Most common 2008 Dodge Caliber problems
Share of the 377 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Dodge Caliber complaints by model year
Best Caliber years: 2012, 2010, 2011. Years to avoid: 2007, 2008. Compare all years →
What 2008 Dodge Caliber owners say
Suspension all 118 →
Rear subframe rusted right through control rods snapped rear end of car dropped down. Upon researching they know that this is bad and unsafe even gave a 10 year extended warranty for front and rear subframe so how long will and how many complaints before this is an actual recall. I see here in your complaints that there is a large number of complaints on this issue. How are they getting away with this and nothing being done. I will have photos also police had said if this happened while it was on interstate would have crashed and could have been fatal. The tire would have ripped right off. So not only was my safety but the safety of the others being jeopardized cause everyone just keeps looking away at this issue. …
The entire underneath of my car is rusted out. I was driving to work one day when someone pulled out in front of me and I had to hit the brakes. That resulted in the subframe and front drivers axel to break as I'm driving! The sunroof leaks when it rains and half the time the electricity doesn't work on the sunroof button. My doors have completely stopped auto locking and my hazards will randomly start flashing without pushing the button. Steering is absolutely terrible, it feels like you're skidding on ice or hydroplaning the entire drive.
Body & structure all 89 →
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Caliber. The contact stated while taking the vehicle into a local state inspection, he was notified that the vehicle did not pass inspection due to the K-frame of the undercarriage was fractured due to corrosion and rust. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 159,000.
The entire underneath of my car is rusted out. I was driving to work one day when someone pulled out in front of me and I had to hit the brakes. That resulted in the subframe and front drivers axel to break as I'm driving! The sunroof leaks when it rains and half the time the electricity doesn't work on the sunroof button. My doors have completely stopped auto locking and my hazards will randomly start flashing without pushing the button. Steering is absolutely terrible, it feels like you're skidding on ice or hydroplaning the entire drive.
Electrical system all 63 →
The entire underneath of my car is rusted out. I was driving to work one day when someone pulled out in front of me and I had to hit the brakes. That resulted in the subframe and front drivers axel to break as I'm driving! The sunroof leaks when it rains and half the time the electricity doesn't work on the sunroof button. My doors have completely stopped auto locking and my hazards will randomly start flashing without pushing the button. Steering is absolutely terrible, it feels like you're skidding on ice or hydroplaning the entire drive.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Dodge Caliber AWD. The contact stated that the wiring in the heated seat failed causing the seats to overheat leaving a hole approximately 7 inches behind the seat. The contact stated the rear of the seat was warm and an abnormal odor was detected. In addition, the wiring in the steering column failed causing the wiper blades to fail and the windshield wiper fluid to activate. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was confirmed that the main wiring in the steering column failed and the heated pad, wiring, zone, cover, and seat would need to be replaced. The steering column was repaired; however, the overheated seat failure had not been remedied. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.
2008 Dodge Caliber engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 24 / 29 / 26 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 23 / 29 / 25 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | CVT | FWD | 23 / 27 / 24 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | CVT | FWD | 21 / 25 / 23 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | CVT | 4WD/AWD | 21 / 24 / 22 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl turbo | 6-speed manual | FWD | 19 / 27 / 22 |
EPA ratings. Class: Wagon.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2008 Dodge Caliber a good car?
Based on 377 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2008 Caliber rates avoid: 2.2× as many complaints as a typical year of the Caliber at the same age. It is one of the Caliber years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2008 Dodge Caliber?
The suspension — 118 complaints, 31% of all complaints for this model year, most often about front. Next are the body & structure (89) and electrical system (63).
How many recalls does the 2008 Dodge Caliber have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2008 Dodge Caliber. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Dodge Caliber?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2012, 2010 and 2011. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2007 and 2008. See the full Dodge Caliber years comparison.
At what mileage do 2008 Dodge Caliber problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 81,000 miles; 24% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.