Complaints
355
Crashes
21
Fires
5
Injuries
19
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 2009 Dodge Caliber Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#158 complaints
Suspension Failures
Avg mileage:100,059 mi
Crash-related:1
#252 complaints
Transmission / Drivetrain
Avg mileage:112,626 mi
Crash-related:1
Fires:1
#334 complaints
Body Structure
Avg mileage:105,903 mi
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2009 Dodge Caliber.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension Failures | 58 | 1 | — | 100,059 mi | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 52 | 1 | 1 | 112,626 mi | |
| Body Structure | 34 | — | — | 105,903 mi | |
| Engine Problems | 22 | — | 1 | 105,864 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 19 | — | 1 | 85,330 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 16 | 1 | — | 90,170 mi | |
| Wheel Issues | 11 | — | — | 71,738 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 10 | — | — | 143,079 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 9 | 1 | — | 33,904 mi | |
| Fuel System | 8 | 1 | 1 | 197,079 mi | |
| Airbags | 7 | 4 | — | 67,200 mi | |
| Engine & Cooling | 7 | — | — | 58,098 mi | |
| Brakes | 7 | 2 | 1 | 56,375 mi | |
| Structural Problems | 6 | — | — | 84,808 mi | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 5 | — | — | 60,548 mi | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 5 | 3 | — | 31,500 mi | |
| Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields | 5 | — | — | 83,010 mi | |
| Tires:Pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems | 5 | — | — | 58,017 mi | |
| Electronic Stability Control | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Tires:Valve | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Lever And Linkage:Floor Shift | 2 | 2 | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Side/Window | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Instrument Cluster | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 1 | — | — | — |
Suspension Failures
58
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
100,059
Transmission / Drivetrain
52
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
112,626
Body Structure
34
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
105,903
Engine Problems
22
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
105,864
Electrical Faults
19
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
85,330
Steering Defects
16
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
90,170
Wheel Issues
11
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
71,738
Unintended Acceleration
10
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
143,079
Automatic Transmission
9
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
33,904
Fuel System
8
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
197,079
Airbags
7
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
—
Avg Miles
67,200
Engine & Cooling
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
58,098
Brakes
7
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
1
Avg Miles
56,375
Structural Problems
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
84,808
Headlight/Taillight Failures
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
60,548
Seat Belt Issues
5
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
31,500
Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
83,010
Tires:Pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
58,017
Electronic Stability Control
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Frame And Members
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tires:Valve
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Gasoline Fuel System
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Lever And Linkage:Floor Shift
2
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat-Related Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Frontal
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Side/Window
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Instrument Cluster
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2009 Dodge Caliber. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Dodge Caliber Years
2009 Dodge Caliber — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2009 Dodge Caliber reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2009 Dodge Caliber has 355 NHTSA complaints, 21 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Suspension Failures with 58 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2009 Dodge Caliber?
Top reported problems: Suspension Failures (58 complaints, avg 100,059 mi); Transmission / Drivetrain (52 complaints, avg 112,626 mi); Body Structure (34 complaints, avg 105,903 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2009 Dodge Caliber?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 96,858 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2009 Dodge Caliber?
NHTSA complaints for the 2009 Dodge Caliber include 21 crash-related reports, 5 fire reports, 19 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2009 Dodge Caliber have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 2009 Dodge Caliber as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 2009 Dodge Caliber?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Dodge Caliber reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2009 Dodge Caliber
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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