Dodge Caliber problems
0 safety recalls. 377 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
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.
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. 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. 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 aren't always better value.