Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
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).
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.
My car is 8 years old under 90,000 miles and has serious amount of rust on the subframe (k frame) and damage that is making the car deemed unsafe. This part should be recalled seeing how the 07 models are in the same defect and has a recall
My complaint is not focused on the auto manufacturer. It is directed toward the auto insurance industry, and in particular nationwide insurance based in columbus, oh. I was recently involved in an auto accident, and a nationwide client rear-ended my new 2008 Dodge Caliber. It was less then 1 week old at the time of the accident, and had fewer then 300 miles on it. Nationwide promptly agreed to repair the vehicle by replacing the bumper. However, it has come to my attention that the company's policy is to replace the bumper with a refurbished part, or a part made by a company that May not be licensed or represent mopar, the parts company that supplies Dodge replacement parts. I am very concerned not only about losing value for my brand new car, but also that my safety and the safety of my passengers could be potentially compromised by the use of possibly inferior products. …
I went to my local Dodge dealer for oil change and was informed that front sub frame is rotting out. Was told extended warranty that was good for 10 years expired 2-18. I have read online numerous Caliber owners with this problem, some so bad they can't be fixed. What good is an extended warranty that is only good for the first ten years and I bought this car in 2012 from a Dodge dealer and was never informed of extended warranty for this issue or that there was even an issue with this. This is a major safety concern as what chances would a person have of surviving at a speed of 70 MPH and the frame breaks? Or what innocent people could be killed because of it. With this many persons having this issue and such a serious safety problem there should be a recall. My car only has 126,500 miles on it. …
While my wife was driving, the front subframe crossmember rusted through, causing her to lose control of the car and she could not safely operate it without repair. I managed to get it to a Firestone for them to look at and they referred me to a dealer and told me not to drive it anymore because it is unsafe. This is a problem that Dodge knew about, but failed to notify me about. I only found out about the problem from the dealership, who told me that the extended warranty that covers this problem had expired in 2018 and that I would be responsible for the cost of any repairs. I owned the car during that time and I did not know of this problem, so I could not act on getting it repaired. This never should have been an extended warranty, this should have been a recall because of the potential to kill people when the subframe rusts out. …
2008 Dodge Caliber sub frame/k-frame front end crossmember completely rusted thru causing the driver side lower control arm to rip free from frame (seperating part of frame, with lower control arm) from rest of frame. This left driver with no control of affected wheel which turning it 90 degrees out from normal operating position. Left operator with no ability to steer while driving on main primary (35 MPH speed limit) two lane road. Car slid to halt in middle of road. Car needed to be towed. Dodge/Chrysler apparently knew of this problem and never notified owner. Please see attached notice. Front and rear crossmember corrosion (x69 warranty extension) - 2008-2012 Dodge Caliber & Jeep compass/patriot oemdtc July 17, 2017 15 comments NHTSA id number: 10140027 manufacturer communication number: 23-007-17 rev. …
Recently purchased a 2008 Dodge Caliber(ohio). On initial drive returning with vehicle I noticed a vibration coming through steering wheel. Upon inspection, was informed the tie rod ends and control arms both could use replacement, but could have been caused by the more important bad front and rear crossmembers as well as front and rear crash bars, both have severe rust development with metal deterioration which could impose a safety concern down the road. Was advise to look into replacement. Reached out to one of the local dealerships and was informed it was a bulletin, had an extended warranty, but am outside of 10 year period. Rust from crossmember is now in process of transferring to actual frame and coming through as holes in rockers now as well. Dealership offering no help after stating the enhanced safety concern. Hard to believe an 08 can deteriorate so fast. …
Car started making popping and creaking sounds when making a right hand turn. We have replaced everything there is as far as tie rods even to the point of motor mounts. Last night I get a call and the car had done something I had never heard of. The harmonic balance pulley had flown off and the car had to be towed home. I also have the same problem as it seems cazillion other people have posted online. This car leaks. It has leaked since day one and the dealership in conroe, tx said if you get a car with a sunroof, its gonna leak. They are full of crap. This car's headliner looks as if it has been trodden on with muddy boots. It leaked so bad that carpeting would get wet then it was leaking down into the dash which caused the lights to do weird things. I can't even get rid of it because I would feel guilty for endangering someone else's life.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Dodge Caliber. While the vehicle was at an intersection, the vehicle shook violently when the accelerator pedal was depressed. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact managed to steer the vehicle home while it shook. The contact looked under the vehicle and noticed that the rear subframe was fractured. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact to file a complaint with NHTSA. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 162,321. Consumer stated front subframe rusted and corrosion, VIN is [redacted]. 'parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 U.S.c. 552(b)(6).'
Body complaints in other Caliber years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 2008 Dodge Caliber?
NHTSA has 89 complaints about the body & structure of the 2008 Dodge Caliber, 24% of the model year's 377 complaints. The component named most often is body (59 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Dodge Caliber body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure 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 body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 107,000 miles, and 3% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to body & structure 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.