2008 Dodge Caliber AWD Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2008 Dodge Caliber AWD, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Electrical522.7%
- Suspension522.7%
- Body & structure29.1%
- Fuel system29.1%
- Powertrain (other)29.1%
- Steering29.1%
- Brakes14.5%
- Driver assistance14.5%
- Heating & air conditioning14.5%
- Tires & wheels14.5%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
COMING HOME FROM A TRIP AND STOPPED TO PUT GAS IN AND IT WAS NIGHT TIME AND THE DASH LIGHTS WOULD NOT COME ON. IT HAPPENED 3 TIMES NOW. I DO NOT LIKE DRIVING HOME WITH A FLASHLIGHT. ALSO THE OTHER PROBLEM WE HAVE IS WE HAD. OUR OIL CHANGED AND WE'RE TOLD THAT THE FRONT SUBFRAME IS RUSTING OUT AND THE OIL PAN WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED SOON
ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL PICTURE CAME ON DASH AS I WAS TRYING TO START CAR TO LEAVE FROM MY HOME. CAR SHUT OFF AND DOES THE SAME THING AGAIN AND AGAIN. DONT WANT TO RUN BATTERY DOWN. CAR STILL IN GARAGE AT HOME.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE GETTING A MARYLAND STATE INSPECTION ON A LOW MILEAGE (56K) GARAGE KEPT DODGE CALIBER THE CAR FAILED DUE BOTH THE FRONT AND REAR SUBFRAME HAD EXCESSIVE RUST, FRACTURES AND HOLES. BOTH THE SUBFRAMES CROSSMEMBERS WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. THERE IS A RECALL ON THE 2007 FOR THIS EXACT ISSUE BUT IT IS NOT HONORED ON THE 2008.
HAD TO REPLACE THE WISH BONES. AND AM ON MY 5 TH SET IF TIRES SINCE MAY OF 2012. WHICH ARE NOT CHEAP AT $130 A PIECE FOR THE CHEAPEST. ALIGNMENT IS ALWAYS OFF AND TIRES HAVE TO BE PUMPED EVERY COUPLE MONTHS.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
COMING HOME FROM A TRIP AND STOPPED TO PUT GAS IN AND IT WAS NIGHT TIME AND THE DASH LIGHTS WOULD NOT COME ON. IT HAPPENED 3 TIMES NOW. I DO NOT LIKE DRIVING HOME WITH A FLASHLIGHT. ALSO THE OTHER PROBLEM WE HAVE IS WE HAD. OUR OIL CHANGED AND WE'RE TOLD THAT THE FRONT SUBFRAME IS RUSTING OUT AND THE OIL PAN WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED SOON
WENT TO YOUR CAR ON SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 7,2013 TO OPEN MY DRIVER DOOR AND IT FELL OFF THE HINGE. PURCHASE THE VEHICLE LAST YEAR AND IT HAS NOT BEEN INVOLVED IN ANY ACCIDENT SINCE I'VE BEEN THE OWNER. TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I'M STILL MAKING PAYMENT ON THIS VEHICLE AND I'M JUST SHOCKED THE HINGE WOULD BREAK. I NEED TO REPORT THIS INCIDENT DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE HINGE IS DEFECTIVE AND THIS SORT OF THING IS NOT A COMMON INCIDENT. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN FUELING CAR GAS INTAKE CUTS OFF REPEATEDLY. TAKES AT LEAST 10 MINUTES TO PUT GAS IN CAR. HAPPENS CONSISTENTLY 7 - 8 MONTHS.
CAR WOULDN'T START BECAUSE OF DEFECTIVE TIPM. I OFTEN TRAVEL THE FREEWAY AND WAS EXPERIENCING A BRIEF PAUSE IN THE FUEL SYSTEMS WHILE TRYING TO ACCELERATE. AFTER RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH A VARIETY OF DODGE MODEL CARS AND FEEL THAT THIS COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS TO THE PUBLIC IN GENERAL. I FEEL THE IMPLICATIONS THAT THIS TYPE OF SYSTEM FAILURE HAS ON THESE MODELS AS WELL AS THEIR SAFETY FEATURE IS NUMEROUS. I ALSO QUITE SURE THAT THE COMPANY IS WELL AWARE OF ITS DEFECTS, YET THEY ARE DOING NOTHING TO PROTECT THEIR CONSUMERS. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
CAR WOULDN'T START BECAUSE OF DEFECTIVE TIPM. I OFTEN TRAVEL THE FREEWAY AND WAS EXPERIENCING A BRIEF PAUSE IN THE FUEL SYSTEMS WHILE TRYING TO ACCELERATE. AFTER RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH A VARIETY OF DODGE MODEL CARS AND FEEL THAT THIS COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS TO THE PUBLIC IN GENERAL. I FEEL THE IMPLICATIONS THAT THIS TYPE OF SYSTEM FAILURE HAS ON THESE MODELS AS WELL AS THEIR SAFETY FEATURE IS NUMEROUS. I ALSO QUITE SURE THAT THE COMPANY IS WELL AWARE OF ITS DEFECTS, YET THEY ARE DOING NOTHING TO PROTECT THEIR CONSUMERS. *TR
VEHICLE STARTING MAKING A SOUND. WAS DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
HAD TO REPLACE THE WISH BONES. AND AM ON MY 5 TH SET IF TIRES SINCE MAY OF 2012. WHICH ARE NOT CHEAP AT $130 A PIECE FOR THE CHEAPEST. ALIGNMENT IS ALWAYS OFF AND TIRES HAVE TO BE PUMPED EVERY COUPLE MONTHS.
BOTH OF THE TIE RODS ON MY CAR ARE COMPLETELY WORN AT 36,000 MILES. THE DEALER TOLD ME THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH DODGE CALIBERS - PREMATURE FAILURE OF TIE RODS. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE A 2008 DODGE CALIBER I PURCHASED IN SEPTEMBER OF 2009. I AM HAVING A PROBLEM WITH MY CAR STOPPING WHEN I APPROACH A TRAFFIC SIGNAL. I HAVE GONE RIGHT THROUGH TRAFFIC SIGNALS. I WAS COMING OFF AN EXIT RAMP, AND IT HAD BEEN SNOWING. WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T STOP, AND I ALMOST SLID INTO THE SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. WE BOTH COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER AWD. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ACTIVATED AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT WAS NOT ABLE TO DEACTIVATE THE CRUISE CONTROL. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER AWD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WIRING IN THE HEATED SEAT FAILED CAUSING THE SEATS TO OVERHEAT LEAVING A HOLE APPROXIMATELY 7 INCHES BEHIND THE SEAT. THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR OF THE SEAT WAS WARM AND AN ABNORMAL ODOR WAS DETECTED. IN ADDITION, THE WIRING IN THE STEERING COLUMN FAILED CAUSING THE WIPER BLADES TO FAIL AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID TO ACTIVATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE MAIN WIRING IN THE STEERING COLUMN FAILED AND THE HEATED PAD, WIRING, ZONE, COVER, AND SEAT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE OVERHEATED SEAT FAILURE HAD NOT BEEN REMEDIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 97,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
TIRE SENSOR MONITOR BROKE FOR NO REASON ON TWO OF MY TIRES. CALLED TO GET FIXED AND WAS TOLD THEY WERE AN ESTIMATED 8,000 ON BACKORDER AND NOT SURE WHEN THEY WOULD BE COMING IN. MY TIRE WAS LOSING AIR EVERY 2 DAYS. I FEEL THAT THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL. WHY ARE WE RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING $100.00 PER SENSOR TO HAVE THIS FIXED WHEN IT IS CLEARLY A DEFECT ON THE MANUFACTURER? CHRYSLER/DODGE NEEDS TO FIX THIS AND RECALL THE PRODUCT. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .