2008 Dodge Caliber Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 43about this part
- Share
- 12%of 360 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 89,788miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 43 complaints about the engine of the 2008 Dodge Caliber, 12% of the 360 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 89,788 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I purchased this vehicle knowing of rust but when I climbed under it I seen the subframe is almost rusted all the way through this is a major issue I've heard of a few other Caliber owners who's whole drivetrain fell out of engine bay due to this, this could be a dangerous problem if someone is driving at highway speeds Dodge needs to take action and recall this part and put a better component on the vehicles they produce”
NHTSA complaint #11222009, filed 2019-06, 140,000 miles“I was on my way to work, headlights and dash lights started to flicker, all the indicator light on the dash came on. Smoke started coming in the vents into the vehicle went to stop, brakes grabbed for a second then went out completely, even shifting the vehicle to park did nothing. Stopped the vehicle by hitting guard rail called police, within minutes the entire front end was in flames.”
NHTSA complaint #10485042, filed 2012-11, 67,000 miles“There are currently 0 recalls on the 2008 Dodge Caliber 2.0. However, a simple youtube search will bring up common issues with the lower ball joints, which cause extreme tire wear and even severe pulling to the left and right with very little control. The anti-lock breaking system as well as the throttle body are huge issues as well. However, it wasn't a youtube search that brought this to my attention but instead driving one and looking into it. To my surprise there are zero recalls on this vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10991328, filed 2017-05, 100,000 miles“Luckily, I was on a city street. The vehicle lost power and slowed significantly, almost stopping completely and began to reboot as if it were just being started. I am complaining because I do not feel it to be safe for consumers on any road. I have a 3 year old son and I would very much like Dodge to fix this problem before my, or anyone else's family, gets whiplash from a rear collision. I'm reaching out to NHTSA because, I lack the tools and knowledge to fix it myself, and don't find it fair that I pay for a mistake that Dodge made in making the car.”
NHTSA complaint #11324134, filed 2020-05, 90,000 miles“As I was attempting to merge onto the cross county pwy east a lighting bolt appeared on my cluster panel. The car began to misfire and I could not speed up cars swerved to avoid crashing into me. Pretty scary!”
NHTSA complaint #10694979, filed 2015-03, 40,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10177457Jun 24, 2020THROTTLE BODY For clarification, only use 68414676A$ on 2010 & earlier vehicles as supply is limited.
- 10128948Feb 6, 2013Gasoline Engine Diagnostic Inspection Procedure This bulletin provides a procedure to determine repair versus replacement of a gasoline long block engine assembly. This procedure…
Engine: other model years
Other parts of the 2008 Dodge Caliber
113 complaintsBody and structure
87 complaintsElectrical system
58 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
37 complaintsSteering
35 complaintsOther or unknown
28 complaintsVehicle speed control
27 complaintsAir bags
22 complaintsBrakes
22 complaintsWheels
16 complaintsExterior lighting
14 complaintsFuel system
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