Problems · by component

2008 Dodge Caliber engine problems

43 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2008 Dodge Caliber cite engine, 11% of all 377 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
43
11% of all complaints
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the engine

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Caliber. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds in the rain, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the power steering became inoperable. The battery warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that an unstated computer needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but no additional assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000. The contact stated that the vehicle is unsafe to drive and the mechanics has not found a resolution to the problem yet.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 18, 2023Steering, EngineODI 11502388
“I’ve only had the car since Aug. Im the second owner, it drove just fine. Then I got an oil change. Then the car began to rev down hill and struggled to make it uphill. Then my exhaust became excessively loud. Then the wheel became loose ,and started pulling ALOT. I was on my way to get an alignment this morning and the whole front end began to buckle not even a minute down the road. I tmade it in back the driveway before the front end collapsed completely”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 8, 2022Suspension, Vehicle speed control, EngineODI 11496552
“LUCKILY, I WAS ON A CITY STREET. THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND SLOWED SIGNIFICANTLY, ALMOST STOPPING COMPLETELY AND BEGAN TO REBOOT AS IF IT WERE JUST BEING STARTED. I AM COMPLAINING BECAUSE I DO NOT FEEL IT TO BE SAFE FOR CONSUMERS ON ANY ROAD. I HAVE A 3 YEAR OLD SON AND I WOULD VERY MUCH LIKE DODGE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM BEFORE MY, OR ANYONE ELSE'S FAMILY, GETS WHIPLASH FROM A REAR COLLISION. I'M REACHING OUT TO NHTSA BECAUSE, I LACK THE TOOLS AND KNOWLEDGE TO FIX IT MYSELF, AND DON'T FIND IT FAIR THAT I PAY FOR A MISTAKE THAT DODGE MADE IN MAKING THE CAR. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 11, 2020Electrical system, EngineODI 11324134
“I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE KNOWING OF RUST BUT WHEN I CLIMBED UNDER IT I SEEN THE SUBFRAME IS ALMOST RUSTED ALL THE WAY THROUGH THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE I'VE HEARD OF A FEW OTHER CALIBER OWNERS WHO'S WHOLE DRIVETRAIN FELL OUT OF ENGINE BAY DUE TO THIS, THIS COULD BE A DANGEROUS PROBLEM IF SOMEONE IS DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS DODGE NEEDS TO TAKE ACTION AND RECALL THIS PART AND PUT A BETTER COMPONENT ON THE VEHICLES THEY PRODUCE”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 23, 2019Steering, Structure, EngineODI 11222009
“MOTOR CRADLE IS RUSTING OUT! THAT'S VERY DANGEROUS AND THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON CALL CALIBERS. I CAN NOT AFFORD TO BAY OVER $1,000 TO FIX MY CAR. AND THE MAKER SHOULD USE POOR QUALITY PARTS KNOWING HOW SERIOUS IT CAN GET. RECALL RECALL RECALL !!”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 25, 2018Suspension, EngineODI 11163337
“TOOK OUR DODGE CALIBER 2008 (MANUFACTURER DATE: 11/2007) TO A MECHANIC FOR REPAIRS THOUGHT TO BE STRUTS AND WAS TOLD THE FRONT CRADLE WAS RUSTED OUT AND NEED TO BE REPLACED TO CONTINUE ANY SAFE DRIVING. THIS WAS A 2007 RECALL BUT WAS NEVER INCLUDED IN ANY TITLED 2008 CARS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED IN 2007. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE AND SEEMS TO BE REPORTED MORE OFTEN NOW AT THE 10 YEAR MARK. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS NOT A TRADITIONAL PROBLEM ON MOST VEHICLES AND SEEMS TO BE A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IT RECALLED, BECAUSE THE REPLACEMENT COST ON THIS IS IN THE THOUSANDS AND IT IS A SEVERE SAFETY HAZARD.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 22, 2018Suspension, Unknown or other, EngineODI 11103479

Showing 6 of 43 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.