9.8

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
$1,640
Average Mileage:
92,650 miles
Total Complaints:
8 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (6 reports)
  2. replace cradle, control arms, ball joints and tie rod (1 reports)
  3. replace engine cradle (1 reports)
2008 Dodge Caliber body / paint problems

body / paint problem

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2008 Dodge Caliber Owner Comments

problem #8

Oct 172017

Caliber SE 2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 86,994 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

click to see larger images

engine cradle rotted

Drove to work in the morning everything seemed fine. Driving back to work after my lunch break my steering wheel was cockeyed. Called the auto repair shop they thought I had a broken tie rod. Was going to bring it in the following morning. Driving back home which is approx. 1 mile through town I started to lose some control of the car. Repair shop was only a block and a half away. Drove it their immediately. Told the mechanic it was dangerous to drive. They called me the next morning and said the engine cradle was completely rotted through and the engine was starting to drive. Was told I was lucky I wasn't on the highway going 65 mph or it could have been a serious accident. Mechanic said there isn't any current recalls on my car for that particular problem but there was on the 2007's. He said he considered it a crime for Dodge to put in such a faulty part and this should never have happened. He asked if I wanted to junk it or repair it. I only have close to 87,000 miles and buying a new car would cost more so I repaired it for $2,074 which included other replacement parts due to how bad the engine cradle was. Control arms with ball joints left from inner tie rod. I don't understand why there wasn't a recall on this year model since they are having the same problem as the 2007's. I could have been in a serious accident and possibly not be here today. I consider myself lucky I was driving under 30mph and close to a auto repair shop. This needs to be reported and I would like a full refund for the repair.

- Darlene L., Cannon Falls, US

problem #7

Sep 112017

Caliber SXT

  • CVT transmission
  • 40,000 miles

Heard a thumping sound from driver side front. Took to mechanic thinking it was tie rod or strut. Mechanic showed me cradle and how it was completely rotted. This vehicle has 40,000 miles and body is in very good condition. I could not believe it when I was told the engine could fall out. Then I found out that Chrysler has no recall. Very disappointing.

- Lawrence H., Parma, US

problem #6

Sep 242016

Caliber SE 4.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 110,000 miles

Caliber '08 went in for new brakes, and mechanic took photos of rusted out engine cradle - $650 parts/$750 for time and front end alignment. Belle Tire said ours "was the second one they had to replace this week"!

- teamholt, Rochester, MI, US

problem #5

Aug 142015

Caliber SXT 2.0L

  • CVT transmission
  • 124,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

click to see larger images

engine cradle rotted

Found out after steering started acting funny and clunking going on (thought it was the struts) that the engine cradle was completely rusted out. I cannot believe there was never a recall issued on this! I was quoted by midas $1200! A large part of that was the only new parts available are dealer and that alone was $600.

- scooterz66, Toledo, OH, US

problem #4

Aug 042015

Caliber 4D 4 cylinder

  • Automatic transmission
  • 125,470 miles

While getting an oil change I asked what the rusted looking part was under my car was and was told it was the cradle/frame and I should contact the dealership because there is no way that it should have rusted like this. I have not been driving the car for months because I just had the right tie rod/sway bar replaced again and it needs struts again and I don't know if it is worth it to fix considering now the cradle is rotted so I am investigating and putting everything in order to find out if there is any help I can get due to the amount of money I have had to put in this car, from the start, I am going to go over all of this at the dealership, see what they have to say if I am not happy I am considering hiring an attorney.

- lmilliken, Canton, OH, US

problem #3

Nov 152013

Caliber 4D 4 cylinder

  • Automatic transmission
  • 106,116 miles

11/2013 is when the problem was noticed. It was starting to rust at a little over 106,000 miles while getting tie rods and sway bars fixed. Was told at that this model has all front end problems which as time went on and the amount of expense is very true. I will have to take picture of it to post on here also. The car has a little over 125,000 miles on it but I don't drive it at all right now. For months and over the past few years have driven other cars in order to come up with money to fix the multiple front end problems and always have to by tires. I also want to add that my car is titled 2008 but the manufacture sticker in the door is 8/2007 and says must go but manufacture date. I talked to a Dodge dealership and was told, before I found the manufacture date, that they were replacing the 2007 cradle rot problems for free but since mine is a 2008 they would work a deal out with me. Have not went back yet to explain mine is 2007 manufactured because I am gathering up all my repair work and money I have put in this car and I want some money back and I want this fixed for free!

- lmilliken, Canton, OH, US

problem #2

Dec 262014

Caliber R/T 2.4L

  • CVT transmission
  • 61,000 miles

click to see larger images

engine cradle rotted

Not happy that I just got the car 10 months ago. Would have thought the dealer might have mentioned something before selling the car. Not sure how it passed inspection the first time around. To me thats pretty rotted out for being only 6 years old.

- gkoehler, Fredonia, NY, US

problem #1

Dec 022014

Caliber 22

  • Automatic transmission
  • 87,607 miles

NO RECALL ON 08 DODGE CALIBER ON ENGINE CRADLE ROT

- hneer, Norwich, NY, US

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