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. While driving approximately 40 mph the vehicle suddenly decelerated. The electronic throttle control light began to flash on the instrument panel. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 67,000.
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Caliber. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 to 45 mph the vehicle suddenly slowed down to 30 mph. She attempted to shift gears and that did not assist with decreasing the speed of the vehicle. The vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic who advised him that the throttle body needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted and offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was approximately 59,000. The VIN was unavailable.
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Caliber. While the contact was driving approximately 45 mph, the entire instrument panel illuminated and the engine stalled. The vehicle restarted within a few minutes and resumed in a jerking motion at an extremely low speed of 20 mph. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the alternator was replaced. Nine months later, the failure recurred. The vehicle was currently at the dealer who stated the electronic throttle control needed to be replaced. The vehicle will be repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the defect. The failure mileage was 31,000.
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Caliber. While driving approximately 55 mph the vehicle lost power and the electric throttle control warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing and the technicians informed the contact that the computer and the throttle body needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.
The etc (electronic throttle control) indicator started flashing and then my car would not accelerate. I was at 3 rpms and couldn't go over 10mph. It only happened occasionally at first and then it became more frequent. I was getting on the on ramp of a highway when it started flashing and then my car completely shut off. Luckily the cars behind had enough shoulder to swerve around me preventing a accident. I couldn't start my car right away I had to wait about 3 min. As soon as I restarted it everything went back to normal. This happened 2 more times and I took it to a mechanic. He replaced the etc chip and that didn't work so he replaced the etc body. That didn't work either so he sent it to a dealership. They replaced the whole etc...$900 later that problem seems to be fine. I find a car shutting down whenever it chooses very dangerous and I have researched it and seen many people have had the same issue. Mostly in 07' models but also 08's. something needs to be done before someone is injured.
- Oklahoma City, OK, USA
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The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Caliber. During acceleration, the vehicle pulls to the right. The contact has to accelerate very hard and then oversteer to keep the vehicle from driving off the road. The contact took the vehicle to four dealers and none were able to determine the cause of the failure. The failure can occur at speeds of 5 mph or greater. The current and failure mileages were 1,000. Updated 01-11-08.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Lawrenceville, GA, USA