Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Dodge Caliber owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl contact owns a 2008 Dodge Caliber. While driving approximately 35 MPH in rainy weather conditions and at night, the contact's vehicle was cut off the road by another vehicle. Suddenly, the vehicle hydroplaned when the brake pedal was depressed. The contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed into the cement barrier. The air bags failed to deploy and the three air bag sensors were destroyed. The contact was severely injured. The police and ambulance were called to the scene and a police report was filed. The vehicle was completely destroyed and towed to the collision center. The VIN was unknown. The failure and current mileages were 6,400.
Tl contact owns a 2008 Dodge Caliber sxt. While driving 60 MPH, the contact crashed into the side of another vehicle. Her vehicle rolled over and traveled down an embankment. The frontal and side air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained injures to her legs, neck, and intestines. A police report was filed. The manufacturer was notified and responded in writing that the air bags functioned properly. The manufacturer stated that she would receive a call back. The insurance company stated that the vehicle was destroyed. The current and failure mileages were 23,011. Updated 10/27/09. Updated 10/29/09.
I was traveling to a t intersection; I was the one who was required to make the left or right hand turn. My brakes stopped working and I went from ~55mph to 45mph over the course of a football field or so. I should have been able to stop completely but that wasn't the case. It was the 2008 Caliber srt4. The srt4 has a massive brake kit from the charger and magnum on it which should have made it stop relatively quickly. I mashed my vehicle into another vehicle at the intersection and my airbags did not deploy. I believe there is something wrong with the brakes and airbags on the 2008 Caliber srt4.
Traveling on highway in winter road conditions. Driver lost control on black ice. Hit highway guardrail head on, then on the pax front side, then on driver front side. Major damage to front costing approx $6000.00 in damage. Air bag did not deploy even thought lights on dash were activated as deployed. With seat belt on passenger was thrown forward hitting steering wheel and knees to lower dashboard. Sever concussion as result, bruising and soreness. Vehicle was purchased in 2011 from enterprise/national car rental with 31K miles on it.
I was going home one evening when I swerved to miss a deer and I went off a little ditch and hit a tree. None of my air bags deployed. I was flown to the hospital. I had shattered my shoulder, broke my hip, ankle, and 7 of my ribs. I was bed bound and wheel chair bound for 3 months and could not walk at all. It was very devastating. I was in very good health but not now. I did have to learn to walk again but I did it. I do have to live with some limitations now. Very disappointed that none of my air bags deployed.
Was traveling 30 to 35 MPH west on highway approaching intersection with green light, another 4 door sedan traveling east made left hand turn in front of my vehicle. The other vehicle was directly in front of my vehicle before it was seen, I slammed on the brakes and hit both doors of the other vehicle with the front end of my vehicle causing extensive front end damage. The vehicle is equipped with 2 front airbags and a knee airbag on the drivers side. None of the airbags deployed.
My daughter was involved in a front to rear collision where she rear ended a stationary vehicle square on at 40mph. None of her airbags in any part of the car deployed at 40mph. Complete failure of the system. Car was never tampered with, nor had it ever had a deployment or accident prior to this. The consumer stated his daughter received deep tissue trauma in her chest from the seat belt. The vehicle was totaled. The manufacturer was not contacted. Updated 06/06/2014
Sitting on I-10 stopped when a tractor trailer rear ended me. His speed was 40 miles per and no airbags deployed. The front air bags should have helped me from getting my face cut and prevented my injury. I wish the bags would have worked. We just had the car checked out at the Dodge dealer a few months prior. The driver front bag burning me would have been better then the blunt force to my face.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Dodge Caliber. The contact stated that the driver's side frontal air bag failed to deploy when the driver crashed into a tree. The driver suffered injuries to the knee and arms. The vehicle was towed to the dealer but was not inspected for the air bag failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 63,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Dodge Caliber. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated as soon as the ignition was started. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer and dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
Airbag complaints in other Caliber years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2008 Dodge Caliber?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the air bags of the 2008 Dodge Caliber, 6% of the model year's 377 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Dodge Caliber airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2008 Dodge Caliber. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2008 Dodge Caliber airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 68,000 miles, and 21% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 12 crashes, 0 fires and 13 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.