Page 4 of 8 · complaints 151–200 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 →

Service Brakes
Filed Feb 5, 201618,000 milesPA

I WAS TURNING ONTO A STATE HIGHWAY WHEN MY BRAKES MADE THE MOST AWFUL GRINDING NOISE AND MY ABS BRAKE LIGHT CAME ONE. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE MECHANIC. I WAS TOLD BY MY MECHANIC MY BRAKES WERE BAD AND ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACE AND THERE WAS A SENSOR THAT HAD TO BE ORDERED BEFORE I COULD USE THE CAR AFTER IT WAS REPAIRED. IT HAD 11,000 MILES!! I DOUBT MY BRAKES WERE EVEN BAD AT THAT POINT I THINK IT WAS JUST A SENSOR AFTER ALL. (AFTER IT COST ME $480.00 PLUS I HAD TO RENT A CAR FOR 3 DAYS. MY TRANSMISSION KEPT SURGING AT THE STOP LIGHTS FROM THE DAY I GOT IT AT 1,471 MILES. SO IT WAS PROBABLY BAD FROM DAY ONE. I SHOULD HAVE TAKEN IT RIGHT BACK TO WHERE I BOUGHT IT, AT LEAST IT WOULD HAVE BEEN UNDER WARRANTY. I HAD MY TRANSMISSION REPLACED AT 30,000 MILES AT A COST OF $6,000.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Feb 4, 2016118,000 milesNJ

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

Electrical System
Filed Jan 21, 2016MO

I HAVE HAD THIS CAR ABOUT 2 WEEKS NOW AND HAVE NOTICED A PROBLEM WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH, ALSO REAR WIPER MOTOR AND THE CONTROL FOR THE RADIO ON THE STEERING WHEEL. I BELIEVE THERE TO BE A WIRING PROBLEM AS I HAVE READ MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME THING. THIS COULD BE A DANGEROUS HAZARD ESPECIALLY IF THE CRUISE DOES WORK IT MAY MALFUNCTION WHILE DRIVING OR FIRE HAZARD

Steering
Filed Jan 20, 201657,625 milesPA

THE ENGINE CRADLE WAS COMPLETELY CORRODED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED, ALONG WITH THE ATTACHED LOWER CONTROL ARMS W/ BALL JOINTS. THIS COST $1,800. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE 2007 MODEL. MECHANIC SAID THAT IT WAS SO CORRODED THAT IT WAS A MIRACLE THAT IT HADN'T BROKEN. THE CAR HAD ABOUT 57,625 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME.

Structure › BodyCrash
Filed Jan 15, 201689,000 milesNC

MY CAR IS 8 YEARS OLD UNDER 90,000 MILES AND HAS SERIOUS AMOUNT OF RUST ON THE SUBFRAME (K FRAME) AND DAMAGE THAT IS MAKING THE CAR DEEMED UNSAFE. THIS PART SHOULD BE RECALLED SEEING HOW THE 07 MODELS ARE IN THE SAME DEFECT AND HAS A RECALL

Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal
Filed Jan 13, 2016152,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED TO THE FLOORBOARD BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE OVER 10 MPH. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 152,000.

Steering
Filed Jan 7, 2016225,977 milesOH

TOOK MY 2008 DODGE CALIBER TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR AN OIL CHANGE, WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE REP THAT MY FRONT CROSS MEMBER NEEDS REPLACED DUE TO SUBSTANTIAL RUST THROUGH AND THAT TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE COULD BE DANGEROUS BECAUSE IF THIS PART BROKE, ALL STEERING CONTROL WOULD BE LOST. WAS TOLD THE 2007 MODEL YEAR CALIBERS HAD THE WARRANTY EXTENDED TO 10 YEARS FOR THE SAME ISSUE, BUT THAT NO 2008S WERE AFFECTED. WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE $1094 PLUS TAX TO REPLACE THIS PART. THIS PART IS A STRUCTURAL MEMBER AND SHOULD NEVER RUST THROUGH IN SUCH A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. NO OTHER SUBSTANTIAL RUST ON THE VEHICLE INCLUDING THE UNDERCARRIAGE. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED AND CLEANED REGULARLY. CALLED DODGE CUSTOMER CARE AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY WOULD DO AS THE EXTENDED WARRANTY APPLIED ONLY TO 2007 CALIBERS.

Suspension
Filed Jan 5, 2016135,000 milesMI

HAD THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPLACEMENT OF A REAR WHEEL BEARING AND THE SHOP INFORMED ME THAT THE SUBFRAME IS NEARLY IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT. THE 2007 DODGE CALIBER SUBFRAME COVERAGE WAS EXTENDED TO 10 YEARS, BUT NOT FOR THE 2008. VEHICLE HAD APPROXIMATELY 135,000 MILES AT TIME OF INSPECTION.

Suspension
Filed Jan 4, 2016103,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE REVERSING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUB FRAME FRACTURED IN HALF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIE RODS, THE SHOCKS AND THE SUB FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.

Unknown or Other
Filed Dec 8, 2015146,000 milesNY

FRONT K-FRAME CROSS MEMBER RUSTED OUT. EXTENDED WARRANTY AVAILABLE AND PROBLEM ACKNOWLEDGED THROUGH 2007 MODELS. HOWEVER, IT WAS OBVIOUSLY NOT RESOLVED BY 2008. SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE AS DRIVER WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE WHEN THIS PART FAILS. DODGE WILL NOT WARRANTY. PIX ATTACHED

Electrical System
Filed Dec 7, 20153 milesFL

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.

Electrical System
Filed Dec 3, 2015126,000 milesMI

UPDATE OF PREVIOUS REPORTED PROBLEMS. THE CONTROLS FOR THE TURN SIGNALS, WIPERS FRONT AND BACK, WASHER FRONT AND BACK, BRIGHT HEADLIGHTS, INSTRUMENT PANEL DIMMER ALL COMPLETELY STOP WORKING. THE HEADLIGHTS COME ON AND OFF INDEPENDENT OF THE CONTROL SWITCH BY STARTING OR STOPPING THE ENGINE WITH THE KEY. THIS HAPPENED ON STARTING THE CAR TO GO TO WORK FROM BEING PARKED IN THE GARAGE. TRIED TO CORRECT PROBLEMS BY CHANGING THE TIPM. IT HAD NO EFFECT. TOOK CAR INTO DEALERSHIP THEY FOUND AND CORRECTED 3 DIFFERENT BREAKS IN 2 CIRCUITS. 2 BREAKS IN THE WIRING IN THE INNER FENDER WELL AND 1 INSIDE THE CAR UNDER THE CARPET NEAR THE DRIVERS DOOR. THANKS TO AL SERRA AUTO PLAZA ALL ELECTRICAL ISSUES WITH THIS CAR HAVE BEEN RESOLVED: CRUISE CONTROL WORKS, KEY FOBS WORK, WIPERS FRONT AND BACK WORK, WASHERS FRONT AND BACK WORK, DIMMER WORKS, HEADLIGHTS WORKS WITH THE SWITCH, BRIGHT HEADLIGHTS WORK.AND TURN SIGNALS WORK.

Power Train
Filed Nov 20, 2015100,000 milesMO

I WAS DRIVING IN TOWN WHEN SUDDENLY THE CAR ACTED LIKE IT HAD NO POWER! THEN IT STARTED JERKING AND JUMPING FORWARD! THEN AS I WAS GOING UP HILL IT SLOWED AND WAS JERKING AGAIN! WHEN I WOULD STOP AT A LIGHT OR STOP SIGN IT HAD VERY LITTLE POWER TO EXHILARATE AND THEN IT WOULD JERK ALOT UNTIL IT GOT ENOUGH POWER TO GET GOING AGAIN! I WAS CONCERNED ABOUT DRIVING IT ANY FURTHER SINCE I LIVE OUT OF TOWN, I HAVE TWO CHILDREN AND DIDN'T WANT TO TAKE A CHANCE ON BEING STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY! SO I LEFT THE CAR IN MY SISTERS DRIVE WAY AND DROVE HER CAR HOME! I NEEDED A CAR SO TO TAKE THE CHILDREN TO SCHOOL THE NEXT MORNING. I CALLED AMCO AND THEY TOLD ME TO BRING IT IN! IT TOOK ME 30 MINS TO DRIVE FIVE MILES! THEY TOLD ME AFTER CHECKING IT OUT THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS GONE AND THE CAR IS ONLY SEVEN YRS OLD WITH JUST A LITTLE OVER 100,000 MILES ON IT! THESE CARS SHOULD NOT BE ALOUD TO BE SOLD! THEY ARE DANGEROUS! EVERYONE OF THEM SHOULD BE RECALLED AND SENT TO THE SCRAP YARD! THEY ARE LEMON'S AND I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER DODGE,CHRYSLER OR GM PRODUCT AGAIN! I STILL OWE 5000.OO ON THIS PIECE OF GARBAGE AND I DON'T HAVE THE 3500.00 TO PAY FOR A TRANSMISSION! SO THE CAR SETS AS I PAY FOR SOMETHING THAT I CAN NOT DRIVE! THIS IS NOT RIGHT! THE DEALER WAS TO PUT AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE CAR AND HE DID NOT! NOW WITH TWO KIDS I AM SCREWED AS WITH NOT HAVING A VEHICLE TO DRIVE! THIS CAR NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND WE THE OWNERS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR SOMETHING WE CAN NOT DRIVE!

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Nov 16, 2015104,216 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK. THE CONTACT COASTED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,216.

Suspension
Filed Oct 28, 201572,000 milesMI

FRONT SUB FRAME (CROSSBAR) HAS RUSTED AND CRACKED MAKING THIS VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. UPON DRIVING HOME THE CAR STARTED VIBRATING AND MAKING LOUD CLUNKING NOISE. IT WAS VERY HARD TO KEEP CONTROL OF THE STEERING

Steering
Filed Oct 28, 2015100,000 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH AROUND A CURVE, THERE WAS A SLIGHT LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. IN ADDITION, THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN MAKING TURNS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THAT THE REAR CROSS MEMBER ASSEMBLY EXHIBITED RUST CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

Engine
Filed Oct 27, 2015OH

TL* 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.

Structure › Body
Filed Oct 20, 2015MI

FRONT SUBFRAME ROTTED, HAS HOLES BIG ENOUGH TO STICK YOUR HAND IN. UNSAFE TO DRIVE. CHRYSLER RECALLED THE 2007 MODEL, NOT THE 2008.

Suspension
Filed Oct 16, 2015130,000 milesPA

I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR ITS YEARLY INSPECTION. I WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE FRONT CROSSMEMBER WAS ROTTED AWAY/RUSTED AND NEED REPLACED AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF $800. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS AN COMMON PROBLEM FOR MY CAR IN THE YEARS 2007 & 2008 AS WELL AS THE JEEP COMPASS, AND IT SHOULDN'T HAPPEN ON A CAR WITH MY YEAR/MILEAGE. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, I FOUND THAT DODGE HAS ISSUED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THE 2007 CALIBERS AND IS PAYING FOR THEIR REPAIRS, BUT WILL NOT OFFER ANY COMPENSATION/WARRANTY TO THE OWNERS OF THE 2008 MODELS. THE CAR IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AT THIS POINT.

Suspension
Filed Sep 29, 2015102,000 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING OUT THE DRIVEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE UNDER CARRIAGE WAS FRACTURED DUE TO RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000. UPDATED 11/19/15*LJ

Suspension
Filed Sep 23, 201588,400 milesMA

I OWN A 2008 DODGE CALIBER THAT IS BUILT ON THE SAME CHASSIS THAT THE 2007 DODGE CALIBER WAS BUILT ON AND AS A RESULT OF RUST AND CORROSION THE FRONT SUSPENSION CROSS MEMBER FAILED AND DODGE/CHRYSLER ISSUED A TECHNICAL SAFETY BULLETIN TO THE OWNERS OF THE 2007 VEHICLES TO BRING THE VEHICLES TO A DODGE/CHRYSLER REPAIR FACILITY TO HAVE THE CROSS MEMBER REPLACE AT NO CHARGE. I HAVE CONTACTED DODGE/CHRYSLER THREE TIMES INCLUDING PICTURES OF MY RUSTED AND CORRODED CROSS MEMBER AND THEY HAVE REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I WORK AT A VOCATIONAL TRAINING SCHOOL WHERE THEY TEACH AUTOMOTIVE REPAIRING AS CLASS, AND I OFFERED TO DODGE/CHRYSLER THAT I WOULD ABSORB THE LABOR COST IF THEY WOULD SEND ME THE CROSS MEMBER AT NO COST AND THE REFUSED TO DO THAT ALSO. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH THEIR DECISION AS I AM CONCERNED WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AT THE TIME THE CROSS MEMBER FAILS. I WOULD BE HAPPY TO INCLUDE THE PHOTOS HERE BUT THERE IS NO WAY TO ATTACH THEM.

Steering
Filed Sep 20, 2015135,000 milesMI

FOUND THAT THE ENGINE CRADLE IS RUSTING OUT. THIS CRADLE SUPPORTS ALL STEERING FRONT SUSPENSION AND ENGINE/TRANSMISSION. HAVE ALSO FOUND THAT THIS WAS A PROBLEM FOR THE 2007 MODELS AND IS STILL A PROBLEM ON 2008 MODELS. ALTHOUGH 2007 MODELS ARE RECALLED AND REPLACED BUT NOT 2008. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY FACTOR AS STATED ALL STEERING AND SUSPENSION ARE CONNECTED TO THIS CRADLE. IF FAILURE TO CRADLE HAPPENS ALL LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE IS INEVITABLE.

Engine
Filed Sep 17, 2015NY

NOTED MOUNTS RUST AND I ALMOST LOST THE ENGINE THANKS TO A DUE INSPECTION I WAS SAVE A BAD ACCIDENT. THE 2007 DODGE IS COVERED BUT NOT THE 2008.

Service Brakes
Filed Sep 10, 2015145,000 milesCO

OWNED THE CAR FOR ALMOST 4 YEARS. TIE RODS HAVE BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES. RECENTLY HAD TO REPLACE, STRUTS, BALL JOINTS, BRAKES ON THE FRONT FOR THE 5TH TIME, BACK BREAKS ARE OUT AND ROTORS AS WELL HAD THEM REPLACED LESS THAN A YEAR AGO. MANIFOLD HAD TO BE REPLACED. BARRINGS ON THE FRONT AND ONE ON THE RIGHT BACK. WENT THROUGH A SET A TIRES IN LESS THAN 6 MONTHS. HAS BEEN TO DODGE AND OTHER MECHANICS PROBLEMS STILL PERSIST.

Engine
Filed Sep 3, 201584,000 milesPA

TL* 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.

Suspension
Filed Aug 24, 2015133,833 milesVA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SWERVED AND MADE A CLICKING SOUND WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT BALL JOINT AND THE LOWER CONTROL ARM FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE AN ALIGNMENT WAS PERFORMED BUT FAILED TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED. THE BRAKE EMITTED A METAL GRINDING NOISE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE BRAKE SYSTEM AND FOUND CORROSION ON THE BRAKE LINES THE CORROSION WAS REMOVED FROM THE BRAKE LINES HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,833. MA 10/15/2015 *CN

Suspension
Filed Aug 23, 2015133,807 milesMI

WHILE PERFORMING AN OIL CHANGE AND BRAKE INSPECTION, I SAW THE REAR SECTION OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION CROSS MEMBER HAS RUST THROUGH IN SEVERAL LOCATIONS. THE VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE IN THIS CONDITION.

Suspension
Filed Aug 20, 2015NJ

THE CAR WAS MAKING A RATTLING NOISE. TOOK IT TO THE SHOP THE ENTIRE BOTTOM WAS RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. COST $1500.00. HAD TO HAVE THE FRONT SUSPENSION REPLACED THREE YEARS PRIOR.

Structure › Body
Filed Aug 17, 2015107,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED AND THE SUBFRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000.

Structure › Body
Filed Aug 7, 201551,000 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED A HOLE HAD DEVELOPED IN THE FRAME UNDER THE VEHICLE DUE TO CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHERE IT DIAGNOSED THAT THE K MEMBER FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000.

SuspensionCrash
Filed Jul 27, 201560,000 milesCA

LEFT FRONT WHEEL (LEFT TIE ROD ASSEMBLY?) BROKE AND WHEEL/TIRE WAS DETACHED FROM VEHICLE WHILE IT WAS BEING DRIVEN, CAUSING THE CAR TO "COLLIDE" WITH THE GROUND (GEICO DEFINITION - POLICY 4324 0054 06, CLAIM 048 555 271010 1019; ADJUSTER CHARLES FINCHER) ) AND LOSING CONTROL BEFORE SKIDDING TO A STOP. DAMAGE INCLUDED WHEEL WELL, HOOD, DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR, BREAKING SYSTEM, AND WHEEL CONNECTION HARDWARE. RECEIPT IS IN THE MAIL FROM THE REPAIR SHOP (NORTH CANTON COLLISION IN CANTON OH) SO WE DON'T HAVE EXACT DAMAGE SPECIFICS YET.

Steering
Filed Jul 21, 2015131,812 milesAZ

THE FIRST DAY I BOUGHT THE CAR I NOTICE THE JERKING BACK AND FORTH ON THE ACCELERATOR ABOUT 30 MILES AN HOUR OR SO AND IT ALSO HAS A BAD VIBRATION SOON AS YOU START THE MOTOR AND LOT OF PLAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN LIKE THE STEERING WHEEL IS NOT BOLTED DOWN IS STALLED ON ME ABOUT 5-6 TIMES AS IT WAS JERKING BACK AND FORTH AND WHEN I GO OVER POTHOLES IN THE ROAD OR A SMALL BUMP IT CLUNKS IN THE FRONT AND LIKE THE STRUTS ARE LOOSE

Suspension
Filed Jul 20, 2015110,000 milesIL

I BOUGHT MY 2008 DODGE CALIBER IN JULY 2010. IT HAD 27,000 MILES ON IT. IT WAS A CAMPAIGN CAR. IT HAS ALWAYS HAD A PROBLEM WITH PICKUP. ACCELERATION IS NOT GREAT, BUT WE NOTICED ON A JULY 4 TRIP, THAT THE CAR WAS NOT ONLY MAKING THE "NORMAL" STEERING/SUSPENSION NOISE, BUT IT WAS ALSO MAKING A WHIRRING NOISE THAT MY HUSBAND FEARED WAS THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT AT THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE AND FOUND OUT THAT THE WHIRRING NOISE WAS NOT THE TRANSMISSION, BUT THE ALTERNATOR IS BAD. $550.00. THE BALL JOINTS AND THE TIE ROD ENDS ARE BAD AND NEED TO BE REPLACED, $1040. THE STRUTS ALSO NEED TO BE REPLACED AS WELL AS THE FRONT BRAKES. $800. YES, MY CAR HAS 110,000 MILES ON IT, BUT THE TRADE IN VALUE IS ONLY ABOUT $3500 ANYWAY. ITS LUCKILY BEEN PAID OFF FOR MANY YEARS. THE BALL JOINT/TIE ROD ISSUE IS VERY WORRYSOME, THOUGH. IT IS DANGEROUS.

Suspension
Filed Jul 13, 2015155,000 milesAL

I HAVE A 2008 DODGE CALIBER WE BOUGHT IT IN APRIL 2013 AND ABOUT EVERY 5-6 MONTHS WE HAVE TO REPLACE STRUTS, BALL JOINTS,ETC. PLUS HAVE THE SWAY BAR WORKED ON THAT OFTEN AS WELL..... DODGE NEEDS TO RECALL ALL THESE CARS WITH THIS DEFECT AND WE HAVE PROBLEMS WITH ALIGNMENTS... THESE CARS ARE VERY HIGH MAINTENANCE BECAUSE THEY ARE SO DEFECTED AND NO ONE CAN AFFORD TO REPLACE ALL THIS AND KEEP THEIR CARS IN SHOPS EVERY 5-6 MONTHS... PLEASE DODGE DO SOMETHING ABOUT ALL OF THIS...

Engine
Filed Jul 1, 2015160,000 milesNY

TL* 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.

Suspension
Filed Jun 30, 201530,000 milesIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE BECAME UNSTABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO INDICATED THAT THE FRONT STRUTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THAT THEY WERE PREMATURELY WORN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

Power Train
Filed Jun 29, 2015112,000 milesMA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT AN UNKNOWN PART NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 112,000.

Structure › Body
Filed Jun 26, 2015108,000 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE DURING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS EXTENSIVE RUST AND CORROSION CAUSING HOLES ON THE FRAMING OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE SUB FRAME, THE FRONT SUSPENSION CROSS MEMBER AND THE ENTIRE UNDERBODY FRAMING DETERIORATED PREMATURELY AND MIGHT FRACTURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000. UPDATED 09/14/15*LJ UPDATED 10/31/2017*CN

Structure › Frame and Members › Underbody Shields
Filed Jun 15, 2015149,099 milesIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, A PASSENGER HEARD A CRUNCHING SOUND UNDER THE VEHICLE. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ENTIRE FRONT CROSS MEMBER WAS CORRODED, WHICH RESULTED IN THE FRAME BEING FRACTURED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INOPERABLE DUE TO THE CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 149,099. UPDATED 7/23/15*CN UPDATED 8/19/15*CN UPDATED 9/23/15 *JS UPDATED 9/30/15 *JS

Unknown or Other
Filed May 23, 201560,000 milesMI

PULLED CAR OUT OF DRIVEWAY NOTICED TO GO STRAIGHT STEERING WHEEL WAS AT 10 O'CLOCK POSITION AND WHEN I HIT A BUMP FELT LIKE THERE WAS NO SUSPENSION. HAD IT TOWED IN TO BE CHECKED. SUB FRAME HAD COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH AND WAS DETACHED.

Unknown or Other
Filed May 21, 201541,204 milesNY

THE SUB FRAME OF THIS VEHICLE IS RUSTED OUT AND NEEDS REPLACING. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE 2007 MODEL BUT NONE FOR THE 2008. THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED IN FEBRUARY 2008 AND, MOST LIKELY, WAS MADE WITH FAULTY 2007 PARTS. CALLS MADE TO CHRYSLER-DODGE RESULTED IN THEM SAYING THIS IS MY PROBLEM AND I HAVE TO PAY FOR A REPLACEMENT SUB FRAME WHICH WILL COST APPROXIMATELY $1000. IN ADDITION, A YEAR AGO, THE FRONT BUMPER HAD TO BE REPAINTED DUE TO SUB PAR PAINT JOB BY THE MANUFACTURER.

Structure › Body
Filed May 15, 201595,000 milesNY

TL* 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.

Electrical System
Filed May 11, 2015114,325 milesMI

FOR THE SECOND TIME, I LOST POWER TO THE TURN SIGNALS, WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND WASHER, REAR WIPER AND WASHER. I ALSO LOST THE ABILITY TO SET CRUISE CONTROL AND THE MILEAGE DISPLAY WAS BLANK. ABOUT 20 MINUTES INTO A RAINY DRIVE THE WIPERS AND TURN SIGNALS CAME BACK. THEN THE WIPERS STAYED ON AND WOULD NOT TURN OFF. I STOPPED FOR GAS THE THE KEY FOB WOULD NOT LOCK/UNLOCK DOORS. PROBLEMS WENT AWAY AND CAME BACK, BUT NOT ALL OF THEM. I DROVE TO THE CHRYSLER / DODGE DEALER AND ASKED ABOUT ANY SERVICE BULLETIN. THEY DIDN'T FIND ANYTHING SPECIFIC ON THE COMPUTER. MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE CAR TROUBLE-SHOT ON 5/23/2015. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAG MAYBE NOT DEPLOYING SHOULD I NEED IT.

Suspension
Filed May 4, 2015108,000 milesMA

MY SONS CAR, SUB FRAME RUSTED INCONSISTENT WITH ALL OF OTHER COMPONENTS. MAKING UNUSUAL NOISES, DEEMED UNSAFE TO OPERATE. *TR

Suspension
Filed Apr 30, 2015104,000 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CROSS MEMBER CAUSED THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL TO TURN INWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CROSS MEMBER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000.

Steering
Filed Apr 28, 201559,365 milesNY

A TECHNICIAN STATED FRONT CRADLE (CONNECTS STEERING, SUSPENSION, ETC PARTS) IS ROTTED & REQUIRES REPLACEMENT. CALLED CHRYSLER (800-247-9763) AND INQUIRED ABOUT CHRYSLER ACTION # 23-012-14, THEY STATED THEY EXTEND WARRANTY FOR REPAIRS ON 2007'S BUT WOULD NOT COVER MY 2008 DODGE CALIPER. THIS ISSUE IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. THE CAR IS IN GOOD SHAPE & I FEEL THIS IS DEFECTIVE PRODUCT AND SHOULD BE COVERED BY CHRYSLER/DODGE. I NEED ASSISTANCE IN HAVING THIS VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR COVERED IN FULL. *TR

Suspension
Filed Apr 25, 201581,000 milesOH

I HAVE A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. I WASH AND MAINTAIN IT ON A REGULAR BASIS. THIS CAR HAS A TERRIBLE SUSPENSION SINCE IT WAS NEW, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT CONTROL ARMS BECAUSE OF THE REAR BUSHINGS AND LOOSE BALL JOINTS, ONE AT 32,000 MILES. BOTH REAR UPPER CONTROL ARMS AND REAR LINKS. IT IS AN ALIGNMENT NIGHTMARE. I TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL GARAGE FOR AN ALIGNMENT AFTER I CHANGED SOME PARTS THIS MORNING AND THE BACK OF THE SUBFRAME IS ROTTED OUT. THE CAR ISN'T 6 YEARS OLD AND THE BODY STILL LOOKS GREAT. I CALLED DODGE AND THEY SAID THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM AND WOULDN'T COMMIT TO A BULLETIN #23-012-14 , THAT COVERED 2007. *TR

Power Train
Filed Apr 23, 201586,500 milesTN

WHILE GOING 45 MPH CAR STARTED STALLING AND WOULD IDLE AT 1.5 STOPPED IN NEUTRAL. LOST ALMOST ALL POWER. MERELY CAUSED A COLLISION. *TR

Power Train
Filed Apr 19, 2015113,000 milesMI

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. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Apr 11, 2015110,000 milesVA

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. *TR

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.

Full record for the 2008 Dodge Caliber → · Every Caliber year → · How the figures are calculated →