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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

232 reports
166,500 miles · Feb 9, 2016
Electrical SystemSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN OVER TO START THE VEHICLE. ALSO, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS EXTREMELY TIGHT AND DIFFICULT TO TURN WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN OVER TO START THE VEHICLE. ALSO, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS EXTREMELY TIGHT AND DIFFICULT TO TURN WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIPM FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 166,500.

NHTSA ODI #10825213

70,000 miles · Jan 21, 2016
StructureSuspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE CONTACT TEMPORARILY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT A PART OF THE SUSPENSION HAD DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS EXTREME CORROSION UNDERNEATH THE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE CONTACT TEMPORARILY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT A PART OF THE SUSPENSION HAD DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS EXTREME CORROSION UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND THAT THE SUBFRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. .....UPDATED 04/15/16 *BF *CN

NHTSA ODI #10821374

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

75,062 miles · Jan 8, 2016
StructureSuspension

TOOK MY 2009 DODGE CALIBER IN FOR INSPECTION. FRONT SUB-FRAME / CROSS MEMBER IS ROTTING AWAY AND ALMOST RUSTED. REST OF THE CAR HAS VERY LITTLE RUST. CALLED CHRYSLER CUSTOMER CARE. DODGE IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND EXTENDED THE WARRANTY FOR THE 07 BUT NOT THE 09 KNOWING THE ISSUE WAS NOT RESOLVED. HAVE AN APPOINTMENT AT THE…

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TOOK MY 2009 DODGE CALIBER IN FOR INSPECTION. FRONT SUB-FRAME / CROSS MEMBER IS ROTTING AWAY AND ALMOST RUSTED. REST OF THE CAR HAS VERY LITTLE RUST. CALLED CHRYSLER CUSTOMER CARE. DODGE IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND EXTENDED THE WARRANTY FOR THE 07 BUT NOT THE 09 KNOWING THE ISSUE WAS NOT RESOLVED. HAVE AN APPOINTMENT AT THE DEALERSHIP (WHO ARE AWESOME) TO INSPECT THE PROBLEM FURTHER.

NHTSA ODI #10818914

71,092 miles · Dec 21, 2015
Exterior Lighting

WHEN I TURN ON MY SIGNALS TO MAKE A TURN, ONE OF MY HEADLIGHTS GOES OUT. SOMETIMES AT NIGHT IT'S DIFFICULT TO SEE WHERE I'M TURNING INTO. ALSO SOMETIMES WHEN I TURN MY CAR ON AND TURN ON MY HEADLIGHTS, THEY WON'T TURN ON. BUT WHEN I PUT MY IN REVERSE AND DRIVE, THEY TURN ON. I GOT STOPPED FRIDAY NIGHT BECAUSE THE POLICE OFFICER …

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WHEN I TURN ON MY SIGNALS TO MAKE A TURN, ONE OF MY HEADLIGHTS GOES OUT. SOMETIMES AT NIGHT IT'S DIFFICULT TO SEE WHERE I'M TURNING INTO. ALSO SOMETIMES WHEN I TURN MY CAR ON AND TURN ON MY HEADLIGHTS, THEY WON'T TURN ON. BUT WHEN I PUT MY IN REVERSE AND DRIVE, THEY TURN ON. I GOT STOPPED FRIDAY NIGHT BECAUSE THE POLICE OFFICER SAID MY HEADLIGHTS WERE OUT AND WHEN I TESTED THEM OUT THEY WOULDN'T TURN ON WHILE I WAS SITTING STILL. I TOOK THEM TO GOODYEAR THE NEXT DAY AND TOLD WHAT WAS WRONG. THEY CHECKED THEM OUT AND SAID THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG AND EVERYTHING WAS WORKING RIGHT. HAZARDOUS NIGHT TIME DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI #10811414

Mileage unknown · Dec 21, 2015
SteeringSuspensionWheels

THE 2009 DODGE CALIBER WAS DEEMED UNSAFE AND UNABLE TO PASS A MAINE SAFETY INSPECTION. THE FRONT AND REAR CROSS SUB FRAMES WERE HEAVILY RUSTED AND COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH IN SEVERAL PLACES.

NHTSA ODI #10811384

121,000 miles · Dec 7, 2015
Electrical SystemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH AND MADE AN ABNORMAL NOSIE. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFAC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH AND MADE AN ABNORMAL NOSIE. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME FAILURE LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V528000 (POWER TRAIN). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 121,000.

NHTSA ODI #10808683

91,000 miles · Dec 2, 2015
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE SUBFRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000.

NHTSA ODI #10807936

119,000 miles · Nov 28, 2015
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineExterior Lighting

CAR SHAKING WHILE DRIVING ENGINE LIGHT ON AND DASH LIGHTS KEEP FLASHING

NHTSA ODI #10807258

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.