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.
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Caliber. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds in the rain, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the power steering became inoperable. The battery warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that an unstated computer needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but no additional assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
I-€™ve only had the car since Aug. Im the second owner, it drove just fine. Then I got an oil change. Then the car began to rev down hill and struggled to make it uphill. Then my exhaust became excessively loud. Then the wheel became loose, and started pulling ALOT. I was on my way to get an alignment this morning and the whole front end began to buckle not even a minute down the road. I tmade it in back the driveway before the front end collapsed completely
Luckily, I was on a city street. The vehicle lost power and slowed significantly, almost stopping completely and began to reboot as if it were just being started. I am complaining because I do not feel it to be safe for consumers on any road. I have a 3 year old son and I would very much like Dodge to fix this problem before my, or anyone else's family, gets whiplash from a rear collision. I'm reaching out to NHTSA because, I lack the tools and knowledge to fix it myself, and don't find it fair that I pay for a mistake that Dodge made in making the car.
I purchased this vehicle knowing of rust but when I climbed under it I seen the subframe is almost rusted all the way through this is a major issue I've heard of a few other Caliber owners who's whole drivetrain fell out of engine bay due to this, this could be a dangerous problem if someone is driving at highway speeds Dodge needs to take action and recall this part and put a better component on the vehicles they produce
Motor cradle is rusting out! that's very dangerous and there should be a recall on call Calibers. I can not afford to bay over $1,000 to fix my car. And the maker should use poor quality parts knowing how serious it can get. Recall recall recall !!
- Toledo, OH, USA
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Took our Dodge Caliber 2008 (manufacturer date: 11/2007) to a mechanic for repairs thought to be struts and was told the front cradle was rusted out and need to be replaced to continue any safe driving. This was a 2007 recall but was never included in any titled 2008 cars that were manufactured in 2007. This is a very dangerous issue and seems to be reported more often now at the 10 year mark. This is something that is not a traditional problem on most vehicles and seems to be a manufacturers defect. I would like to see it recalled, because the replacement cost on this is in the thousands and it is a severe safety hazard.
I have reported this before and nothing has been done I have a have a 2008 Dodge Caliber and have had to change the electrical throttle this is very serious fir my car have turned off in the middle of driving in traffic this part needed to be recalled before I all some one else get kills or get badly hurt I have had to replace this part 3 times and I'm very tired of this please find out why this part goes bad so fast on these cars I have ready plenty of stories about this part going out on these Dodge Calibers and still no recalls do something before some one gets hurts and please look into this matter because its serious when you're driving the car shuts off in traffic and I'm sure I'm not the only one that have brought this to Y'all attention do something before its to late and this is my second Dodge Caliber and having the same issue with the electric throttle and my car was in motion it happened all 3 times
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Caliber. While driving 65 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact placed the gear shifter in neutral, turned the vehicle off and back on, shifted the gear selector back in drive, and the vehicle operated as intended. The vehicle was taken to monroe Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram superstore (15160 S dixie hwy, monroe, mi 48161, (734) 230-7872) where it was diagnosed that the throttle body needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that the throttle body had been previously replaced three times. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 176,000.
There are currently 0 recalls on the 2008 Dodge Caliber 2.0. however, a simple youtube search will bring up common issues with the lower ball joints, which cause extreme tire wear and even severe pulling to the left and right with very little control. The anti-lock breaking system as well as the throttle body are huge issues as well. However, it wasn't a youtube search that brought this to my attention but instead driving one and looking into it. To my surprise there are zero recalls on this vehicle.
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Caliber. The contact heard a loud noise and noticed premature rust and corrosion on the engine cradle, which cracked without warning. The dealer diagnosed that the engine cradle needed to be replaced. The manufacturer indicated that there was no recall. The approximate failure mileage was 89,577.
I bought my car in 2009, ran great at first until I hit over 100 thousand miles. I was on my way out of town to see a family member in the hospital. It was 80 degrees out and my car just slowed down on the highway and came to a stop. I thought it overheated so I waited about 30 mins and started it up again. Today I was at the Dodge dealership to have them look at it, to find out why the passenger side front tire was making a noise(like it was going to fall off). They told me it was the controll arm and that I needed to replace it. Apparently I'm not the only one having these issues. Where's the recall Dodge?
My car is well maintained. I have it serviced every 3000 miles and have the records to prove it. I had the rusted frame replaced this passed August after my mechanic noticed the corroded frame. I have had almost all of the other problems listed and replaced on my car. I started hearing an odd noise while driving on the highway, and took the car in to my mechanic who replaced a pulley. The car continued to make the noise all the time while driving and I brought it back in for servicing. My mechanic could find nothing wrong. He told me to just drive it til something happened. The electronic throttle control light came on one night driving home on the highway from grocery shopping. The light came on flashing, the car started bucking, the car would not accelerate. I was able to pull the car off the road and had it towed to my mechanic. My mechanic put in a new alternator at a cost of $650. A week later my husband drove 6 miles and the light came on. He came back home and called our mechanic. He advised to let the car stall out and it would record on the log. Next day same thing, I let it stall out. Took car in. He cannot find anything wrong. Says it will be $500 at the Dodge dealer just for the etc part. This is a known documented defect with the electrical system. Why is Dodge not accountable for this problem" why hasn't there been a recall? why isn't anyone concerned about all of the safety issues with this defective Dodge Caliber" this car is a huge safety risk to all drivers on the road. Please do something before someone gets killed.
I can drive the car but can't speed up or engine light will flash. If I'm at a stop light too long my car will stall while engine light is flashing and can't turn over engine right away.
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Caliber. The contact stated the engine cradle rusted out. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine cradle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was not available.
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Caliber. While driving approximately 35 mph, a loud noise emitted from the front of the vehicle. In addition, when the brake pedal was depressed, the vehicle veered to the left. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who stated that the engine cradle was rusted and caused the engine to shift into a lower position. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 84,000.
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Caliber. While driving at approximately 50 mph, the vehicle inadvertently turned the steering wheel to the left and right. The contact also stated that the failure occurred while braking. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The mechanic stated that the case frame of the engine and the control arm needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Caliber. While having maintenance performed at the dealer, the technician diagnosed that the engine cradle was corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 95,000.
While traveling at 45 mph on 6 lane highway engine decelerated to between 5 to 10 miles per hour. Engine begun to idle very rough. I was approaching a side street and was able to turn off the main hwy. To access the problem. The electronic throttle light had come on indicating a problem with the throttle system.
I was driving my 2008 Dodge Caliber in February 2015 traveling roughly 45 mph when suddenly the battery light and all dash lights began to come on and flash. I was able (just barely) to avoid a head on collision with another vehicle and parked the car; in the previous 30 days I had several repairs made that included the alternator and batter, et cetera. Vehicle was towed to the repairing shop where a new alternator and battery were installed, then tonight 20150411 the batter light has again come on with fluctuating speeds. I have researched and read about multiple problems with the Dodge Caliber regarding the tipms system or such; the fact that the Chrysler corporation has been able to consistently fail to make the required repairs to these vehicles is atrocious. The lives of other vehicle operators are being put at risk; I'm certain that something more should be done.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Grass Valley, CA, USA