2009 Dodge CALIBER: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
232 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
80,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2009 model year. Data snapshot: . 186 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Suspension is the most frequently named component, appearing in 58 of 232 complaints (25.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 41 | 17.7% |
| Engine operation | 24 | 10.3% |
| Steering behavior | 19 | 8.2% |
| Braking behavior | 17 | 7.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 12 | 5.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 1.3% |
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 | 58 |
| Power Train | 52 |
| Structure:Body | 34 |
| Unknown Or Other | 25 |
| Engine | 22 |
| Electrical System | 19 |
| Steering | 16 |
| Wheels | 11 |
Suspension: 58; Power Train: 52; Structure:Body: 34; Unknown Or Other: 25; Engine: 22; Electrical System: 19; Steering: 16; Wheels: 11
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 23 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 27 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 37 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 32 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 48 |
| 150,000 and above | 19 |
Under 25,000: 23; 25,000 to 49,999: 27; 50,000 to 74,999: 37; 75,000 to 99,999: 32; 100,000 to 149,999: 48; 150,000 and above: 19
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (48). 46 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 |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 5 |
| 2010 | 13 |
| 2011 | 8 |
| 2012 | 19 |
| 2013 | 11 |
| 2014 | 13 |
| 2015 | 28 |
| 2016 | 41 |
| 2017 | 15 |
| 2018 | 19 |
| 2019 | 22 |
| 2020 | 9 |
| 2021 | 11 |
| 2022 | 12 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2026 | 2 |
2009: 5; 2010: 13; 2011: 8; 2012: 19; 2013: 11; 2014: 13; 2015: 28; 2016: 41; 2017: 15; 2018: 19; 2019: 22; 2020: 9; 2021: 11; 2022: 12; 2023: 3; 2024: 1; 2026: 2
Pattern summary
Suspension leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 41 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 24 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 19 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10268252 · 2009-05-08 (May 8, 2009)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO YIELD TO THE LEFT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT SUFFERED MODERATE INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. SHE HAS PICTURES OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND IS WAITING FOR A RESPONSE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 5,500.
Owner-reported narrative. 5,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10268252 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10268947 · 2009-05-17 (May 17, 2009)
09 DODGE CALIBER. VIBRATION OF ENTIRE CAR IN WHAT MANUFACTURER CALLS WIND BUFFETING DEFECT. START OF VIBRATION AT 45 TO 50 MPR. BACK WINDOWS ROLLED DOWN AND FRONT WINDOW CRACKED. CAR VIBRATES CAUSING IT HARD TO CONTROL VEHICLE. SALESMAN AND SALESMANAGER STATED THIS WAS COMMON IN ALL SMALL SEDANS AND COMPACT CARS THAT THEY CARRY ON LOT. WAS TOLD TO DRIVE VEHICLE WITH WINDOWS UP!THEY HAD NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS IN ANY TEST DRIVE. THEY ONLY DROVE WITH ALL WINDOWS DOWN. TOOK ANOTHER 09 CALIBER OFF LOT TO SEE IF IT WOULD ALSO VIBRATE; IT DID THE SAME…
Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10268947 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10277567 · 2009-07-21 (July 21, 2009)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. WHEN THE CONTACT ACTIVATES THE AIR CONDITIONING OR HEATER, HIS HAND WILL TOUCH AND ACTIVATE THE FOUR WAY FLASHER. HE STATED THAT THE FLASHER WAS IN A BAD LOCATION. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY RECEIVED OTHER COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE POOR DESIGN OF THE FLASHER AND AIR CONDITIONER KNOBS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 800. UPDATED 08/20/09.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10277567 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10283359 · 2009-09-09 (September 9, 2009)
1. 2009 DODGE CALIBER SXT, WHILE DRIVING, THE ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS WILL UNLOCK AND THEN LOCK THEMSELVES. THIS HAPPENS AT ANY SPEED, IN TOWN OR ON FREEWAYS. DEALER HAS HAD CAR 7 DIFFERENT TIMES, AND IS UNABLE TO REPAIR OR EVEN SEE THE FAULT, ALTHOUGH HE HAS ON DIFFERENT OCCASIONS FOUND FAULT CODES FOR STUCK DOOR LOCK SWITCH. DEALER CURRENTLY HAS CAR TO TRY TO DETERMINE THE FAULTS. MAIN DOOR LOCK SWITCH (DRIVERS SIDE) REPLACED BY DEALER. WIRING HARNESS REPAIRED BY DEALER DUE TO DEALER INSTALLED AFTER MARKET ALARM SYSTEM INCORRECTLY INSTALLED. …
Owner-reported narrative. 2,234 miles reported. Look up ODI 10283359 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10286690 · 2009-10-07 (October 7, 2009)
2009 DODGE CALIBER SXT- A GUST OF WIND HIT MY DOOR AS I PROCEEDED TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE DOOR HINGES EXPLODED, SENDING A SPRING INTO MY FACE, AND HYPER-EXTENDING THE DOOR RANGE. THE DEALER APPRAISED THE DAMAGE AT $600 DOLLARS FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE HINGES AND COSMETIC REPAIR. IT WILL BE FILED AS A WARRANTY CLAIM BUT IT WILL "MOST LIKELY BE KICKED BACK". *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 16,922 miles reported. Look up ODI 10286690 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10308225 · 2010-02-09 (February 9, 2010)
I RENTED A DODGE CALIBER FROM DOLLAR RENT-A-CAR IN HARTFORD, CN ON FRIDAY. JAN 29, 2009. ON THE THIRD TRIP IN THE CAR, ON JAN 30, I PARKED IT, REMOVED THE KEY, SET THE PARKING BRAKE, AND STARTED TO WALK AWAY FROM THE CAR. TO THIS POINT, ALL WAS NORMAL. THEN, THE CAR STARTED UP ON ITS OWN, AND THE MOTOR CONTINUED TO RUN. THE CAR CONTINUED TO RUN FOR 20-30 MINUTES REGARDLESS OF WHAT I DID WITH THE KEY. THE KEY DID NOT HAVE A REMOTE IGNITION SWITCH. I EVENTUALLY CONTACTED DOLLAR, AND AFTER ABOUT 20 MINUTES, WHILE I WAS SITTING IN THE CAR WITH…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10308225 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10317740 · 2010-03-08 (March 8, 2010)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. ON DECEMBER 26, 2009 WHILE TAKING PACKAGES OUT THE VEHICLE THE GEAR SHIFT FAILED. THE VEHICLE REVERSED ON ITS OWN AND SHE WAS STRUCK BY THE DRIVER'S DOOR. SHE RECEIVED INJURIES TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE BODY. THE VEHICLE STOPPED WHEN IT COLLIDED INTO A SNOW EMBANKMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE VEHICLE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TRADED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 16,027.
Owner-reported narrative. 16,027 miles reported. Look up ODI 10317740 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10317755 · 2010-03-08 (March 8, 2010)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. ON DECEMBER 26, 2009 WHILE TAKEN PACKAGES OUT THE VEHICLE, THE GEAR SHIFT FAILED. THE VEHICLE REVERSED ON ITS OWN AND SHE WAS STRUCK BY THE DRIVERS DOOR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED INJURIES TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE BODY. THE VEHICLE STOPPED WHEN IT COLLIDED INTO A SNOW EMBANKMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE VEHICLE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TRADED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 16,027.
Owner-reported narrative. 16,027 miles reported. Look up ODI 10317755 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
08V528000 · Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm)
Reported: 2008-10-09 (October 9, 2008)
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.
Consequence: THIS CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL AND CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PCM FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 10, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
NHTSA campaign record ↗