Dodge Caliber Complaints (2008)

377 consumer complaints on file.

#10513005May 21, 2013
SEATS, STRUCTURE
IT IS RAINING IN MY VEHICLE. RAIN IS POURING IN THROUGH THE SUNROOF AND ENTERING MY CAR THROUGH THE DOME LIGHT, PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE SUPPORT PILLARS, AND ONTO THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE FLOOR AND SEATS THROUGH A FAULTY DRAINAGE SYSTEM. THERE IS ALREADY A SERVICE BULLETIN OUT FOR THE 2007 MODEL FOR THIS ISSUE. I WENT TO DODGE TODAY AND THEY WILL NOT FIX MY CAR PER THEIR SERVICE BULLETIN: 23-043-06 SUBJECT: WATER LEAK FROM HEADLINER, BECAUSE IT IS OUT FOR THE 2007 MODEL. THEY SAID THE EXTENDED WARRANTY I BOUGHT THROUGH CHRYSLER WILL NOT COVER THE PARTS OR LABOR AND THEY WILL NOT APPLY THE SERVICE BULLETIN TO MY VEHICLE BECAUSE I OWN A 2008 VEHICLE. THE ISSUE, NOT TAKEN CARE OF LEADS TO ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, AS REPORTED BY OTHER OWNERS ON VARIOUS BLOGS THAT PERTAIN TO THIS SAME PROBLEM. THIS COMPANY HAS IRRESPONSIBLY PRODUCED A 2008 MODEL WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE 2007 MODEL, HOWEVER, THEY WILL NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. IN ADDITION, THE PARTICULAR DEALERSHIP I WENT TO AT 9600 ATLANTIC BLVD, JACKSONVILLE, FL, WANTED ME TO PAY AT $105 DIAGNOSTIC FEE IN ADDITION TO THE WARRANTY DEDUCTIBLE OF $100 IF THE WARRANTY WAS TO COVER THE PROBLEM THAT DODGE CREATED IN THEIR COUNTERPRODUCTIVE MANUFACTURING METHODS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10510522May 3, 2013
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TAILLIGHT BECAME FILLED WITH WATER, CAUSING THE TAILLIGHT TO FAIL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC, WHO REMOVED THE LIGHT BUT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE.. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 77,000. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10505282April 1, 2013
STEERING, POWER TRAIN
I WAS MAKING A TURN AND THE PASSENGER SIDE TIE ROD BROKE. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE A TIE ROD. THANK GOD MY KIDS WERE NOT IN THE CAR OR I WASN'T ON THE HIGHWAY. WHEN IS SOME GONNA DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. PEOPLE HAVE HAD MORE THAN ONE BAD EXPERIENCE WITH THIS. DODGE NEEDS TO STEP UP AND FIX THESE CARS!! THIS WILL B THE LAST DODGE I EVER BUY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10503644March 19, 2013
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP AND ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,056. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10500747February 28, 2013
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONTAL AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY WHEN THE DRIVER CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE DRIVER SUFFERED INJURIES TO THE KNEE AND ARMS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER BUT WAS NOT INSPECTED FOR THE AIR BAG FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 63,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10497728February 11, 2013
ENGINE
I HAD JUST LEFT FOR WORK AND AFTER DRIVING FOR TWO MINUTES, THE ENGINE, COOLANT AND NAVIGATIONAL LIGHTS TURNED ON, AND WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO DRIVE OVER 15 MPH. I RETURNED HOME, CHECKED, AND TOP OFF THE COOLANT LEVEL, WHICH WAS NOT VERY LOW AT ALL. RESET THE PANEL AND ONCE I STARTED TO PULL OUT OF THE PARKING SPACE, THE SAME LIGHTS TURNED ON. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST INCIDENT I HAVE HAD WITH THIS CAR. PLEASE REFER TO THE OTHER INCIDENTS I HAVE SUBMITTED, AFFECTING OTHER PARTS OF THIS CAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10497734February 11, 2013
SUSPENSION, WHEELS
I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK AND DROVE APPROXIMATELY 5 MINUTES. AS I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN TO APPROACH THE ENTRANCE OF THE EXRESSWAY, THE CAR STARTING SWERVING AND SCREECHING AND DURING MY MANUVERING AND ENGAGING OF THE BRAKES, IT CAME TO A HOLT. THE LEFT DRIVER'S SIDE AXLE HAD SNAPPED AND THE TIRE WAS SIDE-WAYS. I HAD TO GET THE CAR TOWED TO MY MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT IN ALL HIS YEARS IN HIS PROFESSION HE HAS NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THAT. THE AXLE WHICH IS MADE OF STEEL WAS BROKEN IN HALF. THANK GOD I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY MANUVER IT WITHOUT CRASHING INTO SOMETHING, IT WAS QUITE A SCARY EXPERIENCE. IF I WOULD HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS OCCURRENCE ON THE HIGHWAY, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A FATAL ACCIDENT. THIS IS NOT THE ONLY INCIDENT I HAVE HAD WITH THIS CAR, PLEASE REFER TO MY OTHER SUBMISSIONS FOR THIS CAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10497739February 11, 2013
STEERING, WHEELS
I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY ON MY WAY TO WORK, AND I WENT TO CHANGE FROM THE LEFT TO THE MIDDLE LANE AND THE CAR KEPT ON GOING PASS THE MIDDLE LANE AND TOWARD THE WALL IN THE RIGHT LANE. THANK GOD THE LANES HAD ENOUGH CLEARLY BETWEEN AND I WAS ABLE TO GAIN CONTROL AND STRAIGTENED OUT THE WHEELS WITHOUT CRASHING INTO OTHER CARS AND BEFORE I HIT THE WALL. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHAINIC AND HE CHANGED THE TIRE ROD ON THE DRIVER LEFT SIDE WHEEL. THIS SAME TIRE ROD WAS CHANGED APPROXIMATELY SIX MONTHS PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. ANOTHER SCARY EXPERIENCE I HAVE ENDURED WITH THIS CAR, WHICH COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL FOR MYSELF AS WELL AS OTHERS. I HAVE HAD FOUR INCIDENTS WITH THIS CAR ALREADY, I AM VERY SCARED TO DRIVE IT. I BROUGHT THIS CAR IN AUGUST OF 2009, I AM STILL MAKING PAYMENTS ON IT, AND STILL HAVE TO TAKE OUT OF POCKET EXPENSE FOR ITS' FAULTY WORKMANSHIP. TODAY IS FEBRUARY 11, 2013 AND I AM READY TO GET RID OF IT...AFTER THIS I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER DODGE MADE CAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10492362January 12, 2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
WHILE DRIVING A 2008 DODGE CALIBER SE IN A STREET BETWEEN 40MPH AND 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUTDOWN ITSELF. FIVE SECOND LATER AND AFTER PULLING OVER AS CLOSE AS I COULD TO THE CURVE OF THE ROAD, THE CAR DIED. I TRIED TO RESTART THE ENGINE TO MOVE IT OUT OF THE WAY OF THE TRAFFIC, BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT START. SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT UNDER THE HOOD, AND AFTER FURTHER EXAMINATION, I SAW SPARKS AND SMOKE COMING OUT OFF THE FUSES' BOX. I DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY AND WAITED FOR THE SMOKE TO CLEAR UP. USING A FLASH LIGHT, I FOUND OUT THAT ONE OF THE CIRCUIT CARD IN THE TOTALLY INTEGRATED POWER MODULE (TIPM) SHORTED AND MELTED PART OF THE PLASTIC COVER. THE VEHICLE COULDN'T BE PUT IN NEUTRAL, AND THE BREAK PEDAL AND STEERING WHEEL WERE INOPERATIVE. IF THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED IN A HIGH WAY, I AM SURE THAT THE INCOMING TRAFFIC COULD HAVE HIT MY CAR WITH SPEED OVER 65MPH DUE TO SUDDENLY DECELERATION AND LACK OF VEHICLE'S RESPONSE TO THE DRIVER'S COMMANDS. MY WIFE, THREE YEARS OLD DAUGHTER AND I COULD HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN A FATAL CRASH. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10485042November 18, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, SERVICE BRAKES
I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK, HEADLIGHTS AND DASH LIGHTS STARTED TO FLICKER, ALL THE INDICATOR LIGHT ON THE DASH CAME ON. SMOKE STARTED COMING IN THE VENTS INTO THE VEHICLE WENT TO STOP, BRAKES GRABBED FOR A SECOND THEN WENT OUT COMPLETELY, EVEN SHIFTING THE VEHICLE TO PARK DID NOTHING. STOPPED THE VEHICLE BY HITTING GUARD RAIL CALLED POLICE, WITHIN MINUTES THE ENTIRE FRONT END WAS IN FLAMES. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10484914November 16, 2012
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
MY 17 YR OLD DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING OUR 2008 DODGE CALIBER WHEN ACCELERATION WAS LOST. THE CAR STARTED SHAKING WHEN SHE TRIED TO GIVE IT FUEL AND THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE SYSTEM LIKE CAME ON. NEEDLESS TO SAY, SHE WAS VERY SHAKEN BY THIS ORDEAL. WE HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT WE PURCHASED THROUGH CARMAX, WITH A 300.00 DEDUCTIBLE, HOWEVER THE WARRANTY COMPANY WOULD ONLY PAY 144.00 DOLLARS OF THE 647.00 TOTAL BILL. THE CAR HAS APPROX 70,000 MILES SO I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THE THROTTLE SYSTEM WOULD BE DEFECTIVE. ACCORDING TO THE REPAIR SHOP, THE NEEDLE INSIDE THE THROTTLE THAT FEEDS THE FUEL WAS DEFECTIVE. LUCKILY MY DAUGHTER WAS NOT ON THE MAIN HIGHWAY WHEN IT WENT OUT, OTHERWISE IT COULD HAVE BEEN MORE SERIOUS. I AM VOICING MY COMPLAINT ON THIS PART AND ALL BE WARE OF THE THROTTLE NEEDLE GOING BAD. I WILL ALSO MAKE THIS A FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH DODGE AS WELL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10483553November 6, 2012
SUSPENSION
FRONT TIRES PREMATURELY WORN OUT DUE TO BOTH LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND BOTH LOWER BALL JOINTS FAILING COMPLETELY. CAR HAS 38K MILES AND IS GARAGE KEPT. HAD TO BUY 4 NEW TIRES AT A COST OF $650.00 AND NOW BOTH CONTROL ARMS AND BALL JOINTS AT A COST OF $580.00. VEHICLE IS NOT ROAD WORTHY. THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN WITH THESE LOW MILES. THE MECHANIC SAID THE FRONT WHEELS WERE VERY CLOSE TO FALLING OFF OF THE CAR. CAN YOU HELP? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10482573October 29, 2012
POWER TRAIN
AS YOU START TO DRIVE THE TRANSMISSION BEGINS TO MAKE A LOUD WHINNING NOISE AS YOU SPEED UP IT GOT HIGHER PITCHED. TOOK TO DEALER 10/12/12 AFTER PAYING $112 FOR THEM TO TELL ME THE TRANSMISSION WAS BAD AND NEEDED REPLACED. THE COST OF THAT WAS GOING TO BE $3700 AND THERE WAS NO ASSISTANTS BY DEALERSHIP. INFORMED ME THAT IT IS A PROBLEM WITH CVT TRANS BECAUSE IT IS UNSERVICABLE. TOOK TO LOCAL TRANS SHOP PAID $3200 FOR A REMANUFACTURED, WAS SUGGESTED THAT WE GET RID OF CAR BECAUSE THEY FEEL IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN. WORST WARR. EVER AN TRANS OF 18MONTH 18,000 MILE. CALLED DODGE DIRECTLY AND THE DECLINED TO HELP IN ANYWAY TOLD ME THAT THERE IS NO PROBLEM LISTED WITH THESE CARS OR TRANS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10479465October 9, 2012
WHEELS, TIRES
I WAS IN GEORGETOWN ONTARIO ON THE WEEKEND AND GOT IN MY CAR TO DRIVE BACK TO WINDSOR ON MONDAY OCT 8TH. THE TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON BUT WE HAD FROST OVERNIGHT AND KNEW THIS WAS A NORMAL CHANGE IN TIRE PRESSURES. I STOPPED AT THE GAS STATION AND PUT AIR IN TIRES AND MADE SURE THEY WERE ALL THE SAME PRESSURE. THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT IMMEDIATELY WENT OUT. WE DROVE FOR ABOUT AN HOUR AND THE TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT WENT ON AGAIN. I STOPPED AT THE NEXT SERVICE CENTER ON THE 401 AND CHECKED THE TIRES. I COULD SEE THE RIGHT FRONT VALVE STEM WAS CRACKED. WHEN I TURNED IT, THE AIR STARTED TO QUICKLY EXIT THE TIRE. I HAD MY WIFE PUT HER THUMB ON IT WHILE I GOT THE JACK OUT AND INSTALLED THE SPARE TIRE. I HAD TO HAVE THE TPM SENSOR AND VALVE STEM REPLACED @ $150. READING ON THE INTERNET, THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME ITS DUE TO CORROSION AND HAS HAD TO REPLACE SOME. HE SAID CHRYSLER HAS NOT COME UP WITH A SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM ON MY MODEL VEHICLE. THIS CAR ONLY HAS 38,000 KM AND IS JUST OVER THREE YEARS OLD! THE VALVE STEM SHOULD NOT BE CRACKING! THIS IS A BIG SAFETY HAZARD, IF THAT STEM HAD LET LOOSE WHEN I WAS PASSING SOMEONE ON THE 401 IN THE LEFT LANE, I COULD HAVE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I AM NOW WORRIED ABOUT THE OTHER THREE VALVE STEMS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10476672September 21, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
2008 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH THE BATTERY CHARGING LIGHT CAME ON. NEXT DAY TOOK CAR TO AUTO STORE TO HAVE BATTERY TESTED AND THEY REPLACED THE BATTERY. NEXT MORNING AT 2:00 AM WHILE DRIVING MY HUSBAND TO WORK, ALL LIGHTS ON PANEL STARTED COMING ON ONE AT A TIME AND CAR LOST POWER AND WE COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY. THE CAR IS AT THE SHOP TODAY AND MECHANICS ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT HAPPENED. THEY NOTED THE BATTERY WAS BAD, BUT I JUST HAD A NEW BATTERY PUT IN AND THEY STATED THE STARTED WAS NOT BAD. WHAT IS WRONG SO I CAN GET IT FIXED. ALSO CHANGE OIL LIGHT ALWAYS COMES ON EVEN WHEN I HAVE JUST HAD THE OIL CHANGED; WHICH I DO EVERY 3,000 MILES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE ON VEHICLE IS 57,000 MILES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10470774August 15, 2012
VISIBILITY/WIPER
WHILE DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE AT 60 MILES PER HOUR AT NIGHT IN A HEAVY RAIN, MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING. I COULD NOT SEE BUT I LUCKILY STOPPED ON THE SHOULDER. AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES THE WIPERS STARTED UP. I TRAVELED 20-30 MINUTES AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN. AFTER PULLING OVER AND WAITING SEVERAL MINUTES, THEY RESTARTED. I DROVE OFF AND SOON IT HAPPENED FOR A THIRD TIME. AFTER WAITING SEVERAL MINUTES, THE RAIN STOPPED AND I TRAVELED HOME. THIS FAILURE IS VERY SIMILAR TO THE CAUSE LISTED IN THE 2008 JEEP LIBERTY RECALL DUE TO A DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR. I AM BEING CHARGED $343 BY A DEALER TO REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10469458August 7, 2012
POWER TRAIN, ENGINE
DRIVING THE CAR DOWN THE ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON. THE CAR LOST ENGINE POWER WILL RUNNING VERY ROUGH. CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND BECAME HARD TO HANDLE. WAS EVENTUALLY ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I WAS ON A CITY STREET. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON A VERY BUSY STREET OR THE HIGHWAY I COULD HAVE BEEN STUCK RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC WITH NO OR VERY LITTLE POWER TO GET IT OUT OF THE ROAD. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AT HIGHER SPEEDS OR MORE TRAFFIC. THERE WAS NO WARNING OTHER THEN THE LIGHT THAT CAME ON WHEN IT HAPPENED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10469279August 6, 2012
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THROTTLE CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. WHEN THIS OCCURRED, THE VEHICLE WOULD EITHER DECELERATE OR STALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NEED TO REST FOR A FEW MOMENTS BEFORE IT WOULD FUNCTION AS NORMAL AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE THROTTLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10469205August 4, 2012
ENGINE
THE CAR HAS JUST SHUT DOWN 3 DIFFERENT TIMES NOW (WHILE DRIVING) AND HAS LEFT US STRANDED IN THE ARIZONA DESERT EACH TIME. WE WILL BE DRIVING AND SUDDENLY NO MATTER HOW HARD I PRESS THE GAS PEDAL THE CAR COMES TO A STOP AND WILL NOT TURN BACK ON UNTIL ABOUT 10 MINUTES LATER. I TOOK IT TO BRAKES PLUS AFTER IT HAPPENED THE FIRST TIME AND THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. IT THEN HAPPENED AGAIN A FEW MONTHS AGO, AND NOW AGAIN TODAY. I AM SCARED TO PUT MY FAMILY IN THE FAMILY CAR. SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS. I'M GOING TO CALL DODGE AND GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS. I CAME ON HERE TO SEE IF ANYONE HAS HAD THE SAME ISSUE. APPARENTLY THEY DO. I WILL NEVER BUY A DODGE AGAIN UNLESS THEY COME UP WITH AN ANSWER TO THIS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10467789July 26, 2012
SUSPENSION, STEERING
AT 41000 MILES, OUR 4 YEAR OLD VEHICLE, SHOULD NOT HAVE NEEDED NEW BALL JOINTS. RESEARCH TELLS ME DODGE HAS BEEN VERY AWARE OF A PROBLEM FOR YEARS, BUT HAVE NOT DONE ANY TYPE OF A RECALL. ALL I CAN SAY IS THANK GOD WE FOUND THE PROBLEM BEFORE WE WENT TO THE MOUNTAINS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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