2008 Dodge Caliber Problems, Recalls & Reliability
570 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2008 Dodge Caliber, alongside 0 recall campaigns and 0 defect investigations. It scores 40/100 on the trouble index — a below-average year for this model. Suspension leads the reports, typically around 101,000 miles.
Below average
Where 2008 sits among all Caliber years
What owners report
“A frame rusted out and everything else under the car has no rust and now it's a saggy issue”— owner report to NHTSA, 2008 Caliber
“Subframe rusted in two. Garage said it was unsafe to drive. Engine could have fallen out.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2008 Caliber
“Losing power and all idiot lights flashing on highway or driving around the city very dangerous can not go over 45 on highway”— owner report to NHTSA, 2008 Caliber
“Noted mounts rust and i almost lost the engine thanks to a due inspection i was save a bad accident. The 2007 dodge is covered but not the 2008.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2008 Caliber
“My subframe is rusted almost completely in half, i can not drive my vehicle the dealer says the ac drips right on that frame and that's why it is rusted out.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2008 Caliber
“While driving my car speed lowered and the trans temp light and esp light and traction control and etb module light came car won't go over 40 and remains in limp mode even after taking it to the shop”— owner report to NHTSA, 2008 Caliber
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 463 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 89,000 miles. Half of those reports fall between 57,750 and 122,010 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls
No recall campaigns on file for the 2008 Dodge Caliber.
Technical service bulletins
51 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on transmission & drivetrain and engine — are on file for the 2008 Dodge Caliber. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.
See the 2008 Caliber TSB list →
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2008 Dodge Caliber reliable?
The 2008 Dodge Caliber drew 570 complaints in federal safety records — a below-average year for this model. Its trouble index is 40/100, scored against the model's worst year (2007).
What are the most common 2008 Dodge Caliber problems?
The top reported problems for the 2008 Dodge Caliber are suspension (113 complaints), body & structure (88), and electrical (73).
At what mileage do 2008 Dodge Caliber problems show up?
Owners most often report 2008 Dodge Caliber problems around 89,000 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 57,750 and 122,010 miles.
Does the 2008 Dodge Caliber have recalls?
No recall campaigns are on file for the 2008 Dodge Caliber. Recalls can be issued at any time, so check the VIN before buying.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.