general problems of the 2009 Dodge Caliber

24 problems related to equipment have been reported for the 2009 Dodge Caliber. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2009 Dodge Caliber based on all problems reported for the 2009 Caliber.

1 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 02/02/2026

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

2 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 02/01/2024

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!.

3 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 02/01/2023

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

4 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 12/16/2022

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. .

5 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 10/14/2022

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.

6 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 06/22/2022

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.

7 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 04/07/2022

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.

8 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 03/05/2021

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.

9 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 03/01/2021

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.

10 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 12/02/2020

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.

11 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 08/27/2019

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.

12 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 08/10/2019

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

13 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 01/31/2019

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

14 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 07/31/2018

My transmission is lunging forward t all rates of speed.

15 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 06/14/2018

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.

16 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 03/01/2017

The k frame is completely rotted from rust.

17 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 01/04/2017

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.

18 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 05/24/2016

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 Dodges 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 Dodges 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.

19 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 09/02/2015

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.

20 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 08/20/2015

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

21 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 08/16/2015

Rotted out. Corroded in 6 years car unsafe.

22 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 08/07/2015

I was driving on a highway going about 60-65 mph when my car began to resist ( pull back) as I was trying to cut over a few lanes the speed dropped dramatic to 5pmh and soon as I was able to veer off the highway it completely shut off in the middle of driving. Good thing I was able to get off the road. And I had to get it towed home. Get home the car would start but there was no driving power no speed. Tried to back the car up would not push past 10rpm. I had to get it towed to a macanic said the throttle body was the issue. I read many complaints on google about Dodge Calibers having this issue as soon as it hits 80+thousand miles on it. I see that many cars have been on recall except the Calibers?.

23 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 04/01/2015

My mechanic and multiple others have stated that the intake runner is stuck and the intake needs to be replaced making it impossible to receive emissions on my vehicle. When in drive waiting at red lights and also to turn on multiple occasions my vehicle lost complete power, shutting off almost causing accidents. Luckily accidents were avoided.

24 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 03/22/2009

My name is jeff hummel & my wife was driving down the road at about 55 miles per hour & the steering wheel lost control pulling the vehicle to on coming traffic! she nearly miss the vehicle and got control of the vehicle. She was near the place where we take our vehicles to get repaired,so she had it towed there. ) the mechanic checked it out and said the engine cradle rusted out on the driver side and broke thru. The tires were chopped up on both sides from cutting in to the front end also. The vehicle is only a 2009 . I called Chrysler complaint dept. And she said that they couldn't do any thing about it because there was no recall for the Dodge Caliber 2009 models(only on the 2005 Caliber models) she also said that she bought the same type of (used )cabiler and her dad looked at it and said the engine cradle was rusting out . So she sold it. ! my wife could of gotten in a head on accident because of this! we take a lot of pride in our vehicles & keep up on the regular maintenance. We also have all the records on everything that we had done with the vehicle. A person called to ask us about the complaint and we could talk to her at that time because my wife was working at that time so the person said they would call back but we haven't herd for them in about a week. Please call us about this at . 989-785-4174 the car is repaired and we have the bill and the rusted out engine cradle if you need a picture of it.


Other Equipment related problems of the 2009 Dodge Caliber


Caliber Service Bulletins
Caliber Safety Recalls
Caliber Defect Investigations