Problems · by component

2009 Dodge Caliber power train problems

64 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2009 Dodge Caliber cite power train, 28% of all 232 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
64
28% of all complaints
Crashes
4
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
4
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the power train

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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
“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
“My PCM failed car stopped on the highway in traffic without warning. I could have die or caused a death. My car is available . I’ve owned that vehicle for going on three months the first issue that I’ve had. After Car felt the check engine light came on I took it to be for a diagnostics test which read the PCM was the issue. My car is a 2009 Dodge caliber just recently charged 81,000 miles I pay $6000 for a car I just don’t believe that [XXX] dealer didn’t know I am fearful of dry driving it but what choice do I have.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 6, 2022Power trainODI 11450676
“When the vehicle reaches 3,000 RPMs the temperature light comes on and the vehicle seems like it wants to go into neutral The engine light comes on the antilock brake system light comes on.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 16, 2021Power train, Vehicle speed control, Service brakesODI 11421138
“WHEN I STARTED MY 09 DODGE CALIBER UP ONE MORNING . I BACK UP ,THEN PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE AND IT HESITATED AND JUMP OR JOLT.IT SCARED ME .THE ENGINE CAME ON,SO I WENT TO A AUTO PARTS STORE DOWN THE STREET FROM MY HOUSE TO GET A READING OR CODES READ ON MY CALIBER, IT GAVE ME A CODE ABOUT THE POWER TRAIN.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 6, 2020Power train, Unknown or otherODI 11378071
“I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE VEHICLE JUST STOPPED. THEN WHEN I STARTED IT, IT WOULD ONLY GO 5 MILES A HOUR. ALMOST CAUSED ME TO GET INTO A WRECK WITH MY 3 YR. OLD GRANDDAUGHTER WITH ME. I HAD A CODE READER PUT ON IT AND IT READS U0402-IMPLAUSIBLE DATA RECEIVED FROM TCM.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 10, 2020Power trainODI 11373981

Showing 6 of 64 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

1 recall on this component

Power train: control module (tcm

Free remedy

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.

Power trainReported Oct 9, 2008NHTSA 08V528000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026

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

Other 2009 Caliber problem areas