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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
10,000 miles · Aug 18, 2015
Electrical SystemService Brakes

I BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW. THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO AT ABOUT 10000 MILES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 16,000. A MECHANIC SAID THE CODE INDICATED LOW VOLTAGE TO THE ABS MOTOR. THE BATTERY VOLTAGE WAS GOOD. THE DEALER AND ANOTHER MECHANIC SAID THE REPAIR WOULD BE AROUND $600 SO I DID NOT REPAIR IT.

NHTSA ODI #10749519

Mileage unknown · Aug 16, 2015
SuspensionUnknown Or Other

ROTTED OUT.CORRODED IN 6 YEARS CAR UNSAFE.

NHTSA ODI #10749013

92,000 miles · Aug 12, 2015
Electrical SystemService Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE TIPM WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO WORK AND WAS UNABLE TO BE RESET. THE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE TIPM WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO WORK AND WAS UNABLE TO BE RESET. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.

NHTSA ODI #10748091

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

15,000 miles · Jul 27, 2015
Air BagsElectrical System

THE LIGHTS COME ON WHEN THE SEASONS CHANGE AND THE CAR IS WARMED UP. THE ALARM GOES OFF USUALLY WHEN IT IS WINDY. THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS THE MOST COMMON. IT CAN ALSO GO ON WHEN PARKED AND CAR IS RUNNING. AS THE YEARS HAVE GONE ON, IT'S BEEN LESS PREDICTABLE. OCCASIONALLY THERE ISN'T ANY POWER WHEN I PLUG SOMETHING INTO THE CONSOLE,…

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THE LIGHTS COME ON WHEN THE SEASONS CHANGE AND THE CAR IS WARMED UP. THE ALARM GOES OFF USUALLY WHEN IT IS WINDY. THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS THE MOST COMMON. IT CAN ALSO GO ON WHEN PARKED AND CAR IS RUNNING. AS THE YEARS HAVE GONE ON, IT'S BEEN LESS PREDICTABLE. OCCASIONALLY THERE ISN'T ANY POWER WHEN I PLUG SOMETHING INTO THE CONSOLE, TOO. I'VE HAD THE DEALER LOOK AT IT MULTIPLE TIMES BUT THEY HAVEN'T FOUND ANYTHING. SOMETIMES THEY DON'T EVEN WRITE IT UP WHEN I'M HAVING SOMETHING ELSE REPAIRED. ALL THE DEALER HAS TOLD ME IS THAT MY AIRBAG IS DISABLED WHEN THE LIGHT IS ON. WHEN THE ALARM GOES OFF, IT DOESN'T WANT TO BE SHUT OFF. IT TAKES A LOT OF TRIES SOMETIMES TO GET IT TO STOP.THE TRACTION CONTROL IS THE NEWEST THING. THAT'S BEEN ONLY FOR THE LAST YEAR OR SO.

NHTSA ODI #10743575

134,946 miles · Jul 19, 2015
Engine

VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY SLOWS DOWN AT SPEEDS OF 60 TO 70 MPH WHEN CAR IS DRIVEN FOR A MINIMUM OF 3 HOURS. FEEL THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. EXAMPLE: DRIVING WITH MY GRANDCHILDREN ON EXPRESSWAY; TEMPERATURE LIGHT CAME ON, CAR LOST POWER AND SLOWED DOWN TO 45. CALLED WRECKER, TOWED TO A DODGE DEALER,. THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG. VEH…

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VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY SLOWS DOWN AT SPEEDS OF 60 TO 70 MPH WHEN CAR IS DRIVEN FOR A MINIMUM OF 3 HOURS. FEEL THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. EXAMPLE: DRIVING WITH MY GRANDCHILDREN ON EXPRESSWAY; TEMPERATURE LIGHT CAME ON, CAR LOST POWER AND SLOWED DOWN TO 45. CALLED WRECKER, TOWED TO A DODGE DEALER,. THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG. VEHICLE DOES THIS ON A CONTINUAL BASIS. SPEEDS OF 60 TO 70 MPH WHILE TRAVELING FOR A MINIMUM OF 3 HOURS. VERY DANGEROUS ON EXPRESSWAYS. HAD MY GRANDCHILDREN WITH VEHICLES COMING UP ON ME AT 70, HAD MY FATHER IN THE CAR A COUPLE OF TIMES. WHEN IT COMES ON NOW, I PULL OFF ROAD, WAIT 30 MINUTES OR SO AND THEN CONTINUE ON MY WAY WHICH AFFECTS MY LONG DISTANCE TRIPS. CALLED DODGE WEBSITE (?) THEY SAID TO TAKE IT IN TO A DEALER WHEN IT DOES THIS. I DO TAKE IT IN AND THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. PLEASE HELP ME, THIS CAR IS USED ON LONG DISTANCE TRIPS. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS CAR AND HOPE IT IS RECALLED BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY INJURED. IF IT IS NOT A CAR TO BE DRIVEN LONG DISTANCE THAN THEY SHOULD RECALL EVERYONE OF THEM! THANK YOU. I HOPE YOU CAN HELP ME.

NHTSA ODI #10734989

62,500 miles · Jun 23, 2015
Suspension

WHILE BRAKING ON THE EXIT RAMP FROM THE HIGHWAY I FELT A POP UNDER THE FRONT OF THE CAR. THE DRIVERS SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM BROKE AWAY FROM THE CROSS MEMBER DUE TO A FAILURE OF THE CROSS MEMBER FROM EXCESSIVE RUST AND CORROSION.

NHTSA ODI #10726803

54,000 miles · Jun 4, 2015
StructureSuspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT AN OBJECT FRACTURED FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS CORRODED AND CONTAINED HOLES. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME AND CONTROL ARM…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT AN OBJECT FRACTURED FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS CORRODED AND CONTAINED HOLES. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME AND CONTROL ARMS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000.

NHTSA ODI #10723475

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

96,702 miles · Apr 29, 2015
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR AN UNRELATED FAILURE AND THEY DISCOVERED THAT THE ENGINE CRADLE SUPPORT MOUNT WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR AN UNRELATED FAILURE AND THEY DISCOVERED THAT THE ENGINE CRADLE SUPPORT MOUNT WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,702. MA 10/29/2015 UPDATED 10/11/2017*CN

NHTSA ODI #10713616

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.