2007-2012 Dodge Caliber Brake Parts, Pads & Rotors

The Dodge Caliber is a front-wheel-drive compact hatchback that sits a little taller and heavier than the sedans it competed with. Most versions weigh roughly 2,900 to 3,200 pounds, and because the engine and transaxle sit over the front wheels, the front brakes do most of the stopping work. Many Calibers have spent their lives as commuters and first cars: stop-and-go traffic, short trips, and plenty of hard stops at the bottom of off-ramps. The 2008-2009 SRT-4 is a different animal. Its turbocharged 2.4L makes close to 300 horsepower, and Dodge gave it larger brakes to match. Brake wear and the right replacement parts depend a lot on which Caliber you have, so this page covers both the everyday models and the SRT-4.

Common brake symptoms on the 2007-2012 Dodge Caliber

• Steering wheel shake or pedal pulsation when braking from highway speed usually means the front rotors have uneven thickness. The Caliber's front rotors take most of the heat, and uneven pad deposits or worn rotors cause this vibration.
• High-pitched squeal that goes away when you press the pedal is most often the pad wear indicator touching the rotor. The pads are close to their minimum thickness and should be replaced soon.
• Grinding or scraping metal-on-metal noise means the pad friction material is gone and the backing plate is cutting into the rotor. Stop driving on it as much as you can. At this stage the rotors almost always need to be replaced too.
• Car pulls to one side under braking can point to a sticking caliper slide pin or a seized piston. This happens more often on cars in salt-belt states. One side's pads will usually be much more worn than the other.
• Soft or low pedal can mean old, moisture-contaminated brake fluid, air in the system, or a leak. Check the fluid level and condition before you blame the pads.
• Rust ridge on the rotor edge and a rough feel at low speed is common on Calibers that sit for long periods or live in wet climates. A heavy lip on the rotor keeps new pads from seating properly.

Recommended brake parts for your 2007-2012 Dodge Caliber

Front and rear ceramic pads for the SRT-4

The Front & Rear Ceramic Brake Pads Set For 2008-2009 Dodge Caliber SRT-4 ($71.99) covers all four wheels on the SRT-4's larger brake system in one order. Ceramic compound makes little dust, runs quiet, and has a consistent pedal feel. That makes it a good fit for an SRT-4 used as a daily driver that still gets some spirited driving. This set is for the SRT-4 only. Its calipers and pad shapes differ from the SE, SXT, R/T, and Uptown trims.

EBC GD Sport slotted front rotors

The EBC GD Sport Slotted Front Brake Rotor Set GD7379 - 2006-2010 Dodge Caliber 1.8L ($267.97) is an upgrade over plain replacement rotors for owners who want better bite and cooler-running front brakes. The slots sweep gas and debris off the pad face, which helps the brakes stay consistent on repeated hard stops and on hilly roads. This set is listed for the 1.8L Caliber, so confirm your engine and trim before ordering. Pair it with fresh pads so the new surfaces bed in together.

How often should you replace 2007-2012 Dodge Caliber brakes?

On a typical Caliber, front pads last about 30,000 to 50,000 miles. Rear pads on disc-brake models often reach 50,000 to 70,000 miles because the rear axle does much less of the work. Front rotors usually last through one or two pad changes, often 50,000 to 70,000 miles, but many shops replace them with every pad job on older cars because a worn rotor may not be thick enough to resurface. Many lower-trim Calibers came with rear drum brakes, and their rear shoes can last well past 80,000 miles.

The SRT-4 is harder on brakes. Expect front pads to last 20,000 to 35,000 miles with aggressive driving, and less if the car sees autocross or track days.

A few factors change these numbers:

• Driving environment: City commuting with constant stops wears pads much faster than steady highway miles.
• Climate: Road salt corrodes rotors and caliper hardware. That can shorten rotor life no matter how much pad is left.
• Driving style: Late, hard braking produces more heat, which glazes pads and wears rotors faster.
• Brake fluid: Flushing the fluid every two to three years protects the calipers and ABS parts and keeps the pedal firm.
• Hardware: Cleaning and greasing the slide pins at each pad change prevents uneven wear.

Check pad thickness at every tire rotation. Once the pads are near 3mm, it is time to plan the job.

Core Brake Parts sells brake parts, and we check fitment before a part goes on a vehicle page, so you can order for your Caliber with confidence. Orders over $75 ship free, and in-stock parts go out fast so your car is not off the road for long. Not sure whether your Caliber has rear discs or drums, or which engine it has? Your VIN and the trim badge on the liftgate will tell you. Then shop brake parts for your 2007-2012 Dodge Caliber above and get stopping right again.