Page 2 of 8 · complaints 51–100 of 360

2008 Dodge Caliber complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2008 record →

Structure › Body
Filed Feb 15, 2019139,000 milesIL

FRAME ON VEHICLE IS RUSTED THROUGH, OTHER SIMILIAR VEHICLES WERE ISSUED RECALLS AND THIS CAR WAS NOT

Air Bags
Filed Feb 6, 2019NC

THE CODE STATING A WIRE IS LOSE WITHIN THE DRIVER AIRBAG. THE AIRBAG LIGHT KEEP GOING ON AND OFF CONSISTENTLY WHILE DRIVING

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Jan 28, 2019113,000 milesME

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE THE CONTACT'S SON WAS DRIVING 30 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME AND THE CROSSMEMBER WERE RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 113,000.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Jan 16, 2019160,000 milesIN

DASH WARNING LIGHTS ALL COME ON, INTERIOR LIGHT COMES ON WHEN USING RIGHT TURN SIGNAL, LOSES POWER ONLY UP TO 40MPH , SOMETIMES WON'T START, ODOMETER GAUGE FLAPPING AROUND, WHICH ARE CURRENT PROBLEMS,HAVE REPLACED SUSPENSION THREE TIMES, AND REPLACED COMPUTER! WILL NEVER PURCHASE A DODGE AGAIN!

Unknown or Other
Filed Jan 9, 2019125,000 milesNY

EXTENSIVE CORROSION ON FRONT AND REAR FRAME CROSSMEMBERS THAT SUPPORT DRIVE AND SUSPENSION COMPONENTS.

Engine
Filed Dec 25, 2018OH

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 !!

Structure › Body
Filed Nov 26, 2018174,055 milesIL

I PURCHASED THE 2008 DODGE CALIBER 2 WEEKS AGO NOV 15TH 2008 AND INSPECTED BEFORE PURCHASE. DROVE CAR 1 WEEK AND CROSSMEMBER SUPPORT BEAM BROKE DUE TO POOR PART FROM MOPAR, DODGE. THEY HAD A 120MONTH UNLIMITED WARRENTY ON PART, KNOWING IT WAS A BAD PART. I HAVE TRIED ALL AREAS OF GETTING BAD PART REPLACED TO NO AVAIL. THEY SAY WARRENTY "EXPIRED" ON DEFECTIVE PART INSTALLED ON CAR. I NEED CAR REPAIRED AS IT IS A DANGER!! ANY HELP IS GREATLY APPRECIATED! I WAS TURNING INTO MY DRIVEWAY AT NORMAL SPEEDS WHEN CROSSMEMBER SUPPORT BEAM BROKE AT DRIVERS WHEEL AREA.

Suspension
Filed Nov 21, 2018176,700 milesIL

I BOUGHT A 2008 DODGE CALIBER IN NOVEMBER 2018, NOTICED CROSSMEMBER WAS ROTTED AWAY AND STARTED CAUSING PROBLEMS 2 WEEKS AFTER I PURCHASED FROM PRIVATE PARTY. I CALLED DODGE, THEY SAID SURE BRING TO NEAREST DEALER AND HAVE IT FIXED UNDER EXTENDED WARRENTY.. I DID THIS ONLY TO BE INFORMED THAT THE EXTENDED WARRENTY EXPIRED IN MAY 2018.. I AM SO DISAPPOINTED IN DODGE FOR TELLING ME ITS COVERED WHEN IT INFACT HAD EXPIRED IN MAY 2018. NOW I AM OUT COST OF CAR AND NOW COST OF REPAIR.. CAN YOU HELP?? NOW CAR IS MAKING POPPING NOICE AT NORMAL DRIVING AT DRIVER WHEEL FROM CRACKS IN CROSSMEMBER SUPPORT.. DEALERSHIP SAID DO NOT DRIVE LONG DISTANCE.. WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? DEALER IS TAYLOR DODGE IN BOURBONAISS, ILLINOIS. I NEED SUPPORT, HELP HERE PLEASE!!

Unknown or Other
Filed Nov 19, 201869,500 milesPA

I WENT TO GET THE CAR INSPECTED AND THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THE MOTOR MOUNTS ARE RUSTED OUT AND WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 70,000 MILES.

Suspension
Filed Oct 23, 2018130,000 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, A DRAGGING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM UNDER THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (WILMINGTON AUTO, 1780 ROMBACH AVE, WILMINGTON, OH) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE CONTROL ARM WAS FRACTURED DUE TO SEVERE RUSTING AND CORROSION OF THE SUBFRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Oct 18, 2018115,860 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE STARTED APPROXIMATELY SIX MONTHS AGO AND WAS BECOMING WORSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SPITZER DODGE JEEP RAM (13001 BROOK PARK ROAD, BROOK PARK, OH 44142) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,860.

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Oct 16, 201875,000 milesVA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, A CLUNKING NOISE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR CROSS MEMBER HAD SEPARATED DUE TO SEVERE RUSTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER (HALEY OF FARMVILLE, 1906 S. MAIN ST., FARMVILLE, VA) WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. *TT *JB

Structure › Body
Filed Sep 25, 201895,000 milesNY

MY 2008 DODGE CALIBER IS RUSTING ALL OVER DUE TO CHRYSLER NOT PREPPING/COATING THE VEHICLE PROPERLY. SO FAR I HAVE HAD THE CROSSMEMBER THAT HOLDS THE ENGINE ON REPLACED DUE TO RUST, THE OIL PAN AND THE POWER STEERING LINE RUSTED. I HAVE RUST ALL OVER THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE FROM INSIDE WHEEL WELL, BOTTOM OF DOORS, TRANSMISSION PAN, ABOVE THE WINDSHIELD, MULTIPLE PLACES ON THE HOOD, BOTTOM OF THE HATCH, ROCKER PANELS, HINGES ETC.... WAY TOO MANY PLACES FOR A VEHICLE THAT AGE. I HAVE SEEN OTHER 2008'S WITH NO RUST AT ALL. I HAVE MULTIPLE PICTURES BUT IT WILL ONLY ALLOW 5.

Suspension
Filed Sep 10, 201894,000 milesMI

SUBFRAME RUSTED THROUGH. DIAGNOSED THIS PAST SATURDAY. I'VE OWNED THE CAR FOR 8 YEARS AND HAVE NEVER SEEN SUCH A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE ON A VEHICLE. PICTURE ATTACHED.

Structure › Frame and Members › Underbody Shields
Filed Sep 1, 2018128,000 milesOH

THE PROBLEM DEAL WITH THE FRONT CROSSMEMBER SUBFRAME. THIS PART IS TOTAL JUNK. IT IS COMPLETED RUSTED OUT. IT WAS JUST A MIRACLE IT DID NOT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT PRIOR TO OUR FINDING IT NEEDED REPLACED. AFTER CHECKING ONLINE AND FINDING THE 2007 CALIBER'S WERE HANDLED UNDER A "RECALL" BUT NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE ON SUBSEQUENT YEARS. AFTER JUST LEAVING HOME THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL PULLED BADLY TO THE RIGHT, WHILE MAKING SCREAKING NOISES. THE CAR WAS LIMPED BACK INTO THE DRIVE AND THE PROBLEM FOUND. I BELIEVE THIS IS A VERY POORLY MADE PART, PROBABLY WITH INFERIOR STEEL. I HAVE ATTACHED TWO (2) PICTURES OF THE OLD SUBFRAME. THE CAR IS REGISTERED TO MY DAUGHTER [XXX] , I AM HER FATHER [XXX]. I CONTACTED A LOCAL DEALER AND EXPRESSED MY CONCERNS AND THEY INFORMED ME TO CONTACT DODGE/CHRYSLER WHICH I DID. THEY INFORMED THERE WAS NO ASSISTANCE FOR THIS ISSUE. THEY DID TAKE MY COMPLAINT. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A SERIOUS SAFELY ISSUE WITH ANY VEHICLE THAT HAS THIS TYPE OF CROSSMEMBER SUBFRAME. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF YOU NEED ANY OTHER INFORMATION. [XXX]OR BY CELL PHONE [XXX]. I WOULD APPRECIATED ANY TYPE OF REPLY. SINCERELY [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Structure › Body
Filed Aug 5, 2018147,000 milesIL

I TOOK CAR IN TO HAVE BALL JOINTS REPLACEDPLUS THE STEERING AND STRUTS LOOKED AT. MECHANIC SHOWED THAT THE FRAME IS TOTALLY RUSTED THROUGH. NO OTHER WORK CAN BE DONE ON THE CAR WITH THIS HUGE ISSUE.

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 3, 2018NC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE RADIO AND DOME LIGHT AUTOMATICALLY TURNED ON AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD TO BE DEPRESSED EXTREMELY HARD FOR THE VEHICLE TO STOP AND MULTIPLE UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM GREENSBORO (3710 W WENDOVER AVE, GREENSBORO, NC 27407, (336) 790-9850), BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Suspension
Filed Jul 24, 2018153,245 milesMN

VEHICLE ARRIVED AT OUR SHOP FOR A STANDARD OIL CHANGE AND ON INSPECTION WE DISCOVERED THAT THE SUB FRAME HAD ROTTED AND THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. WE CONTACTED THE DEALER FOR THE CUSTOMER AND FOUND THAT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. THIS IS A ROAD HAZARD AND SHOULD HAVE NO EXPIRATION DATE. PHOTO IS AVAILABLE IF THERE IS AN INVESTIGATION. *TR

Structure › Body
Filed Jul 18, 201870,000 milesMI

AIR CONDENSER DRIPS OUTLET DIRECTLY ONTO ENGINE CRADLE WHICH CAUSES THE CRADLE TO RUST KNOW PROBLEM TO FCA AND IT SHOULD BE KNOWN TO NHTSA AS SEPARATION OF ENGINE CRADLE CAUSES AN UNSAFE VEHICLE

Structure › Body
Filed Jul 2, 2018174,000 milesIL

TAKING THE CAR IN FOR ALIGNMENT, THE TECH NOTICE THE SUB FRAME HAD A LARGE HOLE FROM RUST.. TAKING THE CAR TO THE DODGE DEALER. THE SERVICE MANGER STATED THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING, I WAS TOLD "S*** OUT OF LUCK". HE SAID I WAS OVER THE MILEAGE, AND PAST THE TEN YEARS. THE CAR WAS IN FOR ITS LIFE TIME POWERTRAIN INSPECTION A MONTH AND A HALF BEFORE THE TEN YEARS AND REPLACING THE ALTERNATOR. THEY (DODGE REPLACE MY SONS SUBFRAME WITH WITH 140,000 MILES. HAVE THE COPY FROM THE SAME DEALER, A COPY FROM A MAN IN MICHAGAN WHOSE FRAME BROKE GET ON I-90 AND THE TOWING SERVICE SAID THEY GET ONE TO TWO PICKUP PER WEEK ON FRAMES BRAKING. ALSO I HAVE NOT RECVIED ANY LETTER DODGE ABOUT THE PROBLEM.

Engine
Filed Jun 22, 2018140,000 milesMN

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.

Structure › Body
Filed Jun 12, 2018107,000 milesIA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE INSPECTING UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE CROSS MEMBER WAS RUSTED AND CONTAINED HOLES. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Jun 2, 2018199,990 milesVA

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

Suspension
Filed May 11, 2018119,000 milesKY

RUSTED SUB-FRAME , PAPER THIN MANY COMPLAINTS LISTED ALL OVER THE WEB, DRIVING IN A LOT HIT A SPEED BUMP FRONT RIGHT TIRE CAME ALMOST ALL THE WAY OFF THE CAR. CALLED CHRYSLER THEY DONT CARE IF MY CAR COULD HAVE KILLED ME AND MY CHILD, THEY HAVE NO RECALL SO ITS MY ISSUE NOT THEIRS.

Structure › Body
Filed Apr 25, 2018175,000 milesIA

RUSTED SUB-FRAME & OIL PAN

Structure › Body
Filed Mar 28, 2018MN

TOOK MY CAR IN FOR AN ALIGNMENT AND WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT MY K FRAME ROTTING. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME HE WORKED ON A JEEP COMPASS WITH SAME PROBLEMS AND CHRYSLER HAD A EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERING IT. CALLED DODGE THEY TOLD ME TO BRING IT INTO A DEALERSHIP SO THEY CAN VERIFY AND WHEN THEY DID VERIFY IT THEY TOLD CHRYSLER ABOUT THE ISSUE. CHRYSLER CALLED AND TOLD ME THEY WILL NOT FIX MY FRONT K FRAME BECAUSE I HAD RECENTLY PUT IN AFTER MARKET PARTS IN THE REAR OF MY CAR WHICH CAUSED MY FRONT K FRAME TO RUST AND I'VE ONLY HAD THOSE PARTS INSTALLED A WEEK BEFORE TAKING IT TO DODGE. SO I TOLD THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REP. THERE'S NO NEED TO MAKE EXCUSES OR LIES IF THEY DON'T WANT TO FIX AND THAT I'VE TALKED TO MY MAIN MECHANIC, THE ALIGNMENT MECHANIC, AND THE DODGE SERVICE REP., ALL 3 SAID IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACE AND IS DANGEROUS TO CONTINUE DRIVING AS THE FRONT K FRAME HOLDS MOSTLY EVERYTHING UNDER THE HOOD. SAD AS IT IS CHRYSLER GAVE NO CARE.

Air Bags
Filed Feb 22, 201860,000 milesPR

AIR BAG LIGHT CAME UP ON, HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING. MANY PEOPLE WITH SAME ISSUES ON FORUMS. IT IS THE CLOCK SPRING.

Structure › Body
Filed Feb 21, 2018MA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTED OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRABLE. A LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN.

Unknown or Other
Filed Feb 11, 201880,000 milesTX

THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING ON IH35, I LOST POWER AND MYVEHICLE WENT ON 5 MILES PER HOUR THEN STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY.

Engine
Filed Jan 19, 2018176,000 milesMI

TL* 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.

Structure › Body
Filed Jan 9, 2018NY

DOOR HINGE ISSUE. INITIALLY THE DOOR SEEMED JUST STUCK DIFFICULT TO CLOSE SPRAYED WD-40 WHEN NEEDED. THE OTHER DAY THE ENTIRE DOOR SHIFTED AND WOULD NOT CLOSE PROPERLY. THE SPRING AND HINGE DISLOCATED SHIFTING DOOR WHERE IT CATCHES BENDS THE FRONT FENDER. WHEN LOOKING ONLINE I SEE THAT THIS IS COMMON

Structure › Body
Filed Oct 17, 2017165,000 milesWI

A FRAME RUSTED OUT AND EVERYTHING ELSE UNDER THE CAR HAS NO RUST AND NOW IT'S A SAGGY ISSUE

Tires › Pressure Monitoring and Regulating Systems
Filed Aug 29, 2017DC

2008 DODGE CALIBER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TPMS SENSOR CORROSION. *LD UPDATED 08/29/2017 *JS

Air Bags
Filed Aug 2, 201779,000 milesPA

THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON AT ALL TIMES AND DOES NOT GO OFF.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jul 31, 2017NE

I DO NOT LIVE IN A SALT STATE. I OWN A 2008 CALIBER SINCE 2012 AND IT HAS A BADLY RUSTED OUT FRONT FRAME/CRADLE ASSEMBLY MAKING IT UNSAFE TO DRIVE. CHRYSLER ONLY REPLACES THIS PART UNDER A WARRANTY IN SALT STATES, NE IS NOT ONE OF THOSE STATES. THIS CAR HAS NO RUST ON THE BODY, HAS BEEN VERY WELL TAKEN CARE OF AND I KEEP IT IN THE GARAGE WHEN NOT DRIVING IT. TO MAKE THINGS WORSE, FIRESTONE DID A COMPREHENSIVE AUTO INSPECTION ON IT IN APRIL 2017, AND DID $1900 WORTH OF FRONT AND REAR END SUSPENSION WORK MAKING IT A SAFE CAR FOR ME TO GIVE TO MY 16 Y/O GRANDDAUGHTER, WHO'S BEEN DRIVING IT SINCE THEN DAILY WITH HER FRIENDS IN THE CAR. NEVER DID FIRESTONE MENTION THE RUSTED OUT CRADLE ASSEMBLY. BECAUSE THE CAR WAS MAKING STRANGE NOISES, I STOPPED AT LOCAL AUTO REPAIR SHOP ON 7/28, AND AS SOON AS HE LIFTED THE CAR UP HE IMMEDIATELY NOTICED THE DAMAGE, TOOK PICTURES AND ADVISED ME NOT TO DRIVE THE CAR AS IT IS VERY UNSAFE. I HAVE ATTACHED PICTURES.

Electrical System
Filed Jul 16, 2017135,000 milesMI

LOSING POWER AND ALL IDIOT LIGHTS FLASHING ON HIGHWAY OR DRIVING AROUND THE CITY VERY DANGEROUS CAN NOT GO OVER 45 ON HIGHWAY

Service Brakes
Filed May 24, 2017100,000 milesTX

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.

Unknown or Other
Filed May 22, 201776,000 milesMI

AFTER STARTING ENGINE,AND BEGINNING TO DRIVE. CAR KEPT LOSING POWER AND HAD AN EXTREMELY ROUGH IDLE. COULD NOT GET TO GO OVER 25 MPH. ETC INDICATOR LIGHT WAS ON THE ENTIRE TIME. DROVE IT IMMEDIATELY TO MY LOCAL GARAGE.

Suspension
Filed Apr 24, 201738,560 milesNY

PREMATURE FAILURE (38560 MILES) OF LEFT LOWER CONTROL ARM FOUND DURING ANNUAL STATE INSPECTION. COST $349 TO REPLACE LOWER CONTROL ARM AND $80 FOR FRONT END ALIGNMENT.

SuspensionCrash
Filed Apr 10, 201786,500 milesIL

SUB FRAM RUSTED OUT IN LESS THEN 9 YEARS AND 80K MILES. FOUND OUT WAS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE.

Electrical System
Filed Mar 9, 2017MI

WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS COME ON AND THE TACH STOPS REGISTERING. I TURNED THE CAR OFF IT WOULDN'T RESTART. AFTER AWHILE IT RESTARTED WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINING LIT. TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC HE SAYS THE FUSE MODULE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.

Structure › Body
Filed Feb 8, 2017180,000 milesOH

ENGINE CRADLE IS ROTTED CLEAR OUT AN ACTUALLY BROKE! THIS IS VERY UNSAFE.IM SURE THE BACK END IS THE SAME WAY! DODGE WILL NOT PAY TO HAVE IT FIXED.THEY HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE 2007 CALIBERS.MINE WAS MADE IN FEB. OF 2008, IT HAS THE EXACT SAME PARTS!! BEEN TRYING TO GET DODGE TO OWN UP AN FIX THIS PROBLEM.NEEDLESS TO SAY I WON'T EVER BUY ANOTHER DODGE PRODUCT.ALSO I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE FRAME BROKE.

Steering
Filed Feb 7, 2017129,000 milesMO

LOOSE STEERING COLUMN. WAS GETTING AN ALIGNMENT WHEN IT WAS NOTICED.

Structure › Body
Filed Feb 7, 201797,000 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE UNDERCARRIAGE WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Feb 1, 201770,000 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUB FRAME WAS COMPLETELY CORRODED AND RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70, 000.

Structure › Body
Filed Jan 23, 201751,000 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE OWNER THAT THE ENGINE CRADLE WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT FILED A CLAIM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jan 23, 2017PA

ENGINE CRADLE MOUNTING AND FRONT SUSPENSION PLATES HAVE FAILED OR BROKEN TWICE ON THIS CAR ONLINE COMPLAINTS SEEM VERY SIMILAR DEALER SEEMS TO IGNORE THIS PROBLEM BUT WILL FIX IT FOR 2000.00 CAR PULLS OR VEERS UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE MOVING I CANNOT I FEEL SAFELY DRIVE ANYMORE. *TR

Suspension
Filed Jan 12, 2017NY

REPLACED BALL JOINTS 2X SINCE PURCHASED

Engine
Filed Jan 9, 201789,577 milesMI

TL* 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.

Suspension
Filed Dec 20, 2016NY

2008 DODGE CALIBER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE SUB-FRAME CORROSION REPAIR ISSUES, REQUESTS FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WAS DENIED AND EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR SAME PREMATURE CORROSION WAS ISSUED FOR 2007 DODGE CALIBER. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE FAILED INSPECTION. *JB

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

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