The Lemon Index
20081st generation
About average · most complaints: suspension
195 owner complaints, first 3 years 22–26 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2007 Honda Civic 1842007 Toyota Corolla 802007 Hyundai Elantra 65
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2007 Dodge Caliber
- Rust / frame corrosion193 complaintsmostly at 88,000–140,000 miles (141,000–225,000 km)
- Ball joint / control arm139 complaintsmostly at 43,000–86,000 miles (69,000–138,000 km)
- Engine stalling96 complaintsmostly at 33,000–110,000 miles (53,000–177,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 958 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2007 Dodge Caliber (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 10,000 and 54,000 miles (16,000–87,000 km) (the middle half of the 169 complaints, of all 195 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 17V824000 (equipment), 10V234000 (speed control) and 07V196000 (wheels) done? It has 4 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any clunks over bumps or uneven tire wear? Were struts, shocks or control arms replaced?
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Does it accelerate and hold speed smoothly, with no surging or stalling?
- Dodge sent dealers 53 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Fuel gauge fluctuation”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Dodge's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 195 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 10K to 54K miles (16K to 87K km) on the car (169 of all 195 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
My 2007 calibur needed new struts on front end in first yr ,it was covered under warranty.
2007 Dodge Caliber owner · NHTSA complaint 10253684
More owner reports
2007 Dodge Caliber - steering pulls to both left and right for about first 10 minutes of driving (feels very sloppy). Pulls hard to the right while braking. Doors lock with car running.
NHTSA complaint 10224798
2007 Dodge Caliber broken front arm control in suspension the car is 3 years old . According to the parts store it is an on going problem and should be a recall. Read many complaints on line it is a safety hazard.
NHTSA complaint 10361258
Problems Dodge told dealers about
Dodge sent dealers 53 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Fuel gauge fluctuation
- Trailer tow harness with incorrect wiring or missing harness
- Powertrain control module initialization
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 4
- Equipment · recall issued 2017
A list of the affected trailer models is available at: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17V824-0103.pdf.
- Speed control · recall issued 2010
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007 DODGE CALIBER AND JEEP COMPASS PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 7 THROUGH MAY 19, 2006.
- Wheels · recall issued 2007
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH REAR DISC BRAKES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD (FMVSS) NO. 135, "LIGHT VEHICLE BRAKE SYSTEMS." THE LENGTH OF THE REAR WHEEL HUB MOUN…
Show all 4 recalls
- Brakes · recall issued 2006
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) CONTROL MODULE SOFTWARE MAY CAUSE THE REAR BRAKES TO LOCK UP DURING CERTAIN BRAKING CONDITIONS.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- ClosedSticking accelerator pedal2010
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,300–$2,750 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 1.8L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl.
Every Dodge Caliber year. 2007 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
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Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2007 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/dodge-caliber/?y=2007" title="Dodge Caliber reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="330" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/dodge-caliber/2007/">Lemon Index</a> (2007 Dodge Caliber reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2007 Dodge Caliber reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew a bit more than the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 114; 100 is average, lower is better). The Dodge Caliber year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2010.
What are the most common 2007 Dodge Caliber problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are suspension (24%), electrical (15%) and speed control (15%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2007 Dodge Caliber have?
4 safety recalls (latest: equipment). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2007 Dodge Caliber get?
22 to 26 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2007 Dodge Caliber problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 10,000 and 54,000 miles (16,000–87,000 km) (the middle half of the 169 complaints, of all 195 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2007 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2007 Dodge Caliber have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 11% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2007 Dodge Caliber cost in fuel a year?
About $2,300 to $2,750 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2007 Dodge Caliber have?
1.8L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl.
What Dodge Caliber year is better than the 2007?
Nearby, the 2010 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about half as many complaints as the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works