2009 Dodge Caliber Transmission Problems

Which parts fail

• Automatic transmission
  9
• Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Floor shift
  2
• Automatic transmission › Control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)
  1

Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  917%
• 25k–50k
  713%
• 50k–75k
  1223%
• 75k–100k
  713%
• 100k–150k
  1426%
• 150k+
  48%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2009 Dodge Caliber owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The engine stalls when I take off more times than none I'm stuck idling in traffic almost causing accident the frame that hold motor mounts are bad I've replaced motor mounts twice in a less than a year the car heats up after 70 miles an hour I have 5o pull over and let it cool off this happens 3 to 4 times a week with the engine stalling and overheating didn't find out til after I leased the car from AtoZ auto on gen McMullen and it's financed through car financial services I believe they knew the car was damaged I got scammed and have to pay 425 dollars a month on a car that can't be fixed I've spent a lot trying to fix the car

My PCM failed car stopped on the highway in traffic without warning. I could have die or caused a death. My car is available . I've owned that vehicle for going on three months the first issue that I've had. After Car felt the check engine light came on I took it to be for a diagnostics test which read the PCM was the issue. My car is a 2009 Dodge caliber just recently charged 81,000 miles I pay $6000 for a car I just don't believe that [redacted] dealer didn't know I am fearful of dry driving it but what choice do I have.

The problem initially occurred in early November of 2020 when the vehicle would unpredictably stall at a stop sign or traffic light and would not immediately start for a couple minutes. After this short wait of 1 to 3 minutes it was possible to restart the car and move forward normally and the car could be driven without stalling for 2 or 3 miles when it would stall again and the engine would not start again for 2 to 3 minutes. In traffic situations this was unsafe to not be able to move the vehicle to a safe distance from heavy traffic. Finally, the problem started to occur after the vehicle was supposedly repaired and not driven for 2 -3 days and when it an attempt to start the car it would idle for 3-5 seconds and sound like it was choking before dying, and this was happening 2 weeks after it had been "repaired" by the Dodge dealer. …

On May 7th, 2016 I was involved in an accident. My car stalled and no matter what I did, pressing, pumping, or mashing, my brakes would not slow or stop the car. Now, my car has done this in the past usually right as I am coming to a full stop. The first month I owned the car, I casually told the service writer at my local dealership about it and they said not to use cheap gas. I told them that I use gas from shell, not cheap gas. Then it would happen again, I would mention it again, being told about using cheap gas. Which again, I told them I don't use cheap gas in my car. I believe my accident was caused by the issue listed in NHTSA campaign number: 08V528000.

2009 Dodge Caliber, within 3 months of buying vehicle, as is, started having acceleration problems, brake and suspension problems. Took vehicle to dealer, was informed I needed suspension bar and struts replaced which would cost over $800. About the same time my transmission overheat light started coming on, I loose power and have to pull over on the side of the road for 15-30 minutes before vehicle would drive again. Go approx. 23 miles at a time when same problem occurs. Worse in the summer time. Today, my electronic throttle control light, malfunction indication light and engine overheat light came on and remains on every time I start the vehicle. Vehicle will not accelerate without getting up between 3 & 4 RPM's. Not much power. When hitting a bump or ice at stopping point, vehicle jumps ahead instead of stopping, almost causing me to rear end several times. …

When accelerating my vehicle is slow to take off with max speeds of only 50 MPH on the freeway and 30 MPH city. I have pressed the gas all the way and car is still lagging. The CEL stays on and the following diagnostic codes are read p0722 which is trans output speed sensor u1146 which is a communication error p0717 which is input speed sensor 1 circuit no signal p0700 which is transaxle control system malfunction and p0712 which is trans fluid temp sensor low input. I took it to a local shop and they suggested I take it to the dealer to perform a TCM software update and its still doing the same thing even after the codes were cleared. Now a code is read that has to do with a large EVAP leak. Am I being steered in the wrong direction so that the dealer can avoid honoring the factory recall of the powertrain control module/fuel pump relay nhsta campaign number: 08V528000. …

The transmission continuously overheats causing the vehicle to lose power. The is no notification other than a light at the time it starts to slow down. At this point you have to maneuver cautiously through fast moving traffic to pull over for about 15 minutes each time. I have almost been in multiple accidents (and almost caused a few) because of the unannounced extreme loss of power. I've taken the car for multiple transmission flushes and filter changes. Nothing works and I'm repeatedly told that many calibers are having the same issue but the manufacturer has not created a solution. The vehicle has remained parked for the last 2 years. My daughter took it out for a drive today and was stuck on the freeway twice in a 30 mile trip due to the transmission. I cannot sell or use the vehicle for obvious safety reasons.

This car attempted to kill me twice. First the subframe rotted out due to bad design. We noticed this as the struts were being replaced - also because of bad design. This was noticed in 2014 (on a 2009 vehicle!) cost me over $1,000 to fix - Dodge offered no help at all. Later in 2014 - the front drivers side arm separated from wheel, causing wheel to pop off. If I was going any faster than the 10 MPH I was going (headed to highway!), I could have been killed. Again contacted Dodge and no assistance. They recalled the 2007 but not this model year for these problems. Pictures attached. I hope someone holds this company accountable! Cars should not cost thousands of dollars to repair in year 5!!!

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Dodge Caliber. While driving highway speeds, the vehicle began to decelerate from 60 to 30 MPH without warning. The contact discovered that if the vehicle was turned off and restarted and the accelerator pedal was pressed, the vehicle would accelerate with no issues for a while before the failure would recur. The dealer diagnosed that the alternator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The certified mechanic diagonoised that the PCM needed to be replaced and the dealer verified the diagnosis. The PCM was not repaired. The manufactuer was made aware of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Dodge Caliber. On December 26, 2009 while taken packages out the vehicle the gear shift failed and the vehicle reversed on its own. She was struck by the driver's side door. The contact received injuries to the right side of the body. The vehicle stopped when it collided into a snow embankment. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The dealer replaced the vehicle shifter assembly. The vehicle was traded. The failure and the current mileage was 1,627. Updated 05/04/10. The consumer stated when she put the gear in park, she discovered the vehicle would go in reverse by itself. The dealer replaced the shifter assembly. Updated 06/30/10.

Related recalls

Transmission complaints in other Caliber years