Dodge Caliber Complaints (2009)

232 consumer complaints on file.

#11728203March 31, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Under paneling under all doors and under car rusting out completely. Falling pieces fly away anytime.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11717352February 11, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My car will not shift. It’s saying that the part that was fixed under the recall is bad. What do I do now?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11594174June 13, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11556949November 27, 2023
SUSPENSION
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11539822August 21, 2023
SUSPENSION
Rear subframe rotted in half, causing rear driver side tire to sit sideways and loss of rear end
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11503077January 22, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Rotting/rusting subframe. Not listed as a recall for this model year, but was for the previous years.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11497796December 16, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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..
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11497535December 15, 2022
STRUCTURE:BODY
● 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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11491301October 28, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Brought 2009 Caliber with 34,000 original miles to have breaks checked, the owner showed me there is not a brake issue, but the Sub Frame was extremely rotted and needed to be attended to as it could cause a serious accident. I had a Lifetime Added Care Plus warranty, but of course wasn't covered. I have been the only driver since vehicle was purchased.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11484985September 17, 2022
STRUCTURE:BODY
It started as a popping noise while driving which evolved into a louder sound and I was able to feel it click with my feet as I was driving, and I couldn't pinpoint exactly what was causing the issue at first. After going to a mechanics and having them look at it the subframe of the car was absolutely covered in rust to the point where it was falling apart and I could see inside. The air conditioning unit was badly designed, and the residual water from that caused the entire thing to rust. They advised that it was only going to get worse and could lead to the front axle essentially just falling out and totaling the car anyways. I drive everyday to and from work so having this issue is severely affecting my daily life and quite possibly my safety if anything happens while driving it.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11479281August 15, 2022
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
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 that the parts that would most likely repair the car are no longer made by Dodge and the car cannot be fixed. Interestingly enough this model vehicle has had a variety of recalls starting in 2007 but never for the particular control modules that are no longer available which are The Throttle control & Power Train Control modules, which the Dealer thinks might possibly be a fix but even that is not a sure thing. The Dodge dealer that worked on the vehicle presumably would have informed me about this situation at least before they had the vehicle in for now the 4th time in 3 years with the same problem with no solution. Up to the time of these breakdowns the vehicle was well maintained and taken care of and still has low mileage of just over 69,000 miles. Is the Dodge Corporation at least partially liable?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11471526June 29, 2022
SERVICE BRAKES, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
The car was in park on a hill, when I turned off the engine, it rolled down the steep hill and the brakes or emergency brake would not work. I crashed through a fence across the street and into a building. The car was totaled.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11465287May 19, 2022
SUSPENSION
I was driving down to road and the the k member (subframe) rusted all the way through
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11460742April 14, 2022
SUSPENSION, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Hearing noise on drivers side. Took to garage for inspection and H Frame, sub frame, is rusting out and needs to be replaced. Motor and A Arms mount to this frame. Find out this is a common problem and no recall or help from Chrysler. This is a huge safety issue! Only have 68,000 on vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11457010March 16, 2022
STRUCTURE
The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Caliber. The vehicle had previously had the front subframe replaced under an unknown TSB. The contact stated that upon inspection, her son informed her that the rear subframe was corroded. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with NHTSA. The failure mileage was 155,946.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11456269March 11, 2022
SERVICE BRAKES, ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11450676February 6, 2022
POWER TRAIN
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. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11448726January 24, 2022
AIR BAGS
Car was involved in an accident that resulted in a total loss . Air bags did not deploy. Car is currently at a towing company and can be inspected. No warning lights were on.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11444028December 16, 2021
AIR BAGS, SEATS, STEERING
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.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11440918November 18, 2021
SUSPENSION, STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Caliber. The contact stated that upon taking her vehicle to an independent mechanic for a state inspection, she was informed that the rear subframe was severely corroded. The contact was informed that the corrosion had caused a significant hole to form on the rear subframe which could cause a severe failure while driving. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that she would receive a callback. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was 64,049.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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