Dodge Caliber Power Train Problems
Owners have filed 220 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the Dodge Caliber across 6 model years. The 2007 model year has the most (80). The words owners use most often: “throttle control” (6% of reports).
- 220power train complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 9mention a crash
- 5mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- $2,100typical repair cost reported by owners
- 49%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Throttle control: mentioned in 13 of 220 complaints (6%)
- Limp mode: mentioned in 12 of 220 complaints (5%)
- CVT transmission: mentioned in 11 of 220 complaints (5%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical power train repair on the Dodge Caliber at $2,100, and half of them between $1,000 and $5,550.
Based on 18 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2008–2022), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do power train problems happen?
Based on 198 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 220 complaints, 9 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 5 an injury.
Dodge Caliber power train complaints by model year
| Model year | Power Train complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 Caliber | 5 | 10% | 8,000 |
| 2011 Caliber | 17 | 10% | 67,000 |
| 2010 Caliber | 17 | 11% | 80,000 |
| 2009 Caliber | 64 | 28% | 67,800 |
| 2008 Caliber | 37 | 10% | 88,250 |
| 2007 Caliber | 80 | 9% | 76,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
Model years: 2009
Problem: Chrysler is recalling 712 my 2009 sebring, dodge caliber, avenger, journey, jeep patriot, and compass vehicles. A new adhesive used in the power train control module (pcm) manufacturing process can cause the printed circuit board to break.
Risk: This can cause the engine to stall and cause a crash without warning.
Fix: Dealers will replace the pcm free of charge. The recall began on november 10, 2008. Owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
Vehicle tipm shut off transmission while driving an cause a traffic jam on a busy intersection caused the transmission system to go in limp mode an no breaks. Was very dangerous lucky I had a hand break that worked cause engine to shut off an studder had to get towed an transported the vehicle home…
I was informed on 09/29/2025 by my Chrysler dealer that a second critical component of my 2007 Caliber frame had rusted to the point that it broke. The first critical component was reported in my complaint tracking number 11459461 submitted on 04/03/2022. The component in that filing was the engine…
Started hearing a loud banging noise whenever i would hit a bump or turn left coming from drivers side tire. after getting home, i checked and the entire subframe is rusted out.
The problem initially occurred in early November of 2020 when the vehicle would unpredictably stall at a stop sign or traffic light and would not immediately start for a couple minutes. After this short wait of 1 to 3 minutes it was possible to restart the car and move forward normally and the car…
The engine stalls when I take off more times than none I'm stuck idling in traffic almost causing accident the frame that hold motor mounts are bad I've replaced motor mounts twice in a less than a year the car heats up after 70 miles an hour I have 5o pull over and let it cool off this happens 3…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Dodge Calibers have power train problems?
No. NHTSA has 220 owner complaints about power train for the Dodge Caliber. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Dodge Caliber power train?
Yes: 1 safety recall list power train. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix power train problems on the Dodge Caliber?
Owners report a typical cost of $2,100 (half paid between $1,000 and $5,550), from 18 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about power train problems on the Dodge Caliber?
The most frequent phrase is “throttle control”, in 13 of 220 complaints, followed by “limp mode” (12).
Other Dodge Caliber problems
- Suspension problems (491)
- Electrical System problems (339)
- Structure problems (331)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (187)
- Engine problems (175)
- Steering problems (172)
- Air Bags problems (159)
- Exterior Lighting problems (127)
See all Dodge Caliber problems.