Problems · NHTSA complaints

2009 Dodge Caliber problems

Owners filed 232 complaints about the 2009 Dodge Caliber with NHTSA between May 2009 and Mar 2026. The most-cited component is power train (64).

Complaints
232
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
13
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
11
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Power train64
  2. Suspension61
  3. Structure49
  4. Electrical system23
  5. Engine22
  6. Steering16
  7. Wheels11
  8. Vehicle speed control10
  9. Tires10
  10. Fuel/propulsion system8
  11. Engine and engine cooling8
  12. Service brakes7
  13. Air bags7
  14. Exterior lighting5

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

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20095
201013
20118
201219
201311
201413
201528
201641
201715
201819
201922
20209
202111
202212
20233
20241
20250
20262

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Power train

64 reports4 crashes1 fire1 related recall
“The problem initially occurred in early November of 2020 when the vehicle would unpredictably stall at a stop sign or traffic light and would not immediately start for a couple minutes. After this short wait of 1 to 3 minutes it was possible to restart the car and move forward normally and the car could be driven without stalling for 2 or 3 miles when it would stall again and the engine would not start again for 2 to 3 minutes. In traffic situations this was unsafe to not be able to move the vehicle to a safe distance from heavy traffic. Finally, the problem started to occur after the vehicle was supposedly repaired and not driven for 2 -3 days and when it an attempt to start the car it would idle for 3-5 seconds and sound like it was choking before dying, and this was happening 2 weeks after it had been "repaired" by the Dodge dealer. This problem has repeatedly occurred over the two years since the original incident and has been to a Dodge dealership for unsuccessful repairs 4 different times; 11/20; 04/22 &05/22 and it is still at the dealership being inoperable. Each time the car functioned for a few miles and then broke down again. The dealer informs us…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 15, 2022Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11479281

Suspension

61 reports1 crash
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 27, 2023SuspensionODI 11556949

Structure

49 reports
“● 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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 15, 2022StructureODI 11497535

Electrical system

23 reports1 fire
“CAR ELECTRICAL HAS ISSUES FLICKERING INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHTS. ALSO HAS TRANSMISSION OVERHEATING ISSUES WITHOUT THE TRANSMISSION TEMPERATURE GAUGE GOING OVER THE MIDDLE LINE OF THE GAUGE. NO SIGH OF OVER HEATING BESIDES TRANSMISSION LIGHT TURNING ON AND GOING INTO LIMP MODE. CAN NOT DRIVE LONGER THEN AN HOUR WITHOUT IT GOING INTO LIMP MODE WITH TRANSMISSION LIGHT ON. STARTED WHEN IT WAS BARELY AT 10,000 MILES.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 29, 2021Electrical system, Unknown or otherODI 11390634

Engine

22 reports1 fire
“The engine stalls when I take off more times than none I'm stuck idling in traffic almost causing accident the frame that hold motor mounts are bad I've replaced motor mounts twice in a less than a year the car heats up after 70 miles an hour I have 5o pull over and let it cool off this happens 3 to 4 times a week with the engine stalling and overheating didn't find out til after I leased the car from AtoZ auto on gen McMullen and it's financed through car financial services I believe they knew the car was damaged I got scammed and have to pay 425 dollars a month on a car that can't be fixed I've spent a lot trying to fix the car”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 11, 2022Power train, Service brakes, EngineODI 11456269

Steering

16 reports1 crash
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 16, 2021Steering, Air bags, SeatsCrash reportedODI 11444028
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026

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