Dodge Caliber problems
0 safety recalls. 232 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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE DRIVING LONG DISTANCES, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. AFTER WAITING THIRTY MINUTES, THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS DESIGNED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN, AN ABNORMAL SOUND EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE FRACTURED AND DROPPED TO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MANY OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER…
THE 2009 DODGE CALIBER WAS DEEMED UNSAFE AND UNABLE TO PASS A MAINE SAFETY INSPECTION. THE FRONT AND REAR CROSS SUB FRAMES WERE HEAVILY RUSTED AND COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH IN SEVERAL PLACES.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2009 Dodge Caliber reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.4 out of 10 based on 232 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 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 2009 Dodge Caliber?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 53 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 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 2009 Dodge Caliber?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 232 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $2,500, 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.