Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
230–25K
2725–50K
3750–75K
3275–100K
48100–150K
20150K+
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
What owners actually said
232 reports
57,885 miles · Apr 18, 2016
Suspension
UPON INSPECTION OF MY 2009 DODGE CALIBER I WAS INFORMED THAT THE CROSS MEMBER IS ALMOST COMPLETELY CORRODED OUT.WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS GREATER THAN 55 MPH THERE IS VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL. MY CAR WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION BECAUSE THIS CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. MY HUSBAND CONTACTED CHRYSLER CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WE WERE INF…
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UPON INSPECTION OF MY 2009 DODGE CALIBER I WAS INFORMED THAT THE CROSS MEMBER IS ALMOST COMPLETELY CORRODED OUT.WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS GREATER THAN 55 MPH THERE IS VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL. MY CAR WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION BECAUSE THIS CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. MY HUSBAND CONTACTED CHRYSLER CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WE WERE INFORMED THAT THIS YEAR IS NOT RECALLED SO BASICALLY THERE'S NOTHING THEY'RE WILLING TO DO. IF THE 2007 WAS RECALLED AND THE WARRANTY WAS EXTENDED FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, WHY IS MY 2009 CROSS MEMBER RUSTED OUT? BECAUSE THE SAME PARTS WERE USED AND DEALERSHIPS NEVER WARNED CUSTOMERS THAT THIS WAS A HUGE AND EXPENSIVE PROBLEM ON THESE VEHICLES. WHAT HAPPENED TO SATISFIED CUSTOMERS??? I'M LIVID ABOUT THIS. 8 MONTHS AGO BEFORE MY VEHICLE HAD 50X MILES ON IT, THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. AND THIS CAR ISN'T A PIECE OF CRAP RIGHT? MADE IN CHINA?? I CAN'T BELIEVE THE HORRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE THAT CHRYSLER UTILIZES. SO ARE THEY WAITING FOR A CATASTROPHIC ACCIDENT THAT KILLS SOMEBODY BEFORE THEY ARE WILING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. WE WERE TOLD WHEN WE CALLED THAT "THERE'S NOT ENOUGH COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE THAT WOULD WARRANT A RECALL." REALLY???? SO WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN HERE IS I'M GOING TO CONTACT MY ATTORNEY AND CONTACT THE LOCAL NEWS. I AM DEFINITELY NOT THE 1ST PERSON WITH THIS SAME ISSUE AND SAFETY DEFECT. CHRYSLER WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND FIX YOUR PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES BEFORE THEY TAKE THE LIFE OF INNOCENT PEOPLE??? I'M DISGUSTED BEYOND BELIEF!! CAN YOU TELL???
NHTSA ODI #10860014
125,000 miles · Apr 4, 2016
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH AND MAKING A TURN, THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE KNOCKER FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE W…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH AND MAKING A TURN, THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE KNOCKER FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.
NHTSA ODI #10853406
118,000 miles · Apr 2, 2016
EquipmentStructure
MY NAME IS [XXX] & MY WIFE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT ABOUT 55 MILES PER HOUR & THE STEERING WHEEL LOST CONTROL PULLING THE VEHICLE TO ON COMING TRAFFIC! SHE NEARLY MISS THE VEHICLE AND GOT CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. SHE WAS NEAR THE PLACE WHERE WE TAKE OUR VEHICLES TO GET REPAIRED,SO SHE HAD IT TOWED THERE. ) THE MECHANIC …
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MY NAME IS [XXX] & MY WIFE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT ABOUT 55 MILES PER HOUR & THE STEERING WHEEL LOST CONTROL PULLING THE VEHICLE TO ON COMING TRAFFIC! SHE NEARLY MISS THE VEHICLE AND GOT CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. SHE WAS NEAR THE PLACE WHERE WE TAKE OUR VEHICLES TO GET REPAIRED,SO SHE HAD IT TOWED THERE. ) THE MECHANIC CHECKED IT OUT AND SAID THE ENGINE CRADLE RUSTED OUT ON THE DRIVER SIDE AND BROKE THRU. THE TIRES WERE CHOPPED UP ON BOTH SIDES FROM CUTTING IN TO THE FRONT END ALSO. THE VEHICLE IS ONLY A 2009 .I CALLED CHRYSLER COMPLAINT DEPT.AND SHE SAID THAT THEY COULDN'T DO ANY THING ABOUT IT BECAUSE THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THE DODGE CALIBER 2009 MODELS(ONLY ON THE 2005 CALIBER MODELS) SHE ALSO SAID THAT SHE BOUGHT THE SAME TYPE OF (USED )CALIPER AND HER DAD LOOKED AT IT AND SAID THE ENGINE CRADLE WAS RUSTING OUT . SO SHE SOLD IT.! MY WIFE COULD OF GOTTEN IN A HEAD ON ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS! WE TAKE A LOT OF PRIDE IN OUR VEHICLES & KEEP UP ON THE REGULAR MAINTENANCE.WE ALSO HAVE ALL THE RECORDS ON EVERYTHING THAT WE HAD DONE WITH THE VEHICLE. A PERSON CALLED TO ASK US ABOUT THE COMPLAINT AND WE COULD TALK TO HER AT THAT TIME BECAUSE MY WIFE WAS WORKING AT THAT TIME SO THE PERSON SAID THEY WOULD CALL BACK BUT WE HAVEN'T HEARD FROM THEM IN ABOUT A WEEK. PLEASE CALL US ABOUT THIS AT . [XXX] THE CAR IS REPAIRED AND WE HAVE THE BILL AND THE RUSTED OUT ENGINE CRADLE IF YOU NEED A PICTURE OF IT. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10853037
58,500 miles · Mar 29, 2016
Suspension
UPON INSPECTION OF MY DODGE CALIBER SUSPENSION AND FRONT UNDERCARRIAGE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE CRADLE HAD SEVER CORROSION. THE CORROSION HAS CREATED A SAFETY CONCERN REGARDING THE STABILITY OF THE ENGINE AND LOWER CONTROL ARMS. THE CAR HAS 58,500 MILES. THE DEALER AND FIAT CHRYSLER REFUSE TO FIX THE ISSUE BECAUSE THEY…
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UPON INSPECTION OF MY DODGE CALIBER SUSPENSION AND FRONT UNDERCARRIAGE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE CRADLE HAD SEVER CORROSION. THE CORROSION HAS CREATED A SAFETY CONCERN REGARDING THE STABILITY OF THE ENGINE AND LOWER CONTROL ARMS. THE CAR HAS 58,500 MILES. THE DEALER AND FIAT CHRYSLER REFUSE TO FIX THE ISSUE BECAUSE THEY STATED IT'S OUT OF WARRANTY. FIAT CHRYSLER HAS ISSUED A TECHNICAL BULLETIN 23-012-14 FOR FRONT AND REAR CROSSMEMBER CORROSION (X58 10 YEARS UNLIMITED) FOR M.Y 2007 DODGE CALIBERS FOR THE SAME DEFECT. MY 2009 CALIBER USES THE SAME PART NUMBER, SAME PART THAT IS BEING REPLACED IN EARLIER VEHICLES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THE PREMATURE CORROSION PRESENTS A SAFETY CONCERN FOR THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS. THE VEHICLE IS BECOMING UNSTABLE WHILE TURNING CORNERS.
NHTSA ODI #10852335
82,000 miles · Mar 19, 2016
Fuel/propulsion System
CAR SEEMS TO REV AT A FAST SPEED. HAD TO USE BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKES TO SLOW IT DOWN TO ABOUT 25 MPH THEN PUT IT IN PARK UNTIL THE VEHICLE REGULATED ITS SELF
NHTSA ODI #10850504
Mileage unknown · Mar 16, 2016
Seat BeltsCrashInjury
THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL IMPACT CRASH WITH A GUARDRAIL FACE. THERE WAS AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT BUT NEITHER OCCUPANT WAS BUCKLED. SEATBELT PRE-TENSIONER FIRED AND PULLED THE D-RING OUT OF THE B PILLAR. THIS POTENTIAL ISSUE DID NOT APPEAR TO HAVE AN IMPACT ON OCCUPANT INJURIES.
NHTSA ODI #10849903
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
120,000 miles · Feb 25, 2016
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND STALLED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. UPON INSPECTION, THE REAR TIRE DEATACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THERE WAS SEVERE CORROSION ON THE CROSSMEMBER WHICH CAUSED THE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND STALLED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. UPON INSPECTION, THE REAR TIRE DEATACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THERE WAS SEVERE CORROSION ON THE CROSSMEMBER WHICH CAUSED THE AXLE TO FRACTURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000.
NHTSA ODI #10838204
3 miles · Feb 23, 2016
Electrical SystemEngineFire
ELECTRIC FAULT STARTED A FIRE UNDER THE HOOD RESULTING IN ALL COMPONENTS TO COMPLETELY BURN. A BURNING SMELL STARTED WHILE I WAS DRIVING, I CHECKED THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE AND THE NEEDLE WAS UNDER THE COLD TICK. I CONTINUED DRIVING TO THE NEAREST PARKING WHICH TOOK ABOUT 1 MINUTE AND SMOKE WAS ALREADY COMING OUT VISIBLE FROM TH…
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ELECTRIC FAULT STARTED A FIRE UNDER THE HOOD RESULTING IN ALL COMPONENTS TO COMPLETELY BURN. A BURNING SMELL STARTED WHILE I WAS DRIVING, I CHECKED THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE AND THE NEEDLE WAS UNDER THE COLD TICK. I CONTINUED DRIVING TO THE NEAREST PARKING WHICH TOOK ABOUT 1 MINUTE AND SMOKE WAS ALREADY COMING OUT VISIBLE FROM THE HOOD. I DON'T LIVE IN THE US, SO STATAE, ZIP CODE AND PHONE NUMBERS I ENTERED ARE DUMMY. I LIVE IN THE UAE, ABU DHABI PHONE: 0091502124224
NHTSA ODI #10837645
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.
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.
2009 Dodge Caliber Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year