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.
As I was attempting to merge onto the cross county pwy East a lighting bolt appeared on my cluster panel. The car began to misfire and I could not speed up cars swerved to avoid crashing into me. Pretty scary!
For three sudden engine failures: 1) approximately April 16, 2014 noticed some of the dashboard warning lights blinked a little. Stopped at a traffic light it turned green stepped on the gas, the car jumped and stalled in traffic. Was able to restart the car and go about a 100 yards into a side street. Was met by local police. Got tow truck and had it towed to the local Chrysler dealer. After the car was repaired drove out of the dealer but noticed that a dashboard warning light was on. 2) approximately May 2, 2014 the dashboard warning lights blinked again but the car kept running. Drove to my destination. When I returned to my car, turned on the ignition key it would not start again not even to crank the motor. Got tow truck and towed it back to the Chrysler dealer. After the car was repaired, the warning lights were double checked, then drove out of the dealer. 3) approximately May 20, 2014 was going down hill hit a small bump causing dashboard warning lights to go on the car stalled, rolled the rest of the way down hill and pushed it into my driveway. I tried myself to fix it. Pulled off the main fuze cover and pulled out some fuzes this brought back some power to restart the car. The fuzes were apparently to the air bags but gave enough power to make the engine run. Made an appointment with an electrical repair specialist. Drove it to there lot. Was asked detailed questions on how I got there. The car was repaired but with problems, the electrical system is not protected in the front of the car and was advised to get a splash guard. But went to the Chrysler dealer parts department. Found that it wouldn't do much good and none exist to completely protect it. The car runs fine now but hazardous. I believe I shouldn't be paying repair bills for this fault.
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Caliber. The contact stated that while driving at 25 mph, the engine stalled. The vehicle was able to restart. The failure recurred multiple times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000. Updated 3/12/15 the consumer stated while driving around 25 mph, when suddenly the vehicle started to vibrate uncontrollably, lost power and the electronic throttle control light illuminated. He shut the vehicle down and eventually re-started it. The consumer experienced the issued two more times. Updated 04/02/15
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Caliber. The contact stated that while having maintenance performed, the technician noticed that the engine cradle was corroded and holes had developed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 87,607.
I was stopped in traffic at a red light, train was coming so I was holding my brakes. It felt as if the car was jerking forward not with alot of power but enough for me to notice. I look at my dash and I noticed that a redlight that seem to be red lighting bolts was on. I immediately pull my car out of traffic. While trying to get the car out of the road I notice it was slowly accelerating my car didn't go pass 20mph. I parked the car and waited to see if I could just try to drive it home which was only 1.5 miles at the most away. I had no issues besides the car wouldn't go pass 20mph and when it stalled it seemed as if it would jerk forward, while driving the car home. Before that day I had no issues.
- Tupleo, MS, USA
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First time Dodge owner and never again...as I was driving at 45 mph first my battery light came on then 10 seconds later all the panel lights came in car lost all power but never shut down I pulled off 6 lane intersection to a safe location and turned car off and it would not start back I wait 2 hrs in 90degree heat 6 months pregnant for a tow truck I call Dodge dealer and they said 160 to look at it but sounds like fuse box or something like that. Said typical in these cars so I just had the car towed home because I can't afford to dish out all kinds of money. Just under a year ago I replaced the alternator and battery again not cheap.... nothing but problems with this car and as soon as I am able I am getting rid of it.
While driving my children to school, my car began shutting down on a major road putting mychildren and myself in danger. The throttle control light came on. After turning the car off and waiting a couple of minutes I was able to drive extremely slow to ge them to school safely. This sounds similar to the same problems currently happening with the Chevy cobalts. Is it going to take Chrysler/Dodge killing people before this gets recalled? I encourage everyone to contact their local news stations along with national news stations! car companies are only interested in making their money and not looking at the safety issues of the death traps they are selling to consumers. I will be endlessly pursuing this matter until Dodge steps up and pay for the repair! I will call every news station until some attention is brought to this matter and holding car companies like Dodge/Chrysler responsible for selling and manufacturing faulty vehicles. I have gone through all complaints listed on this site and numerous others. Someone is not doing their job!
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Caliber. The stated that the engine stalled with the illumination of the engine and electronic throttle control warning indicators while attempting to accelerate from a complete stop. The engine restarted and the vehicle resumed normally after several minutes however, the failure was recurring. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who reprogrammed the electronic throttle control and engine control module. The failure persisted after the repair was performed. The vehicle had not been further repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 63,000. The VIN was unavailable.
TL - the contact owns a 2008 Dodge Caliber. The contact stated that while driving 65 mph, the vehicle stalled and the check engine warning lamp illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician was unable to diagnosed the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 95,000.
Driving vehicle on main road approx 40mph.. electronic throttle body indicator flashed, vehicle immediately lost power.. had to pull over for safety reasons.. vehicle "bucked" with a rough idle.. turned the vehicle off, restarted ; all seemed ok. This scenario occurred multiple times each time on the road disabling power and unexpected, local mechanic replaced spark plugs and coil packs.. the vehicle started but few days passed, again the etc indicator came on, immediately losing power, bucking on a highway / biway 45 mph, pulled over shoulder.. restarted approx 15 min later all seemed ok.. the latest occurrence and most impacted., vehicle will not go beyond 10 mph, no power, bucking.. phoned dealership.. etc is on back order and not enough parts available to fill outstanding log of B/O.. (region is out of stock ) phoned Chrysler addressed issue is multiple across forums and suggested recall.. this issue is a safety concern and costly when codes are not accurate( misfire ignition coils, catalyst below threshold, overheated O2 sensor, never indicating relating to faulty etc.. but the dealership wouldn't order so many nor would they be out I stock and back ordered if this wasn't "recall worthy" Chrysler was helpful in assisting and hopefully they will expedite part and all will be well..
Car was already warmed and driven for about 5 miles, after stopping at a gas station to refuel and re-starting, it was idling very inconsistently and running rough, shaking. There was a dash indicator for electronic throttle control flashing. I tried driving it and there was jerking and pulling and the transmission wouldn't shift past 2nd, car would not accelerate beyond 12-15 mph. I made it home (about 2 miles) and left the car for about 6 hours. Upon restarting and warming, the car drove fine. About 1 1/2 weeks later, the same dash light came on, steady not flashing, car rumbled, then light went off and the car was fine. This happened on and off for about 2 weeks. Then, when ready to leave from work one day, I started the car to warm it and the indicator light came on and stayed on, the car was running very rough, idle was fluctuating between about 500-1500 rpms and shaking. I left the car, assuming when I came back the next day it would start and be fine just like the 2 times before, but that was not the case. I drove the car to a nearby mechanic, maxing out at about 15 mph, strangely the car seemed to pick up speed when I eased off the accelerator, and steady loss of speed while going up hill. The mechanic could not fix or even diagnose the problem, said it has to go to the dealer. It seems to be something to do with the throttle control. I will update it once I hear from the dealer later today.
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Caliber. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, it jerked violently. The contact also mentioned that acceleration power was reduced. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where the failure could not be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in the manufacturer's recall. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000.
Second time this as happened in less then 3 yrs. Driving car no warning light ever came on the first time. Lost power car died. Had it towed to dealership $600 cost no real answer from dealer ship. Now Dec 25th 2013 driving home and light electronic throttle control indicator light comes on. Car putt's along. Again this is the second time this has happened, someone is going to get killed and Dodge will have a law suit on their hands. I and many others will tell our friends and families not to buy anything made by Dodge. Pretty sad someone will have to die to get this company to do a recall and fix the problem.
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Caliber. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 mph, a loud clicking noise was heard from the engine. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the totally integrated power module (tipm) needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000 and the current mileage was 120,000.
Vehicle is an automatic, 2.0L engine. While at a stop, in any gear, foot on or off the brake, my car will idle roughly, rpms fluctuate rapidly between 200-900 or higher, and the vehicle will sometimes stall and shut down while doing this. This rough idle and stalling out will also happen while slowing down/decelerating, as well as accelerating from a stop or slower speeds. The issue tends to happen more when the engine temperature has warmed up a bit from normal driving, but has occurred at lower temperatures as well. I have taken the vehicle to my local Dodge dealership at least three times in the past three months; on the first visit, they replaced the PCV valve, ignition coil, and spark plugs ($400); on the next two visits, they claim they cannot replicate the issue, and no error codes appear on their diagnostic computers. I have had the fuel injectors cleaned, and had other mechanics inspect the car; they cannot find any needed repairs or error codes, but they have been able to replicate the issue. The car continues to experience this issue, no matter what repairs I have done. I am in contact with Chrysler/Dodge corporate customer relations, and have an open case with them, though they and the dealership state my car "has no warranty with Dodge, " and thus the issue isn't covered, nor do I have any claim to financial support from Chrysler/Dodge. My vehicle is currently at my local Dodge dealership, in hopes they might finally be able to replicate the issue and find a cause/fix.
Going down the highway and when down shifting to merge in traffic the car died. Got it to the shoulder of the road & it started but was making a horrible noise. Got it towed home & to garage where they took the motor apart & found it had 2 burnt valves. Took the head to engine shop & found that the head seats are broken and the other 2 are worn & also have to be replaced. Cannot find parts from Dodge & mechanic said he had to order them from Japan. Now a job that should have been around $100 is costing us over $500. Very disappointed that a car with that low mileage would have something like this happen. I still owe 2 years on the car & by the looks of the complaints on the Caliber I should have never bought it in the first place.
While driving on the freeway, the 2008 Dodge Caliber loss power and began to decrease speed. I stepped on the accelerator but the car did not respond. I exited the freeway, and after I was stopped at a light, I attempted to accelerate, but again, the vehicle would not respond. When it did, it jerked repeatedly until it was able to accelerate. While driving the car loss power again. Additionally, the check engine light was on for a few months prior, a knocking noise would come from the engine, and a mechanic advised me that the transmission needed to be replaced. Lastly, when it rains, the back seat passenger side and floor was inundated with water.
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.
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.
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 deductible, however the warranty company would only pay $144 dollars of the $647 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.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Yonkers, NY, USA