Is the 2007 Dodge Caliber a bad year?
958 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Caliber years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2007 Dodge Caliber are in line with other Caliber years. Suspension, electrical system, speed control and 3 more stand out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2007 Caliber owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 72,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| SuspensionSTANDS OUT | 281 (29%) | 45k–112k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 210 (22%) | 68k–130k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Speed controlSTANDS OUT | 117 (12%) | 46k–100k miles · around this mileage | — |
| SteeringSTANDS OUT | 101 (11%) | 39k–106k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Body structureSTANDS OUT | 170 (18%) | 76k–140k miles · ahead | — |
| Exterior lightingSTANDS OUT | 97 (10%) | 73k–124k miles · ahead | — |
| Engine | 101 (11%) | 62k–117k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 85 (9%) | 43k–111k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Fuel system | 54 (6%) | 61k–119k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Air bags | 48 (5%) | 41k–132k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Brakes | 45 (5%) | 14k–109k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Wheels | 22 (2%) | 43k–124k miles · around this mileage | Wheel bearing / hub assembly replacement (one wheel) $230–$750 |
| Visibility and wipers | 20 (2%) | 70k–100k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Stability control | 21 (2%) | 73k–150k miles · ahead | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 72,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 958 complaints: 57 mention a crash · 18 mention a fire · 30 report an injury · 26 say the car was towed.
2 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in May 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
I was approaching an intersection to make u-turn, when my car went into a stall. The engine sounded to me, as if it was still revving.
Upon start up the service engine light came on. I checked the gas cap and that did not correct the problem. After 2 or 3 days the light was still on.
Having electrical issues with the low beams on the headlights. It started as one light not working, then went to both lights not working.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 72,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2007 Dodge Caliber: 4
A list of the affected trailer models is available at: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17V824-0103.pdf. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher. If the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a fire.
The pivot bushings in vehicles with oversized accelerator pedal bearing pockets may become dislodged and potentially cause the accelerator pedal to bind or stick. Should the pedal bind or become stuck, it can be overcome by Smart brakes which override the accelerator pedal in certain conditions.
Certain passenger vehicles equipped with rear disc brakes fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard (FMVSS) no. 135, "Light vehicle brake systems." The length of the rear wheel hub mounting bolts may prevent actuation of the park brake. This could allow unintended movement of the vehicle under certain conditions and cause a crash without warning.
On certain vehicles, the antilock brake system (ABS) control module software may cause the rear brakes to lock up during certain braking conditions. This could result in a loss of vehicle control and cause a crash without warning.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Dodge: 20
Repair instructions Dodge sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2007 Dodge Caliber. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
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
Front And Rear Crossmember Corrosion (X58 10 Years Unlimited Mileage)
Dodge: fuel gauge fluctuation
NHTSA defect investigations: 1
Sticking Accelerator Pedal
Neighbouring years
2008 Caliber: 377 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine.
Every Dodge Caliber year
2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · All Caliber years side by side
Other Dodge models: Dodge Avenger · Dodge Caravan · Dodge Challenger · Dodge Charger · Dodge Dakota · Dodge Dart · Dodge Durango · Dodge Grand Caravan · Dodge Intrepid · Dodge Journey · Dodge Magnum · Dodge Neon · Dodge Nitro · Dodge Ram · Dodge Ram Quad Cab · Dodge Sprinter 2500 · Dodge Stratus. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2007 Dodge Caliber a bad year?
958 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Caliber years. At 72,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2007 Dodge Caliber?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: suspension (281), electrical system (210), speed control (117), steering (101), body structure (170).
How many recalls does the 2007 Dodge Caliber have?
4 recall campaigns list this model year: Equipment (NHTSA 17V-824), Speed control (NHTSA 10V-234), Wheels (NHTSA 07V-196), Brakes (NHTSA 06V-493). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.