Is the 2008 Dodge Caliber a bad year?
377 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 55, 2.1× a quiet Caliber year.
Keep it, but watch the engine
Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 63k–107k miles, where you are now.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2008 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 85,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| SuspensionSTANDS OUT | 118 (31%) | 56k–134k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 55 (15%) | 63k–107k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Body structureSTANDS OUT | 89 (24%) | 86k–142k miles · ahead | — |
| Electrical system | 63 (17%) | 60k–119k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 39 (10%) | 58k–113k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Steering | 37 (10%) | 56k–131k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Speed control | 28 (7%) | 54k–92k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Brakes | 23 (6%) | 23k–107k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Air bags | 22 (6%) | 38k–118k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 16 (4%) | 45k–118k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Wheels | 16 (4%) | 44k–122k miles · around this mileage | Wheel bearing / hub assembly replacement (one wheel) $230–$750 |
| Exterior lighting | 14 (4%) | 71k–120k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 9 (2%) | 60k–104k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Stability control | 7 (2%) | 73k–150k miles · around this mileage | — |
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 85,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 377 complaints: 21 mention a crash · 5 mention a fire · 12 report an injury · 4 say the car was towed.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Aug 2023.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
I had just left for work and after driving for two minutes, the engine, coolant and navigational lights turned on, and would not allow me to drive over 15 mph.
For three sudden engine failures: 1) approximately april 16, 2014 noticed some of the dashboard warning lights blinked a little.
While operating the 2008 Dodge caliber 2.0L engine at approximately 45MPH, the car instantly stopped without applying the brakes.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 85,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2008 Dodge Caliber: 0
No recall campaign lists this model year.
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: 24
Repair instructions Dodge sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2008 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 (X69 Warranty Extension)
UConnect and Voice Recognition Inoperative
Dodge: fuel gauge fluctuation
Neighbouring years
2007 Caliber: 958 complaints, keep it · 2009 Caliber: 232 complaints, keep it, but watch the transmission.
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 2008 Dodge Caliber a bad year?
377 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 55, 2.1× a quiet Caliber year. At 85,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the engine. Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 63k–107k miles, where you are now.
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Dodge Caliber?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: suspension (118), engine (55), body structure (89), electrical system (63), transmission and drivetrain (39). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 63k–107k miles.
How many recalls does the 2008 Dodge Caliber have?
No recall campaign lists this model year in NHTSA data. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm.
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.