Dodge Caliber Problems | Weaknesses of the Used Dodge Caliber I

Should you buy a used Dodge Caliber? Pros and cons, maintenance costs and common problems of the Dodge Caliber.

Transmission problems: 5-speed manual Magna Drivetrain T355 with 1.8 engines, Jatco CVT and 6-speed manual in pair with diesels and turbocharged 2.4
Engine reliability: 1.8, 2.0 and 2.4 non-turbo I4’s and a turbocharged 2.4. European trims had diesel power supplies, such as VAG 2.0 diesel before 2010 and 2.2 Mercedes CRD after 2010.

[ActrightYT]

I have a 2007 got it back in February 2020 only problem ive had so far is door locks

[Uchiha]

Just bought a 2009 SXT about a month ago with 157k. Just needed new wheel bearings and tires. I put new struts on as they were wearing. But runs fine and hope it stays strong. I also did the fluids and normal used car maintenance

[kristengrayflores]

I've had an 07 for about 9 months (bought at the beginning of 2021) and it has been absolutely nothing but straight garbage. The PCM fried, the alternator fried, the transmission is iffy, the suspension is totally blown, and I have an engine leak of unknown origin (meaning it isn't coming from a usual oil leak spot). I absolutely think that this car is straight trash and there is a special spot in hell for it, but I just can't seem to throw the thing away. It gets 30mpg on average, its relatively quick for a 4-Cyl, and it can get around off road just as well as its larger competitors.


TLDR, piece of shit, would buy again

[SataniaMcDowel]

Have a base mode 2007 for $1200 for 3 years

All I've done was a valve cover gasket and basic maintainece.

Runs like a dream.

[matthewpatterson]

I bought a 07 caliber 9 months ago turned out there was a major headlight issue when I first bought it where no headlights turned on when the low beam was on and when the high beam was on only one light would turn on. Ended up doing some wiring and got the high beam setting to get both low beams to work which sounds very confusing. I also had front suspension issues. Replaced front control arms, ball joints, inner and outer tie rods and I’m probably forgetting something. Transmission made a whining noise if driving over 30 minutes on the highway and one time the transmission overheating light came on so I did some research and came to the conclusion of changing the transmission fluid and filter. A lot of issues at first but turned out to be a decently reliable car after all those issues were fixed!

[bricewerthmuller]

2010... throttle replaced lower control arms are going out need to replaced but I've had it for 4 years and loved it. I'm 6'6" and with the passenger seat down and a sleeping pad I haven't slept in this car it's a great car

[wiseshabba]

I am buying a 2009 model everyone said not to buy it but I want to build it as a project car I like them

[D-MaC-]

Bough my 2007 Dodge Caliber SXT in June of 2021.
Ive done these repairs:
Front Rotors and Pads
Front Control Arms an Ball Joints
Front Quick Struts
Front Sway Bar Links
Transmission Mount
Drivers Side Mount
Used Throttle Body
Used Map Sensor
Both 02 Sensors
New Catalytic converter
What I'm not Pleased about owning a Caliber.
Going for its second for wheel alignment as it has killed two rear winter tires this time. I've been recommended by the Caliber Community to replace the upper control arm in adjustable. As well as struts and control arms for the rear.
* Check the caliber for straight up and down wheels. With no bad camber or toe in or out.If not you could be in the hundreds if not more in repairs. My mistake. These cars eat suspensions.

[scorillo]

Mine is a 2010 SXT-CRD with 295.000 kms. I changed front and back suspension at 220.000 kms and the turbo at 260.000 kms. Good oil (LiquiMolly 10w50-cause I live in Portugal) and good diesel at the station, filters every 20.000kms, all job did by myself. I still love the car. Lots of space for vacation trip plus surfboard plus dog…never had any electrical issues.

[MyKfactor]

After 150 000km! Then this car has done bloody well.

[glenTmusic]

Weaknesses of the used Dodge Caliber:
1. It’s a Dodge Caliber

[plengbacus]

mine 2009 sxt at 2021 i’ve changed subframe, and rear struts & 2022 alternator.

[daily_dose_of_nothingness]

Dude every car has problems i bought last year 2008 Caliber SXT is still runs fine and some people say wow what car is this because there are only 2 in my city! :D

[Penul]

Hey I have a 2012 when are people changing the timing belt/chain I’m now hitting 82.000km lol yes Km

[foodvlogr]

The most of them have problem with the dashboard backlight. But it can be solved for 100$. Besides that no problem so far. 20k km behind

[stevereller]

I bought one of these used with 127k miles on it for my kid as a first car, he put another 30k on it and then it started to go south on us, had to dump it

[terrybogard]

CVT transmission OveHeat on Sunny days🥺

[jamiecollins]

Mine had problems with the squib and the rear sub frame and the rear bushings but brilliant car otherwise

[Tomcsiboy]

...and corroded front crossmember/subframe and relay box behinf-bottom of left headlight/left wheel

[cripplingvelocities]

Front and rear subframe and rear trailing arms. Horrible quality metal. Dangerous. Should have recalled all models in the northern hemisphere due to EXTREME rust issues.