2008 Dodge Caliber problems
The 2008 Dodge Caliber has 377 NHTSA owner complaints and no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
The 2008 Dodge Caliber has 377 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is suspension at 96 complaints, typically surfacing around 96,522 miles (~$900 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 Caliber | 1 | 0 |
| 2007 Caliber | 958 | 4 |
| 2008 Caliber (this page) | 377 | 0 |
| 2009 Caliber | 232 | 1 |
| 2010 Caliber | 157 | 2 |
| 2011 Caliber | 165 | 2 |
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
- Electrical system: 43 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 60,000–114,917 mi
- Reliability score 7.2/10 — around the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2008 Dodge Caliber? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- suspension — 96 owner reports · tends to show around 96,522 mi · ~$900 to fix
- body — 49 owner reports · tends to show around 103,789 mi · ~$1,500 to fix
- electrical — 43 owner reports · tends to show around 95,724 mi · ~$850 to fix
- steering — 37 owner reports · tends to show around 97,437 mi · ~$700 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: electrical is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 95,724 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 7.2/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2008 Dodge Caliber
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
Your road ahead on this 2008 Dodge Caliber
When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you, what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
- ~37,000 mitires~$150
- ~62,000 micruise control~$600
- ~68,436 miairbags~$1,100
- ~75,000 miengine~$3,100
- ~77,000 mipowertrain~$2,500
- ~90,000 mielectrical~$850
- ~99,555 mibody~$1,500
- ~99,999 misuspension~$900
- ~100,000 misteering~$700
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
A noise was heard that seemed to come from the front suspension while driving. Inspection later showed that the front crossmember was badly rusted and has holes in it. Both the front and rear crossmembers on this vehicle are badly rusted. The rest of the car is rust free.…
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Dodge caliber. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, it jerked violently. The contact also mentioned that acceleration power was reduced. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where the failure could not be diagnosed. The vehicle…
For three sudden engine failures: 1) approximately april 16, 2014 noticed some of the dashboard warning lights blinked a little. Stopped at a traffic light it turned green stepped on the gas, the car jumped and stalled in traffic. Was able to restart the car and go about a…
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Dodge caliber. The contact stated that while driving at 25 MPH, the engine stalled. The vehicle was able to restart. The failure recurred multiple times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure.…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2008 Dodge Caliber reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.2 out of 10 based on 377 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2008 Dodge Caliber is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2008 Dodge Caliber?
The 2008 Dodge Caliber is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Electrical system: 43 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 60,000–114,917 mi; Reliability score 7.2/10 — around the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2008 Dodge Caliber?
Inspect the suspension first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 96 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 96,522 miles. Average repair cost runs about $900 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2008 Dodge Caliber a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.2 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 377 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is suspension. Typical failure occurs around 96,522 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2008 Dodge Caliber?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is suspension, with 96 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 96,522 miles. Average repair cost runs about $900 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The suspension is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $900 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 96,522 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Dodge Caliber has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2008 Dodge Caliber?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 377 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $900, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.