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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.

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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

Electrical System complaints

58 reports
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Mileage unknown · Nov 24, 2022
Electrical SystemStructureSuspension

The entire underneath of my car is rusted out. I was driving to work one day when someone pulled out in front of me and I had to hit the brakes. That resulted in the subframe and front drivers axel to break as I’m driving! The sunroof leaks when it rains and half the time the electricity doesn’t work on the sunroof button. My do…

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The entire underneath of my car is rusted out. I was driving to work one day when someone pulled out in front of me and I had to hit the brakes. That resulted in the subframe and front drivers axel to break as I’m driving! The sunroof leaks when it rains and half the time the electricity doesn’t work on the sunroof button. My doors have completely stopped auto locking and my hazards will randomly start flashing without pushing the button. Steering is absolutely terrible, it feels like you’re skidding on ice or hydroplaning the entire drive.

NHTSA ODI #11494825

283,000 miles · Jan 2, 2021
Electrical SystemService BrakesWheels

THE FRONT CALIPERS WILL NOT ENGAGE WHEN BRAKE PEDAL IS PRESSED. THE BRAKE PEDAL SINKS TO THE FLOOR AND HAS NO STOPPING POWER. THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED AND CALIPERS ARE NEW REPLACEMENTS. AFTER REPLACING THESE PARTS IT NOW SMELL OF BURNT BRAKE FLUID BUT THERE IS NO LEAK AND THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO WORSEN. THE FIRST TIME I WAS…

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THE FRONT CALIPERS WILL NOT ENGAGE WHEN BRAKE PEDAL IS PRESSED. THE BRAKE PEDAL SINKS TO THE FLOOR AND HAS NO STOPPING POWER. THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED AND CALIPERS ARE NEW REPLACEMENTS. AFTER REPLACING THESE PARTS IT NOW SMELL OF BURNT BRAKE FLUID BUT THERE IS NO LEAK AND THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO WORSEN. THE FIRST TIME I WAS DOING 45-50 ON A COUNTY RD WHEN A ANOTHER CAR PULLED OUT 20 FEET AWAY AND I WAS TRYING TO SLOW DOWN WHEN I LOST THE FRONT BRAKES AS PISHED IN ON THE PUSHED IN ON THE BRAKES THE PEDAL SANK AND THEY DIDN'T ENGAGE. I THEN BOUGHT THE NEW CALIPERS AND IT WAS FINE FOR ABOUT A MONTH. THE SECOND TIME I WAS STUCK IN TRAFFIC ON A BUSY CITY STREET WHEN THE ABS BRAKES FAILED RESULTING IN ME RUNNING A RED LIGHT AND ALMOST GETTING HIT. IT HAS CORRODED AND TOOK HUNKS OFF ALUMINUM FROM MY FRONT DRIVER RIM. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM AND KEEP REPLACING PARTS FOR IT TO TEAR UP NEW ONES

NHTSA ODI #11386118

240,000 miles · May 31, 2020
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Power Train

WHILE DRIVING MY CAR SPEED LOWERED AND THE TRANS TEMP LIGHT AND ESP LIGHT AND TRACTION CONTROL AND ETB MODULE LIGHT CAME CAR WON'T GO OVER 40 AND REMAINS IN LIMP MODE EVEN AFTER TAKING IT TO THE SHOP

NHTSA ODI #11326698

90,000 miles · May 11, 2020
Electrical SystemEngine

LUCKILY, I WAS ON A CITY STREET. THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND SLOWED SIGNIFICANTLY, ALMOST STOPPING COMPLETELY AND BEGAN TO REBOOT AS IF IT WERE JUST BEING STARTED. I AM COMPLAINING BECAUSE I DO NOT FEEL IT TO BE SAFE FOR CONSUMERS ON ANY ROAD. I HAVE A 3 YEAR OLD SON AND I WOULD VERY MUCH LIKE DODGE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM BEFORE MY,…

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LUCKILY, I WAS ON A CITY STREET. THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND SLOWED SIGNIFICANTLY, ALMOST STOPPING COMPLETELY AND BEGAN TO REBOOT AS IF IT WERE JUST BEING STARTED. I AM COMPLAINING BECAUSE I DO NOT FEEL IT TO BE SAFE FOR CONSUMERS ON ANY ROAD. I HAVE A 3 YEAR OLD SON AND I WOULD VERY MUCH LIKE DODGE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM BEFORE MY, OR ANYONE ELSE'S FAMILY, GETS WHIPLASH FROM A REAR COLLISION. I'M REACHING OUT TO NHTSA BECAUSE, I LACK THE TOOLS AND KNOWLEDGE TO FIX IT MYSELF, AND DON'T FIND IT FAIR THAT I PAY FOR A MISTAKE THAT DODGE MADE IN MAKING THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11324134

185,000 miles · Aug 14, 2019
Electrical SystemStructureSuspension

ONE HEADLIGHT DOESN'T,WORK SUB FRAME COMPLETELY RUSTED, DOORS LOCK AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS SHOCK AND STRUTS ARE HORRIBLE SQUEAKS AND MAKES REALLY BAD SOUNDING NOISES AT ANY SPEED EVEN BACKING OUT

NHTSA ODI #11244034

114,917 miles · Jun 24, 2019
Electrical System

MY 2008 DODGE CALIBER STALLED OUT WHEN DRIVING & HAD THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY CONTROL LIGHTS GO OFF. ( WE TRADED INSTEAD OF FIXING) NOT 1 WEEK LATER MY 2014 DODGE AVENGER HAS THIS SAME ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY CONTROL AND STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY!!!!! THE SHOP THAT IS TRYING TO FIX THIS JUST HAS ANOTHER AVENGER FIXED FOR THE…

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MY 2008 DODGE CALIBER STALLED OUT WHEN DRIVING & HAD THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY CONTROL LIGHTS GO OFF. ( WE TRADED INSTEAD OF FIXING) NOT 1 WEEK LATER MY 2014 DODGE AVENGER HAS THIS SAME ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY CONTROL AND STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY!!!!! THE SHOP THAT IS TRYING TO FIX THIS JUST HAS ANOTHER AVENGER FIXED FOR THE SAME ISSUE ! WHY HAVE THESE NOT BEEN RECALLED? IF SOMEONE GETS HURT STALLING OUT ON A HIGHWAY BECAUSE OF THIS, THERE IS GOING TO BE ISSUES.

NHTSA ODI #11222308

Mileage unknown · Feb 6, 2019
Air BagsElectrical System

THE CODE STATING A WIRE IS LOSE WITHIN THE DRIVER AIRBAG. THE AIRBAG LIGHT KEEP GOING ON AND OFF CONSISTENTLY WHILE DRIVING

NHTSA ODI #11174857

160,000 miles · Jan 16, 2019
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Suspension

DASH WARNING LIGHTS ALL COME ON, INTERIOR LIGHT COMES ON WHEN USING RIGHT TURN SIGNAL, LOSES POWER ONLY UP TO 40MPH , SOMETIMES WON'T START, ODOMETER GAUGE FLAPPING AROUND, WHICH ARE CURRENT PROBLEMS,HAVE REPLACED SUSPENSION THREE TIMES, AND REPLACED COMPUTER! WILL NEVER PURCHASE A DODGE AGAIN!

NHTSA ODI #11170335

Mileage unknown · Aug 3, 2018
Electrical SystemService Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE RADIO AND DOME LIGHT AUTOMATICALLY TURNED ON AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD TO BE DEPRESSED EXTREMELY HARD FOR THE VEHICLE TO STOP AND MULTIPLE UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM GREENSB…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE RADIO AND DOME LIGHT AUTOMATICALLY TURNED ON AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD TO BE DEPRESSED EXTREMELY HARD FOR THE VEHICLE TO STOP AND MULTIPLE UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM GREENSBORO (3710 W WENDOVER AVE, GREENSBORO, NC 27407, (336) 790-9850), BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #11115596

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

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.