The Lemon Index
200820101st generation
Worse than average · most complaints: transmission & drivetrain
45 owner complaints, first 3 years 23–27 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2009 Honda Civic 812009 Toyota Corolla 2842009 Hyundai Elantra 46
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2009 Dodge Caliber
- Rust / frame corrosion74 complaintsmostly at 64,000–126,000 miles (103,000–203,000 km)
- Engine stalling23 complaintsmostly at 33,000–120,000 miles (53,000–193,000 km)
- Ball joint / control arm18 complaintsmostly at 54,000–90,000 miles (87,000–145,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 232 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2009 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 16,000 and 55,000 miles (26,000–89,000 km) (the middle half of the 41 complaints, of all 45 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 recall 08V528000 (transmission & drivetrain) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Any rust or damage underneath, or doors and hatches that don't close right?
- Dodge sent dealers 35 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Transmission Kit with Torque Converter 1”?
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 45 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 16K to 55K miles (26K to 89K km) on the car (41 of all 45 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
I own a 2009 Dodge Caliber rt with odo reading 59,300 & my transmission line burst causing $450 in needed repair that is not covered under warranty.
2009 Dodge Caliber owner · NHTSA complaint 10375139
More owner reports
Transmission noise loud and slipping I have another 09 Dodge Caliber making the same noise and very slow to make it up to speed from a stop.
NHTSA complaint 10370982
While we were servicing this customer's vehicle the tpms sensor and valve stem broke. This claim is filed on behalf of our customer.
NHTSA complaint 10468509
Problems Dodge told dealers about
Dodge sent dealers 35 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Transmission Kit with Torque Converter 1
- NAG1 (5A580) Valve Body As per Warranty Bulletin D-13-22, please use R2108213A$ valve body for…
- 82212076, 82203694 - Fabric Cleaner This "fabric cleaner" is not intended for sale in…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 1
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2008
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 712 MY 2009 SEBRING, DODGE CALIBER, AVENGER, JOURNEY, JEEP PATRIOT, AND COMPASS VEHICLES.
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
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,200–$2,600 (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. 2009 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2009 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/dodge-caliber/?y=2009" 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/2009/">Lemon Index</a> (2009 Dodge Caliber reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2009 Dodge Caliber reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew about one and a half times the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 155; 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 2009 Dodge Caliber problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (38%), tires (16%) and body structure (11%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2009 Dodge Caliber have?
1 safety recall (latest: transmission & drivetrain). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2009 Dodge Caliber get?
23 to 27 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2009 Dodge Caliber problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 16,000 and 55,000 miles (26,000–89,000 km) (the middle half of the 41 complaints, of all 45 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2009 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 2009 Dodge Caliber have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 38% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2009 Dodge Caliber cost in fuel a year?
About $2,200 to $2,600 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2009 Dodge Caliber have?
1.8L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl.
What Dodge Caliber year is better than the 2009?
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