Dodge›Caliber›2008›1.8L/dodge/caliber/2008/1-8l/

PM platform

2008 Dodge Caliber — 1.8L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2008 Caliber 1.8L.

Body PASSENGER CAREngine 1.8LTransmission Manual 5-spd

Built on the PM platform, the 2008 Dodge Caliber is a passenger car powered by a 1.8L engine paired with a 5-speed manual transmission. It delivers an EPA-rated 24 city, 26 combined, and 29 highway mpg, with routine servicing requiring 4.5 quarts of 5W-20 or 5W-30 API oil with a filter. Within the model's 2006-2012 lifecycle, this year sits well below the 958-complaint peak of 2007, but its 377 reported issues—primarily centered on the suspension—mean it still warrants careful inspection despite recording zero recalls.

Model year2010 2009 2008 2007

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 economy24/29/26 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 Note the factory engine air filter is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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 sizeP205-70R15OEM · verified

Wheel / rim6 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	04884899AC alt 04892339BE
Engine air filter	04891694AA discontinued
Spark plug	SP0ZFR5F11 alt SP00ZFR5AP
Battery	BB34A901AA alt 56041380AF
Front wiper blades	05183260AA alt 05183258AA
Thermostat	55111016AC alt 55111017AB
Cabin air filter	05058693AA

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Manual 5-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	173.6 in
Overall width	68.9 in
Overall height	60.2 in
Wheelbase	103.9 in
Curb weight	3309 lb
Track (front / rear)	59.8 / 59.1 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	59/41

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	24 / 29 / 26 mpg
Drivetrain	Front-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume	87 cu ft
Cargo volume	15 cu ft
Recommended fuel	Regular 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. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Differential Gear Oil	80W-90 · GL-5 · MS-9020
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	1.1 Pints
Engine Coolant	HOAT · MS9769
Engine Oil	5W-20 · API · 5W-30 · MS-6395
Engine Oil Capacity	4.5 qt w/ filter
Power Steering Fluid	ATF +4

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	155 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	18 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	25 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	30.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	100 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug	24.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug	24.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	180 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	180 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub	181 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-4-2
Spark Plug Manufacturer	Champion
Spark Plug Gap	0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque	20.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.13-1.31 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Oil Capacity	3.40-4.10 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	86
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	525 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test	15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	Primary: 179, Secondary: 203 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)	58.0 + or - 5.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance	12+-0.6 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression	170
Intake Valve Lash	Hydraulic in
Exhaust Valve Lash	Hydraulic in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	32 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	52 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket	32 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	80 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket	44 ft-lbs / 32 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	80 ft-lbs / 52 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.040; Rear: 0.040 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.0006 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages

9 ft. lbs., Step 2: 22

9 ft. lbs

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

15 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90

15 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

Prep If your bolt has the short head, use the following torque specifications:

1	25 ft. lbs.	25 ft. lbs
2	45 ft. lbs.	45 ft. lbs
3	45 ft. lbs.	45 ft. lbs
4	90 degreesCAUTION:Do not use a torque wrench for the Fourth step.; If your bolt has the long head, use the following torque specifications:	90 degrees
1	25 ft. lbs.	25 ft. lbs
2	54 ft. lbs.	54 ft. lbs
3	54 ft. lbs.	54 ft. lbs
4	90 degreesCAUTION:Do not use a torque wrench for the Fourth step.	90 degrees

Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

22 ft. lbs., Step 2: 51

22 ft. lbs

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

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

1	11 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
1	11 ft. lbs., Step 2: 33 ft. lbs., Step 3: 45 degrees	11 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; 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 mi	Brake Line (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
At 12,000 mi	CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 12,000 mi	Brake Linings (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 24,000 mi	CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect)
Every 30,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 60,000 mi	Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 90,000 mi	PCV Valve (inspect)
At 102,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 120,000 mi	Drive 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 required	DRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
Why	Transmitter 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 needed	After Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool required	DRBIII scan tool
Also required	The 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 2008 Dodge Caliber sits immediately after the generation’s federal complaint peak, when 2007 recorded 958 complaints and four recalls; by contrast, 2008 generated 377 complaints and zero recalls, with no investigations and 51 technical service bulletins. While this reflects a steep drop from the launch-year surge, 2008 still registers the second-highest complaint volume of the model run, outpacing the 232 complaints in 2009 and the 157 to 49 range seen from 2010 through 2012. Owner filings for 2008 cluster most heavily in suspension and structure, with 51 and 44 complaints respectively, alongside 21 crash-related and 5 fire-related reports, though the data does not specify root causes. Unlike 2007 and the 2010–2012 period, 2008 triggered no recalls or federal investigations, suggesting its elevated complaints did not prompt broad safety actions. Because it occupies a declining but still elevated point on the generational curve, the 2008 Caliber is a better prospect than the 2007 model yet remains less appealing than the lower-complaint 2009–2012 examples, making it an acceptable purchase only if priced accordingly.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

377

Owner complaints

21 involved a crash · 5 a fire

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’06 ’07’08’09 ’10 ’11 ’12

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 377 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Suspension51

Structure44

Suspension,Structure20

Unknown Or Other18

Power Train16

Electrical System15

Air Bags13

Steering,Suspension12

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 51 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
9100226	2023-09-15	Electrical System	Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar…
9100226	2023-09-15	Electrical System	Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar…
9004009	2021-04-07	Power Train	Transmission Kit with Torque Converter 1. All Promaster (VF) 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles…
9004268	2020-06-24	Fuel System, Gasoline	THROTTLE BODY For clarification, only use 68414676A$ on 2010 & earlier vehicles as supply…
9004268	2020-06-24	Engine	THROTTLE 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.

Group 86 battery Vehicles taking 4.5 qt w/ filter PM-platform vehicles Engine oil filter 04884899AC Engine air filter 04891694AA Spark plug SP0ZFR5F11 Battery BB34A901AA

Reference guides

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

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2008 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 2008 Caliber have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 0 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 / 29 highway / 26 combined mpg.