RoadVitals

2009 Dodge Caliber

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
232
Latest Mar 31, 2026
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Oct 9, 2008
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
15
11 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 232 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2009 Dodge Caliber, most frequently naming the suspension, powertrain (other) and body & structure categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 35 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
08V528000

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

Oct 9, 2008
712 units potentially affected
The defect: CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 712 MY 2009 SEBRING, DODGE CALIBER, AVENGER, JOURNEY, JEEP PATRIOT, AND COMPASS VEHICLES. A NEW ADHESIVE USED IN THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) MANUFACTURING PROCESS CAN CAUSE THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD TO BREAK.
The risk: THIS CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL AND CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PCM FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 10, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
CHRYSLER LLCManufacturer number H33View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 232
Filed Mar 31, 2026

Under paneling under all doors and under car rusting out completely. Falling pieces fly away anytime.

NHTSA ID
11728203
Incident
Feb 1, 2023
Filed Feb 11, 2026

My car will not shift. It’s saying that the part that was fixed under the recall is bad. What do I do now?

NHTSA ID
11717352
Incident
Feb 2, 2026
Filed Jun 13, 2024

Check frame - known rot concerns Hole has started to open up center rear of engine subframe on the weld line. Subframe doesn’t appear to be in immediate failure, but will not pass inspection. Called dealer and was told parts aren’t available! No incident just getting inspected!

NHTSA ID
11594174
Incident
Feb 1, 2024
Suspension
Filed Nov 27, 2023

My spouse and I owned this vehicle from day one. Front subframe assembly was rotting and was replaced by manufacturer under a recall but rear subframe assembly was not included. The rear subframe assembly is now rotted to the point where it needs to be replaced before vehicle becomes unsafe as it has for others. Vehicle barely has 72,000 miles on it and was garaged for the first 12 years of its life. Image of repaired front subframe assembly included for posterity.

NHTSA ID
11556949
Incident
Dec 2, 2022
Suspension
Filed Aug 21, 2023

Rear subframe rotted in half, causing rear driver side tire to sit sideways and loss of rear end

NHTSA ID
11539822
Incident
Apr 1, 2023
Filed Jan 22, 2023

Rotting/rusting subframe. Not listed as a recall for this model year, but was for the previous years.

NHTSA ID
11503077
Incident
Jan 31, 2019
Filed Dec 16, 2022

The transmission doesn't shift so if I am on the interstate doing 65 to 70 miles per hr.the transmission fluid heats up .Dodges answer to this is slow down or pull off interstate @ wait till it cools down then continue on your way,so in 50 miles I had to pull over 3 times my opinion not safe..

NHTSA ID
11497796
Incident
Dec 16, 2022
Body & structure
Filed Dec 15, 2022

● Component failed: Front and Rear Subframe. ● Safety at risk: Rotting Subframe. The front subframe had a recall which expired a couple years ago, which I was never notified about. I have replaced this part because it could have fallen out of my car due to the rotting. Now, the rear subframe is now rotting and unstable/unfit to drive. I have 88,000 miles on it and keep in the garage when possible. ● The vehicle and component has been inspected by the manufactorer as well as Monro Auto Service, Jiffy Lube and L&M Motors in Upstate New york regularly. ● No.

NHTSA ID
11497535
Incident
Dec 2, 2022

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

9100226

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

9100226

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

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.

9004009

POWER TRAIN

Transmission Kit with Torque Converter 1. All Promaster (VF) 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles. If the transmission bracket to the transmission case fasteners are removed during servicing, the fasteners (Part Number 06511385A$) are one-time usage. Vehicles built prior to 10/23/2015 requires Service Kit PN 68461214AA; includes Transmission Isolator PN 68264483AA, and Adaptation Bracket 68264479AA and Fastener Service Kit PN 68329056AA Vehicles built after on or after 10/23/2015 will require only the Fastener Service Kit PN 68329056AA. 2. All 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles. If the vehicle you are repairing has a crack in the flex plate or failed pump bushing inspect and confirm that both (2) dowel pins are present in the engine block, which align the transmission center line to the crank shaft centerline and visually inspect the dowel alignment holes in the transmission case. If the holes are damaged or elongated the transmission should be replaced to prevent further damage to the transmission/flexplate or pump bushing due to the inability to properly align the engine to the transmission during the repair. 3. All 62TE equipped vehicles. If pump bushing is scored or damaged and the dowel pin alignment holes are ok, replace the pump assembly as opposed to complete transmission. 4. All 62TE equipped vehicles. If vehicle is jerking/slipping with MIL code(s) P0740 or P2764, check TCC Solenoid operation. If TCC Solenoid is ok, the codes are indicative of a torque converter failure. Replace the torque converter.

9004268

ENGINE

THROTTLE BODY For clarification, only use 68414676A$ on 2010 & earlier vehicles as supply is limited.

9004268

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:THROTTLEBODY/MANIFOLD

THROTTLE BODY For clarification, only use 68414676A$ on 2010 & earlier vehicles as supply is limited.

9004266

POWER TRAIN

TRANSMISSION, 5 Speed On replacing OE transmission 05106567A$/68042567A$ with reman transmission R8142074A$ replace with new Hydraulic Clutch Tube 05273429A$ to avoid interference with shift lever

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Dodge Caliber by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2012491152.4
20111652149.9
20101572151.8
2009Viewing2321040.4
20083600035.6
20078844155.6
2006100—

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.