CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2007 Dodge Caliber has all kinds of suspension problems at relatively low mileage: typically 40-50,000 miles.
The most commonly reported problems are with ball joints & control arms going bad. Tie rods & leaking struts are also reported failing in the same mileage range.
Unfortunately all the suspension problems means some owners only find out after they notice their tires are ruined.
We've given the 2007 Caliber our worst rating because these problems happen at such low mileage, & it involves a wide range of apparently defective parts. With most other cars, major suspension work is pretty rare under 50,000 miles.
10.0
really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
96,719 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
While driving my son heard an abnormal noise (squeaking and clunking) was coming from under the car by the driver side wheel. Upon investigating when we grabbed the stabilizer arm on the right side it had significant movement. We grabbed the left side for comparison and it did not move. We followed the stabilizer bar and found that the point where the bushing attaches to the subframe had cracked off. While looking at the subframe closer it has significant corrosion/rust (a lot more than a vehicle with 120K miles should have). We contacted Chrysler and they were willing to "warranty" (even though it is outside the warranty period) the front and back subframe however they would not cover any parts that attached to the subframe. We were told that if any bolts/parts that broke were our responsibility which could cost up to $2000 which is half the value of the car. So with Chrysler covering the subframe pieces and labor (estimated $1000) technically the vehicle is totaled (combined total repair costs $3000 on a car worth $4000)....and now an 18 year old kid no longer has a car. The rest of the car is in great shape and should have easily gone another 80K miles at a minimum. Such a shame to scrap/part out a vehicle at 120K miles for a manufacturing/quality deficiency.
The contact owns a 2007 Dodge Caliber. While the contact was changing the oil, he noticed that the front subframe was rusted. The contact called griffin's hub Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram (located at 5700 S 27th St, milwaukee, wi 53221, (414) 325-3333), but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 157,000.
My 2007 Dodge Caliber's subframe is severely rusted and there's less then 80,000 miles on the car. A car that new should not rust so bad in such a short amount of time. The warranty on the car should be a recall because the subframe is so rusted that it's dangerous and too unsafe to drive anywhere. In addition to the car being a safety hazard, the subframe is very expensive to fix thanks to the amount of time it takes to remove the subframe. With the subframe gone bad, the rusted out subframe also damages attached parts of the car. The struts in the rear and front have gone bad due to the subframe's erosion.
The contact owns a 2007 Dodge Caliber. The contact stated that during routine maintenance, it was informed by the independent mechanic that the sub frame had corroded and it was unsafe to drive the vehicle. The engine warning light had illuminated. The vehicle was not repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 125,978.
The car is in motion. The cv axle pulled out because of the rusted sub frame. The car has 137,000 miles on it and the rest of the car is not rusty. This is a safety issue and my girlfriend could've been hurt. She has kids that could've been hurt if they were in the car. This should be a recall issue. Reimbursement or a portion of my $1300 would be greatly appreciated back.
Front subframe is rusted so badly the bolts are barely attached to the steering column, so car is unsafe to drive. Mileage: 126,000. Dodge customer service claims they extended the warranty through 2016 to fix this, but I did not receive notice as I had bought it used in 2014 from a non-Dodge dealership. Independent mechanic is quoting $1200 to repair, including $700 for the subframe itself from Chrysler. This appears to be a known issue from many other Dodge Caliber owners, so there should be a safety recall.
The contact owns a 2007 Dodge Caliber. While the vehicle was undergoing routine maintenance, the contact was informed that there was excessive rust on the rear subframe. The maintenance work could not be safely completed due to the rust. Jim shorkey Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Fiat (located at 13230 us-30, irwin, pa 15642, (412) 872-2400) was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 279,000.
The contact owns a 2007 Dodge Caliber. While the vehicle was being repaired per an unspecified failure by an independent mechanic, the contact was informed that the undercarriage was rusted and could not be repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 180,000. Consumer stated spoke with corporate about undercarriage ( about 4 months past extended warranty expiration) approved repair. Took it to the repair shop but the shop did not have any notes from corporate. On 12/18 driverside ball - joint rusted and snapped, had towed to dealership. Contacted corporate 4 times but no response. Consumer also has issues with both front door hinges rusted out, back doors are starting too, they're difficult to close at half way shut.
Vehicle front sub frame rusted through with holes and excessive rusted components in rear suspension components. Cause. Excessive corrosion due to normal exposure to environment and normal driving conditions. My vehicle was excluded from a recall. The vehicle was built with the same parts as the vehicles that got covered by the existing recall. And has identical corrosion failures as the vehicles included in the recall. I have already replaced engine oil pan that rusted and was leaking. Transmission oil pan replaced. Rusted and was leaking.
The contact owns a 2007 Dodge Caliber. While operating the vehicle, the front suspension and steering wheel suddenly shook and vibrated. In addition, the steering column made a popping noise. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the front section of the subframe experienced severe rust and corrosion. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and did not assist. The failure mileage was 98,000.
Front and rear cross members as per X58 and revision X59 rusted notice sent July 14th 2014 to have inspected for rust dealership inspected and found no rust reinspected August 23 2018 rust found dealership stated out of extended warranty X58 no goodwill assistance available cause of extended warranty expiration.
I started hearing a metal clanking noise in the front of my car. It progressed and got worse as I drove more. I brought it into a repair shop only to find out the subframe - both front and rear- is completely rusted and rotted out. They could put their finger through the frame it was so frail. It only has 120K miles on it. It is completely unsafe to drive so now I am out of work, etc until I replace it or fix it. The noise occurs whenever turning, hitting bumps, and occasionally while just driving straight. It does not occur while on a highway.
Car went in for repair and was advised that subframe has rotted out. It has barely 106,000 miles on it. This vehicle has a known problem of the frame rusting out bad. Mechanic is trying to fix it but it may not be worth it. Car may fall a part at any time. This car needs to be recalled at least the subframe, it is not safe and costs the owners way too much to repair with very few miles on it.
The contact owns a 2007 Dodge Caliber. While the vehicle was being inspected, severe corrosion on the frame was found. The dealer (central ave Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram, 1839 central park ave, yonkers, NY) confirmed the failure and informed the contact of a warranty extension on the frame that had expired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in any applicable recalls or warranties; therefore, no further assistance would be offered. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.
I was changing the oil of my wife 2007 Dodge Caliber when I looked over and saw that the lower control arm was completely almost completely cracked through the middle portion of it. A day prior my wife mentioned that the car was driving a little weird. This could have been extremely dangerous for my wife and other motorist if it failed on the public roads.
The contact owns a 2007 Dodge Caliber. When the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for an inspection, the technician diagnosed that the subframe under the engine was rusted completely. As a result, the vehicle was unsafe to drive. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that there was no recall. The failure was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 65,500.
In 2016 it was discovered my sub-frame was rusted thru. Discovered Dodge had a service bullentin not a recall service bulletin # 23-012-14, re: Body issue date: May 19, 2014. This bulletin is supplied as technical information only and is not an authorization for repair. Note: This only applies to vehicles in the Canadian market and in salt belt states which include Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, D.C., West Virginia and Wisconsin. Dodge only replaced front sub-frame, now rear sub-frames and all along rocker panels is completely rotted, enough that it won't pass Pennsylvania state inspection. I've owned vehicles in the past that were older than this Caliber & never had the rust & rot issue I do with this vehicle. It is just 10 yrs old!
I bought a used Dodge Caliber off of a friend in 2016. I recently started hearing a weird metal clanking in the front driver's side wheel area. I had been advised a year prior that I would be needing tire rods, struts, and ball joints in the near future. So I took it in the be repaired. After spending over $1000 to get it all repaired. I drove off and the noise was still there. Went back to the shop and after 35-40 minutes of rocking the vehicle we were able to recreate the noise and located the noise was coming from the area of the control arm and sub-frame. After further inspection we found the the sub-frame to be rusted through which was causing the metal to pop and crack as it was flexing. I contacted the local Dodge service center and they advised there were no recalls in reference to the sub-frame. After checking on line I found that there had in fact been a extended warranty for the sub-frame for my year make and model, but it had expired in 2016. I called Chrysler and they were aware of the issue, but would not honor the original "warranty" that they had placed on the same part. Subsequently I also found that they had the same "warranty" issued for the same part for the same make and models from 2008-20012. After research through the internet I found hundreds of vehicle owners like me that have had the same issue with the same results. I was not the original owner and would have not received any notification from Chrysler about the issue with the part.
The vehicle became hard to control. Took it to get looked at to see why. It was found to have a rusted out engine cradle. The mechanic said that the sway bar mount was rusted and gone. The cradle should not have rusted and should have a recall on it. If not to call the manufacturer and see why and if they would replace it. It has also happen to other models of Dodge cars and Jeep that use this same part. It is unsafe and may cause an accident. The dealer said they extended the warranty but unfortunately it had expired for our car. They have sent me no notification that it had this warranty or we would have had it fixed before we found out on our own. This warranty should not expire as they had used faulty material and know all about it.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Higganum, CT, USA