Is the 2009 Dodge Caliber a bad year?
232 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 64, 3.8× a quiet Caliber year.
Keep it, but watch the transmission
The transmission draws 3.8× the complaints of a quiet Caliber year, spread over 43k–118k miles, so there's no single mileage to plan around.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2009 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 68,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 64 (28%) | 43k–118k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| SuspensionSTANDS OUT | 61 (26%) | 58k–113k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Body structureSTANDS OUT | 49 (21%) | 71k–120k miles · ahead | — |
| Engine | 30 (13%) | 64k–126k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Electrical system | 23 (10%) | 40k–147k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Steering | 16 (7%) | 56k–130k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Fuel system | 11 (5%) | 39k–104k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Wheels | 11 (5%) | 44k–124k miles · around this mileage | Wheel bearing / hub assembly replacement (one wheel) $230–$750 |
| Speed control | 10 (4%) | 45k–91k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Brakes | 9 (4%) | 34k–94k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Air bags | 7 (3%) | 31k–105k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Tires | 10 (4%) | 32k–56k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Exterior lighting | 5 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seat belts | 5 (2%) | too few with a 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 68,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 232 complaints: 13 mention a crash · 2 mention a fire · 9 report an injury · 13 say the car was towed.
2 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Mar 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
2009 Dodge caliber, within 3 months of buying vehicle, as is, started having acceleration problems, brake and suspension problems.
I was driving on an interstate highway (At high speed) when it became necessary for me to punch the gas pedal in order to make a lane change.
After 60 minutes driving at highway speeds the engine revs rise but speed falls. Transmission overheating warning comes on although the temperature has not risen very much.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 68,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2009 Dodge Caliber: 1
A new adhesive used in the power train control module (PCM) manufacturing process can cause the printed circuit board to break. This can cause the engine to stall 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: 22
Repair instructions Dodge sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2009 Dodge Caliber. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Front And Rear Crossmember Corrosion (X69 Warranty Extension)
Dodge: fuel gauge fluctuation
Neighbouring years
2008 Caliber: 377 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine · 2010 Caliber: 157 complaints, keep it.
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 2009 Dodge Caliber a bad year?
232 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 64, 3.8× a quiet Caliber year. At 68,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the transmission. The transmission draws 3.8× the complaints of a quiet Caliber year, spread over 43k–118k miles, so there's no single mileage to plan around.
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Dodge Caliber?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: transmission and drivetrain (64), suspension (61), body structure (49), engine (30), electrical system (23). Half of the transmission complaints were filed between 43k–118k miles.
How many recalls does the 2009 Dodge Caliber have?
1 recall campaign list this model year: Transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA 08V-528). 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.