10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
93,133 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2009 Dodge Caliber drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2009 Dodge Caliber:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2009 Dodge Caliber Owner Comments (Page 1 of 3)

problem #52

Nov 132020

Caliber

  • miles

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

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?

- Seattle, WA, USA

problem #51

May 232021

Caliber

  • miles
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

- San Antonio , TX, USA

problem #50

Feb 042022

Caliber 4-cyl

  • miles
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).

- Detroit, MI, USA

problem #49

May 102021

Caliber

  • miles

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

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.

- Flagler Beach, FL, USA

problem #48

Feb 042020

Caliber

  • miles
Speed sensors, inner/outer tie rods, hub assembly, radiator, intake valve, tires were different sizes, more problems arose.

- Ocklawaha, FL, USA

problem #47

Dec 022020

Caliber

  • miles
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.

- Portsmouth, VA, USA

problem #46

Jul 152020

Caliber

  • 122,637 miles

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

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.

- Palatka, FL, USA

problem #45

Jun 012020

Caliber

  • 127,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Caliber. The contact stated that the transmission caused the vehicle to slow down while driving on the highway. The vehicle decelerated from 70 mph down to 20 mph. The contact pulled over to the shoulder of the highway before driving back to the residence. The vehicle failed to shift into reverse and jerked without moving backwards. The vehicle was unrepaired and undrivable at the residence. The dealer and manufacturer had not been contacted. The failure mileage was 127,000.

- Warrenville, SC, USA

problem #44

Nov 072019

Caliber

  • 135,000 miles
Front subframe severely rusted and broken

- Masontown, PA, USA

problem #43

Oct 182019

Caliber

  • 0 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

- Crockett, TX, USA

problem #42

Oct 212019

Caliber

  • miles

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

The car just stopped. I couldn't move rather it was in drive or reverse.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #41

Aug 142019

Caliber

  • 115,000 miles
While stationary during cold start, car cranks and runs, but automatically starts in limp mode with the check engine light on saying transmission overheating and while in motion it will not drive faster than 20 mph. Even on cold days. Been hearing alot about this issue from other owners.

- Brighton, TN, USA

problem #40

May 252019

Caliber

  • 191,000 miles
The recall U have that U say has not effected mine has. I've already put a new engine in the car and a gas tank, all the lines and now the car is still shutting off/down on its own. The recall is exactly wat the mechanic says needs done and he doesn't have the equipment to do the repair. No advanced read out machinery to change or reprogram. I need this recall on mine. There's no way U got every one that was recalled. Like I said jeff bradley is the mechanic that's fine all the work the new motor the gas tank and lines, and now it's still shutting down. There is no dash lights that cone N at all

- Mount Vernon, KY, USA

problem #39

Jul 032019

Caliber

  • 130,000 miles
My car is stuttering/jolting upon putting it in drive & stopping & driving (after stopping @ traffic lights & stop signs). Also, it takes a bit for the car to increase in speed once I'm stopped (@ traffic lights & stop signs) & have to start driving again. This has been noticeable for the past month now.

- Concord, NC, USA

problem #38

Jun 102019

Caliber

  • 138,000 miles
Transmission overheated and went into limp mode repeatedly during a road trip in summer of 2017 on the freeway. Flushing and replacing filter fixed the problem for about 10 months. June of 2018, complete transmission failure. Took it to aamco, and they rebuilt it for $2800. Fixed the issue again for about a year. Failed again June of 2019, took it to aamco again, and this time they replaced the transmission under warranty. Three days after getting it back from the shop, the transmission has started to overheat and go into limp mode yet again.

- Riverside, CA, USA

problem #37

Jun 132019

Caliber 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 120,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Caliber. While driving approximately 25 mph on an incline, the gear did not shift out of first gear and the transmission indicator illuminated. The failure recurred and the vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The contact called larry hillis Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Fiat at 573-785-5769 (located at 3211 N westwood blvd, poplar bluff, mo 63901) and was informed that there was no recall. The technician recommended a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that there was no recall. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

- Mcgee, MO, USA

problem #36

Mar 012019

Caliber

  • 101,000 miles
I bought my car about a week ago with 100,000 miles on it and the day tree we brought it home when we are driving it will start to go back and forth, like stall/ chug for a split second then go back while in motion, it doesn't matter how slow or fast I'm going it does it whenever I am driving. I can't wait for it to just die and get it fixed I need this fixed now and I can now see after researching there are many 2009 Dodge Calibers on recall for this issue but mine isn't and I'm confused as to why and need this to be fixed asap.

- Buffalo, MN, USA

problem #35

Mar 112019

Caliber

  • 5 miles
My vehicle for my year has a recall for the transmission power control module, I called to get it sorted out and everyone tells me my specific VIN does not match any recalls, ironically my check gone light has come on for this exact reason. I was driving and from what I experienced the car did shut off and I had to restart it on the side of the road.

- Farmington Hills, MI, USA

problem #34

Mar 022016

Caliber

  • 25 miles
Transmission over heating on highway.. front steering and suspension keep needs repaired. Noise in front when turning to the right.

- Morrisdale, PA, USA

problem #33

Sep 112018

Caliber

  • 80,000 miles
Transmission overheats quickly and car loses power. Aamco has replaced it numerous times. Added external transmission cooler. Problem persists. Suspension is insufficient for this car.

- Chino, CA, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?