2008 Dodge Caliber Dodge Caliber 2008

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2008 Dodge Caliber repairs by problem area

Engine (24%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (11%)

Brakes and Traction Control (0%)

Suspension and Steering (36%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (20%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (7%)

Other (2%)

Chart based on 55 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 2008 Dodge Caliber.

2008 Dodge Caliber repair cost distribution

$2500+ (2%)

$1000 - $2499 (0%)

$500 - $999 (18%)

$100 - $499 (31%)

< $100 (49%)

Worried about potential repair costs? An extended warranty can provide peace of mind.

Chart based on 45 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2008 Dodge Caliber

Engine not specified

Dodge Caliber in Mississippi, United States
Dec 2013 - Dec 2014
Dec 2013

99000 mi

US $2500
Both upper and lower control arms on both sides had to be replaced All shocks/struts needed to be replaced 
Oct 2014

112700 mi

US $280
Alternator failed, had to be replaced. 

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2008 Dodge Caliber 4dr Hatch

turbocharged 285hp 2.4L I4 6-speed manual FWD

Dodge Caliber in Ohio, United States
Dec 2009 - Mar 2012
Feb 2010

19000 mi

US $100
Replacement of control arm bolts 
Mar 2010

21000 mi
transmission was very difficult to shift into 2nd gear when cold. 

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2008 Dodge Caliber 4dr Hatch

172-horsepower 2.4L I4 6-speed shiftable CVT FWD

Dodge Caliber in Wisconsin, United States
Dec 2009 - Apr 2012
Feb 2010

53000 mi

US $225
rear motor mount wore out and was replaced 
May 2011

89000 mi

US $700
Steering Rack/Main Gear needed to be replaced. Entire system failed causing power steering to fail. car was still operational though. The solution was replacing the power steering pump, reservoir, and the steering rack/main gear unit. 
Apr 2012

112000 mi
Engine seized due to low oil level. Engine replaced under Lifetime Powertrain Warranty. No known cause for oils absence was ever discovered. 

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2008 Dodge Caliber 4dr Hatch

172-horsepower 2.4L I4 6-speed shiftable CVT AWD

Dodge Caliber in Arizona, United States
Jun 2009 - Mar 2010
Jul 2009

27000 mi
The front passenger door lock worked sporadically. Sometimes I had to manually lock or unlock that door. The mechanic diagnosed the problem as a bad actuator for the power lock and ordered a part. 
Aug 2009

30000 mi
They fixed the problem. 
Sep 2009

31000 mi
There was a rattling/squeaking noise coming from the passenger side. The mechanic discovered the problem came from behind the passenger door panel. Some type of part behind the panel was replaced. 

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2008 Dodge Caliber 4dr Hatch

158-horsepower 2.0L I4 CVT FWD

Dodge Caliber in Delaware, United States
May 2011 - Aug 2011
Aug 2011

118000 mi

US $296
Water Pump leaking. Replaced under Lifetime Power train Warranty. Current mileage 121,000 
Dodge Caliber in Ontario, Canada
May 2010 - Jan 2012
Oct 2010

11780 mi
Water leak through sunroof to trunk area. Dealer said it was caused by recent rustproofing access holes drilled in body. Charged 1 hour labour for investigation. Confirmed cause was sunroof drainage tubes and agreed to repair under warranty. Booked another appointment as parts were not available. 
Nov 2010

12400 mi
Roof liner removed and all four sunroof drain tubes replaced. One had deformed and kinked so as to block the draining function. 
Jul 2011

20460 mi

C $356
Outer Tie Rod Ends both sides premature wear. Required replacement. 
Nov 2011

24180 mi

C $6
Patched rust hole in oil pan with JB-Weld. A scab of rust with a trickle of oil in bottom of pan. Patched rust hole in oil pan with JB-Weld. A scab of rust with a trickle of oil in bottom of pan. 
Dodge Caliber in Ontario, Canada
Jan 2012 - Dec 2017
Jun 2013

37820 mi
Replaced alternator under warranty 
Jul 2014

42780 mi

C $960
Replaced the Electronic control throttle 
Dodge Caliber in Massachusetts, United States
Sep 2012 - Oct 2012
Oct 2012

50000 mi

US $500
Lower Control Arm, Brakes and Rotors, 2 Lower Ball Joints 
Dodge Caliber in Ohio, United States
May 2012 - Jun 2012
May 2012

104000 mi

US $250
Clutch on alternator pulley making noise. Replace alternator and serpentine belt. 
Dodge Caliber in Kentucky, United States
Sep 2010 - Sep 2011
Jul 2011

83000 mi

US $845
The lower control arms had to be replaced. 
Dodge Caliber in Ontario, Canada
Feb 2010 - Dec 2016
Mar 2010

36580 mi
clunk in left front tire when turning left 
Jun 2010

44640 mi
Front left wheel rubbed on inside of wheel well was told it was a faulty tie Rod.  
Mar 2011

54560 mi
knocking in front end.. problem with tie rod and centre lin 
May 2011

59860 mi

C $200
Passenger window was stuck open. removed door panel and used direct power to close window. ordered main driver switch 
Oct 2011

73780 mi

C $100
problem with 1 of the spark coils. Cleaned it up oiled it put it back all was well 
Mar 2012

80600 mi

C $110
Replaced Battery 
Aug 2013

98540 mi

C $550
New Throttle body. Car started hesitating and sputtering 
Sep 2014

109120 mi

C $500
Started with a whining noise then the car ran like crap. Then the Charging light came on and I heard a grinding noise. 
Dec 2015

136400 mi

C $400
Cracked intake manifold. Check engine light wouldn't turn off. 
Dodge Caliber in Ohio, United States
Feb 2008 - Mar 2010
Jun 2008

2000 mi
Transmission is very jerky when under 35 MPH on deceleration or Acceleration Stereo speakers rattled badly. Replace all four door speakers. (TSB) 
Aug 2008

3000 mi
Transmission jerks badly whenever accelerate or decellerate under 35 MPH. Shop ran diagnostics, had me drive with "flight recorder" attached. Says data was "inconclusive". 
Nov 2008

5000 mi
Jerky transmission was partially corrected by computer updates. Is much better above 25, but still very jerky under 25mph 
Dodge Caliber in Pennsylvania, United States
Apr 2009 - May 2011
Jul 2010

77200 mi

US $800
Poor ride comfort and loose feel in front end. Both struts and right tie rod end replaced. 
Dodge Caliber in Michigan, United States
May 2008 - Mar 2010
Jul 2008

3000 mi
Metallic clunk when driving over a sharp bump while slightly turning. 
Aug 2008

4000 mi
Metallic clunk when turning and hitting a bump. 
Dodge Caliber in Alabama, United States
Dec 2008 - Mar 2010
Jan 2009

18000 mi
Scrubbing noise from CVT. Was told "It's normal" Went for second opinion. Again same problem. Scrubbing noise while at cruising speed 5-10 mph. Was told again that it is normal. Was told CVT is just a noisy transmission. I wish I had known before I bought the Caliber. Hearing scrubbing noise in front end when at slow (5 mph)speeds. Dealer replaced front end suspension bar and wheel hubs. Did not fix issue. Took it back the same day and they said "It's normal". I am taking it for a second opinion. 
Dodge Caliber in Oregon, United States
Mar 2009 - Mar 2010
Apr 2009

7000 mi
Dealer replaced computer module that controlled the alarm system (beeping noise) when keys were in the ignition and the driver opened the car door.....it was malfunctioning. 

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2008 Dodge Caliber 4dr Hatch

158-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable CVT FWD

Dodge Caliber in Iowa, United States
Feb 2008 - Jun 2009
May 2008

3000 mi
Air conditioner compressor not engaging. Dealer states R134 very low. Refilled and added dye in case problem returns they will be able to locate leak. Took 1.5 hours including engine oil change. 
Aug 2008

9000 mi
R134 refrigerant leak, replaced filter/drier and hose to drier. Recharged system. So far air conditioning is now working fine. 

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2008 Dodge Caliber 4dr Hatch

148-horsepower 1.8L I4 5-speed manual FWD

Dodge Caliber in Michigan, United States
Mar 2008 - Nov 2008
Sep 2008

6000 mi
Pulls to the left. Tire rotation at maintenance interval along with an alignment did not correct the problem. 
Dodge Caliber in South Carolina, United States
May 2008 - Sep 2011
Jul 2008

2000 mi
Popping noise from front end. It was determined that a control arm wasn't torqued to spec. 
May 2010

46400 mi

US $100
Bad rear wheel bearing. 
Mar 2011

70000 mi

US $150
Front lower ball joint had too much play in it. 
Dodge Caliber in Great Britain
Oct 2009 - Jun 2018
Apr 2010

24000 mi
front dampers beginning to leak 
Oct 2017

49000 mi
NEW DAMPERS, INNER TIE RODS, AND BOTH FRONT LOWER WISH BONES 

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2008 Dodge Caliber 4-door

4-cylinder automatic 2WD

Dodge Caliber in Texas, United States
May 2011 - Apr 2012
Apr 2012

130000 mi

US $400
Time chain tensioners came loose. 

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2008 Dodge Caliber 4-door

4-cylinder CVT AWD

Dodge Caliber in Texas, United States
Dec 2011 - Jan 2014
Feb 2012

90200 mi

US $903
On smooth driving surface rattling sounds coming from front end of car. Car is routinely driven on dirt and rock roads and sound is rarely audible then. Repair/replaced bushings in front end. $240 Loud knocking noise in engine. Assumed fuel inj. needed service. Altenator bearing going out and serpentine belt needed replacing. Fuel inj. alright. $663 
Apr 2012

91000 mi

US $65
transmission was slipping. Went to a transmission shop with it and ended up that the tranny was a pint low in fluid. replaced fluid. good to go. 

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2008 Dodge Caliber Repair Histories

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently 2008 Dodge Caliber problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.