Dodge Caliber Structure Problems
Owners have filed 331 complaints with NHTSA about structure problems on the Dodge Caliber across 6 model years. The 2007 model year has the most (158). The words owners use most often: “sub frame” (16% of reports).
- 331structure complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 5mention a crash
- 5mention an injury
- 0related recalls
- $1,800typical repair cost reported by owners
- 18%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.
- Sub frame: mentioned in 52 of 331 complaints (16%)
- Cross member: mentioned in 32 of 331 complaints (10%)
- Engine cradle: mentioned in 25 of 331 complaints (8%)
- Subframe rusted: mentioned in 23 of 331 complaints (7%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical structure repair on the Dodge Caliber at $1,800, and half of them between $1,400 and $2,200.
Based on 10 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2014–2023), 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 structure problems happen?
Based on 272 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 331 complaints, 5 mention a crash, 3 a fire, 5 an injury.
Dodge Caliber structure complaints by model year
| Model year | Structure complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 Caliber | 6 | 12% | 100,258 |
| 2011 Caliber | 21 | 13% | 119,000 |
| 2010 Caliber | 10 | 6% | 88,116 |
| 2009 Caliber | 49 | 21% | 92,163 |
| 2008 Caliber | 87 | 24% | 107,000 |
| 2007 Caliber | 158 | 18% | 109,500 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (0)
No safety recall lists structure for the Dodge Caliber. A pattern of complaints does not always lead to a recall.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
Rear subframe rotted out, detached at tire arm...see many complaints online
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…
Severe rust to vehicle frame COMMON TO THIS VEHICLE, no accident. Rust has corroded frame despite normal use and normal care. Vehicle hasn't reached 75k miles yet, and the frame is failing. How is this not a recall?
This is a follow up to complaint #11459461 filed on 4/3/22 at 9:16:43am. I was not able to send documents at that time. Documents included relate to follow up on complaint #11591104. First pdf file: pages 1-4 Service bulletin from Chrysler - my model year not included; pages 5-7 service invoice and…
The contact owns a 2007 Dodge Caliber. The contact stated that while it was raining, there was water entering through the sunroof and doors into the vehicle. The air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact called the local dealer, who stated that there were no related recalls for the…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Dodge Calibers have structure problems?
No. NHTSA has 331 owner complaints about structure 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 structure?
No recall currently lists structure for this vehicle.
How much does it cost to fix structure problems on the Dodge Caliber?
Owners report a typical cost of $1,800 (half paid between $1,400 and $2,200), from 10 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about structure problems on the Dodge Caliber?
The most frequent phrase is “sub frame”, in 52 of 331 complaints, followed by “cross member” (32).
Other Dodge Caliber problems
- Suspension problems (491)
- Electrical System problems (339)
- Power Train problems (220)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (187)
- Engine problems (175)
- Steering problems (172)
- Air Bags problems (159)
- Exterior Lighting problems (127)
See all Dodge Caliber problems.