Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website to confirm part number and applicability. There is an error with the wiring diagrams in Service Library that is causing the incorrect repair kit part number to populate. Please use the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website until this issue is resolved.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2009 Dodge Caliber electrical problems
severe 16 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
16
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
1fire
When does it fail?
Of the 16 electrical complaints filed for the 2009 Dodge Caliber, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 100,000-125,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA electrical complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 10 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website to confirm part number and applicability. There is an error with the wiring diagrams in Service Library that is causing the incorrect repair kit part number to populate. Please use the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website until this issue is resolved.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Charging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin discusses using the correct test equipment for testing batteries and charging systems, and also warranty reimbursement when battery replacements are necessary.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗CHRYSLER: WIRE HARNESS TIE STRAP NOT SECURED. THE STRAP PROVIDES STRAIN RELIEF FOR THE HARNESS CONNECTORS.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2009 Dodge Caliber's electrical system is a chronic problem. Most common: intermittent no-start conditions where the engine won't turn over or needs 6–8 tries to fire up, sometimes leaving owners stranded. Dealers can't reproduce the issue in the shop. One owner replaced the TIPM (Totally Integrated Power Module) and the problem returned within two weeks—this pattern repeats across multiple complaints.
Lighting and sensor circuits are unreliable. Owners report dashboard lights going dark, turn signals failing, wipers stopping mid-drive (fixed only by disconnecting the battery for 10 minutes), and warning lights flickering unpredictably—airbag, ABS, traction control, check engine. One owner detected a burning smell and had to watch an electrical fire consume the engine compartment.
Stalling under load has happened while driving on busy streets and highways. In several cases, the entire electrical system locks up—gauges spin wildly, all lights flash, and the car loses power despite the accelerator being floored. Resetting requires disconnecting the battery.
Battery and alternator failures are common even with new replacements, suggesting a parasitic drain the dealers' diagnostics can't isolate. One owner has replaced three alternators and two batteries.
The pattern is consistent: Chrysler acknowledges these issues exist but can't (or won't) fix them reliably under warranty, leaving owners with expensive repair bills and an unreliable vehicle.
Same Dodge Caliber electrical reports on nearby years: 2007 · 2008 · 2010 · 2011
Failure modes owners describe
No-start / hard-start / intermittent start failure
Vehicle fails to crank or turns over weakly; requires multiple attempts to start; witnesses confirm the issue; occurs at unpredictable intervals. Battery and starter test normal. Dealers unable to reproduce the problem. TIPM replacement attempted but failure recurs.
When: 31,750 miles; 92,000 miles; 2014 onward; multiple occasions reported
Symptoms owners cite: Car dead or attempts to turn over; Requires 6-8 tries to start; Complete no-start leaving owner stranded twice; Intermittent over 5 months; Failure recurs after TIPM replacement
Codes mentioned: TIPM suspected
Repairs/costs cited: TIPM replaced; problem returned within 2 weeks in at least one case. Owners spent over 20 days in dealership service without resolution.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler dealers unable to diagnose at dealership. Chrysler Group offered partial refund only if owner identifies problem. No TSB or recall action noted.
Electrical / sensor glitch causing stall and loss of power
Engine stalls while driving; warning lights illuminate erratically; gauges malfunction (tachometer, speedometer spin wildly); vehicle slows despite accelerator to floor; requires battery disconnect/reconnect to restart.
When: Multiple occasions: 12/25/2016, 6/15/2017, 11/3/2017; also occurred when father owned vehicle
Symptoms owners cite: All warning lights flash and blink; Tachometer and speedometer malfunction; Vehicle slows and stops despite full throttle; Starter will not engage after stall; Requires battery disconnect to reset
Codes mentioned: Electronic throttle body control warning (referenced in narrative #7)
Repairs/costs cited: No repair completed. Owner notes pattern suggests water intrusion or corrosion related to rain.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA campaign 08V528000 (powertrain) mentioned in one case; no direct manufacturer communication documented in these narratives.
TIPM (Totally Integrated Power Module) malfunction
Multiple system failures tied to TIPM: windshield wipers stop mid-drive, dashboard lights fail, turn signals inoperative, ABS light on. Requires battery reset to restore function. Also causes stall-out on busy street.
When: Wiper failures recurring; stall at high mileage not specified; failures began early (10,000 miles in one case)
Symptoms owners cite: Windshield wipers stop working without fuse issue; Requires negative battery post removal for 10 minutes to restore; No dash lights; Rear turn signals non-functional; ABS light illumination; Stall while driving in traffic
Codes mentioned: TIPM module fault
Repairs/costs cited: TIPM replacement performed in some cases; failure recurs. Owners cite TIPM computer board as root cause for cluster lights and wiper issues.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer confirmed TIPM is faulty in at least one case; no recall or extended warranty program noted in narratives.
Intermittent warning lights (airbag, traction control, alarm)
Multiple warning lights illuminate intermittently: airbag light (most common), alarm (triggered by wind or warm-up), traction control light (recent onset). Lights come on when seasons change, when car is parked and running, or during wind. Airbag disables when light is on. Alarm does not shut off easily.
When: Over several years; traction control light for about 1 year; becoming less predictable over time
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag light illuminates and disables airbag; Alarm triggers in windy conditions; Traction control light (recent addition); Console power outlet loses power intermittently; Lights come on with seasonal temperature changes
Codes mentioned: Airbag circuit fault, Traction control fault
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer inspection multiple times; no problems found. Dealer sometimes refuses to write up the issue.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No TSB or recall mentioned; dealer only noted airbag is disabled when light is on.
Battery drain / alternator failure
Battery will not hold charge; vehicle loses all power when parked. Owner replaced battery twice and alternator three times; mechanics unable to isolate the electrical fault causing drain. Battery dies after sitting in driveway.
When: Started May 2018; battery was good prior
Symptoms owners cite: Battery does not hold charge; Car dead after sitting in driveway; Requires jump start to drive to work
Codes mentioned: Electrical system fault (unspecified)
Repairs/costs cited: 2 batteries replaced, 3 alternators replaced by mechanics. Undiagnosed electrical drain persists.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer action noted.
Electrical fire under hood
Electrical fault initiated fire under hood, burning all underhood components. Owner detected burning smell while driving; temperature gauge showed cold; visible smoke within 1 minute of noticing smell.
When: Owner located in UAE; no mileage or date specified
Symptoms owners cite: Burning smell while driving; Smoke visible from hood; Complete engine compartment fire; Temperature gauge frozen at cold
Codes mentioned: Electrical fault
Repairs/costs cited: Total loss; all components burned.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented.
ABS light with low voltage fault
ABS warning light illuminates early in vehicle life. Mechanic diagnosed low voltage to ABS motor. Battery voltage tested normal. Repair estimated at $600; owner did not repair.
When: Began at ~10,000 miles; noted after 2 years; mileage now 16,000
Symptoms owners cite: ABS warning light on
Codes mentioned: ABS low voltage code (unspecified)
Repairs/costs cited: Repair estimated $600; not completed due to cost.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer action; dealer estimate only.
Water intrusion in tail light housing / light failure
Water enters driver-side tail light housing; drains but returns within 2 months; lights stop working. Pattern suggests sealing failure.
When: Post-inspection; failure noted within 2 months
Symptoms owners cite: Water inside tail light assembly; Lights stop working; Water recurs after draining
Repairs/costs cited: Housing drained; issue not permanently resolved.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented.
Dash cluster and lighting circuit failures
No dash lights, non-functional rear turn signals, non-functional driver-side headlamp. Owner suspects computer board in dash and TIPM as root cause.
When: No timing specified
Symptoms owners cite: No dash lights; Rear turn signals do not work; Driver-side headlamp does not work
Codes mentioned: TIPM fault
Repairs/costs cited: Owner suspects TIPM and dash computer board designer error.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer action noted.
Transmission overheating and limp mode without gauge rise
Transmission enters limp mode with transmission temperature light on, but temperature gauge does not rise above midpoint. Flashing interior and exterior lights also present. Unable to drive longer than 1 hour before limp mode activates.
When: Started at ~10,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission light on; Limp mode engaged; Transmission overheating without gauge indication; Flickering interior lights; Flickering exterior lights; Cannot drive more than 1 hour
Codes mentioned: Transmission temperature fault, Transmission overheating
Repairs/costs cited: Not specified.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer action noted.
Synthesized from 16 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Dodge caliber. The contact stated the vehicle stalled while driving 45 MPH and made an abnormal nosie. When the failure occurred, the electronic throttle body control warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that…
Had electrical trouble with your 2009 Dodge Caliber?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2009 Dodge Caliber?
It's a meaningful issue. 16 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 14 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 30,000 and 121,000 miles, with the median around 63,814. A quarter of owners report trouble before 30,000; a quarter make it past 121,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2009/Dodge/Caliber.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.