Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
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 that while driving at various speeds in the rain, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the power steering became inoperable. The battery warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that an unstated computer needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but no additional assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000. The contact stated that the vehicle is unsafe to drive and the mechanics has not found a resolution to the problem yet.
I was informed at inspection that the main front cross member has a huge hole in the center of it and is rusting out badly. At 162,356 miles this car will not pass safety inspection. This car is not safe for me or my family. No warning lamps or messages. I was told that one bad bump could do us in. We were told to contact the dealership and found out about the extended warranty that had already passed during the previous owners time. This should have been a recall, but what else can you expect from dodge.
I was turning in my vehicle for a trade in and during the appraisal test drive the axel broke and it had to be towed. The gentlemen stated that is was due to rust build up. Over the years, I have complain about the power steering feeling off, the car not driving right, etc and it has been in three places where the maintenance folks said nothing was wrong. According to the bulletin, these same issues should have been caught somewhere to prevent this from happening. I May have been notified but I am active duty military and move every two years to include deployments where I easily could have not received the notice. My car value was 1500 dollars before it was wrecked, but I should be reimbursed for the previous maintenance totals and the lost days of not having my car the other times it should have been fixed. …
I bought my 2008 Dodge Caliber in July 2010. It had 27,000 miles on it. It was a campaign car. It has always had a problem with pickup. Acceleration is not great, but we noticed on a July 4 trip, that the car was not only making the "normal" steering/suspension noise, but it was also making a whirring noise that my husband feared was the transmission slipping. I made an appointment at the dealership where I bought the vehicle and found out that the whirring noise was not the transmission, but the alternator is bad. $550.00. The ball joints and the tie rod ends are bad and need to be replaced, $1040. The struts also need to be replaced as well as the front brakes. $800. Yes, my car has 110,000 miles on it, but the trade in value is only about $3500 anyway. Its luckily been paid off for many years. The ball joint/tie rod issue is very worrysome, though. It is dangerous.
Took my 2008 Dodge Caliber to the dealership for an oil change, was told by the service rep that my front cross member needs replaced due to substantial rust through and that to continue to drive the vehicle could be dangerous because if this part broke, all steering control would be lost. Was told the 2007 model year calibers had the warranty extended to 10 years for the same issue, but that no 2008s were affected. Was told it would be $1094 plus tax to replace this part. This part is a structural member and should never rust through in such a short period of time. No other substantial rust on the vehicle including the undercarriage. This vehicle has been well maintained and cleaned regularly. Called Dodge customer care and was told that there is nothing they would do as the extended warranty applied only to 2007 calibers.
I have a 2008 Dodge Caliber. I wash and maintain it on a regular basis. This car has a terrible suspension since it was new, I have had to replace both front control arms because of the rear bushings and loose ball joints, one at 32,000 miles. Both rear upper control arms and rear links. It is an alignment nightmare. I took it to the local garage for an alignment after I changed some parts this morning and the back of the subframe is rotted out. The car isn't 6 years old and the body still looks great. I called Dodge and they said they have never heard of this problem and wouldn't commit to a bulletin #23-012-14 , that covered 2007.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Dodge Caliber. While driving 20 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to move and the contact heard an abnormal noise. The contact stated that the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a muffler shop where it was diagnosed that the cross member bar needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and dealer were not notified. The failure mileage was 56,500. The consumer stated the vehicle was repaired the same day at the tune of $1,100 at owners expense for a recalled part. The consumer provided photos of the defect.
I was driving down the road every time I shifted gears the front end would just go like wobble wobble so I slow down from 45 to about 10 miles an hour if that I made it home with zagg got underneath there and the sub frame is literally busted the way it sits it looks like it does not have a motor in it anymore if I want to know what to do I would've wrecked if I do not get an answer soon I am going to channel 13 news I have pictures of what it looks like and I'm going to the better business bureau it's a 2008 there is no way that frame should've busted like it did no way I was on city roads
I had a dangerous situation. I first noticed a vibration in the wheel at 55 MPH. I then started hearing clunking sounds while steering or going over bumps. I took it in thinking that it's a ball joint, because I had the lower control arms replaced at around 75,000 mile, while they were still under warranty.. The motor cradle was completely rusted out. I had to have that replaced plus 2 lower control arms. It cost me 1458. There's already been a recall of the 2007 model. Mine was manufactured in August of 2007, and the cutoff date was July 2007. I have photos and invoices attached.
Left lower control arm and upper cv shaft separated from transmission while entering an on ramp, causing loss of steering and driveability. Could have been deadly had the speed been faster and any closer to the overpass barrier. I had to be towed from the side of the on ramp with the police waiving people around. I couldn't even exit my drivers door due to no traffic clearance. I was essentially a sitting duck on the shoulder of an on ramp, just a few feet shy of the overpass of the highway I had just exited to enter another highway.
Steering complaints in other Caliber years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2008 Dodge Caliber?
NHTSA has 37 complaints about the steering of the 2008 Dodge Caliber, 10% of the model year's 377 complaints. The component named most often is linkages › tie rod assembly (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Dodge Caliber steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering 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 steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 100,000 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.