Front And Rear Crossmember Corrosion (X69 Warranty Extension) This bulletin involves inspecting the front and rear crossmembers for perforation/rust through and if necessary, replacing the crossmember(s). Customers may describe a vibration at the steering wheel or may have been informed by a technician or state vehicle inspection that the front and/or rear crossmember is severely corroded.If the customer describes the symptom/condition listed above, perform the Diagnostic Procedure.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2009 Dodge Caliber steering problems
severe 16 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
16
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
1crash
What stands out
Among the 5 model years of Dodge Caliber in our records for steering problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
No new NHTSA steering 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 steering 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.
Front And Rear Crossmember Corrosion (X69 Warranty Extension) This bulletin involves inspecting the front and rear crossmembers for perforation/rust through and if necessary, replacing the crossmember(s). Customers may describe a vibration at the steering wheel or may have been informed by a technician or state vehicle inspection that the front and/or rear crossmember is severely corroded.If the customer describes the symptom/condition listed above, perform the Diagnostic Procedure.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Front subframe and crossmember rust is the dominant steering-related failure in this cluster. Owners report severe corrosion — sometimes rot occurring within 4–6 years even on vehicles driven in low-salt regions initially — causing clunking noises, loss of steering control, and outright collapse of the frame where the steering rack, sway bars, and suspension components bolt on. One owner's subframe failure led to an A-arm separation and wheel pop-off at low speed; another found the driver's seat unbolted after a rollover accident when the subframe gave way.
Beyond rust, owners cite widespread premature suspension wear: tie rods, control arms, struts, ball joints, bearings, bushings, and sway bar links failing between 48,000 and 91,000 miles on conservatively driven vehicles. Multiple owners report strut and suspension mounts failing concurrently. One complaint mentions ABS sensors failing simultaneously on both rear wheels, disabling Electronic Stability Control and causing skidding.
Steering column and power steering issues also emerge: one owner reports an extremely tight steering wheel and difficult key engagement; another notes power steering fluid loss. A separate complaint mentions clunking during turns and stops. Several owners state Dodge recalled 2007 Calibers for identical subframe rust but declined coverage on 2009 models, forcing out-of-pocket repairs ranging from $600 to over $1,500 per visit.
Same Dodge Caliber steering reports on nearby years: 2007 · 2008 · 2010
Failure modes owners describe
Front subframe and crossmember corrosion
Severe rust and rot of the front steering/suspension subframe and lateral crossmember, causing structural failure and loss of steering control. Frame corrosion occurs despite low prior salt exposure; attachment points for steering rack, sway bars, and suspension components corrode through.
When: 4–5 years after purchase; reported at 59,000–91,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Severe change in steering, veering into other lane; Clunking/plunking noises from front end over bumps and potholes; Undrivable and unsafe after onset; A-arm separation from wheel assembly; Wheel rotated ~90 degrees from normal position; Failed Maine safety inspection due to rust penetration
Repairs/costs cited: $600–$1,500+ parts and labor; involves subframe replacement. One owner paid $600 parts + $600 labor; another reported $1,000+. Dealer service centers familiar with the issue; 2007 Calibers covered by recall, but 2009 models not.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall issued for 2009 model year. Dodge stated no recall exists and declined warranty coverage. Recall exists for 2007 Calibers with identical issue; 2009 owner discovered this while researching after dealer refused repair.
Suspension component premature wear and failure
Widespread premature failure of suspension bushings, joints, and mounts including tie rods, control arms, struts, ball joints, bearings, sway bar links, lateral arm bushings, upper control arm bushings, and front strut mounts.
When: Starting at 48,000 miles on conservatively driven vehicles; repairs ongoing through 91,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Clunking noises from front suspension; Multiple suspension component failure requiring staggered repairs; Vehicle jumping ahead when hitting bumps or ice at stops
Repairs/costs cited: Repair bill cited as $1,500 at 60,000 miles for multiple components (tie rods, control arms, struts, bushings, ball joints, bearings, sway bar links). Additional repairs anticipated.
ABS sensor simultaneous failure, Electronic Stability Control malfunction
ABS sensors in both left and right rear tire wells fail at the same time, disabling Electronic Stability Control and causing vehicle skidding during normal driving.
When: Not specified in narrative
Symptoms owners cite: Electronic Stability Control does not work properly; Vehicle entering skid during driving
Tight steering wheel and difficult ignition key engagement
Steering wheel becomes extremely difficult to turn during motion; ignition key difficult to turn. Associated with TIPM failure diagnosis by dealer.
When: At 166,500 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Key difficult to turn to start vehicle; Steering wheel extremely tight and difficult to turn when vehicle in motion; Vehicle stalls without warning at various speeds
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer diagnosed TIPM failure requiring replacement; repair not completed per narrative.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer made aware of failures.
Clunking noise during turning and stopping
Front-end clunking during turning and stopping maneuvers; noise from front assembly.
When: Reported at unspecified mileage; one case at 91,000 miles with concurrent subframe failure
Symptoms owners cite: Clunking noise when turning; Clunking noise when stopping; Noise in front when turning right
Synthesized from 16 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
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.
Air bags didn't not deploy during a single car accident which ended in a head on crash into side of mountain then rolled over onto the roof. Speed about 30-35 mph. When tow truck turned car back over the driver's seat wasn't connected. Also prior to this accident problems with alignment, esp rear.
Had steering 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 steering 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 $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 12 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 68,000 and 130,000 miles, with the median around 110,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 68,000; a quarter make it past 130,000. 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 $700 for steering 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 steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering 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.