Dodge Caliber Complaints

1,939 consumer complaints on file.

#11460835April 15, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, STRUCTURE:BODY
Subframe rusted front and rear Was driving tire axel/rod broke entire underneath rusted rotted
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11460742April 14, 2022
SUSPENSION, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Hearing noise on drivers side. Took to garage for inspection and H Frame, sub frame, is rusting out and needs to be replaced. Motor and A Arms mount to this frame. Find out this is a common problem and no recall or help from Chrysler. This is a huge safety issue! Only have 68,000 on vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11460204April 8, 2022
SUSPENSION
The contact owns a 2007 Dodge Caliber. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the front end of the vehicle emitted abnormal sounds and the vehicle was vibrating. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the front passenger's side and the front driver's side tires were wiggly and the front lower ball joints had failed. Additionally, the independent mechanic diagnosed that the front subframe was severely rusted and had a hole. The vehicle was then taken to another independent mechanic who diagnosed that the rear subframe was severely rusted as well. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 133,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11459461April 3, 2022
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
I had brought my 2003 Stratus and 2007 Caliber in to the dealership for their 3000 mile oil change and check-up. When the Stratus was done, I switched it out with the Caliber. The receptionist came into the waiting room to inform me that my vehicle was dangerous to drive. The engine cradle had rotted out. The manager had asked her to tell me: "If you hit a big bump, your engine could fall out." She showed me a picture of the area in question. I asked what I was supposed to be looking for and was shown where the cradle was supposed to be. A post-it note was on the picture saying that the manager "will do some pricing". The invoice states: "We question the structural integrity of it being able to hold up much longer." When I did not hear anything for a few weeks, I called in and was told that it had not been done but the manager would get right on it. I had asked the manager how this could have been missed during all the years I had been bringing it in for any kind of maintenance and was told: "It probably looks worse that what it should because I poked it with a screwdriver a few times to see how bad it was." Invoice total: $1884.20. I have since spoken with a general manager for Magna Corporation who produced the cradle for the Caliber. They were aware of the design flaw of the cradle that did not allow for drainage of water/road chemicals from the cradle. A lawsuit was filed by Magna against Dodge which Magna won. The particulars of the lawsuit were not made known to me other than Magna charges $42 for the cradle, but I was billed $859. I have found numerous customer complaints online over the corrosion of the cradle in other Dodge model years as well. The 2007 Caliber seems to have more overall customer complaints that all othe model years combined.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11458149March 24, 2022
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:THROTTLEBODY/MANIFOLD
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Caliber. The contact stated while driving at 15 MPH, the stability and throttle body malfunction indicators warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but did not provide any assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11458072March 23, 2022
STRUCTURE:BODY, SUSPENSION, STEERING
I started having noise problems with my car and also had inspection due so I brought it into a mechanic and he was horrified to see that my front cross member was so rusted that my sway bar came out and he said lucky my wheels didn’t come off and that a car accident would be horrible as it is that rusted , and he also stayed the back cross member is the same . This is a huge safety concern specially where my car itself isn’t even rusted only the cross members. I hope you can help me and my family so we can be safe . Thank you Richard
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11457378March 19, 2022
SUSPENSION, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I took my car to my repair man he was trying to see why my tires had the steel treads showing and the car shaking. Once up on the lift he found the subframe was rusted out. He ordered a new frame which took all my savings. He was surprised I made it off the expressway without an accident.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11457010March 16, 2022
STRUCTURE
The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Caliber. The vehicle had previously had the front subframe replaced under an unknown TSB. The contact stated that upon inspection, her son informed her that the rear subframe was corroded. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with NHTSA. The failure mileage was 155,946.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11456269March 11, 2022
SERVICE BRAKES, ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
The engine stalls when I take off more times than none I'm stuck idling in traffic almost causing accident the frame that hold motor mounts are bad I've replaced motor mounts twice in a less than a year the car heats up after 70 miles an hour I have 5o pull over and let it cool off this happens 3 to 4 times a week with the engine stalling and overheating didn't find out til after I leased the car from AtoZ auto on gen McMullen and it's financed through car financial services I believe they knew the car was damaged I got scammed and have to pay 425 dollars a month on a car that can't be fixed I've spent a lot trying to fix the car
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11453724February 23, 2022
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
My throttle body keeps going in and out which cause me to have to get an alternator replaced twice plus a crankshaft twice. Now my car is smoking which is the valve cover gasket . Also my car lights went out one at a time so my driver side lights wnt work at all in the front and the passenger side front won't work just my signal on the passenger side. Also my dashboard won't work properly it keeps goin on and off as I turn on other lights in my car . When I signal left my car light on the roof comes on. I spent $12000 on this car from a dealership and have done nothing but put money into it more than I paid for it.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11451812February 14, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The frame has rusted out and everything attached to it has broken loose. I was driving the car when this happened. I was able to get it off the road but could have been killed if the tire had broke off
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11451624February 12, 2022
SUSPENSION
I went to mavis to get new tires for my car they showed me the frame car is not repairable and they showed me the back frame under neith the car and also showed me the rotted frame that's 2 places that's rotted I hope dodge dealer will replace the rotted frames some one can get killed because of the rotted frames and I think dodge should recall the cars and put new frames on their cars for free
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11451629February 12, 2022
SUSPENSION
I forgot to tell you that the control arms on both sides and lower ball joints on both sides went bad because of the rotted frame on the car where the A frame sits is loose because of the rotted frame I grew up at the beach area and we never had rotted frames on any of the cars that we had dodge should have told people about the rotted frames and they are responsible that's how I feel about it what's it going to take for them to be held accountable people don't need to die or get serious injured because they did nothing about the rotted frames they should have been able to recall the cars they sold and said something about the frames getting rotted
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11451185February 9, 2022
STEERING, SUSPENSION, LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING
Bought the car 04/21 had throttle issues the dealer replaced it kept noticing after that i was still having problems with car take it to tire shop entire buttom of car is rusted needs new sub frame sway bar lower arms was very dangerous deiving car want stay straight
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11450676February 6, 2022
POWER TRAIN
My PCM failed car stopped on the highway in traffic without warning. I could have die or caused a death. My car is available . I’ve owned that vehicle for going on three months the first issue that I’ve had. After Car felt the check engine light came on I took it to be for a diagnostics test which read the PCM was the issue. My car is a 2009 Dodge caliber just recently charged 81,000 miles I pay $6000 for a car I just don’t believe that [XXX] dealer didn’t know I am fearful of dry driving it but what choice do I have. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11449403January 29, 2022
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Passenger side headlight and driver's side tail light not working. Bulbs have been replaced and tested as to being good. Went on internet and found this to be a very common problem with Dodge and Chrysler vehicles, many times requiring replacement of the TPIM. Grounds have been checked as good. Dealer says repair requires replacement of the TIPM for $1,600.00!! Vehicle lighting are safety items covered by vehicle laws. These are safety issues and customers should not be held hostage for ransom for their poor design. Dodge and Chrysler should be replacing these TIPMs when they start failing without cost to customers.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11448726January 24, 2022
AIR BAGS
Car was involved in an accident that resulted in a total loss . Air bags did not deploy. Car is currently at a towing company and can be inspected. No warning lights were on.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11448659January 24, 2022
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
Car slowed down and electronic throttle control light and traction control light came on was dangerously slow to accelerate and would not maintain speed
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11447874January 18, 2022
SUSPENSION
Both front and rear subframes have been replaced due to excessive dangerous rust. Also rear trailing arms were replaced due to the same issue. Many other components were replaced as well due to bad bushings. Had to drive the vehicle on the highway to get it home and was lucky to make it. Vehicle did not move after that for almost 2 months until the parts could be replaced. Stalantis received a claim from me in regards to the issues however they were not willing to proceed any further with any actions. These claims need to be looked into because there are quite a few instances that are posted online with videos and or user blogs that are describing similar incidents with Dodge calibers. Someone is going to get hurt from this rust issue. Not everyone is mechanically inclined and it will only take one incident and someone will get hurt or maybe even kill not to mention other people that are on the road who are innocently driving and other vehicles. Chrysler new this wasn't issue and has failed to take care of it completely. I have spent quite a bit of money to replace these parts as to make my car safe for my child and myself and my girlfriend. There needs to be a final recall just like there was and still is on airbags. You have a dangerous problem that needs to be taken care of. Please Force stalantis to recall and or compensate all owners who have these vehicles. I have included three pictures of just the front subframe. I have kept the subframe in the front and the rear and the trailing arms. If pictures are needed please let me know.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11447342January 13, 2022
SUSPENSION
Total rust of the bottom of the car. Front sub frame has to be replaced and rust on the back of the car. 107473 miles.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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