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2007 Dodge Caliber Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2007 Dodge Caliber has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “Subframe and engine cradle corrosion.” Dodge uses Stellantis' Oil Change Indicator — it watches engine load and duty cycle and messages when to change oil, capped at 10,000 miles or 12 months. Know your engine: the 3.6L Pentastar V6 goes 100,000 miles on plugs, while HEMI V8s carry sixteen plugs (two per cylinder) on a roughly 30,000-mile interval — that's a real cost difference at the service counter. HEMI models with MDS cylinder deactivation are especially sensitive to overdue oil.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2007 Dodge Caliber.

Reported to NHTSA

Subframe and engine cradle corrosion

STRUCTURE

99 NHTSA complaints · 2017-12 → 2025-10

“THE VEHICLE BECAME HARD TO CONTROL. TOOK IT TO GET LOOKED AT TO SEE WHY. IT WAS FOUND TO HAVE A RUSTED OUT ENGINE CRADLE. THE MECHANIC SAID THAT THE SWAY BAR MOUNT WAS RUSTED AND GONE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11079997
“FRONT SUBFRAME IS RUSTED SO BADLY THE BOLTS ARE BARELY ATTACHED TO THE STEERING COLUMN, SO CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. MILEAGE: 126,000”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11193169
“The contact owns a 2007 Dodge Caliber. The contact stated while pulling into a parking space, there was an abnormal sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact stated that upon inspecting the vehicle, he noticed that the subframe was severely rusted and there was a”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11574312

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Front lower control arm and strut failure

SUSPENSION

9 NHTSA complaints · 2018-03 → 2021-11

“I WAS CHANGING THE OIL OF MY WIFE 2007 DODGE CALIBER WHEN I LOOKED OVER AND SAW THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS COMPLETELY ALMOST COMPLETELY CRACKED THROUGH THE MIDDLE PORTION OF IT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11099310
“PASSENGER SIDE CONTROL ARM LOWER BALL JOINT CAME APART AND THREADS ON BALL JOINT WAS DAMAGED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11099257
“The contact owns a 2007 Dodge Caliber. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, the contact stated that the front suspension detached from the vehicle. The contact called the police as he waited for a tow truck to assist because the vehicle was stopped in the middle of”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11439515

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Headlight and exterior lighting failure

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING

8 NHTSA complaints · 2017-12 → 2020-01

“MY HEADLIGHTS WAS NOT WORKING SO I BOUGHT A REPLACEMENT BULB. THE LOW BEAM WAS OUT THE HIGH BEAM WORKS. THE BULB REPLACEMENT DID NOT WORK. I TOOK TO A MECHANIC AND HE LOOKED AT IT AND SAID IT WAS MY FUSE BOX”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11065004
“DRIVER SIDE SEATBELT RELEASES ITSELF WHILE I'M DRIVING, FRONT DRIVER HEADLIGHT DOES NOT TURN ON EVEN THOUGH BULB HAS BEEN CHANGED SEVERAL TIMES TO RULE OUT DAMAGED BULB, REAR TAG LIGHT WON'T TURN ON WHEN VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, REARVIEW MIRROR LIGHT WILL NOT TURN ON”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11161764
“THIS IS MY THIRD TIME THAT THIS CAR HAS NOT STARTED. FOR NO REASON WITH A NEW BATTERY IT WON'T TURN ON AND HAS NO POWER AT ALL. NO POWER TO THE LIGHTS, LOCKS, RADIO OR DASH”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11128194

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

TIPM-related stalling and electrical shutdown

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

22 NHTSA complaints · 2018-01 → 2026-05

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11736456
“The contact owns a 2007 Dodge Caliber. The contact stated while driving 65-70 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road and was able the restart the vehicle”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11438320
“My car was slow to accelerate, and sounded like the engine was over-revving. The engine stalled several times, and the car itself was shaking, while driving at a moderate speed level, which I feared would have caused an accident, because it was sudden”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11479885

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Vehicle speed control and throttle malfunction

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

14 NHTSA complaints · 2018-01 → 2024-04

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE EXITING A PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING INTO A BUSY STREET, CROSSED OVER TRAIN TRACKS, AND CRASHED INTO A TRAIN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11270956
“WHEN IN CRUISE CONTROL AT BETWEEN 70-75 MPH AND GOING UP A LONG INCLINE (CAJON PASS) THE ELECTRICAL LIGHT COMES ON AND THE CAR QUITS RUNNING, AND TO DATE STARTS AGAIN AFTER LOSING ABOUT 5MPH AFTER SEVERAL HEARTBEATS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11186121
“RED LIGHTNING BOLT ON SAID THROTTLE BODY SO REPLACED THAT ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY STILL NO POWER ONLY GOES 25 MPH WAS TOLD ELECTRIC ACCELERATOR PEDAL BUT NOT SURE SO MANY PEOPLE WITH ISSUE ON SAME CAR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11173623

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Airbag non-deployment in crash

AIR BAGS

6 NHTSA complaints · 2017-12 → 2024-11

“I SWERVED FOR DEER AND WHEN I DID I CRASHED MY CAR AND ROLLED IT AND AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11053720
“MY AIRBAG DID NOT GO OFF ON MY CAR WANT TO KNOW WHY THE HIT WAS BAD AN NOTHING WENT OFF THERE BEEN NO RECALLS SO NOW I THINK SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE I AM LUCKY I AM NOT HURT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11151244
“The contact owned a 2007 Dodge Caliber. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact's vehicle was involved in a head-on collision, which was no fault of the contact. The contact's vehicle was damaged to the front of the vehicle and on the passenger's”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11624039

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (Oil Change Indicator)

Every 10,000 mi

Change when the indicator says so — never beyond 10,000 miles or 12 months. Pentastar 3.6L: 0W-20. HEMI 5.7L: 5W-20 (0W-40 for 6.4L SRT). MDS-equipped HEMIs punish stretched oil intervals with lifter and cam wear.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 8,000 mi

Rotate every 8,000 miles. Charger/Challenger R/T and Scat Pack: staggered-width setups can't rotate front-to-rear — budget rear tires accordingly.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 10,000 mi

Inspect pads and rotors at every oil change. Heavy Durangos used for towing and hard-driven Chargers both run through rear pads faster than the front-pad-first rule of thumb suggests.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Spark Plugs

Every 30,000 mi

HEMI 5.7L: sixteen plugs roughly every 30,000 miles — check your year's manual. Pentastar 3.6L (Charger/Challenger V6, Durango V6, Journey, Grand Caravan): 100,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

Grand Caravan/Journey (62TE): ATF+4 service every 60,000 miles in family duty. Charger/Challenger/Durango with the TorqueFlite 8-speed: no published normal interval, but specialists recommend service around 60,000-100,000 miles — sooner with towing.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Rear Differential Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

RWD Charger/Challenger and AWD Durango: replace rear diff fluid around 60,000 miles, sooner with towing or drag-strip duty. Limited-slip units need the friction-modifier additive.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace every 30,000 miles. HEMIs pull serious airflow — a clogged filter costs measurable power before it throws a code.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Serpentine Belt

Every 60,000 mi

Inspect from 60,000 miles, replace on cracking or glazing. On the HEMI, a shredded belt can take the cooling drive with it mid-drive.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 20,000 mi

Replace every 20,000 miles where equipped (behind the glovebox on most models). Some earlier Journeys and Avengers shipped without one — check before buying a filter.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Coolant Replacement (OAT)

Every 100,000 mi

Stellantis OAT coolant is scheduled for 10 years / 150,000 miles; shops commonly refresh by 100,000. OAT-compatible coolant only — mixing chemistries gels the system.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Battery Test & Service

Every 25,000 mi

Test annually after year 3. Big-audio Chargers and tow-package Durangos lean on the battery hard; weak batteries surface as gremlins in the electronics before they fail to crank.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$225–$390

Shop

~$160–$280

DIY

~$130–$250

Most auto-parts stores test and install batteries free with purchase. Skip the dealer markup.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

254 crashes 1990–2024

How the 254 occupant deaths break down

178

driver deaths

76

passenger deaths

254

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2006 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

57

complaints mentioning a crash

18

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2007 Dodge Caliber reflects Dodge's published service intervals and the Oil Change Indicator System system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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