Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2008 Dodge Caliber
NHTSA data on file today
The 2008 Dodge Caliber has no NHTSA recall campaigns and 360 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Suspension 113 complaints
- Structure 87 complaints
- Electrical System 58 complaints
- Engine 43 complaints
- Power Train 37 complaints
- Steering 35 complaints
Of the 360 complaints on file, 21 report a crash and 4 a fire; across all 360 complaints, owners report 14 injuries and 2 deaths (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $4,500–$9,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2008 Dodge Caliber displays a below-average reliability due to a high number of owner complaints and zero recall campaigns. Suspension and structural issues are notably frequent, indicating potential design weaknesses.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 60,000–100,000 miles | $500–$1,200 | very common |
| Structure | 50,000–90,000 miles | $400–$1,000 | very common |
| Electrical system | 70,000–110,000 miles | $200–$800 | common |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter changes
- Brake pad and rotor replacement
- Cooling system maintenance
- Transmission fluid changes
- Belt and hose inspections
- Suspension component inspections
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Uneven tire wear
- Noisy suspension
- Electrical malfunctions
- Steering vibration
- Engine misfires
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2008 Dodge Caliber at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.