Before you buy a used Dodge Caliber.
Taken only from Testigo's sourced sheets. Use it to question the seller and on the test drive: it does not confirm that any particular car is affected.
The essentials.
- 2 documented, sourced faults across its 2 engines.
- That is not much data: if no other faults show up here, it does not mean it has none.
- 1 of them depends on the equipment or the production date: ask what this car has.
- 4 official recalls on record: ask for the chassis number (VIN) and confirm they have been done.
- According to the data we have, the engine with the fewest documented faults is the 1.8 / 2.0 / 2.4 (Petrol).
Typical faults by engine
The period and mileage are those mentioned by each sheet's sources. They are not a maintenance interval and do not predict that any particular car will fail.
All versions
Sheets the catalogue links to all 2 of its engines.
- ABS, accelerator pedal and control unit on the Dodge CaliberKnown weak points
- Period mentioned
- 2006–2012
- Mileage mentioned
- The sheet does not mention a mileage.
Applies if: Defects documented by US recalls; European cars may have equivalent campaigns: check by VIN.
1.8 / 2.0 / 2.4
Petrol
We have no faults specific to this engine, only those common to every version.
2.0 CRD (VW TDI)
Diesel
- PD TDI camshaft, injectors and cylinder headInjection / cylinder head
- Period mentioned
- 2000–2010
- Mileage mentioned
- 120,000–200,000 km
Which engine has the fewest documented faults?
| Engine | Documented faults | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 1.8 / 2.0 / 2.4PetrolFewest documented | 11 with conditions | 4 |
| 2.0 CRD (VW TDI)Diesel | 21 with conditions | 3 |
According to the data we have, the engine with the fewest documented faults is the 1.8 / 2.0 / 2.4 (Petrol).
By fuel type, the one with the fewest documented faults is: Petrol.
We only count the sourced sheets we have. An engine with fewer is not guaranteed to be more reliable: it may have been studied less or sold in smaller numbers.
Official recalls: ask before you pay
A recall existing does not mean this car is affected or that it is still outstanding: it depends on the chassis number, the market and the production date.
- Ask the seller for the chassis number (VIN): it has 17 characters, appears in the car's documents and can usually also be seen at the base of the windscreen.
- Ask an official Dodge dealer, or the brand's official website if it lets you check by chassis number, whether each recall has been done or is still outstanding for that VIN.
- Manufacturer recalls are normally carried out free of charge by the official service network. If one is outstanding, ask for it to be done before you close the sale.
ABS software and rear brake lock-upBrakes
Engines: 1.8 / 2.0 / 2.4 (Petrol)
How to check it: Confirm VIN; reprogram ABS under the recall.
View full entryDodge steering recalls (2011–2011)Steering
How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.
View full entryDodge engine, transmission and software recalls (2007–2015)Powertrain and engine management
How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.
View full entryDodge body, seat and fitting recalls (2007–2007)Bodywork
How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.
View full entryOn the test drive: what to look and listen for
Taken from each sheet's symptoms and checks. You can tick off what you have already looked at: it is saved only in this browser.
0 of 2 checked
Injection / cylinder head
Look out for: Growing noise from the cylinder head, power loss and rough running (cams and lifters); unstable idle, smoke or hesitation (injectors); on the 16-valve 2.0 TDI, coolant loss with no visible leak from a cracked head.
Ask them to check: Check the oil history (VW 505.01), listen to the head, check injector balance rates with a diagnostic tool and, on the 16-valve 2.0 TDI, read the head part number (03G 103 351) and look for coolant loss.
Known weak points
Look out for: ABS software that can lock the rear wheels under braking (2007); accelerator-pedal pivot bushings that can make it stick (built March to May 2006); an engine-control-unit adhesive that can fail (2009); seat-belt pretensioners (2010–2012).
Ask them to check: Check campaigns by VIN; check the accelerator returns freely.
Sources
Every fact on this page comes from these Testigo sheets and their original sources. Sources are not checked in real time.
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