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Engine coolingPart report

2008 Dodge Caliber Engine cooling Problems

Complaints
13about this part
Share
4%of 360 total for the year
Median mileage
57,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2008 Dodge Caliber, 4% of the 360 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 57,000 miles.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Had come to a stop at an intersection for a red light. Green light making left hand turn, car stalled out in intersection, able to restart car. I am at 89k now ever since then the car has been randomly stalling out at stops. I keep up with my vehicle maintenance. By doing some research this problem is a cause for concern, multiple complaints about this problem around the internet. This a safety issue and I believe it should be looked into and corrected. These problems can be prevented.”

NHTSA complaint #10427665, filed 2011-09, 80,000 miles

“I have replaced alternator, drive belt, ball joints, wheel bearings, tire rods on my 2008 Dodge. It is making a horrible noise now under the hood. I am one of many who have this same issue.”

NHTSA complaint #10397183, filed 2011-04, 86,000 miles

“My engine ticks when idling and the gas gauge jumps. The engine did not sound like this when I purchased it. I have taken the car to the dealer twice and have been told that there is no problem, and that all cars sound like that.”

NHTSA complaint #10235362, filed 2008-07, 4,908 miles

“While operating the 2008 Dodge Caliber 2.0l engine at approximately 45mph, the car instantly stopped without applying the brakes. Then the car would go from 7mph to 50mph in a rapid acceleration and then back down to 7mph. This was rather dangerous as I was almost rear ended numerous times despite having my emergency signal flashing lights on as well as driving in the far right lane. The car also experienced excessive back firing and one loud explosion sounded as if it occurred in the catalytic converter directly underneath the car. …”

NHTSA complaint #10424604, filed 2011-09, 60,554 miles

“2008 Dodge Caliber. While driving at 60 MPH the battery charging light came on. Next day took car to auto store to have battery tested and they replaced the battery. Next morning at 2:00 am while driving my husband to work, all lights on panel started coming on one at a time and car lost power and we coasted to the side of the freeway. The car is at the shop today and mechanics are trying to figure out what happened. They noted the battery was bad, but I just had a new battery put in and they stated the started was not bad. What is wrong so I can get it fixed. …”

NHTSA complaint #10476672, filed 2012-09, 57,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Engine cooling: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
20111610%
201064%
200983%
2008134%
2007354%

Other parts of the 2008 Dodge Caliber

Suspension
113 complaintsBody and structure
87 complaintsElectrical system
58 complaintsEngine
43 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
37 complaintsSteering
35 complaintsOther or unknown
28 complaintsVehicle speed control
27 complaintsAir bags
22 complaintsBrakes
22 complaintsWheels
16 complaintsExterior lighting
14 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2008 Dodge Caliber

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology