Dodge Caliber Complaints

1,939 consumer complaints on file.

#11447209January 12, 2022
STEERING, SUSPENSION, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I was informed at inspection that the main front cross member has a huge hole in the center of it and is rusting out badly. At 162,356 miles this car will not pass safety inspection. This car is not safe for me or my family. No warning lamps or messages. I was told that one bad bump could do us in. We were told to contact the dealership and found out about the extended warranty that had already passed during the previous owners time. This should have been a recall, but what else can you expect from dodge.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11444028December 16, 2021
AIR BAGS, SEATS, STEERING
Air bags didn't not deploy during a single car accident which ended in a head on crash into side of mountain then rolled over onto the roof. Speed about 30-35 mph. When tow truck turned car back over the driver's seat wasn't connected. Also prior to this accident problems with alignment, esp rear.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11444082December 16, 2021
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Driver's side headlight stopped working and the bulb is still good. Called the dealership and apparently this is a common problem they know that they r trying to charge 1200 dollors to fix. They should have to fix the headlights because it's the manufacturers fault that they don't work correctly. Can't drive this car anymore cause you can't see to drive at night. Because the headlights don't work and it's not because of the bulbs. It's the manufacturers installation that was done wrong..
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11443924December 15, 2021
SUSPENSION, WHEELS
The contact owns a 2007 Dodge Caliber. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the rear passenger side. The contact looked in the rearview mirror and saw sparks coming from the rear passenger side. The contact pulled over, and upon inspection, the contact noticed that the rear passenger's side tire was inward and the cross member was corroded. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact related the failure to TSB Number: 23-012-14 Front And Rear Crossmember Corrosion (X58 10 Years Unlimited Mileage). The failure mileage was unavailable.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11442663December 4, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Unknown i took my car to repair shop for oil change when car was on rack they noticed the front crossmember (X69 warranty extension) was rusted with a good sized hole he said it is ready to break and would loose steering control and can wrect k they printed off a technical service bulletin from dodge i called dodge they said it wasnt a recall so they wont pay for repair a dodge dealer gave me a quote of $1400,00 and $ 1500.00 dollars to replace it i dont under stand why they didnt do a recall is there anything nhtsa can do about this problem dodge know about it to do a serice bulletin my vehicle is registered with dodge and nhtsa to receive recalls and things i got nothing about any recalls the repair shop told me about 2 recalls and i had them fixed
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11440918November 18, 2021
SUSPENSION, STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Caliber. The contact stated that upon taking her vehicle to an independent mechanic for a state inspection, she was informed that the rear subframe was severely corroded. The contact was informed that the corrosion had caused a significant hole to form on the rear subframe which could cause a severe failure while driving. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that she would receive a callback. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was 64,049.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11439734November 8, 2021
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
UNKNOWN Passenger side headlight will not come on Not a bad bulb
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11439515November 5, 2021
SUSPENSION
The contact owns a 2007 Dodge Caliber. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, the contact stated that the front suspension detached from the vehicle. The contact called the police as he waited for a tow truck to assist because the vehicle was stopped in the middle of traffic. Once the tow truck arrived, the vehicle was towed to the contact's home. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was 160,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11439322November 4, 2021
SUSPENSION
The issue involves front and rear subframes and trailing arms. Bought a used 2007 Dodge caliber with 127,000 mi on it. Upon further inspection found the front and the rear subframes to be rusted beyond safe operation. After inspecting those found out rear trailing arms are in the exact same condition unsafe for the road. Replaced the front suspension at my cost. Doing the same for the rear. If not done the car is unsafe. High costs involved. No recall was initiated by Chrysler at the time and still has not been done. This is an issue that looks like it has plagued many owners in the United States. if the parts break accidents and injuries can and will occur. Stellantis is ignoring my requests for a reply from the company to address the issues that I am addressing here today.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11438320October 27, 2021
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
The contact owns a 2007 Dodge Caliber. The contact stated while driving 65-70 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road and was able the restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic who diagnosed that the transmission control module had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 163,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11437434October 20, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Front and rear Subframes, crossbars are rusted and rotted. This car is available upon request. This is a safety hazard that can result in death. The subframes holds the engine and tires. If the engine falls out of the car while driving it could be fatal. The problem has been confirmed by an independent service center Car X. Their were no warning lamps.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11437104October 18, 2021
ENGINE, STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
On multiple occasions vehicle completely shuts down and locks up when slowing down and turning. Almost rear-ended and then t-boned in middle of intersection. Takes several minutes to restart and unlock steering wheel then drives fine.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11435649October 6, 2021
SUSPENSION
The front sub frame rusted out and almost killed everyone in the car the wheels turned out and lost all steering was really scary is there any way we can get this fixed by dodge this should be a recall I’ve looked at 6 calibers and all of them are rusted out
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11434129September 23, 2021
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Caliber. The contact stated while taking the vehicle into a local state inspection, he was notified that the vehicle did not pass inspection due to the K-frame of the undercarriage was fractured due to corrosion and rust. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 159,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11432907September 14, 2021
SUSPENSION
I was driving my 2011 Dodge Caliber and heard cracking sounds, I was able to pull into a parking lot. My father came over and looked under the car, the subframe is totally rusted out and my tires could have fallen off at anytime. Thank goodness we were not on the highway. The car has only 86,000 miles on it and will take more money than I can afford to fix it. This really needs to be taken care of before someone gets badly hurt or worse! I have seen other complaints about the same issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11432473September 10, 2021
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Caliber. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the steering wheel started vibrating. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the failure was caused by a corroded K-frame on the vehicle. The dealer was not made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist as the vehicle was not included in the 10-year extended warranty due to the manufacture on date. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11430122August 23, 2021
SUSPENSION
The subframe is completely rusted on the front and rear of the car. This is a known issue with the car as dodge extended the warranty for the sub-frame by ten years. My issue manifested itself after those ten years but it is an issue that should be addressed with a recall.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11430192August 23, 2021
SUSPENSION
Crossmember frame rusted out front and rear could cause a mayor accident if the frame broke down it’s a safety issues concern about this situation .
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11427425August 2, 2021
SUSPENSION:SUBFRAME/MOUNTING BRACKET, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Caliber. The contact stated while coming to a stop, there was a loud banging sound heard. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the front passenger’s side wheel had detached due to a fractured lower control arm. The contact indicated that the failure was caused by severe rusting and corrosion of the subframe. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 109,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11426359July 25, 2021
STRUCTURE:BODY
Lately I have noticed a wobble when I drive on the highway. Saturday, 07/24/2021, I took my 2012 Dodge Caliber with only 74,753 miles on it to the mechanics for an alignment, rotation and weight balance on the car. This is not my first time at the mechanics and they had seen the car in the Summer of 2020 and for inspection November of 2020. The mechanics then took me in to see the car after it was up on the lift which is never a good thing. There is a gaping rusted hole in the frame, I did not think to take a picture but I should have. I have been searching online and found a site listing over 70 reports of rusted frames on Dodge Caliber and all reports state this is not covered under warranty or the warranty expired. https://www.carproblemzoo.com/dodge/caliber/frame-rust-problems2.php based on the amount of issues, some even reporting wrecking with a complete loss, this should be a Safety Recall. As it is the mechanic has given me a starting estimate of $1800 but based on other people's reports they were charged $2k-3k for repairs. I will be contacting Chrysler/Dodge on Monday as I do not relish the thought of this level of repair financially for something that should be built to last 100+k miles!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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