AI Damage2008 Dodge Caliber AWD reliability: common problems
Owners of the 2008 Dodge Caliber AWD filed 17 complaints in the US, most often about electrical system and suspension. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 17
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 29% of all complaints
- 2 Suspension 29% of all complaints
- 3 Fuel/propulsion system 12% of all complaints
- 4 Powertrain 12% of all complaints
- 5 Steering 12% of all complaints
- 6 Structure 12% of all complaints
- 7 Seats 6% of all complaints
- 8 Service brakes 6% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 5 complaints (29% of all).
- Suspension: 5 complaints (29% of all).
- Fuel/propulsion system: 2 complaints (12% of all).
- Powertrain: 2 complaints (12% of all).
- Steering: 2 complaints (12% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 17 US owner complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of US owner complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by the regulator; personal data removed.
Coming home from a trip and stopped to put gas in and it was night time and the dash lights would not come on. It happened 3 times now. I do not like driving home with a flashlight. Also the other problem we have is we had.
When fueling car gas intake cuts off repeatedly. Takes at least 10 minutes to put gas in car. Happens consistently 7 - 8 months.
The contact stated that the wiring in the heated seat failed causing the seats to overheat leaving a hole approximately 7 inches behind the seat. The contact stated the rear of the seat was warm and an abnormal odor was detected.
While getting a maryland state inspection on a low mileage (56k) garage kept dodge caliber the car failed due both the front and rear subframe had excessive rust, fractures and holes. Both the subframes crossmembers will need to be replaced.
Car wouldn't start because of defective tipm. I often travel the freeway and was experiencing a brief pause in the fuel systems while trying to accelerate. After research I have found that this is a common issue with a variety of dodge model cars and feel that this could be very dangerous to the public in general.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge caliber awd. While driving 70 mph, the cruise control was activated and the vehicle accelerated independently. The contact was not able to deactivate the cruise control. The dealer was unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired.
Vehicle starting making a sound. Was determined that the transmission was in need of replacement.
Had to replace the wish bones. And am on my 5 th set if tires since may of 2012. Which are not cheap at $130 a piece for the cheapest. Alignment is always off and tires have to be pumped every couple months.
When owners complained
US owner complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 8,342 of 32,206 model years in the official US data (top 26% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Caliber AWD has 46 complaints (2 years in the data). This year has 17, below average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Suspension. Wheel alignment, control arms, subframe, even tire wear.
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Dodge Caliber AWD?
US owner complaints most often mention: electrical system, suspension, fuel/propulsion system. Total complaints: 17. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: rust, corrosion (12%), won't start (6%), overheating, coolant loss (6%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2008 Dodge Caliber AWD?
The official US database lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2008 Dodge Caliber AWD from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2008 models
Read also
Sources: public official US data: service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by the regulator, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-10.