Dodge CALIBER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
1,848 owner complaints analyzed
8 distinct recall campaigns
80,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2006 to 2012 model years. Data snapshot: . 1,473 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Suspension is the most frequently named component, appearing in 428 of 1,848 complaints (23.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 190 | 10.3% |
| Engine operation | 185 | 10.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 153 | 8.3% |
| Steering behavior | 148 | 8.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 139 | 7.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 31 | 1.7% |
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 | 428 |
| Electrical System | 322 |
| Structure:Body | 222 |
| Power Train | 185 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 177 |
| Engine | 175 |
| Steering | 163 |
| Unknown Or Other | 150 |
Suspension: 428; Electrical System: 322; Structure:Body: 222; Power Train: 185; Vehicle Speed Control: 177; Engine: 175; Steering: 163; Unknown Or Other: 150
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 176 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 201 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 290 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 284 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 373 |
| 150,000 and above | 149 |
Under 25,000: 176; 25,000 to 49,999: 201; 50,000 to 74,999: 290; 75,000 to 99,999: 284; 100,000 to 149,999: 373; 150,000 and above: 149
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (373). 375 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 |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 14 |
| 2007 | 33 |
| 2008 | 31 |
| 2009 | 42 |
| 2010 | 104 |
| 2011 | 147 |
| 2012 | 105 |
| 2013 | 130 |
| 2014 | 209 |
| 2015 | 189 |
| 2016 | 194 |
| 2017 | 157 |
| 2018 | 131 |
| 2019 | 129 |
| 2020 | 92 |
| 2021 | 40 |
| 2022 | 52 |
| 2023 | 21 |
| 2024 | 17 |
| 2025 | 6 |
| 2026 | 5 |
2006: 14; 2007: 33; 2008: 31; 2009: 42; 2010: 104; 2011: 147; 2012: 105; 2013: 130; 2014: 209; 2015: 189; 2016: 194; 2017: 157; 2018: 131; 2019: 129; 2020: 92; 2021: 40; 2022: 52; 2023: 21; 2024: 17; 2025: 6; 2026: 5
Pattern summary
Suspension leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 190 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 185 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 153 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 10153926 · 2006-03-28 (March 28, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 43MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS STRUCK IN THE LEFT FRONT END WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ROLLOVER TWICE AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS NO PRE-BRAKING PRIOR TO IMPACT. ALTHOUGH THE OCCUPANTS WERE WEARING SEATBELTS, MINOR INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE POLICE WERE ON THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS TAKEN. DUE TO THE EXTENSIVE DAMAGE, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD TO AWAIT INSPECTION BY THE INSURANCE ADJUSTOR.
Owner-reported narrative. 380 miles reported. Look up ODI 10153926 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10167145 · 2006-08-31 (August 31, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND AS THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE AND PULLED TO THE RIGHT RESULTING IN AN IMPACT TO THE CURB OF THE BRIDGE. THIS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, IN A LIGHT RAIN. THE POLICE ARRIVED AT THE SCENE AND FILED AN ACCIDENT REPORT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO IMPOUND. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS NOTIFIED, HOWEVER A SERVICE MECHANIC DID NOT INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED.
Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10167145 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10157392 · 2006-05-11 (May 11, 2006)
AT 200 MILES, MY CAR'S ENGINE STARTED TO RATTLE AND MY POWER LOCK HAD A SHORT. I CALLED AND CALLED THE DEALERSHIP UNTIL 1000 MILES LATER THEY CHECKED THE PROBLEM. THEY GAVE ME AN EXCUSE FOR THE MOTOR RATTLING WAS THAT THERE WAS SUCH THING AS WINTER AND SUMMER FUEL AND THAT I SHOULD CHANGE GASOLINE STATIONS AND BRANDS TO SEE IF THAT WOULD CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I FOLLOWED THEIR INSTRUCTIONS AND WENT PRACTICALLY ALL OVER TOWN GASHING UP. I JUST HAD IT CHECKED AGAIN AT 1527 MILES, THE NOISE GOT WORST. THE MOTOR RATTLES WHEN I ACCELERATE AND WHEN …
Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10157392 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10163968 · 2006-07-31 (July 31, 2006)
THE FIRST WEEK I HEARD A HARD & SOLID CLICK NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE 6-15-06. ON 6-18-06 WHILE IN STAND-STILL TRAFFIC THE VEHICLES OIL LIGHT LIT UP & CHIMED PRIOR TO THE ENGINE STALLING & IN NEUTRAL WITH THE CLUTCH TO THE FLOOR. ON 6-19-06 I TOOK IT IN TO THE SHOP. JOHN AND I RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP 6-22-06 SPOKE WITH BOB CORLETTE ABOUT THE MULTIPLE MECHANICAL FAILURES. WE WERE TOLD BY BOB THAT THERE IS NOTHING THAT THEY CAN DO. WE SPOKE WITH DAVID TINDALE (WHO PROVIDED THE OWNERS MANUAL) & WHO REASSURED BOTH OF US THAT…
Owner-reported narrative. 430 miles reported. Look up ODI 10163968 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10172047 · 2006-10-28 (October 28, 2006)
I JUST RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2007 DODGE CALIBER. IT HAS BEEN LESS THAN 30 DAYS SINCE I HAVE HAD THE CAR. THE CAR WAS A NICE VEHICLE, UNTIL ONE DAY COMING HOME FROM HEIDELBERG, GERMANY. I WAS ON AUTOBAHN 656 BETWEEN HEIDELBERG AND MANNHEIM. I WAS IN THE LEFT LANE DRIVING ABOUT 70 K/HR. I WENT TO TURN ON MY HEADLIGHTS AND AS I DID THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD PANEL WENT BLANK. ALL METERS (ODOMETER, TACOMETER, AND SPEEDOMETER) DROPPED TO ZERO, BUT THEY QUICKLY CAME BACK ON. WHEN THEY RETURNED TO NORMAL, THE TRANSMISSION HAD SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL, CAU…
Owner-reported narrative. 710 miles reported. Look up ODI 10172047 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10184314 · 2007-03-06 (March 6, 2007)
ENGINE STALLS ON 1.8L 5 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION. SINCE PURCHASING IN NOV 2006 THE ENGINE HAS STALLED OVER 20 TIMES IN VARIOUS SITUATIONS. THE COMMON FACTOR IS WHEN COMING TO AN IDOL THE RPM'S WILL DROP TO APPROXIMATELY 500 THEN COME BACK UP TO IDOL AT ABOUT 800-1000. IT USUALLY STALLS WHEN IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC BUT HAS STALLED IN UNSAFE CONDITIONS AT LEAST 5 TIMES. WHEN PUSHING IN THE CLUTCH TO DOWNSHIFT WHILE MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN ACROSS TRAFFIC LANES IT HAS STALLED. THIS CAUSED ME TO LOOSE POWER STEERING AND FORCED ME TO CONTINUE TO…
Owner-reported narrative. 10 miles reported. Look up ODI 10184314 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10167421 · 2006-09-05 (September 5, 2006)
2007 DODGE CALIBER 1.8 LITER 5 SPEED STALLS AT IDLE IN TRAFFIC OR WHEN COASTING TO A STOP. WHEN THIS HAPPENS POWER STEERING AND BRAKES NO LONGER WORK. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY FOUND NOTHING. I ALMOST RAN INTO A WALL THE LAST TIME IT STALLED THERE IS NO WARNING, LIKE YOU SHUT OF THE KEY. IT WILL RESTART NO PROBLEM BUT THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR A REAR END CRASH AT STOP LIGHTS. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 2,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10167421 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10172565 · 2006-11-03 (November 3, 2006)
COPY OF COMPLAINT LETTER ATTACHED: OCTOBER 25, 2006 DAIMLER CHRYSLER MOTORS CORPORATION CUSTOMER CENTER PO BOX 21-8004 AUBURN HILLS, MI 48321-8004, PURCHASE DATE: MARCH 25, 2006, DEALERSHIP NAME: MANASSAS DODGE KIA SUBARU TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: AFTER CONSULTING WITH MY ATTORNEY, MR. THOMAS F. HENNESSY OF VIENNA, VA, I WAS ADVISED TO MAKE ONE LAST ATTEMPT TO RECONCILE MY PROBLEMS WITH MY 2007 DODGE CALIBER BEFORE TAKING LEGAL ACTION. AS OF TODAY MY CAR HAS BEEN SEEN BY DODGE DEALERSHIPS SIX TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM (SEE ATTACH…
Owner-reported narrative. 1 miles reported. Look up ODI 10172565 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10194997 · 2007-06-29 (June 29, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT DOWN TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY, HOWEVER, SHE WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE ANY DETAILS. THE DEALER HAS NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 3,029 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64.
Owner-reported narrative. 64 miles reported. Look up ODI 10194997 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10208811 · 2007-11-13 (November 13, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 DODGE CALIBER. THE BATTERY WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE FLASH AND HAZARD LIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED. THE DEALER REPROGRAMMED THE COMPUTER; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 25,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10208811 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10248320 · 2008-11-10 (November 10, 2008)
ON MY DODGE CALIBER, EVERY TIME THAT I PUT GAS IN THE CAR AND FILL IT UP THE GAS WILL BACK FLUSH OUT OF THE GAS TANK WHEN THE GAS PUMP NOZZLE TURNS OFF. THIS CAUSES GAS SPILLS ON MY CAR AND ON THE GROUND AT THE GAS STATION. I BROUGHT THIS TO THE ATTENTION OF THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME TO NOT FILL UP MY GAS TANK ALL OF THE WAY AND THAT THEY HAVE THIS SAME SITUATION HAPPENING ON MANY OF THEIR VEHICLES. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 28,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10248320 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10336374 · 2010-06-15 (June 15, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. THE CONTACT'S SPOUSE (A MECHANIC) TOOK THE REAR SEAT OUT AND DISCOVERED THAT THE WIRES TO THE FUEL PUMP WERE BURNED OUT WHICH CAUSED THEM TO MELT AND TO AFFECT THE FUEL PUMP. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE AND THE CONTACT HAD TO PURCHASE A NEW FUEL PUMP WITHIN A SPAN OF A YEAR. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP AND THE CONTACT HAD NOT SPOKEN WITH THE MANUFAC…
Owner-reported narrative. 62,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10336374 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 0 |
| 2007 | 4 |
| 2008 | 0 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 1 |
2006: 0; 2007: 4; 2008: 0; 2009: 1; 2010: 2; 2011: 2; 2012: 1