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2008 Dodge Caliber AWD problems

Owners have filed 23 complaints about the 2008 Dodge Caliber AWD with NHTSA between 2010 and 2018. The largest single group is the electrical system.

Read the complaints What breaks Worst years for the Dodge Caliber AWD All 2008 cars
—

Not graded

Too few complaints, or too short a model run, to compare fairly.

How this is worked out

The numbers

23

Complaints

0

Crashes reported

2

Fires reported

0

Injuries reported

56,000 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

5%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What breaks on a 2008 Dodge Caliber AWD

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Suspension 5 21.7%

Median failure at 40,000 miles

Electrical System 5 21.7%

0 crashes, 1 fires · median 98,500 mi

Fuel & Propulsion 2 8.7%

Median failure at 129,000 miles

Body & Structure 2 8.7%
Steering 2 8.7%

Median failure at 49,500 miles

Transmission & Drivetrain 2 8.7%

Median failure at 92,500 miles

Other & Unspecified 1 4.3%

Median failure at 47,500 miles

Seats 1 4.3%

0 crashes, 1 fires · median 97,000 mi

Tires 1 4.3%

Median failure at 44,000 miles

Acceleration & Cruise Control 1 4.3%

Median failure at 56,000 miles

Brakes 1 4.3%

Median failure at 31,100 miles

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

25,000 – 49,999 miles 7 36.8%
50,000 – 74,999 miles 6 31.6%
75,000 – 99,999 miles 2 10.5%
100,000 – 149,999 miles 4 21.1%

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

Jan 2010 peak 3 Dec 2018

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

at 97,000 miles Duncannon, PA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER AWD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WIRING IN THE HEATED SEAT FAILED CAUSING THE SEATS TO OVERHEAT LEAVING A HOLE APPROXIMATELY 7 INCHES BEHIND THE SEAT. THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR OF THE SEAT WAS WARM AND AN ABNORMAL ODOR WAS DETECTED. IN ADDITION, THE WIRING IN THE STEERING COLUMN FAILED CAUSING THE WIPER BLADES TO FAIL AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID TO ACTIVATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE MAIN WIRING IN THE STEERING COLUMN FAILED AND THE HEATED PAD, WIRING, ZONE, COVER, AND SEAT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE OVERHEATED SEAT FAILURE HAD NOT BEEN REMEDIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 97,000.

NHTSA complaint #10759726 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 97,000 miles Duncannon, PA Fire

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER AWD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WIRING IN THE HEATED SEAT FAILED CAUSING THE SEATS TO OVERHEAT LEAVING A HOLE APPROXIMATELY 7 INCHES BEHIND THE SEAT. THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR OF THE SEAT WAS WARM AND AN ABNORMAL ODOR WAS DETECTED. IN ADDITION, THE WIRING IN THE STEERING COLUMN FAILED CAUSING THE WIPER BLADES TO FAIL AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID TO ACTIVATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE MAIN WIRING IN THE STEERING COLUMN FAILED AND THE HEATED PAD, WIRING, ZONE, COVER, AND SEAT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE OVERHEATED SEAT FAILURE HAD NOT BEEN REMEDIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 97,000.

NHTSA complaint #10759726 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

at 47,500 miles Uniointown, PA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

MY 2008 DODGE CALIBER WOULD NOT PASS INSPECTION 2 WEEKS AGO. THE REAR CROSS MEMBER IS ROTTED OUT, THE FRONT CONTROL ARMS ARE ALSO IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT. THERE WAS A K FRAME RECALL ON 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011 & 2012, BUT NOT 2008. THE CAR WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND IT HAS RUINED MY NEW TIRES. I DROVE THE CAR BACK TO MY HOUSE AND PARKED IT. IT IS GOING TO COST ME $2000 FOR REPAIRS. MY EXTENDED WARRANTY EXPIRED JANUARY OF 2018.

NHTSA complaint #11156395 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tigerton, WI

STRUCTURE:BODY

COMING HOME FROM A TRIP AND STOPPED TO PUT GAS IN AND IT WAS NIGHT TIME AND THE DASH LIGHTS WOULD NOT COME ON. IT HAPPENED 3 TIMES NOW. I DO NOT LIKE DRIVING HOME WITH A FLASHLIGHT. ALSO THE OTHER PROBLEM WE HAVE IS WE HAD. OUR OIL CHANGED AND WE'RE TOLD THAT THE FRONT SUBFRAME IS RUSTING OUT AND THE OIL PAN WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED SOON

NHTSA complaint #11110581 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tigerton, WI

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

COMING HOME FROM A TRIP AND STOPPED TO PUT GAS IN AND IT WAS NIGHT TIME AND THE DASH LIGHTS WOULD NOT COME ON. IT HAPPENED 3 TIMES NOW. I DO NOT LIKE DRIVING HOME WITH A FLASHLIGHT. ALSO THE OTHER PROBLEM WE HAVE IS WE HAD. OUR OIL CHANGED AND WE'RE TOLD THAT THE FRONT SUBFRAME IS RUSTING OUT AND THE OIL PAN WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED SOON

NHTSA complaint #11110581 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Croton ON Hudson, NY

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

WHEN FUELING CAR GAS INTAKE CUTS OFF REPEATEDLY. TAKES AT LEAST 10 MINUTES TO PUT GAS IN CAR. HAPPENS CONSISTENTLY 7 - 8 MONTHS.

NHTSA complaint #10846456 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,000 miles Newton, IA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL PICTURE CAME ON DASH AS I WAS TRYING TO START CAR TO LEAVE FROM MY HOME. CAR SHUT OFF AND DOES THE SAME THING AGAIN AND AGAIN. DONT WANT TO RUN BATTERY DOWN. CAR STILL IN GARAGE AT HOME.

NHTSA complaint #10821772 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 97,000 miles Duncannon, PA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER AWD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WIRING IN THE HEATED SEAT FAILED CAUSING THE SEATS TO OVERHEAT LEAVING A HOLE APPROXIMATELY 7 INCHES BEHIND THE SEAT. THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR OF THE SEAT WAS WARM AND AN ABNORMAL ODOR WAS DETECTED. IN ADDITION, THE WIRING IN THE STEERING COLUMN FAILED CAUSING THE WIPER BLADES TO FAIL AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID TO ACTIVATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE MAIN WIRING IN THE STEERING COLUMN FAILED AND THE HEATED PAD, WIRING, ZONE, COVER, AND SEAT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE OVERHEATED SEAT FAILURE HAD NOT BEEN REMEDIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 97,000.

NHTSA complaint #10759726 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 97,000 miles Duncannon, PA Fire

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER AWD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WIRING IN THE HEATED SEAT FAILED CAUSING THE SEATS TO OVERHEAT LEAVING A HOLE APPROXIMATELY 7 INCHES BEHIND THE SEAT. THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR OF THE SEAT WAS WARM AND AN ABNORMAL ODOR WAS DETECTED. IN ADDITION, THE WIRING IN THE STEERING COLUMN FAILED CAUSING THE WIPER BLADES TO FAIL AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID TO ACTIVATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE MAIN WIRING IN THE STEERING COLUMN FAILED AND THE HEATED PAD, WIRING, ZONE, COVER, AND SEAT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE OVERHEATED SEAT FAILURE HAD NOT BEEN REMEDIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 97,000.

NHTSA complaint #10759726 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 56,708 miles Ellicott City, MD

SUSPENSION

WHILE GETTING A MARYLAND STATE INSPECTION ON A LOW MILEAGE (56K) GARAGE KEPT DODGE CALIBER THE CAR FAILED DUE BOTH THE FRONT AND REAR SUBFRAME HAD EXCESSIVE RUST, FRACTURES AND HOLES. BOTH THE SUBFRAMES CROSSMEMBERS WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. THERE IS A RECALL ON THE 2007 FOR THIS EXACT ISSUE BUT IT IS NOT HONORED ON THE 2008.

NHTSA complaint #10732367 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 129,000 miles Cleveland, OH

POWER TRAIN

CAR WOULDN'T START BECAUSE OF DEFECTIVE TIPM. I OFTEN TRAVEL THE FREEWAY AND WAS EXPERIENCING A BRIEF PAUSE IN THE FUEL SYSTEMS WHILE TRYING TO ACCELERATE. AFTER RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH A VARIETY OF DODGE MODEL CARS AND FEEL THAT THIS COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS TO THE PUBLIC IN GENERAL. I FEEL THE IMPLICATIONS THAT THIS TYPE OF SYSTEM FAILURE HAS ON THESE MODELS AS WELL AS THEIR SAFETY FEATURE IS NUMEROUS. I ALSO QUITE SURE THAT THE COMPANY IS WELL AWARE OF ITS DEFECTS, YET THEY ARE DOING NOTHING TO PROTECT THEIR CONSUMERS.

NHTSA complaint #10695452 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 129,000 miles Cleveland, OH

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

CAR WOULDN'T START BECAUSE OF DEFECTIVE TIPM. I OFTEN TRAVEL THE FREEWAY AND WAS EXPERIENCING A BRIEF PAUSE IN THE FUEL SYSTEMS WHILE TRYING TO ACCELERATE. AFTER RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH A VARIETY OF DODGE MODEL CARS AND FEEL THAT THIS COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS TO THE PUBLIC IN GENERAL. I FEEL THE IMPLICATIONS THAT THIS TYPE OF SYSTEM FAILURE HAS ON THESE MODELS AS WELL AS THEIR SAFETY FEATURE IS NUMEROUS. I ALSO QUITE SURE THAT THE COMPANY IS WELL AWARE OF ITS DEFECTS, YET THEY ARE DOING NOTHING TO PROTECT THEIR CONSUMERS.

NHTSA complaint #10695452 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 129,000 miles Cleveland, OH

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

CAR WOULDN'T START BECAUSE OF DEFECTIVE TIPM. I OFTEN TRAVEL THE FREEWAY AND WAS EXPERIENCING A BRIEF PAUSE IN THE FUEL SYSTEMS WHILE TRYING TO ACCELERATE. AFTER RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH A VARIETY OF DODGE MODEL CARS AND FEEL THAT THIS COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS TO THE PUBLIC IN GENERAL. I FEEL THE IMPLICATIONS THAT THIS TYPE OF SYSTEM FAILURE HAS ON THESE MODELS AS WELL AS THEIR SAFETY FEATURE IS NUMEROUS. I ALSO QUITE SURE THAT THE COMPANY IS WELL AWARE OF ITS DEFECTS, YET THEY ARE DOING NOTHING TO PROTECT THEIR CONSUMERS.

NHTSA complaint #10695452 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 56,000 miles Houston, TX

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER AWD. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ACTIVATED AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT WAS NOT ABLE TO DEACTIVATE THE CRUISE CONTROL. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000.

NHTSA complaint #10661597 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 56,000 miles Rice Lake, WI

POWER TRAIN

VEHICLE STARTING MAKING A SOUND. WAS DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT.

NHTSA complaint #10569155 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 63,000 miles Herndon, PA

STEERING

HAD TO REPLACE THE WISH BONES. AND AM ON MY 5 TH SET IF TIRES SINCE MAY OF 2012. WHICH ARE NOT CHEAP AT $130 A PIECE FOR THE CHEAPEST. ALIGNMENT IS ALWAYS OFF AND TIRES HAVE TO BE PUMPED EVERY COUPLE MONTHS.

NHTSA complaint #10557397 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 63,000 miles Herndon, PA

SUSPENSION

HAD TO REPLACE THE WISH BONES. AND AM ON MY 5 TH SET IF TIRES SINCE MAY OF 2012. WHICH ARE NOT CHEAP AT $130 A PIECE FOR THE CHEAPEST. ALIGNMENT IS ALWAYS OFF AND TIRES HAVE TO BE PUMPED EVERY COUPLE MONTHS.

NHTSA complaint #10557397 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 40,000 miles BAY Shore, NY

SUSPENSION

FOUND BOTH LOWER CONTROL ARM'S WORN TO A POINT WHERE THE TIRES HAD TO BE REPLACED ALSO. AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT PASS NYS INSPECTION BECAUSE OF WORN BALL JOINTS.

NHTSA complaint #10545486 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cleveland, OH

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

WENT TO YOUR CAR ON SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 7,2013 TO OPEN MY DRIVER DOOR AND IT FELL OFF THE HINGE. PURCHASE THE VEHICLE LAST YEAR AND IT HAS NOT BEEN INVOLVED IN ANY ACCIDENT SINCE I'VE BEEN THE OWNER. TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I'M STILL MAKING PAYMENT ON THIS VEHICLE AND I'M JUST SHOCKED THE HINGE WOULD BREAK. I NEED TO REPORT THIS INCIDENT DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE HINGE IS DEFECTIVE AND THIS SORT OF THING IS NOT A COMMON INCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #10542635 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 53,000 miles Exeter, ME

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

IF IT IS 80 DEGREES OR HOTTER, THE AUTOMATIC LOCKS WILL NOT LOCK/UNLOCK BY PUSHING THE BUTTON ON THE DRIVER DOOR OR BY PUSHING THE BUTTON ON THE KEY. THEY WILL NOT PERFORM THE AUTOMATIC LOCK WHEN YOU FIRST START DRIVING. WHEN THIS OCCURS I HAVE NO WAY OF OPENING THE HATCH BECAUSE THERE IS NO KEY HOLE. I'M AFRAID THIS IS A FIRE HAZARD. ONLY HAPPENS WHEN IT IS HOT WEATHER OR WHEN I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR A LONG TRIP. HAS ANYONE ELSE HAD THIS PROBLEM?

NHTSA complaint #10521776 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 38,000 miles Jefferson Hills, PA

SUSPENSION

FRONT TIRES PREMATURELY WORN OUT DUE TO BOTH LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND BOTH LOWER BALL JOINTS FAILING COMPLETELY. CAR HAS 38K MILES AND IS GARAGE KEPT. HAD TO BUY 4 NEW TIRES AT A COST OF $650.00 AND NOW BOTH CONTROL ARMS AND BALL JOINTS AT A COST OF $580.00. VEHICLE IS NOT ROAD WORTHY. THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN WITH THESE LOW MILES. THE MECHANIC SAID THE FRONT WHEELS WERE VERY CLOSE TO FALLING OFF OF THE CAR. CAN YOU HELP?

NHTSA complaint #10483553 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 36,000 miles Lowell, MA

SUSPENSION:FRONT

BOTH OF THE TIE RODS ON MY CAR ARE COMPLETELY WORN AT 36,000 MILES. THE DEALER TOLD ME THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH DODGE CALIBERS - PREMATURE FAILURE OF TIE RODS.

NHTSA complaint #10343391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 36,000 miles Lowell, MA

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

BOTH OF THE TIE RODS ON MY CAR ARE COMPLETELY WORN AT 36,000 MILES. THE DEALER TOLD ME THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH DODGE CALIBERS - PREMATURE FAILURE OF TIE RODS.

NHTSA complaint #10343391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 44,000 miles Goshen, IN

TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS

TIRE SENSOR MONITOR BROKE FOR NO REASON ON TWO OF MY TIRES. CALLED TO GET FIXED AND WAS TOLD THEY WERE AN ESTIMATED 8,000 ON BACKORDER AND NOT SURE WHEN THEY WOULD BE COMING IN. MY TIRE WAS LOSING AIR EVERY 2 DAYS. I FEEL THAT THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL. WHY ARE WE RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING $100.00 PER SENSOR TO HAVE THIS FIXED WHEN IT IS CLEARLY A DEFECT ON THE MANUFACTURER? CHRYSLER/DODGE NEEDS TO FIX THIS AND RECALL THE PRODUCT.

NHTSA complaint #10342490 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 31,100 miles Horseheads, NY

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

I HAVE A 2008 DODGE CALIBER I PURCHASED IN SEPTEMBER OF 2009. I AM HAVING A PROBLEM WITH MY CAR STOPPING WHEN I APPROACH A TRAFFIC SIGNAL. I HAVE GONE RIGHT THROUGH TRAFFIC SIGNALS. I WAS COMING OFF AN EXIT RAMP, AND IT HAD BEEN SNOWING. WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T STOP, AND I ALMOST SLID INTO THE SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. WE BOTH COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED.

NHTSA complaint #10303302 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.