2008 Dodge CALIBER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
360 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
85,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2008 model year. Data snapshot: . 294 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Suspension is the most frequently named component, appearing in 106 of 360 complaints (29.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 41 | 11.4% |
| Steering behavior | 33 | 9.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 28 | 7.8% |
| Engine operation | 27 | 7.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 23 | 6.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 0.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Suspension | 106 |
| Structure:Body | 58 |
| Electrical System | 56 |
| Engine | 43 |
| Power Train | 36 |
| Steering | 35 |
| Unknown Or Other | 28 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 26 |
Suspension: 106; Structure:Body: 58; Electrical System: 56; Engine: 43; Power Train: 36; Steering: 35; Unknown Or Other: 28; Vehicle Speed Control: 26
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 24 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 43 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 58 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 55 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 83 |
| 150,000 and above | 31 |
Under 25,000: 24; 25,000 to 49,999: 43; 50,000 to 74,999: 58; 75,000 to 99,999: 55; 100,000 to 149,999: 83; 150,000 and above: 31
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (83). 66 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 11 |
| 2009 | 9 |
| 2010 | 11 |
| 2011 | 28 |
| 2012 | 24 |
| 2013 | 27 |
| 2014 | 44 |
| 2015 | 46 |
| 2016 | 60 |
| 2017 | 18 |
| 2018 | 26 |
| 2019 | 31 |
| 2020 | 10 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2022 | 7 |
| 2023 | 3 |
2007: 1; 2008: 11; 2009: 9; 2010: 11; 2011: 28; 2012: 24; 2013: 27; 2014: 44; 2015: 46; 2016: 60; 2017: 18; 2018: 26; 2019: 31; 2020: 10; 2021: 4; 2022: 7; 2023: 3
Pattern summary
Suspension leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 41 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 33 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 28 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10223501 · 2008-04-06 (April 6, 2008)
WAS TRAVELING 30 TO 35 MPH WEST ON HIGHWAY APPROACHING INTERSECTION WITH GREEN LIGHT, ANOTHER 4 DOOR SEDAN TRAVELING EAST MADE LEFT HAND TURN IN FRONT OF MY VEHICLE. THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF MY VEHICLE BEFORE IT WAS SEEN, I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES AND HIT BOTH DOORS OF THE OTHER VEHICLE WITH THE FRONT END OF MY VEHICLE CAUSING EXTENSIVE FRONT END DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH 2 FRONT AIRBAGS AND A KNEE AIRBAG ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 3,992 miles reported. Look up ODI 10223501 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10241064 · 2008-09-05 (September 5, 2008)
ON 08/09/08 I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO GET CHECKED; I HAD ALREADY BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY BRAKE LIGHT COMING ON AT DIFFERENT TIMES. AT THAT MOMENT THE LIGHT WAS NOT ON AND THE SERVICE REP TOLD ME THAT THE LIGHT HAD TO BE ON IN ORDER TO CHECK THE VEHICLE EVEN AFTER I SHOWED HIM A RECENT VIDEO ON MY PHONE SHOWING THE LIGHT FLASHING. ON 08/12/08 I TOOK THE VEHICLE AS THE LIGHT WAS ONE, THEY ASKED ME TO BRING IT IN ON 08/14/08. I DROPPED OF MY VEHICLE ON 08/14/08 AND THEY FOUND THAT THE BRAKE SENSOR NEEDS TO CHANGED; SO THEY PLACED THE ORDER AND …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10241064 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10383479 · 2011-02-21 (February 21, 2011)
2008 DODGE CALIBER STEERING WHEEL ISSUE. OVER A PERIOD OF TIME MY DODGE CALIBER SRT4 STEERING WHEEL BECAME LOOSE AND MOVES FORWARD AND BACK CALLED THE DODGE DEALERSHIP AND THEY HAD TOLD ME THAT MY CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE IT FREE OF CHARGE AND THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE WHOLE STEERING COLUMN. WHEN I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL HAS ABOUT A HALF INCH PLAY IN IT. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 40,552 miles reported. Look up ODI 10383479 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10415854 · 2011-07-23 (July 23, 2011)
THE FRONT TIRES WERE VIBRATING AND MY STEERING WHEEL WAS SHAKING, SO I THOUGHT THE TIRES NEEDED BALANCING. I BROUGHT THE CAR INTO A FIRESTONE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THE FRONT RIGHT STRUT WAS BLOWN OUT AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THEY SAID THAT THIS WAS A SAFETY ISSUE, AND THAT STRUTS HELP HOLD THE WHEELS TO THE ROAD. ALSO, MY FRIEND WHO IS AN ASE CERTIFIED MECHANIC CHECKED THE STRUT AND HE VERIFIED THAT THE STRUT WAS BROKEN.
Owner-reported narrative. 34,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10415854 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10458569 · 2012-05-15 (May 15, 2012)
2008 DODGE CALIBER STOPPED ACCELERATING NORMALLY IN SEPTEMBER 2010 AT ABOUT 43,000 MILES (AND ABOUT 6 MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT IT FROM A MAZDA DEALERSHIP). I TOOK IT TO SEVERAL TRANSMISSION SHOPS WHO ALL SAID THEY COULDN'T HELP, BUT HAD HEARD OF MANY SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. I FINALLY TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A DIAGNOSIS AND WAS TOLD THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED (AT ABOUT $4000). THIS DIAGNOSIS SEEMS TO BE VERY DIFFERENT FROM THE THROTTLE ISSUE THAT I'VE READ ABOUT ONLINE. I WAS TOLD IT MIGHT HURT THE POWERTRAIN FUR…
Owner-reported narrative. 43,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10458569 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10463587 · 2012-06-29 (June 29, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED. LOST POWER, THE TRANSMISSION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OVER 35 MPH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED TO THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED DUE BY THE TRANSMISSION FLUID OVERHEATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,000. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. UPDATED 08/06/12
Owner-reported narrative. 55,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10463587 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10233443 · 2008-07-07 (July 7, 2008)
2008 DODGE CALIBER R/T WITH 2.4 LITRE, 5 SPEED MANUAL TRANNY STALLS WHILE IDLING AT RED LIGHTS. HAPPENED TWICE WITHIN 3 WEEKS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10233443 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10371233 · 2010-12-19 (December 19, 2010)
THE CAR STARTS, DROPS RPMS TO 700 WHEN PUT IN REVERSE, THEN STALLS WHILE DRIVING. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 56,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10371233 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10320806 · 2010-03-18 (March 18, 2010)
HAD CAR IN PARK. STARTED VEHICLE AND STARTER KEPT TRYING TO TURN OVER. STOPPED CAR AND TOOK KEY OUT, STARTER KEPT GOING. STARTED CAR AGAIN AND DROVE 30 FEET WHILE STARTER IS TURNING OVER AND SMOKE WAS COMING INTO VEHICLE. VEHICLE THEN STOPPED AND ENGINE DIED. THE VEHICLE ENDED UP STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF A FOUR LANE MAIN ROAD. LIGHTS WERE ON AND BATTERY WAS STILL WORKING. COULD NOT START CAR. POLICE WERE CALLED DUE TO VEHICLE BEING INOPERATIVE. TOWED TO DEALER, WHERE THEY RAN TESTS ON NEW STARTER AFTER IT WAS REPLACED. WAS TOLD ALL …
Owner-reported narrative. 44,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10320806 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10376815 · 2011-01-15 (January 15, 2011)
WENT SHOPPING CAME OUT FROM SHOPPING MY CAR LEFT ME STRANDED HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER I BOUGHT IT FROM AFTER BEING STRANDED FOR OVER 3 HOURS THEY HAD TO SENT IT TO A DODGE DEALER THEY SAID THE ISSUE WAS FROM A STATIC LOCK WHICH CASED MY MODULE TO HAVE TO BE REST BUT THEN THEY TOLD ME IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN I JUST NEED TO UNPLUG THE POSITIVE CABLE TO THE BATTERY AND IT SHOULD WORK WHICH IT DOES BUT THEY SAID THEY HAD TO RESET MY KEY TO IT SO I WAS CHARGED FOR THEM TO DO NOTHING AND THE CAR IS STILL NOT FIXED IT HAPPENED AGAIN ON JANUARY 7 2011 A…
Owner-reported narrative. 57,750 miles reported. Look up ODI 10376815 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10372775 · 2010-12-21 (December 21, 2010)
COMPLAINED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS TO THE STONE MOUNTAIN DODGE DEALER THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH MY FUEL GAUGE. IT DOES NOT KEEP AN ACCURATE ACCOUNT OF THE FUEL IN MY FUEL TANK. UPON FILLING UP MY CAR ON FULL WITH FUEL, IT WOULD GIVE AN INACCURATE READING RIGHT AWAY. AS SOON AS I DROVE OUT OF THE PARKING LOT. I EXPLAINED THIS TO THE DEALER ON A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT OCCASIONS AND EACH TIME I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A PART THAT MY CAR NEEDED, AND IT WAS ON ORDER AND WOULD BE IN A COUPLE OF MONTHS. I WOULD WAIT A COUPLE OF MONTHS, AND R…
Owner-reported narrative. 18,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10372775 at NHTSA ↗