Model year record

2009 Dodge Caliber recalls & problems

The 2009 Dodge Caliber has 1 safety recall and 232 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is power train (64 complaints).

Recalls1safety recalls

Complaints232filed by owners

Crashes · fires13 · 2reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths11 · 0reported in complaints

2009 Dodge Caliber in an NHTSA crash test — NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

Power trainOct 9, 2008

Automatic transmission › Control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

Recall 08V528000712 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: THIS CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL AND CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PCM FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 10, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2009 Dodge Caliber 4-DR. w/SAB

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

2009 Dodge Caliber NHTSA side crash test — NHTSA side barrier crash test

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Caliber

27mpg combined

City / highway	24 / 30 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.8 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,500/year to fuel

Caliber

25mpg combined

City / highway	23 / 29 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.4 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,700/year to fuel

Caliber

24mpg combined

City / highway	23 / 27 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,800/year to fuel

Caliber

23mpg combined

City / highway	21 / 25 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.4 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel

Caliber

22mpg combined

City / highway	19 / 27 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

2.4 L · 4 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,750/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Floor shift	64	4	1	4	67,800 mi
SuspensionFront; Front › Stabilizer bar	63	1	0	0	87,750 mi
StructureBody; Frame and members › Underbody shields	49	0	0	0	92,162 mi
Unknown or other	25	1	0	0	117,075 mi
Electrical systemInstrument cluster/panel; Alternator/generator/regulator	23	0	1	0	57,956 mi
Engine	22	0	1	0	117,000 mi
Steering	16	1	0	0	91,000 mi
Wheels	11	0	0	0	56,859 mi
TiresPressure monitoring and regulating systems; Valve	10	0	0	0	56,000 mi
Vehicle speed control	10	0	0	0	70,500 mi
Air bagsSide/window; Frontal	9	6	0	11	14,500 mi
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Cooling system	9	0	0	0	54,000 mi

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Unknown or other
Under paneling under all doors and under car rusting out completely. Falling pieces fly away anytime.
Feb 1, 2023
Unknown or other
My car will not shift. Itâs saying that the part that was fixed under the recall is bad. What do I do now?
Feb 2, 2026
Unknown or other
Check frame - known rot concerns Hole has started to open up center rear of engine subframe on the weld line. Subframe doesnât appear to be in immediate failure, but will not pass inspection. Called dealer and was told parts arenât available! No incident just getting inspected!
Feb 1, 2024
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.
Dec 2, 2022
Suspension
Rear subframe rotted in half, causing rear driver side tire to sit sideways and loss of rear end
Apr 1, 2023
Unknown or other
Rotting/rusting subframe. Not listed as a recall for this model year, but was for the previous years.
Jan 31, 2019
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..
Dec 16, 2022
Structure › Body
â Component failed: Front and Rear Subframe. â 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. â 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. â No.
Dec 2, 2022

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.