DodgeCaliber20091.8L/dodge/caliber/2009/1-8l/
PM platform

2009 Dodge Caliber — 1.8L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2009 Caliber 1.8L.

Body PASSENGER CAREngine 1.8LTransmission Manual 5-spd

The 2009 Dodge Caliber is a PM-platform passenger car powered by a 1.8-liter engine with a five-speed manual transmission, carrying an EPA rating of 24/30/27 mpg and calling for 4.5 quarts of 5W-20 or 5W-30 API oil with filter. Across the 2006–2012 model run, the 2009 model year logged 232 owner complaints, a figure well below the 2007 peak of 958. Power train remained the top complaint area, and the year was subject to one recall. That placement situates the 2009 Caliber after the model’s worst complaint period, meaning researchers should note tempered but still tangible owner-reported concern centered on the power train.

Model year2010200920082007

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.5 qt w/ filterOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 / 5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy24/30/27 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 86 · 525 CCA battery, OE oil filter 04884899AC. Note the factory engine air filter is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 86 · 525 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP215-60R17OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter04884899AC alt 04892339BE
Engine air filter04891694AA discontinued
Spark plugSP00ZFR5AP alt SP0ZFR5F11
BatteryBB34A901AA alt 56041380AF
Front wiper blades05183260AA alt 05183258AA
Thermostat55111017AB alt 55111016AC
Cabin air filter05058693AA

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionManual 5-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length173.6 in
Overall width68.9 in
Overall height60.2 in
Wheelbase103.9 in
Curb weight3309 lb
Track (front / rear)59.8 / 59.1 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)59/41

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined24 / 30 / 27 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume95 cu ft
Cargo volume19 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.5 qt w/ filter of 5W-20 / 5W-30 API engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 · MS-9020 in the differential. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 30.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5 · MS-9020
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.1 Pints
Engine CoolantHOAT · MS9769
Engine Oil5W-20 · API · 5W-30 · MS-6395
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 qt w/ filter
Power Steering FluidATF +4

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts155 ft-lbs
Cylinder Head StepsIf your bolt has the short head
Cylinder Head StepsIf your bolt has the short head
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts18.4 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts25 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug30.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts100 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub180 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance.504-.616 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance5220-6380 ohms
Spark Plug ManufacturerChampion
Spark Plug Gap0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque20.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.13-1.31 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity3.40-4.10 oz
Standard BCI Group Number86
Standard BCI Cranking Performance525 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening TemperaturePrimary: 179, Secondary: 203 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)58.0 + or - 5.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance12+-0.6 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression170
Intake Valve LashHydraulic in
Exhaust Valve LashHydraulic in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket32 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle52 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket32 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle80 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket44 ft-lbs / 32 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle80 ft-lbs / 52 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.040; Rear: 0.040 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0006 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
19 ft. lbs., Step 2: 229 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9015 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
122 ft. lbs., Step 2: 5122 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

Prep Bolts stamped with the letter B or the number 6 use the following torque procedure.

111 ft. lbs., Step 2: 20 ft. lbs., Step 3: 45 degrees; Bolts that are not stamped with the letter B or the number 6 use the following torque procedure.11 ft. lbs
111 ft. lbs., Step 2: 33 ft. lbs., Step 3: 45 degrees11 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 6,000 mi; spark plugs every 30,000 mi; coolant at 102,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 102,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 6,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
At 12,000 miCV Joint Boot (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 12,000 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 24,000 miCV Joint Boot (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace)
Every 60,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 90,000 miPCV Valve (inspect)
At 102,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 120,000 miDrive Belt (replace) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)

Owner how-tos

Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.

Common procedures

Key fob — remote (RKE) programming programming new fob buttons Dealer tool OEM · verified
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
WhyTransmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module
Anti-theft (SKIS) — module initialization after immobilizer module replacement Dealer tool OEM · verified
When neededAfter Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool
Also requiredThe vehicle's four-digit PIN code

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2009 Dodge Caliber represents a notable inflection point in the generation’s federal record, with complaints declining sharply from the 2007 peak (958) and stabilizing at a lower level than both the preceding (377 in 2008) and subsequent years (157–165 in 2010–2011). Recall activity also moderated, with just one recall in 2009 compared to four in 2007 and two each in 2010 and 2011, suggesting early build-quality issues were largely addressed by this model year. However, the data shows persistent concerns in power train (37 complaints), structure (32), and suspension (30), areas that remained consistent pain points across the generation. The absence of investigations in 2009, unlike 2007 and 2010–2012, implies regulators saw no systemic defects warranting scrutiny, though the volume of technical service bulletins (35) indicates ongoing refinement needs. With crash-related complaints (13) and fire reports (2) relatively low, the 2009 model emerges as a comparatively reliable choice within the Caliber’s lifecycle. **Takeaway: The 2009 is a prudent used buy for this generation, offering improved reliability over earlier years without the higher TSB volume of later models.**

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
35
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
232
Owner complaints
13 involved a crash · 2 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 232 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train37
Structure32
Suspension30
Unknown Or Other13
Suspension,Structure10
Engine6
Air Bags5
Seat Belts5

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

08V528000Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm)Reported 09/10/2008

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 712 MY 2009 SEBRING, DODGE CALIBER, AVENGER, JOURNEY, JEEP PATRIOT, AND COMPASS VEHICLES. A NEW ADHESIVE USED IN THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) MANUFACTURING PROCESS CAN CAUSE THE PRINTED… Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PCM FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 10, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 35 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
91002262023-09-15Electrical SystemConnector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar…
91002262023-09-15Electrical SystemConnector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar…
90040092021-04-07Power TrainTransmission Kit with Torque Converter 1. All Promaster (VF) 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles…
90042682020-06-24Fuel System, GasolineTHROTTLE BODY For clarification, only use 68414676A$ on 2010 & earlier vehicles as supply…
90042682020-06-24EngineTHROTTLE BODY For clarification, only use 68414676A$ on 2010 & earlier vehicles as supply…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Caliber. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2009 Caliber 1.8L take?

4.5 qt w/ filter of 5W-20 API OR 5W-30 API MEETING CHRYSLER SPECIFICATION MS-6395, per the factory manual.

Does the 2009 Caliber have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 1.8L get?

EPA figures are 24 city / 30 highway / 27 combined mpg.