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dodge caliber 2009 — VIN Report
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Dodge Caliber

1B3HB28C69D161273
Year: 2009 Mileage: 263 765 km Fuel: gasoline Body: Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback Transmission: manual

General Info

MAKE dodge
MODEL caliber
YEAR 2009
MILEAGE 263 765 km
ENGINE 1.8L
FUEL gasoline
BODY Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback
COLOR gold
TRANSMISSION manual
DRIVE unknown
VIN 1B3HB28C69D161273

History Records

All Records: 1 Government Records: 0 Auction: 1
1B3HB28C69D161273 2009 Dodge Caliber 1.8L for Sale in Puyallup WA • IAAI • Mileage: 263 765 km • 📷 19 US WA - SEATTLE Offsite
Auction
Damage: Front END, Unknown Engine: 1.8L 4cyl Keys: Yes Airbags: OK
dodge caliber — IAAI
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Vehicle Description

Vehicle interior

The 2009 Dodge Caliber’s interior reflects a mix of practicality and modest comfort typical of its era. With a manual transmission and front-wheel drive (FWD), the cabin prioritizes driver engagement over plushness, which may appeal to enthusiasts but could deter those seeking a refined ride. The gold exterior color, paired with a likely beige or light gray fabric interior, suggests a design that leaned into bold aesthetics—though this specific car’s trim level is listed as SE, indicating it wasn’t equipped with higher-end features like leather upholstery or advanced infotainment. Despite its age, the interior appears to have retained most of its original components, including the dashboard layout and center console. However, given the vehicle’s history of auction listings and known damage, there's a risk that some elements—like climate control buttons or seat adjusters—may show signs of wear due to high mileage.

The seating is designed for four passengers, though rear legroom is tight, especially for adults, which limits practicality. The driver’s position is decently adjustable, but the manual transmission lacks paddle shifters or electronic aids like hill-start assist, making it less convenient in stop-and-go traffic. Storage space includes a small glovebox and a center console bin, but the lack of built-in cupholders or USB ports suggests this vehicle predates modern connectivity expectations. The seats themselves are cloth-upholstered, which can wear with age and high mileage—especially on long commutes where heat buildup might accelerate fabric degradation.

Vehicle exterior

The 2009 Dodge Caliber’s exterior showcases a bold, aerodynamic hatchback design that was relatively distinctive in its class. With its gold paint finish and liftback body style, it presents as a compact vehicle with a sporty flair—though the exact shade of gold may vary depending on lighting conditions or fading over time. The front end appears to have sustained damage, according to the record, which is described as "Front END" under the primary damage field. This indicates that the vehicle likely had some structural or cosmetic impact in the front bumper area, potentially affecting alignment or safety systems.

The body lines are smooth and cohesive, contributing to a modern silhouette despite the model’s age. The 1800cc engine displacement is evident from the exterior dimensions—compact yet functional for urban driving. The paint finish appears intact overall, though any scratches or dents might be hidden beneath the gold coating due to its reflective nature. While no secondary damage types are listed beyond front-end impact, this suggests that the vehicle may have been involved in a minor collision without extensive frame deformation.

The rear of the Caliber features integrated taillights and a clean trunk design, which aids practicality despite limited cargo space. The liftback style enhances visibility when reversing or loading items. However, with 263,765 km on the odometer—a figure that exceeds 160,000 miles by a wide margin—the exterior may show signs of long-term exposure to elements such as sun fading, road salt corrosion (especially if operated in snowy regions), and general wear from frequent use.

Technical specifications

The 2009 Dodge Caliber is powered by a 1.8-liter inline four-cylinder engine producing approximately 160 horsepower and 135 lb-ft of torque—performance figures typical for compact front-wheel-drive vehicles of its generation. It comes equipped with a manual transmission, which provides greater driver control and potentially better fuel economy compared to automatic variants. The drivetrain is identified as FWD (front-wheel drive), though the NHTSA data lists it as "unknown," possibly due to inconsistent reporting or prior modifications.

The vehicle’s gross vehicle weight rating falls within Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less), indicating a lightweight construction suitable for city and highway driving. The engine displacement of 1.8 liters is standard across multiple trim levels, including the SE model seen here. Fuel type is gasoline, with no hybrid or alternative fuel options available in this configuration.

Additional technical details include a four-cylinder engine layout and a transmission type classified as manual—features that support the vehicle's sporty character and efficiency goals. The color is listed as gold, which aligns with the exterior description and may reflect either a factory option or a later repaint.

Known problems for this model

The 2009 Dodge Caliber has several known issues that are common across its generation:

  • **Front-end structural damage** – As noted in the auction records, this vehicle sustained primary damage to the front end. Such damage often indicates prior collision history and may involve compromised frame integrity or alignment issues.
  • **Transmission wear** – With high mileage (263,765 km), manual transmissions can suffer from clutch degradation or gear shift stiffness over time, especially if driven aggressively or not properly maintained.
  • **Airbag system concerns** – While airbag status is not explicitly reported in the data, vehicles with collision history may have deployed airbags or had their systems reset—potentially affecting safety ratings and future reliability.
  • **Rear suspension issues** – Some Caliber models experience premature wear on rear shock absorbers or bushings due to harsh road conditions.
  • **Electrical glitches** – Common reports include intermittent power window failures, radio malfunctions, or dashboard warning lights triggered by aging wiring harnesses.
  • **Cooling system leaks** – The 1.8L engine is known for head gasket failure and coolant leakage under high-load operation.

These problems are not unique to this specific VIN but reflect broader trends seen in the Dodge Caliber lineup during its production years.

History records explanation (from the API)

The full history of this 2009 Dodge Caliber (VIN: 1B3HB28C69D161273) reveals a complex and well-documented auction journey. The most recent record dates to March 11, 2026, which appears to be a placeholder or error in the data source—likely reflecting when this record was added rather than an actual future event. The vehicle was listed for sale at IAAI (International Auto Auctions) with a current odometer reading of 263,765 km (163,897 miles), indicating it has been in service for over 160,000 miles.

Damage information is limited to "Front END" under primary damage, which suggests the car had a frontal collision—possibly involving another vehicle or obstacle. No secondary damage types are mentioned, nor any airbag deployment status, though this could be due to incomplete reporting. The condition rating at time of listing was rated as “4,” likely indicating a moderate level of wear and tear consistent with high-mileage vehicles.

The auction took place in Puyallup, Washington, specifically offsite from Seattle, suggesting the vehicle may have been moved for sale or storage purposes. It was offered through IAAI’s online platform, which typically allows buyers to inspect vehicles via photos and videos before bidding. The fact that it appears on multiple sources—including database records with detailed metadata—indicates a transparent history check process.

Notably, while this record shows the vehicle as being in "Run & Drive" condition (implying functional operation at time of sale), the damage history raises concerns about long-term reliability and potential repair costs. Buyers should carefully consider whether to proceed based on their tolerance for risk associated with previously damaged vehicles.