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:
1 / 4
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
86,302 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.
I have 2007 Dodge Caliber and was driving the electrical system was make the car shut down all my lights and signal lights was not working. I was on the expressway and my signal lights or nothing was working.
The drivers side headlight is out. The bulb was replaced and it still does not work. I was told that the tipm needed to be replaced. I was told that this is not a safety issue. It is a safety issue for only having one head light. I guess when I receive a citation for only one headlight then the citation will be mailed to Dodge for reimbursement.
The car would not start (lights worked, but engine would not turn over). After replacing the throttle cable and box, as well as some broken wiring, the car still would not start. The mechanic then towed the vehicle to a Dodge dealership, where the computer was reset. The car ran for another week after it was first "fixed, " and then again did not start (same problem as before). Additionally, the light to indicate that the air bags were not functioning turned on prior to the vehicle not starting. This is more frustrating because we have had extensive issues with this car (replaced all tie rods, bushings, control arms, have a broken door from the hinge breaking, and had multiple tires wearing unevenly due to the car's suspension problems) already, and have sunk well over $6000 in repairs this year alone.
The car will lose all power when driving, almost at a complete stop. The first 2 times it happened were at night (the second during a complete downpour) and since I lose all power, the hazard lights won't even work so I have to get out of the car to alert other drivers so that they won't hit me!! so dangerous!! the first "fix" was to do a full computer system re-flash ($300). The second "fix" was to replace the transmission control module ($600). The third time this happened was 3 days after the second "fix" as I'd driven not even 100 feet from a parking spot, I turned the volume up on my radio and the car died! the 3rd "fix" will be upwards of $1500!!! Dodge knows about this problem. In fact, it is the faulty placement of the tipm that has caused this!! it was placed in a spot where it constantly receives damage from water and dirt on the road, which causes corrosion and then bam! loss of power!!!! Dodge has not created any recalls for this which is unacceptable! this problem, if it happens on any highways or in major intersections, could kill someone!!! I've done a ton of research and this is happening to too many people with the same exact model year car!!! I've contacted Dodge corporation to request a recall and/or financial assistance in this matter and they won"T do anything! I've owned this car for less than 3 months and I've already had it in the shop 3 times for this problem. When will Dodge realize that they have to do something about this" when someone dies????" I'm going to reach out to as many people as I can who have had/are having the same problem so we can get a lawyer involved!!! someone needs to do something about this problem and that someone is Dodge!!!!!!!
Have had sporadic electrical issues for the last few years, chalked it up to normal wear & tear. After looking at other testimonies online, beginning to realize the issues I've had are similar to those of other Caliber owners. Just replaced the alternator in June 2014 and now car is shutting off while driving down the road. Check engine light has been on for 3 weeks and will randomly not be on for a series of drives only to come back on again. Dashboard lights do not come on all the time, I'd say more often than not night driving is done with no dashboard lights. I change headlights & taillights frequently. About to head to autozone now to have it hooked up to diagnostic machine to see if any codes come up for check engine light. Chrysler needs to do a recall asap or there will be several peoples lives at risk, including my entire family seeing as how this is our main vehicle.
- Rockton, IL, USA
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You can turn the car off by bumping the key/ignition with your knee. Let's say you are on a long drive and shift in your seat. If you knee pushes into the key, the engine with turn off and you'll lose power. Seems to be more prone to happen to taller people, as their knees are closer to the ignition. On three occasions this happened until I figured out how it happened and am now careful to not bump it. The first time was on a city street and the second two were on an interstate. It can be quite scary to lose your power steering and power brakes, and I feel very lucky to have been on a long, straight section of interstate with little traffic.
My drivers side driving light was out so I bought a new bulb. That didn't fix the problem so I looked online and saw everyone was having the same problem and it seems to be the tipm which is around $1000 to fix. If we are all having the same problem I would think it's something that Dodge should be taking care of not the consumer!
Speedometer went from 70 to 0 than car died losing all power and would not restart. This problem was diagnosed as the starter this is the fifth starter in 1 year.
I have had numerous problems with this vehicle with the tipm (total integrated power module.) first the A/C blew, then the alternator blew, then the windows started malfunctioning. Now the car slows itself on the interstate and will not maintain speed. The low beam headlight on the drivers side will not function properly either. This car has major electrical issues and apparently is a common problem with this make and model of car. There needs to be a recall on this vehicle.
My car started making a noise and idling high last year. It started cutting itself off and eventually it wouldn't start. I replaced the alternator and battery. Now less than a year later 2014, the low lights don't work and it is starting to make the same noise and cut itself off. Now I'm being told its the total integrated power module.
A couple of weeks ago I was on my way to work and turned on my signal light to make a turn. When I turned my signal light on I noticed that the interior overhead light went on. I found it strange and thought my door may have been opened. A few days later on my way to work the signal lights were no longer working. This is where my serious concerns began. I have a 30 minute commute to work and switch lanes or make turns quite often en route. It gets worse. After a long day at work I ran out to my vehicle to avoid gettin soaked in the rain and when I attempted to turn on my wipers I was infuriated to find out they were no longer working either. Needless to say the vehicle is parked in my driveway. Fog lights don't work, turn signals, wipers and highbeams are no longer working.
My wife and daughter were driving down the highway when the car with no warning shut off almost causing an accident this is not the first time the car has gave us problems with shutting off while driving or not starting at all, the last incident the car would not start and I was out of town so she had it towed to the dealership and the said there was a mouse best under the air filter causing it not to start, I am a certified automotive and diesel technician I service this car frequently and there has never been signs of mouse intrusion this last incident was a little over a week ago when the car stalled at highway speeds so I trailered the car to the shop I am employed with and diagnosed it myself, I found several recalls on the tipm module for the 07 Dodge Caliber on the online repair website alldata so I called multiple Dodge dealers asking if the car was due for a recall and they said there were never any recalls on the vehicle I don't feel like I should have to pay 300$ for a module that Chrysler has recalled and is causing thousand of people to be stranded and injured, not to mention having to wait weeks for the module because so many if them are on back order needless to say this have been a very agitating situation.
While driving home from the airport on the highway, my car shut down unexpectedly. My electronic throttle light along with my check engine light came on. My power steering and power brakes seemed not to function as I had to muscle the car to the side of the road. Thank goodness it was late at night and traffic was at a minimum. The car sputtered so bad it shut down on the road after I pulled over. After about 15 minutes, I started the car and limped it home. Couldn't get the car to do more than 10mph. Used my flashers the entire way home.
Drove home from work parked my car next morning it wouldn't start. Had battery power and cranked when I turned the key but would not kick over to start. Towed to mechanic. He said there wasn't anything wrong with it, he cleaned the spark plugs, weather warmed up and car worked again. This happened twice, he stated I needed to take it to Dodge dealership to have the computer reprogrammed (that this was a common problem for my car type) two days later, driving to work all the lights went on and the steering froze, not able to turn left or right. I was able to exit and park car without incident now having it towed to dealership.
The first signs of a problem were a clicking sound when turning the steering wheel. It did not happen every time, and I did nothing about it until December, when a portion of a strap with electrical wire embedded began to protrude from the upper steering column. It soon began to be a nuisance as the portion grew longer and would catch on the steering position adjustment knob. I grew alarmed when the airbag light came on, and took it to the dealership. They said it was a broken clockspring, and they had to order the part. It cost me over $300 to get this repaired, and now I see Toyota is doing a recall for this exact same thing, a spiral cable assembly that becomes damaged from turning the steering wheel. It is a poor design. Toyota is replacing this with a better part, but I do not think Dodge did that, and I had to pay to get this replaced. I am concerned it could happen again, and believe there should be a recall by Dodge also.
The contact owns a 2007 Dodge Caliber. The contact stated while driving various speeds the drivers side headlight failed. The contact mentioned that the failure occurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic who diagnosed that the entire computer needed to be reset. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000 and the current mileage was 117,000.
Driving on interstate 55 back to peoria, il. Car interior and dash lights flashing and surging. Smelt something burning. Car died, lucky got to shoulder of freeway. Had it towed from Pontiac, il. To Firestone in peoria, il. Diagnosis, hole in A/C compressor (possible pistons blew through casing), shorted starter, fried battery
This has happened many times before yesterday. While driving on the freeway, the check engine light comes on, and the car go into a "limp" mode (very little power), and even at full pedal, it slowly slows down. Having had it happen several times before, I learned to pull over, and shut off the car, and let it set for a few minutes. Sometimes times this is not easy, or safe to do. Then it is hard to restart, but will drive somewhat better. This allows me to get to a place that I can shut it off for an extended amount of time (1/2 hour), and then it runs more like normal, but the check engine light stay on for several days. After the check engine light goes out, it is running normal again until the next time. So far, this has not caused an accident, but I'm sure somebody will be hurt or killed before this gets recalled. Good luck follow drivers.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Rochester, NY, USA