KnownCarProblems2009 Dodge Caliber Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 232 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Dodge Caliber, most often about the transmission (28% of complaints, typically around 68,000 miles). It is the 3rd most complained-about Caliber model year since 2000 and has 1 recall.
Most common 2009 Dodge Caliber problems
Transmission
64 complaints · 28%Half of these problems showed up before 68,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
2009 Dodge Caliber, within 3 months of buying vehicle, as is, started having acceleration problems, brake and suspension problems. Took vehicle to dealer, was informed I needed suspension bar and struts replaced which would cost over $800. About the same time my transmission overheat light started coming on, I loose…
The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Caliber. The contact stated that that the vehicle decelerated while the accelerated pedal was depressed. In addition, the engine rmps increased however, the vehicle did not accelerate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where a diagnostic was performed, which located the failure at the…
Suspension
61 complaints · 26%Half of these problems showed up before 84,000 miles. Parts named most often: front, subframe/mounting bracket.
The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Caliber. While driving 15 MPH, the vehicle made a creaking sound. A mechanic diagnosed that the main cross member was corroded. The contact notified the manufacturer. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 84,000.
Entire sub frame in front is rotted to the point vehicle is not driveable, do other ruset is visible in front. Vehicle began to squeal when driving and front left tire close to fell off
Body and structure
49 complaints · 21%Half of these problems showed up before 92,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Caliber. The contact stated that an independent mechanic noticed that the subframe of the vehicle was corroded. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 91,000.
Heard a clunking noise when turning and stopping, got home thinking the strut was broken and found that the sub-frame for engine, sway bar and tire assembly completely rotted and cracked on the drivers side ready to break in two. Car is unsafe to drive. Mileage 91k.
Engine
30 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 87,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, cooling system.
In june of 2013 while driving down I-75 heading up north, my temp light came on, the temp gage never moved past the normal range (directly between cold and hot) after I noticed the light I was watching the temp gage and my car just shut down. I lost all power, speed, steering, everything. Thankfully I was already in…
The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Caliber. The contact stated that the service engine warning light illuminated intermittently and the vehicle stalled on several occasions. The contact was able to restart the vehicle but the failure persisted and progressively worsened. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The…
Other or unspecified
25 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 103,500 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…
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.
Electrical
23 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 58,000 miles. Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel, alternator/generator/regulator, wiring, ignition.
I notice a few after my car inspection, water was in my driver tail light housing. Housing was drained. After about 2 month my daughter ask what that dark looking stuff was in my driver tail light housing was. Of course it was water again, and the lights stop working. Please fix this problem soon. Thanks
Mil light is on - taken for service 3-times - dealer states the tipm box is faulty, causing the vehicle to stall out - which it did while I was driving causing a very dangerous situation, as the vehicle was in motion on a busy street, approaching an intersection. Car had to be towed.
Wheels and tires
16 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 57,000 miles. Parts named most often: pressure monitoring and regulating systems, valve.
3 out of 4 valve stem's had to be replace on my car due to material defect...contacted Dodge due to product failure to see if this had been recalled as of yet. Had the same problem with my daughters 2009 Dodge avenger last july 2011.
The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Caliber. The contact stated that while adding air to the drivers side rear tire, the valve stem became fractured. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where it was advised that the tire pressure monitoring system and valve stem needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not…
Steering
16 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 91,000 miles.
Heard a clunking noise when turning and stopping, got home thinking the strut was broken and found that the sub-frame for engine, sway bar and tire assembly completely rotted and cracked on the drivers side ready to break in two. Car is unsafe to drive. Mileage 91k.
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…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2009 Dodge Caliber recalls
Transmission: control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
Risk: This can cause the engine to stall and cause a crash without warning.
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2009 Dodge Caliber
- What are the most common problems with the 2009 Dodge Caliber?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: transmission (64 complaints, typically around 68,000 miles); suspension (61 complaints, typically around 84,000 miles); body and structure (49 complaints, typically around 92,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2009 Dodge Caliber have?
- 1 recall listed by NHTSA, the latest from October 9, 2008 (transmission). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2009 a bad year for the Dodge Caliber?
- It is the 3rd most complained-about Caliber model year since 2000, with 232 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.