2009 Dodge Caliber problems
Owners have filed 355 complaints about the 2009 Dodge Caliber with NHTSA. Power train accounts for 18% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of suspension at 17.7%.
Complaints355
Crashes21
Fires5
Injuries19
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Power train 18.0% · 64
Suspension 17.7% · 63
Structure 13.8% · 49
Unknown or other 7.0% · 25
Electrical system 6.5% · 23
Engine 6.2% · 22
Steering 4.5% · 16
Wheels 3.1% · 11
Severity
Of those complaints, 21 describe a crash, 5 describe a fire and 19 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 5 model years of the Dodge Caliber in this data, 2009 ranks 3rd by complaint volume — 2007 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 6 in the last three years against 53 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 80,000 miles.
In owners' own words
The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Caliber. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35 mph, there was an abnormal noise coming from the vehicle. The failure recurred five times. The vehicle was taken to dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine cradle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 103,000. Power train · reported at 103,000 miles
The cars transmission light came on indacating that the transmission fluid is over 250 degrees and it shuts down to where I cant drive it it jumps and it won't let me accelerate I was going to the dr office out of the town from where I live and it put me out put it on the diagnosict machine at it said tmc moduel I havent had it very long and all and this is the second time it has done it to me Power train
The cvt transmission is junk. Constantly down shifting itself, even when the cruise is set, and being drove short low speed distances. I'm not the only one complaining. Several people I have talked to that own them have the same problems. Already returned one Caliber to the dealer, even after replacing the transmission it did no good. A week later it was right back in the garage Power train · reported at 1,107,645 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…