Body complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Caliber. The contact stated that there was a rattling noise coming from the front sub frame of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the sub frame was rusted. The vehicle was not repaired. A local dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 108,000.
Lately I have noticed a wobble when I drive on the highway. Saturday, 07/24/2021, I took my 2012 Dodge Caliber with only 74,753 miles on it to the mechanics for an alignment, rotation and weight balance on the car. This is not my first time at the mechanics and they had seen the car in the Summer of 2020 and for inspection November of 2020. The mechanics then took me in to see the car after it was up on the lift which is never a good thing. There is a gaping rusted hole in the frame, I did not think to take a picture but I should have. I have been searching online and found a site listing over 70 reports of rusted frames on Dodge Caliber and all reports state this is not covered under warranty or the warranty expired. …
The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Caliber. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the contact heard an abnormal banging sound coming from the driver's side front wheel well while turning left or driving over bumps in the roadway. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the front frame members were rusted, and the driver's side front steering arm had fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The contact stated that the mechanic was aware of a known manufacturer failure about the severe rusting of the frame. The failure mileage was 111,102.
The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Caliber. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle was making abnormal sounds coming from the undercarriage. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed and determined that the undercarriage needed to be replaced. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.
Severe rust to vehicle frame COMMON TO THIS VEHICLE, no accident. Rust has corroded frame despite normal use and normal care. Vehicle hasn't reached 75k miles yet, and the frame is failing. How is this not a recall?
Suspension cross member frame, struts, bushings & sway bar. Took car in for routine oil change. Mechanic inspected car & noticed severe rusting on front cross member. So, bad that my car was not safe to drive. I was told there was a recent recall from Dodge that had expired in 2018. I never saw this recall notice. I did get the airbag recall notice & took my car ro Dodge to fix in spring 2018. They could have fixed the crossmember at that time. The mechanic also had to replace struts, bushing & suspension stabilizer sway bar as a result of the rusted suspension cross member.
The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Caliber. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the steering wheel started vibrating. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the failure was caused by a corroded K-frame on the vehicle. The dealer was not made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist as the vehicle was not included in the 10-year extended warranty due to the manufacture on date. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.
The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Caliber. The contact stated that upon taking her vehicle to an independent mechanic for a state inspection, she was informed that the rear subframe was severely corroded. The contact was informed that the corrosion had caused a significant hole to form on the rear subframe which could cause a severe failure while driving. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that she would receive a callback. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was 64,049.
Frequently asked questions
Which Dodge Caliber years have body problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2007 (170), 2008 (89), 2009 (49), 2011 (21) and 2010 (10) model years. Body complaints make up 18% of all complaints for the 2007.
Is there a recall for Dodge Caliber body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for any Dodge Caliber model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Dodge Caliber body problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 105,000 miles; 10% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the body (228 mentions), followed by the frame and members › underbody shields (40).
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.