVER A FEW LANES THE SPEED DROPPED DRAMATIC TO 5PMH AND SOON AS I WAS ABLE TO VEER OFF THE HIGHWAY IT COMPLETELY SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING. GOOD THING I WAS ABLE TO GET OFF THE ROAD. AND I HAD TO GET IT TOWED HOME. GET HOME THE CAR WOULD START BUT THERE WAS NO DRIVING POWER NO SPEED. TRIED TO BACK THE CAR UP WOULD NOT PUSH PAST 10RPM. I HAD TO GET IT TOWED TO A MACANIC SAID THE THROTTLE BODY WAS THE ISSUE. I READ MANY COMPLAINTS ON GOOGLE ABOUT DODGE CALIBERS HAVING THIS ISSUE AS SOON AS IT HITS 80+THOUSAND MILES ON IT. I SEE THAT MANY CARS HAVE BEEN ON RECALL EXCEPT THE CALIBERS?

NHTSA ODI #10747976

55,000 miles · Oct 16, 2012
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING VERY ROUGH AND WOULD GO UP TO 30 MPH. THE CONTACT STATED THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CON…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING VERY ROUGH AND WOULD GO UP TO 30 MPH. THE CONTACT STATED THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,143. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE VEHICLE PRESENTED AN ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION WITH THE AUTHORIZED UPGRADED RIMS AND TIRES. ON LONG TRIPS. THE TRANSMISSION WOULD OVERHEAT CAUSING THE SAME RESULT AS IN DEPLETED PERFORMANCE. UPDATED 12/10/12

NHTSA ODI #10480683

45,000 miles · Oct 2, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THE ELECTRIC THROTTLE CONTROL LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED. WHENEVER THE CONTACT DROVE 15 MPH THE WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE PCM CHIP AT LEAST TWICE BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO O…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THE ELECTRIC THROTTLE CONTROL LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED. WHENEVER THE CONTACT DROVE 15 MPH THE WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE PCM CHIP AT LEAST TWICE BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 77,000.

NHTSA ODI #10478247

1,700 miles · Nov 4, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainVehicle Speed Control

09/2009 VEHICLE DIED WHILE DRIVING IN MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC TOWED TO DEALER, SUGGESTED CAR HAD AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM AND FIXED. 08/16/2010 VEHICLE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND VEHICLE WAS JERKING BEFORE IT DIED WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC, TOWED TO DEALER SUGGESTED TRANSMISSION WAS BAD AND FIXED. 09/14/2010 VEHICLE ENGINE WOULD NOT…

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09/2009 VEHICLE DIED WHILE DRIVING IN MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC TOWED TO DEALER, SUGGESTED CAR HAD AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM AND FIXED. 08/16/2010 VEHICLE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND VEHICLE WAS JERKING BEFORE IT DIED WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC, TOWED TO DEALER SUGGESTED TRANSMISSION WAS BAD AND FIXED. 09/14/2010 VEHICLE ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OVER TO START, WHEN STARTED DROVE 5 MILES AND STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC, TOWED BACK TO DEALER SUGGESTED COOLANT WAS LEAKING ON THE RADIATOR AND BATTERY WAS BAD AND FIXED. 09/20/2010 ENGINE, THROTTLE AND ENGINE TEMP LIGHT ON VEHICLE DIED WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC, TOWED BACK TO DEALER SUGGESTING HEAD GASKETS FAILED AND FIXED. 10/21/2010 ENGINE TEMP RUNS HOT, OVERHEATS, MAKES TUGGING SOUNDS AND JERKS WHILE DRIVING, DROVE BACK TO DEALER SUGGESTING THERMOSTATS NOT OPENING FULLY REPLACED AND STATES THE CAR WAS SOLD WITH A BAD ENGINE. 11/04/2010 CAR RETURNED TO DEALER DUE TO JERKING, ENGINE LIGHT ON, MAKING TUGGING SOUNDS AS YOU ACCELERATE, WINDING DOWN SOUNDS WHEN YOU BREAK AND OVERHEATING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10364056

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.