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Vehicle safety record

2009 Dodge Caliber Problems, complaints & recalls

Owners have filed 232 complaints about the 2009 Dodge Caliber with NHTSA, most often about the transmission & drivetrain (64) and the suspension (61). Those complaints describe 13 crashes, 2 fires and 11 injuries. It is covered by 1 recall, the latest in October 2008 for the control module (tcm / pcm / tecm). For comparison, the 2008 has 377 and the 2010 has 157.

NHTSA data checked

CAbout as many problems as a typical Caliber year, for its age

#43 most complained-about 2009 vehicle

Complaints
232
Recalls
1
Crashes
13
Fires
2
Injuries
11
Deaths
0

Most common 2009 Dodge Caliber problems

Share of all 232 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.

2009 Dodge Caliber recalls 1

Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do

Power train: control module (tcm / pcm / tecm)

08V528000712 vehicles affected

The 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.
The risk
This can cause the engine to stall and cause a crash without warning.
The 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.

What owners say

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232 complaints about the 2009 Dodge Caliber

Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners. Page 1 of 10.

Other & unknown

Under paneling under all doors and under car rusting out completely. Falling pieces fly away anytime.

Filed Incident Unknown or otherNHTSA 11728203
Other & unknown

My car will not shift. It's saying that the part that was fixed under the recall is bad. What do I do now?

Filed Incident Unknown or otherNHTSA 11717352
Other & unknown

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!

Filed Incident Unknown or otherNHTSA 11594174
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.

Filed Incident SuspensionNHTSA 11556949
Suspension

Rear subframe rotted in half, causing rear driver side tire to sit sideways and loss of rear end

Filed Incident SuspensionNHTSA 11539822
Other & unknown

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

Filed Incident Unknown or otherNHTSA 11503077
Other & unknown

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..

Filed Incident Unknown or otherNHTSA 11497796
Body, doors & structure

● Component failed: Front and Rear Subframe. ● 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. ● 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. ● No.

Filed Incident StructureNHTSA 11497535
Other & unknown

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.

Filed Incident Unknown or otherNHTSA 11491301
Body, doors & structure

It started as a popping noise while driving which evolved into a louder sound and I was able to feel it click with my feet as I was driving, and I couldn't pinpoint exactly what was causing the issue at first. After going to a mechanics and having them look at it the subframe of the car was absolutely covered in rust to the point where it was falling apart and I could see inside. The air conditioning unit was badly designed, and the residual water from that caused the entire thing to rust. They advised that it was...

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only going to get worse and could lead to the front axle essentially just falling out and totaling the car anyways. I drive everyday to and from work so having this issue is severely affecting my daily life and quite possibly my safety if anything happens while driving it.

Filed Incident StructureNHTSA 11484985
Transmission & drivetrainEngine & coolingFuel system

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...

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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?

Filed Incident Power train · Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11479281
BrakesDriver assistanceCrash

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.

Filed Incident Unknown or other · Service brakes · Forward collision avoidanceNHTSA 11471526
Suspension

I was driving down to road and the the k member (subframe) rusted all the way through

Filed Incident SuspensionNHTSA 11465287
Suspension

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.

Filed Incident Suspension · Unknown or otherNHTSA 11460742
Body, doors & structure

The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Caliber. The vehicle had previously had the front subframe replaced under an unknown TSB. The contact stated that upon inspection, her son informed her that the rear subframe was corroded. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with NHTSA. The failure mileage was 155,946.

Filed Incident StructureNHTSA 11457010
Transmission & drivetrainBrakesEngine & cooling

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

Filed Incident Power train · Service brakes · EngineNHTSA 11456269
Transmission & drivetrain

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 [[redacted]] 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).

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 11450676
AirbagsCrash1 injury

Car was involved in an accident that resulted in a total loss . Air bags did not deploy. Car is currently at a towing company and can be inspected. No warning lights were on.

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 11448726
SteeringAirbagsSeats & seat beltsCrash

Air bags didn't not deploy during a single car accident which ended in a head on crash into side of mountain then rolled over onto the roof. Speed about 30-35 mph. When tow truck turned car back over the driver's seat wasn't connected. Also prior to this accident problems with alignment, esp rear.

Filed Incident Steering · Air bags · SeatsNHTSA 11444028
SuspensionBody, doors & structure

The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Caliber. The contact stated that upon taking her vehicle to an independent mechanic for a state inspection, she was informed that the rear subframe was severely corroded. The contact was informed that the corrosion had caused a significant hole to form on the rear subframe which could cause a severe failure while driving. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that she would receive a callback. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was 64,049.

Filed Incident Suspension · StructureNHTSA 11440918
Lights

UNKNOWN Passenger side headlight will not come on Not a bad bulb

Filed Incident Exterior lightingNHTSA 11439734
SuspensionCrash

The front sub frame rusted out and almost killed everyone in the car the wheels turned out and lost all steering was really scary is there any way we can get this fixed by dodge this should be a recall I've looked at 6 calibers and all of them are rusted out

Filed Incident SuspensionNHTSA 11435649
Body, doors & structure

The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Caliber. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the steering wheel started vibrating. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the failure was caused by a corroded K-frame on the vehicle. The dealer was not made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist as the vehicle was not included in the 10-year extended warranty due to the manufacture on date. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.

Filed Incident StructureNHTSA 11432473
Suspension

The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Caliber. The contact stated while coming to a stop, there was a loud banging sound heard. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the front passenger's side wheel had detached due to a fractured lower control arm. The contact indicated that the failure was caused by severe rusting and corrosion of the subframe. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 109,000.

Filed Incident SuspensionNHTSA 11427425
Transmission & drivetrainAcceleration & cruise controlBrakes

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.

Filed Incident Power train · Vehicle speed control · Service brakesNHTSA 11421138

Dodge Caliber: every year compared

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
201249193AirbagsA
2011165291Engine & coolingC
20101572123Electrical systemC
20092321132Transmission & drivetrainC
20083770215SuspensionD
200795845718SuspensionF
20061000SuspensionA
All Caliber years

2009 Dodge Caliber vs rivals

More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.

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Questions about the 2009 Dodge Caliber

Does the 2009 Dodge Caliber have any recalls?

Yes - NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2009 Dodge Caliber: control module (tcm / pcm / tecm) (October 2008). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.

What are the most common problems with the 2009 Dodge Caliber?

By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the transmission & drivetrain (64), suspension (61), body, doors & structure (51).

How many complaints has the 2009 Dodge Caliber had?

232 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on May 8, 2009 and the latest on March 31, 2026. Of these, 13 describe a crash and 2 a fire, and together they report 11 injuries and 0 deaths.

Is the 2009 Dodge Caliber a reliable vehicle?

Its Safety Index is 44 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as a typical Dodge Caliber year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.

Which Dodge Caliber years have the most complaints?
What should I do if my 2009 Dodge Caliber has a problem?

If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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