Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2008 Dodge Caliber, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Suspension113
- Structure87
- Electrical system58
- Engine43
- Power train37
- Steering35
- Unknown or other28
- Vehicle speed control27
- Air bags22
- Wheels16
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 14 injuries and 2 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 45 2008 Caliber vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 20 people died inside them, and 9 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2008 Dodge Caliber failed the safety check 3.80% of the time — 53% more often than the average 2008 passenger car (2.48%). Median odometer at inspection: 124,940 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Engines
The most common engines in 2008 Dodge Caliber cars on Dutch roads are the 1.8 petrol (110 kW, 148 hp) and 2.0 petrol (115 kW, 154 hp).
| Engine | Power | Cars |
|---|---|---|
| 1.8 petrol | 110 kW 148 hp | 105 |
| 2.0 petrol | 115 kW 154 hp | 59 |
RDW Open Data (CC0): registered passenger cars and their fuel data · engine size rounded to 0.1 litre, net maximum power · versions with at least 20 cars
In the Netherlands
183 first registered in 2008 are on Dutch roads; 8% arrived later as imports. Median list price when new: €25,511.
Most common APK defects
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde102
- Stadslicht werkt niet (goed)76
- Band onvoldoende profiel71
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld63
- Waarschuwingsinrichting airbag- / gordelsysteem geeft defect59
- Stuur- of fuseekogel met slijtage kleiner of gelijk 1,0 mm59
- Band(en) aanwezig met een profieldiepte van 1,6 t/m 2,5 mm57
- Kentekenplaatverlichting werkt niet (goed) / ontbreekt45
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
208 cars built in 2008 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 145 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
In 2023, 408 of these cars first registered in 2008 took their annual MOT test. 48% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 2008 the figure was 57%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 2008 |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 28.4% | 17.2% |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 25.2% | 19.8% |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 11.3% | 2.0% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 10.8% | 7.3% |
| Visibility | 10.3% | 6.7% |
| Steering | 10.0% | 3.2% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
In Finland
219 of these cars first registered in 2008 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 206,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
In New Zealand
75 2008 cars are on the New Zealand register; 61% arrived as used imports, 35% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 5 variants: combined 9.0–10.7 L/100 km (about 22–26 mpg US), CO₂ 207–246 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caliber · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 9.8 | 8.1 | 9.0 |
| Caliber · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 10.1 | 8.2 | 9.3 |
| Caliber · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 10.3 | 8.7 | 9.6 |
| Caliber · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 11.0 | 9.3 | 10.2 |
| Caliber SRT4 # · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 12.3 | 8.8 | 10.7 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
1 Transport Canada recall for the 2008 Dodge Caliber.
| 2007358 7 Nov 2007 | Label Certain vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of CMVSS 208 - Occupant Restraint Systems. The bilingual airbag visor warning labels may not have been in… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
No recall campaigns cover the 2008 Dodge Caliber.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Dodge told its dealers about the 2008 Dodge Caliber: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 10248509 | Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website to confirm part number and applicability. There is an error with the wiring diagrams in Service Library that is causing the incorrect repair kit part number to populate. Please use the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website until this issue is resolved. |
| 10244348 | Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website to confirm part number and applicability. There is an error with the wiring diagrams in Service Library that is causing the incorrect repair kit part number to populate. Please use the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website until this issue is resolved. |
| 10229181 | Part Description: 5.7L Long Block Issue Description: This 5.7L Long Block Assembly is compatible with both EGR and Non-EGR applications. An EGR Block-Off Plate (53032739AA) must be ordered when installing this Long Block Assembly in a Non-EGR application. Unless, the EGR Block-Off Plate is being transferred from the old engine. |
| 10223854 | Service - Four Piece Oil Pan Gasket All Cummins Equipped Vehicles ONLY - The replacement oil pan gasket can be a four piece gasket rather than a single piece gasket. This applies to Cummins 5.9L and 6.7L engines only. Installation: 1. Clean the oil pan T-joints.~ 2. Fill the T-joint between the pan rail/gear housing and pan rail/rear seal retainer with sealant. Use Mopar Silicone Rubber Adhesive Sealant or equivalent. 3. Apply a 2-mm [0.063-in] bead of Mopar Engine Sealant RTV Silicone Rubber Adhesive, to the oil pan flange.~ 4. The four piece gasket will need to be assembled to make |
| 10223602 | Part Description: 5.7L Long Block Issue Description: This 5.7L Long Block Assembly is compatible with both EGR and Non-EGR applications. An EGR Block-Off Plate (53032739AA) must be ordered when installing this Long Block Assembly in a Non-EGR application. Unless, the EGR Block-Off Plate is being transferred from the old engine. |
| 10223599 | Part Description: Valve Body Assembly Issue Description: Valve body design was changed between 2010MY and 2011MY applications. To prevent mix matching valve bodies and solenoid packs the connectors are color coded.~ Valve bodies with a white connector can be used on 2010, 2009, 2008..., model years. Valve bodies with a gray connector can only be used on 2011, 2012, 2013..., model years.~ Solenoid packs with a white connector are used with 2010, 2009, 2008..., model years. Solenoid packs with a gray connector are used with 2011, 2012, 2013..., model years. |
| 10223512 | THROTTLE BODY For clarification, only use 68414676A$ on 2010 & earlier vehicles as supply is limited. |
| 10223509 | TRANSMISSION, 5 Speed On replacing OE transmission 05106567A$/68042567A$ with reman transmission R8142074A$ replace with new Hydraulic Clutch Tube 05273429A$ to avoid interference with shift lever |
| 10221097 | Transmission Kit with Torque Converter 1. All Promaster (VF) 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles. If the transmission bracket to the transmission case fasteners are removed during servicing, the fasteners (Part Number 06511385A$) are one-time usage. Vehicles built prior to 10/23/2015 requires Service Kit PN 68461214AA; includes Transmission Isolator PN 68264483AA, and Adaptation Bracket 68264479AA and Fastener Service Kit PN 68329056AA Vehicles built after on or after 10/23/2015 will require only the Fastener Service Kit PN 68329056AA. 2. All 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles. If the vehicle you are repair |
| 10220101 | Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of aftermarket parts. |
| 10220099 | Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage parts. |
| 10220097 | Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage. |
| 10218307 | Flash: UConnect and Voice Recognition Inoperative This bulletin involves replacing the Hands Free Module (HFM). The customer may describe the following conditions: A complete loss of UConnect operation. A complete loss of Voice Recognition functionality |
| 10217559 | Front And Rear Crossmember Corrosion (X69 Warranty Extension) This bulletin involves inspecting the front and rear crossmembers for perforation/rust through and if necessary, replacing the crossmember(s). Customers may describe a vibration at the steering wheel or may have been informed by a technician or state vehicle inspection that the front and/or rear crossmember is severely corroded.If the customer describes the symptom/condition listed above, perform the Diagnostic Procedure. |
| 10216395 | Gasoline Engine Diagnostic Inspection Procedure This bulletin provides a procedure to determine repair versus replacement of a gasoline long block engine assembly. This procedure is to be used prior to conducting any engine related repairs or removal of engine components. |
| 10191460 | Valve Body. These may cause over drive cycling. |
| 10177457 | THROTTLE BODY For clarification, only use 68414676A$ on 2010 & earlier vehicles as supply is limited. |
| 10177454 | TRANSMISSION, 5 Speed On replacing OE transmission 05106567A$/68042567A$ with reman transmission R8142074A$ replace with new Hydraulic Clutch Tube 05273429A$ to avoid interference with shift lever |
| 10175743 | Disinfectant Solution Recommended for COVID-19 |
| 10175735 | Charging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin discusses using the correct test equipment for testing batteries and charging systems, and also warranty reimbursement when battery replacements are necessary. |
| 10169249 | Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of aftermarket parts. |
| 10169247 | Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage parts. |
| 10169245 | Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage. |
| 10166537 | RADIO [RES] - New and/or Service Exchange For RES radio concerns. Use the wiTECH 2.0 and inspect the radio part number and serial number under the Radio/ECU Details tab. Please verify that the radio part number and/or serial number is not "FFFF". If either field shows "FFFF", please contact Mike Wielgat at 248-576-6696 or Rohan Negandhi at 248-421-9608 If no response in 15 minutes, proceed with repair. |
| 10140258 | Flash: UConnect and Voice Recognition Inoperative This bulletin involves replacing the Hands Free Module (HFM). The customer may describe the following conditions: A complete loss of UConnect operation. A complete loss of Voice Recognition functionality |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)