10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
88,576 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 miscellaneous problems

miscellaneous problem

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2009 Dodge Caliber Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #23

Feb 012024

Caliber

  • miles

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

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!

- Lansdale, PA, USA

problem #22

Jan 312019

Caliber

  • miles
Rotting/rusting subframe. Not listed as a recall for this model year, but was for the previous years.

- Mason City, IA, USA

problem #21

Dec 162022

Caliber

  • miles
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..

- Omaha, NE, USA

problem #20

Oct 142022

Caliber

  • miles

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

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.

- Malden, MA, USA

problem #19

Jun 222022

Caliber

  • miles
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.

- South Bend, IN, USA

problem #18

Apr 072022

Caliber

  • miles
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.

- Union Grove, WI, USA

problem #17

Mar 052021

Caliber

  • 1,400 miles

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

My car was totaled because the front subfloor broke in have they said if going faster I would have rolled it only got 2000 had 1000 deduction I'm disabled I think I should get more of refund for your default

- Emden, IL, USA

problem #16

Mar 012021

Caliber

  • 145,000 miles
During an inspection by my dealer it was noted that the front subframe was rusted through. The car was taken to a different repair shop where it was determined that the rear subframe was also rusted through. It was determined that this was an ongoing issue that the dealership failed to note during previous inspections. Allowing the failure to be pushed out past the time of an extended warranty repair. The corroded subframes allowed more flexure in the sub frames add stress to the bushings and support structures causes the repair cost to multiply. These component failures could lead to a catastrophic failure of the car while driving and should be corrected by the manufacturer.

- Columbia, PA, USA

problem #15

Sep 222010

Caliber

  • 10,000 miles
Car electrical has issues flickering interior and exterior lights. Also has transmission overheating issues without the transmission temperature gauge going over the middle line of the gauge. No sigh of over heating besides transmission light turning on and going into limp mode. Can not drive longer then an hour without it going into limp mode with transmission light on. Started when it was barely at 10,000 miles.

- Castle Rock, CO, USA

problem #14

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 #13

Aug 102019

Caliber

  • 179,000 miles

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

The front sub-frame is severely corroded / rusted. I noticed this when doing front end work while the vehicle was stationary.

- Grafton, WV, USA

problem #12

Aug 272019

Caliber

  • 118,000 miles
The throttle body seems to be a huge thing even on youtube, it keeps going out. This should be something you replace. It's faulty and now mine had just broke down and we have to replace it with a 300 throttle body. This should defiantly be a recall asap, especially because it's many many people with this vehicle.

- Buffalo, MN, USA

problem #11

Jul 312018

Caliber

  • 57,455 miles
My transmission is lunging forward T all rates of speed

- Prairie Du Chien, WI, USA

problem #10

Jun 142018

Caliber

  • 126,000 miles
During an overall check up of the vehicle, the mechanic found rusting of the sub frame. He advised this was a known issue and that driving it for another 6 months may be pushing our luck.

- Westfield, IN, USA

problem #9

Feb 152018

Caliber

  • 117,075 miles
Subframe rusted cracks very dangerous frequent noises!

- Johnstown, PA, USA

problem #8

Mar 012017

Caliber

  • 119,000 miles
The K frame is completely rotted from rust.

- Fort Wayne, IN, USA

problem #7

Jan 042017

Caliber

  • 128,000 miles
I've had multiple repairs involving the throttle body, PCM and fuel peddle all with no effect on the issue of shaking, dying, periodic engine light and safety concern over the intermittent loss of power. Now I'm told it's probably the computer. The build date falls within a safety recall but I'm told it won't be honored because the VIN isn't under the recall.

- Exeter, CA, USA

problem #6

May 242016

Caliber

  • 89,000 miles
My son was driving this car to work noticed a severe change to the steering. It cause him to veer into the other lane and luckily there was no other oncoming traffic. He was able to drive it onto work and called me to let me know of the problem. After driving just 10 feet it was obvious that it was un-drivable and unsafe. After calling the towing service they suggested that I call Dodge to see if there was a recall since they had already towed other Dodge of similar years with a rusted/ broken sub frames. Call local dealer with the VIN and ask to if there was any recalls for a broken sub frame. They stated that there was not a recall and did not offer to make a repair even at my cost. I took it to a local service center who had seen the same problem before on other Dodge and was familiar with the repair. After $600 for the part and $600 for labor the repair was made on a car with 89,000 miles. While the car was getting repaired I was able to tell a co-worker about the recall for the exact same issue on her 2007 Caliber which I discovered while researching. She was able to get hers repaired with no charge. Contacted Dodge and since there is no recall they are not willing to pay for the repair at this point. They know that there is problem so I guess that means Dodge stands for Dodge responsibility at the cost of the consumer. I not be purchasing any mopar products in the future.

- Sidney, OH, USA

problem #5

Sep 022015

Caliber

  • 90,000 miles
After suspecting some front end suspension issues I took my 2009 Dodge Caliber to my regular mechanic. Upon inspection he reported that, along with control arms needing to be replaced, the subframe was unusually rusted and corroded to a point that was unsafe to drive. I investigated the matter and found that Chrysler issued an extension on the factory warranty to cover the same issue on the 2007 Calibers but when I contacted Chrysler customer service they informed my that there has been no recall or warranty extension for the 2009 Caliber. The car is at the garage and will be getting fixed tomorrow. I have taken pictures and will pursue the issue further.

- Fairview Park, OH, USA

problem #4

Aug 202015

Caliber

  • 48,500 miles
Engine cradle is rusted out when the rest of the vehicle has no rust at all resulting in approx. $800 to $1000 in repairs.

- Natrona Heights, PA, USA

Read the next 3 complaints »

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