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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
80,000 miles · Sep 2, 2014
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY AND THE VEHICLE STALLED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED AND PROGRESSIVELY WORSENED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY AND THE VEHICLE STALLED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED AND PROGRESSIVELY WORSENED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ODI #10630127

33,000 miles · Aug 25, 2014
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. A CERTIFIED MECHANIC PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC, WHICH LOCATED A FAILURE CODE AT THE POWER TRAIN COMPUTER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. A CERTIFIED MECHANIC PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC, WHICH LOCATED A FAILURE CODE AT THE POWER TRAIN COMPUTER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V52800 (POWER TRAIN). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000.

NHTSA ODI #10628037

42,800 miles · Aug 23, 2014
Electrical System

RED CLUSTER WARNING LITE FLASH LOW TIRE LOW TIRE LIGHT LITES LOW TIRE ON ODOMATER RED LITES ON CENTER CLUSTER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10627697

132,000 miles · Jul 7, 2014
StructureSuspension

UPON INSPECTION OF MY VEHICLE, MY MECHANIC NOTED THAT THE FRAME CROSSMEMBERS WERE RUSTED TO THE POINT OF NEEDING IMMEDIATE REPLACEMENT. HE STATED THE CAR WAS UNSAFE AND COULD HAVE CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10608582

48,000 miles · Mar 22, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingSteeringSuspension

CAR STARTED FALLING APART AT AROUND 48K TIE RODS. CONTROL ARMS. STRUTS. BUSHINGS. BALL JOINTS. BEARINGS. SWAY BAR LINKS. LATERAL ARM BUSHINGS. UPPER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS. UPPER TOW LINKS. FRONT STRUT MOUNTS. MY LATEST REPAIR BILL (TODAY) IS 1500.00 AND THE CAR HAS ONLY 60K ON IT. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER IS ALS…

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CAR STARTED FALLING APART AT AROUND 48K TIE RODS. CONTROL ARMS. STRUTS. BUSHINGS. BALL JOINTS. BEARINGS. SWAY BAR LINKS. LATERAL ARM BUSHINGS. UPPER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS. UPPER TOW LINKS. FRONT STRUT MOUNTS. MY LATEST REPAIR BILL (TODAY) IS 1500.00 AND THE CAR HAS ONLY 60K ON IT. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER IS ALSO SLATED FOR REPLACEMENT AS SOON AS THE DEALER GETS IT IN. I AM A VERY CONSERVATIVE DRIVER AND ALWAYS KEEP MY CAR SERVICED. I BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW. THE SUSPENSION ON THIS CAR IS A MENACE. THE BLOWER MOTOR ALSO WENT AT 48K (A SAFETY ISSUE IN MY NORTHERN MN WINTERS) AND THE REAR DEFROSTER ONLY HAS TWO OR THREE LINES THAT WORK. THE POWER STEERING UNIT IS ALSO LOSING FLUID AND I WILL HAVE TO HAVE THAT REPAIRED AS WELL. I AM MORE THAN HAPPY TO PROVIDE A PRINT OUT FROM FIRESTONE AUTO REPAIR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10574166

83,000 miles · Feb 3, 2014
TiresWheels

TIRE TPMS VALVE STEM COMPLETELY SHATTERED. THE VEHICLE HAS HAD THESE REPLACED WITHIN THE PAST 6 MONTHS WITH NEW TIRES INSTALLED, YET THE ONE HAD SHATTERED WHILE ADDING AIR ALLOWING ALL AIR TO SPEW OUT OF TIRE. THIS COULD BE A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE IF THESE FRAGILE SENSORS/STEMS WERE TO SHATTER WHILE DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10562723

56,000 miles · Dec 27, 2013
TiresWheels

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ADDING AIR TO THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR TIRE, THE VALVE STEM BECAME FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS ADVISED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM AND VALVE STEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ADDING AIR TO THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR TIRE, THE VALVE STEM BECAME FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS ADVISED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM AND VALVE STEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 56,000. .UPDATED 01-10-14 *BF

NHTSA ODI #10557478

7,166 miles · Nov 26, 2013
Fuel System, GasolinePower Train

2009 DODGE CALIBER PRESENTED PROBLEMS AT 7,166 MILES, BRAND NEW. I WAS DRIVING WHILE SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING THE CAR STALLED. IT HAD TO BE TOWED. I TOOK IT TO THE CHRYSLER DEALER FOR SERVICE AND I WAS TOLD THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL, THE TOTALLY INTEGRATED POWER MODULE AND THE EVAPORATIVE DETECTOR SYSTEMS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. TW…

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2009 DODGE CALIBER PRESENTED PROBLEMS AT 7,166 MILES, BRAND NEW. I WAS DRIVING WHILE SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING THE CAR STALLED. IT HAD TO BE TOWED. I TOOK IT TO THE CHRYSLER DEALER FOR SERVICE AND I WAS TOLD THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL, THE TOTALLY INTEGRATED POWER MODULE AND THE EVAPORATIVE DETECTOR SYSTEMS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. TWO WEEKS LATER, I HAD TO TAKE THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER BECAUSE OF THE SAME PROBLEM, WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. THEN THE BATTERY PRESENTED CORROSION, THE DEALER MADE ME PAY FOR THE SERVICES, THEY DIDN'T HONOR THE WARRANTY. AFTER THAT THE CAR KEPT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE NEW BATTERY THAT IT WAS REPLACED BY THE CHRYSLER DEALER. AFTER THAT, THE CAR WAS TOWED AGAIN, IT WAS TOOK TO THE DEALER AGAIN AND THE PCM WAS REPLACED AGAIN, BUT THE PART CAME IN AND IT DIDN'T WORK, MY CAR WAS ON THE DEALER FOR OVER 2 MONTHS BECAUSE DE PCM SENT BY CHRYSLER WAS A DEFECTIVE PART, SO I NEEDED TO KEEP WAITING. ANOTHER PCM WAS ORDERED AND THEY MADE ME PAY OVER 2,000 DOLLARS FOR REPAIRS; AND AFTER TWO WEEKS OUT OF THE DEALER, THE CAR STARTED TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS AGAIN. THIS CAR WAS DEFECTIVE FROM DAY ONE, HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE PCM, TIPM AND ALL THE ELECTRIC SYSTEMS AND DETECTOR EVAPORATIVE SYSTEM AND THE CHRYSLER DEALER DOESN'T WANT TO HONOR ANY WARRANTIES, AND HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX ANY PROBLEMS. THIS 2009 DODGE CALIBER WAS DEFECTIVE SINCE IT WAS MANUFACTURED BY CHRYSLER. IT IS TO RISKY TO DRIVE A CAR THAT WITHOUT ANY WARNING STALLS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY, IT IS ALSO A BIG SAFETY ISSUE, IT IS DANGEROUS, AND THE CHRYSLER AND ITS DEALERS SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE AND EXTEND THE RECALL AND RESPOND TO MANY CUSTOMERS WHO BOUGHT THIS CAR THINKING IT WAS A RELIABLE CAR, WITH A GOOD WARRANTY THAT NOW THEY REFUSE TO HONOR. PLEASE INVESTIGATE! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10553805

78,000 miles · Nov 1, 2013
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE OUT OF CONTROL AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED WHICH LOCATED THE FAILURE WITHIN THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE OUT OF CONTROL AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED WHICH LOCATED THE FAILURE WITHIN THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN RECALL 08V528000 (POWER TRAIN). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,000.

NHTSA ODI #10550482

65,000 miles · Oct 21, 2013
Power Train

WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE TO WORK, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO GO ABOVE 30 MPH WHILE ACCELERATING, AND A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE BEGAN UNDER THE HOOD. I BROUGHT VEHICLE TO THE NEAREST MECHANIC WHO INDICATED IT WAS A TRANSMISSION ISSUE AND TO BRING TO A DEALER. THERE IS NO DODGE DEALER NEAR ME THAT WOULD TOW THE VEHICLE AND THE TOW WOULD HA…

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WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE TO WORK, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO GO ABOVE 30 MPH WHILE ACCELERATING, AND A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE BEGAN UNDER THE HOOD. I BROUGHT VEHICLE TO THE NEAREST MECHANIC WHO INDICATED IT WAS A TRANSMISSION ISSUE AND TO BRING TO A DEALER. THERE IS NO DODGE DEALER NEAR ME THAT WOULD TOW THE VEHICLE AND THE TOW WOULD HAVE BEEN AT MY EXPENSE, SO I TOWED THE VEHICLE FOR FREE TO THE DEALER WHOM I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND THEY DIAGNOSED A MAJOR MECHANICAL FAILURE WITH THE CVT TRANSMISSION. CHRYSLER HAS BEEN CONTACTED, HOWEVER THEY ARE BEING DIFFICULT TO WORK WITH DUE TO THE VEHICLE NOT BEING AT A DODGE DEALER. THERE IS NO REPAIRING THE TRANSMISSION IT CAN ONLY BE REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER $4000! THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 65000 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10548696

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.