MY 2009 DODGE CALIBER STARTED EMITTING SOME TERRIBLE SOUNDS WHILE BEING DRIVEN IN THE CITY YESTERDAY (10/20/2016). THIS OCCURRED WHEN TURNING AND DRIVING OVER ANYTHING BUT SMOOTH ROAD. STEERING AND BRAKING WERE NEGATIVELY AFFECTED. AFTER STOPPING I LIFTED IT UP TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THIS AND FOUND THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE STRUT TOWER STABILIZER BAR HAD SEPARATED FROM THE SUBFRAME. THE BOLTS HADN'T SIMPLY COME LOOSE; THE SECTION OF THE SUBFRAME TO WHICH THE STABILIZER BAR ATTACHES HAD TORN AWAY. THERE IS VERY LITTLE RUST ON ANY OTHER PART OF THE CAR YET I CAN BASICALLY POKE HOLES THROUGH THE SUBFRAME WITH MY FINGER. *TR
2009 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 2009 record →
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALER FOR ROUTINE INSPECTION, THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,150.
WHILE MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN THE VEHICLE RIGHT FRONT COLLAPSED FORCING ME OFF THE ROAD. FORTUNATELY BECAUSE I WAS TRAVELING AT A VERY LOW SPEED I WAS ABLE TO STOP ON THE SHOULDER. HAD I BEEN TRAVELING ON A MULTIPLE LANE HIGHWAY, PASSING ANOTHER CAR OR AT A HIGHER RATE OF SPEED THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. UPON INSPECTION I FOUND THAT THE FRONT FRAME HAD RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH AND COLLAPSED THE SUSPENSION. IT IS QUITE APPARENT THAT THE FRAME IS POORLY DESIGNED OR CONSTRUCTED. POSSIBLY BOTH. AT ANY RATE THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. I NOTIFIED CHRYSLER IN JULY AND OTHER THAN AN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT HAVE NOT HEARD FROM THEM. KINDLY ADVISE ME IF THERE IS ANY ACTION THAT YOUR ORGANIZATION CAN TAKE. SINCERELY, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
THIS CAR ATTEMPTED TO KILL ME TWICE. FIRST THE SUBFRAME ROTTED OUT DUE TO BAD DESIGN. WE NOTICED THIS AS THE STRUTS WERE BEING REPLACED - ALSO BECAUSE OF BAD DESIGN. THIS WAS NOTICED IN 2014 (ON A 2009 VEHICLE!) COST ME OVER $1,000 TO FIX - DODGE OFFERED NO HELP AT ALL. LATER IN 2014 - THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE ARM SEPARATED FROM WHEEL, CAUSING WHEEL TO POP OFF. IF I WAS GOING ANY FASTER THAN THE 10 MPH I WAS GOING (HEADED TO HIGHWAY!), I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. AGAIN CONTACTED DODGE AND NO ASSISTANCE. THEY RECALLED THE 2007 BUT NOT THIS MODEL YEAR FOR THESE PROBLEMS. PICTURES ATTACHED. I HOPE SOMEONE HOLDS THIS COMPANY ACCOUNTABLE! CARS SHOULD NOT COST THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO REPAIR IN YEAR 5!!!
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V528000 (POWER TRAIN). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 199,000.
THE CROSS MEMBER/CRADLE/MODULE FRONT SUSPENSION WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH IN ONE SECTION AND SEVERE RUST/CORROSION ON MOST OF PART. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND IN FOR ROUTINE REPAIR WHEN INFORMED VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND SHOULD BE REPAIRED IMMEDIATELY. THIS ISSUE IS A RECALL FOR THE 2007 DODGE CALIBER.
CUSTOMER BROUGHT VEHICLE IN FOR PA STATE INSPECTION. AND FRONT CROSS-MEMBER IS RUSTED OUT AND WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION. THERE IS 101,000 MILES ON IT, AND NO OTHER RUST ON THE VEHICLE. CUSTOMER THINKS THE EXTENDED WARRANTY SHOULD COVER 2007 - 2009 VEHICLES, BECAUSE IT'S THE SAME PROBLEM ON ALL THESE MODELS. IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. A YEAR AGO, THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS FAILED AND WERE REPLACED BY THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER A WEEK AGO AND A MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT CROSS MEMBER WAS PREMATURELY RUSTED EXTENSIVELY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE MORE THAN THREE TIMES, BUT PROVIDED NO REMEDY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. ..UPDATED 11/21/16 *BF *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE DRIVING HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE FROM 60 TO 30 MPH WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT IF THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS PRESSED, THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE WITH NO ISSUES FOR A WHILE BEFORE THE FAILURE WOULD RECUR. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE ALTERNATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CERTIFIED MECHANIC DIAGONOISED THAT THE PCM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE DEALER VERIFIED THE DIAGNOSIS. THE PCM WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTUER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD PREMATURE CORROSION ON THE CROSS MEMBER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,800.
SUMMARY: THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE MECHANIC THINKING THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION. MECHANIC STATES THE THE FLUID NEDEDED CHANGED AND FOUND A FRONT CROSSMEMBER OF THE SUBFRAME COMPLETELY RUSTED APART NEXT TO THE SWAY BAR. THE 2007 MODEL HAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT WAS GIVEN TO EXTEND IT 10 YEARS WITH UNLIMITED MILEAGE FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE CROSSMEMBER, BUT THEY HAVE YET TO DO THIS WITH THE 2009 MODEL. OBVIOUSLY, THE ISSUE HAS CONTINUED WITH SUBSEQUENT MODEL YEARS AND IS ABSOLUTELY UNREASONABLE TO THINK A VEHICLE THAT IS 7 YEARS OLD WITH NO OTHER RUST, SHOULD HAVE SUCH A SERIOUS ISSUE.
MY SON WAS DRIVING THIS CAR TO WORK NOTICED A SEVERE CHANGE TO THE STEERING. IT CAUSE HIM TO VEER INTO THE OTHER LANE AND LUCKILY THERE WAS NO OTHER ONCOMING TRAFFIC. HE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT ONTO WORK AND CALLED ME TO LET ME KNOW OF THE PROBLEM. AFTER DRIVING JUST 10 FEET IT WAS OBVIOUS THAT IT WAS UN-DRIVABLE AND UNSAFE. AFTER CALLING THE TOWING SERVICE THEY SUGGESTED THAT I CALL DODGE TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL SINCE THEY HAD ALREADY TOWED OTHER DODGES OF SIMILAR YEARS WITH A RUSTED/ BROKEN SUB FRAMES. CALL LOCAL DEALER WITH THE VIN AND ASK TO IF THERE WAS ANY RECALLS FOR A BROKEN SUB FRAME. THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS NOT A RECALL AND DID NOT OFFER TO MAKE A REPAIR EVEN AT MY COST. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL SERVICE CENTER WHO HAD SEEN THE SAME PROBLEM BEFORE ON OTHER DODGES AND WAS FAMILIAR WITH THE REPAIR. AFTER $600 FOR THE PART AND $600 FOR LABOR THE REPAIR WAS MADE ON A CAR WITH 89,000 MILES. WHILE THE CAR WAS GETTING REPAIRED I WAS ABLE TO TELL A CO-WORKER ABOUT THE RECALL FOR THE EXACT SAME ISSUE ON HER 2007 CALIBER WHICH I DISCOVERED WHILE RESEARCHING. SHE WAS ABLE TO GET HERS REPAIRED WITH NO CHARGE. CONTACTED DODGE AND SINCE THERE IS NO RECALL THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR AT THIS POINT. THEY KNOW THAT THERE IS PROBLEM SO I GUESS THAT MEANS DODGE STANDS FOR DODGE RESPONSIBILITY AT THE COST OF THE CONSUMER. I NOT BE PURCHASING ANY MOPAR PRODUCTS IN THE FUTURE.
THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE MECHANIC THINKING THERE WAS A BRAKE ISSUE AS THERE WAS A CLUNKING AND SHAKING WHILE BRAKING AND TURNING. MECHANIC STATES THE BRAKES ARE FINE AND FOUND A FRONT CROSSMEMBER OF THE SUBFRAME COMPLETELY RUSTED APART NEXT TO THE SWAY BAR. THE 2007 MODEL HAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT WAS GIVEN TO EXTEND IT 10 YEARS WITH UNLIMITED MILEAGE FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE CROSSMEMBER, BUT THEY HAVE YET TO DO THIS WITH THE 2009 MODEL. OBVIOUSLY, THE ISSUE HAS CONTINUED WITH SUBSEQUENT MODEL YEARS AND IS ABSOLUTELY UNREASONABLE TO THINK A VEHICLE THAT IS 7 YEARS OLD WITH NO OTHER RUST, SHOULD HAVE SUCH A SERIOUS ISSUE.
HEARD A LOUD NOISE THAT SOUNDED LIKE A BROKEN SPRING ON MY CAR AND TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC, WHERE I FOUND OUT MY ENGINE CRADLE IS COMPLETELY ROTTED AND BROKEN IN SEVERAL PLACES. I DRIVE 30 MILES TO WORK ON A MAJOR FREEWAY, DOING 70 - 80 MPH 5-7 DAYS A WEEK. IF THIS ENGINE CRADLE HAD BROKE COMPLETELY DURING MY COMMUTE, I WOULD HAVE CRASHED OR FLIPPED MY CAR!! THIS IS BEYOND A SAFETY CONCERN. I RECENTLY GOT RID OF A 1998 VEHICLE THAT DIDNT HAVE EVEN 1/10TH THIS AMOUND OF RUST ON ITS FRAME. I UNDERCARRIAGE FLUSH-CARWASH MY CAR EVERY WEEK MINIMUM DURING THE WINTER MONTHS TO AVOID LONGTERM SALT EXPOSURE. AND MY CAR IS GARAGE PARKED ALL THE TIME AT HOME. I TRANSPORT MY SMALL CHILDREN IN THIS CAR, AND AM SERIOUSLY CONSIDERING FINDING A LAWYER FOR A CLASS ACTION SUIT ON THIS MATTER. THERE ARE A TON OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE REGARDING THIS ISSUE. A 6 YEAR OLD CAR SHOULD NOT BE THIS ROTTED!!!! I
ON MAY 7TH, 2016 I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. MY CAR STALLED AND NO MATTER WHAT I DID, PRESSING, PUMPING, OR MASHING, MY BRAKES WOULD NOT SLOW OR STOP THE CAR. NOW, MY CAR HAS DONE THIS IN THE PAST USUALLY RIGHT AS I AM COMING TO A FULL STOP. THE FIRST MONTH I OWNED THE CAR, I CASUALLY TOLD THE SERVICE WRITER AT MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP ABOUT IT AND THEY SAID NOT TO USE CHEAP GAS. I TOLD THEM THAT I USE GAS FROM SHELL, NOT CHEAP GAS. THEN IT WOULD HAPPEN AGAIN, I WOULD MENTION IT AGAIN, BEING TOLD ABOUT USING CHEAP GAS. WHICH AGAIN, I TOLD THEM I DON'T USE CHEAP GAS IN MY CAR. I BELIEVE MY ACCIDENT WAS CAUSED BY THE ISSUE LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V528000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED AND SERVICING THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS SEVERE CORROSION NOTICED ON THE FRONT AND REAR SUB FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT AND REAR SUB FRAME WAS RUSTED THROUGH AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 154,000.
RUSTED FRONT SUBFRAME RESULTING IN STEERING VIBRATION AND TIRE RUBBING WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE WAS PULLING HARD TO ONE SIDE WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE. UNSTABLE RIDE DUE TO PREMATURE RUSTING OF SUBFRAME
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE, THE CROSS MEMBERS WERE ROTTED AND THE ENGINE COULD FALL OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CROSS MEMBERS WERE ROTTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT COMMON. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000. ....UPDATED 07/05/16 *BF
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER FOR SERVICE, THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME WAS RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED TO COVER THE COST OF THE PART ONLY. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE A CREAKING SOUND. A MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE MAIN CROSS MEMBER WAS CORRODED. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000.
UPON INSPECTION OF MY 2009 DODGE CALIBER I WAS INFORMED THAT THE CROSS MEMBER IS ALMOST COMPLETELY CORRODED OUT.WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS GREATER THAN 55 MPH THERE IS VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL. MY CAR WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION BECAUSE THIS CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. MY HUSBAND CONTACTED CHRYSLER CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WE WERE INFORMED THAT THIS YEAR IS NOT RECALLED SO BASICALLY THERE'S NOTHING THEY'RE WILLING TO DO. IF THE 2007 WAS RECALLED AND THE WARRANTY WAS EXTENDED FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, WHY IS MY 2009 CROSS MEMBER RUSTED OUT? BECAUSE THE SAME PARTS WERE USED AND DEALERSHIPS NEVER WARNED CUSTOMERS THAT THIS WAS A HUGE AND EXPENSIVE PROBLEM ON THESE VEHICLES. WHAT HAPPENED TO SATISFIED CUSTOMERS??? I'M LIVID ABOUT THIS. 8 MONTHS AGO BEFORE MY VEHICLE HAD 50X MILES ON IT, THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. AND THIS CAR ISN'T A PIECE OF CRAP RIGHT? MADE IN CHINA?? I CAN'T BELIEVE THE HORRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE THAT CHRYSLER UTILIZES. SO ARE THEY WAITING FOR A CATASTROPHIC ACCIDENT THAT KILLS SOMEBODY BEFORE THEY ARE WILING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. WE WERE TOLD WHEN WE CALLED THAT "THERE'S NOT ENOUGH COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE THAT WOULD WARRANT A RECALL." REALLY???? SO WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN HERE IS I'M GOING TO CONTACT MY ATTORNEY AND CONTACT THE LOCAL NEWS. I AM DEFINITELY NOT THE 1ST PERSON WITH THIS SAME ISSUE AND SAFETY DEFECT. CHRYSLER WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND FIX YOUR PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES BEFORE THEY TAKE THE LIFE OF INNOCENT PEOPLE??? I'M DISGUSTED
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH AND MAKING A TURN, THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE KNOCKER FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.
MY NAME IS [XXX] & MY WIFE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT ABOUT 55 MILES PER HOUR & THE STEERING WHEEL LOST CONTROL PULLING THE VEHICLE TO ON COMING TRAFFIC! SHE NEARLY MISS THE VEHICLE AND GOT CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. SHE WAS NEAR THE PLACE WHERE WE TAKE OUR VEHICLES TO GET REPAIRED,SO SHE HAD IT TOWED THERE. ) THE MECHANIC CHECKED IT OUT AND SAID THE ENGINE CRADLE RUSTED OUT ON THE DRIVER SIDE AND BROKE THRU. THE TIRES WERE CHOPPED UP ON BOTH SIDES FROM CUTTING IN TO THE FRONT END ALSO. THE VEHICLE IS ONLY A 2009 .I CALLED CHRYSLER COMPLAINT DEPT.AND SHE SAID THAT THEY COULDN'T DO ANY THING ABOUT IT BECAUSE THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THE DODGE CALIBER 2009 MODELS(ONLY ON THE 2005 CALIBER MODELS) SHE ALSO SAID THAT SHE BOUGHT THE SAME TYPE OF (USED )CALIPER AND HER DAD LOOKED AT IT AND SAID THE ENGINE CRADLE WAS RUSTING OUT . SO SHE SOLD IT.! MY WIFE COULD OF GOTTEN IN A HEAD ON ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS! WE TAKE A LOT OF PRIDE IN OUR VEHICLES & KEEP UP ON THE REGULAR MAINTENANCE.WE ALSO HAVE ALL THE RECORDS ON EVERYTHING THAT WE HAD DONE WITH THE VEHICLE. A PERSON CALLED TO ASK US ABOUT THE COMPLAINT AND WE COULD TALK TO HER AT THAT TIME BECAUSE MY WIFE WAS WORKING AT THAT TIME SO THE PERSON SAID THEY WOULD CALL BACK BUT WE HAVEN'T HEARD FROM THEM IN ABOUT A WEEK. PLEASE CALL US ABOUT THIS AT . [XXX] THE CAR IS REPAIRED AND WE HAVE THE BILL AND THE RUSTED OUT ENGINE CRADLE IF YOU NEED A PICTURE OF IT. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C.
UPON INSPECTION OF MY DODGE CALIBER SUSPENSION AND FRONT UNDERCARRIAGE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE CRADLE HAD SEVER CORROSION. THE CORROSION HAS CREATED A SAFETY CONCERN REGARDING THE STABILITY OF THE ENGINE AND LOWER CONTROL ARMS. THE CAR HAS 58,500 MILES. THE DEALER AND FIAT CHRYSLER REFUSE TO FIX THE ISSUE BECAUSE THEY STATED IT'S OUT OF WARRANTY. FIAT CHRYSLER HAS ISSUED A TECHNICAL BULLETIN 23-012-14 FOR FRONT AND REAR CROSSMEMBER CORROSION (X58 10 YEARS UNLIMITED) FOR M.Y 2007 DODGE CALIBERS FOR THE SAME DEFECT. MY 2009 CALIBER USES THE SAME PART NUMBER, SAME PART THAT IS BEING REPLACED IN EARLIER VEHICLES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THE PREMATURE CORROSION PRESENTS A SAFETY CONCERN FOR THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS. THE VEHICLE IS BECOMING UNSTABLE WHILE TURNING CORNERS.
CAR SEEMS TO REV AT A FAST SPEED. HAD TO USE BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKES TO SLOW IT DOWN TO ABOUT 25 MPH THEN PUT IT IN PARK UNTIL THE VEHICLE REGULATED ITS SELF
THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL IMPACT CRASH WITH A GUARDRAIL FACE. THERE WAS AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT BUT NEITHER OCCUPANT WAS BUCKLED. SEATBELT PRE-TENSIONER FIRED AND PULLED THE D-RING OUT OF THE B PILLAR. THIS POTENTIAL ISSUE DID NOT APPEAR TO HAVE AN IMPACT ON OCCUPANT INJURIES.
THE CVT TRANSMISSION IS JUNK. CONSTANTLY DOWN SHIFTING ITSELF, EVEN WHEN THE CRUISE IS SET, AND BEING DROVE SHORT LOW SPEED DISTANCES. I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE COMPLAINING. SEVERAL PEOPLE I HAVE TALKED TO THAT OWN THEM HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS. ALREADY RETURNED ONE CALIBER TO THE DEALER, EVEN AFTER REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION IT DID NO GOOD. A WEEK LATER IT WAS RIGHT BACK IN THE GARAGE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND STALLED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. UPON INSPECTION, THE REAR TIRE DEATACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THERE WAS SEVERE CORROSION ON THE CROSSMEMBER WHICH CAUSED THE AXLE TO FRACTURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000.
ELECTRIC FAULT STARTED A FIRE UNDER THE HOOD RESULTING IN ALL COMPONENTS TO COMPLETELY BURN. A BURNING SMELL STARTED WHILE I WAS DRIVING, I CHECKED THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE AND THE NEEDLE WAS UNDER THE COLD TICK. I CONTINUED DRIVING TO THE NEAREST PARKING WHICH TOOK ABOUT 1 MINUTE AND SMOKE WAS ALREADY COMING OUT VISIBLE FROM THE HOOD. I DON'T LIVE IN THE US, SO STATAE, ZIP CODE AND PHONE NUMBERS I ENTERED ARE DUMMY. I LIVE IN THE UAE, ABU DHABI PHONE: 0091502124224
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE ABOVE APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO MOVE FROM FIRST GEAR. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE K- FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THAT THE CONTACT NEEDED TO LOCATE A DEALER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE CERTIFIED MECHANIC CLEARED ALL THE CODES FOR THE TRANSMISSION; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 171,180.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN OVER TO START THE VEHICLE. ALSO, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS EXTREMELY TIGHT AND DIFFICULT TO TURN WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIPM FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 166,500.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE CONTACT TEMPORARILY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT A PART OF THE SUSPENSION HAD DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS EXTREME CORROSION UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND THAT THE SUBFRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. .....UPDATED 04/15/16 *BF *CN
2009 DODGE CALIBER, WITHIN 3 MONTHS OF BUYING VEHICLE, AS IS, STARTED HAVING ACCELERATION PROBLEMS, BRAKE AND SUSPENSION PROBLEMS. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, WAS INFORMED I NEEDED SUSPENSION BAR AND STRUTS REPLACED WHICH WOULD COST OVER $800. ABOUT THE SAME TIME MY TRANSMISSION OVERHEAT LIGHT STARTED COMING ON, I LOOSE POWER AND HAVE TO PULL OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FOR 15-30 MINUTES BEFORE VEHICLE WOULD DRIVE AGAIN. GO APPROX. 23 MILES AT A TIME WHEN SAME PROBLEM OCCURS. WORSE IN THE SUMMER TIME. TODAY, MY ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL LIGHT, MALFUNCTION INDICATION LIGHT AND ENGINE OVERHEAT LIGHT CAME ON AND REMAINS ON EVERY TIME I START THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE WILL NOT ACCELERATE WITHOUT GETTING UP BETWEEN 3 & 4 RPM'S. NOT MUCH POWER. WHEN HITTING A BUMP OR ICE AT STOPPING POINT, VEHICLE JUMPS AHEAD INSTEAD OF STOPPING, ALMOST CAUSING ME TO REAR END SEVERAL TIMES. TONS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THESE SAME ISSUES. SOMETHING MUST BE DONE. I PAID $10700 FOR MY VEHICLE. CANT EVEN AFFORD TO GET IT FIXED AS REPAIRS ARE NOW ESTIMATED OVER $4200. THIS IS NOT RIGHT TO DO TO PEOPLE...
STARTED OUT WHEN I DRIVE MORE THAN 23 MILES, TRANS. OVERHEAT LIGHT COMES ON, LOOSE POWER. GOING UP HILLS, VERY LITTLE POWER. RPM WRAPS BETWEEN 3 & 4, NORMAL DRIVING, WHEN STOPPING CAR JUMPS AHEAD IF I HIT A BUMP. BREAKS SQUEAK AFTER REPLACING BRAND NEW, NOW ENGINE OVERHEAT LIGHT, ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL LIGHT & MALFUNCTION INDICATION LIGHT ON. HAD TRANSMISSION FILTER AND FLUID REPLACED. LASTED 2 WEEKS. WORSE NOW..
TOOK MY 2009 DODGE CALIBER IN FOR INSPECTION. FRONT SUB-FRAME / CROSS MEMBER IS ROTTING AWAY AND ALMOST RUSTED. REST OF THE CAR HAS VERY LITTLE RUST. CALLED CHRYSLER CUSTOMER CARE. DODGE IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND EXTENDED THE WARRANTY FOR THE 07 BUT NOT THE 09 KNOWING THE ISSUE WAS NOT RESOLVED. HAVE AN APPOINTMENT AT THE DEALERSHIP (WHO ARE AWESOME) TO INSPECT THE PROBLEM FURTHER.
THE 2009 DODGE CALIBER WAS DEEMED UNSAFE AND UNABLE TO PASS A MAINE SAFETY INSPECTION. THE FRONT AND REAR CROSS SUB FRAMES WERE HEAVILY RUSTED AND COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH IN SEVERAL PLACES.
WHEN I TURN ON MY SIGNALS TO MAKE A TURN, ONE OF MY HEADLIGHTS GOES OUT. SOMETIMES AT NIGHT IT'S DIFFICULT TO SEE WHERE I'M TURNING INTO. ALSO SOMETIMES WHEN I TURN MY CAR ON AND TURN ON MY HEADLIGHTS, THEY WON'T TURN ON. BUT WHEN I PUT MY IN REVERSE AND DRIVE, THEY TURN ON. I GOT STOPPED FRIDAY NIGHT BECAUSE THE POLICE OFFICER SAID MY HEADLIGHTS WERE OUT AND WHEN I TESTED THEM OUT THEY WOULDN'T TURN ON WHILE I WAS SITTING STILL. I TOOK THEM TO GOODYEAR THE NEXT DAY AND TOLD WHAT WAS WRONG. THEY CHECKED THEM OUT AND SAID THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG AND EVERYTHING WAS WORKING RIGHT. HAZARDOUS NIGHT TIME DRIVING.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH AND MADE AN ABNORMAL NOSIE. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME FAILURE LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V528000 (POWER TRAIN). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 121,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE SUBFRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000.
CAR SHAKING WHILE DRIVING ENGINE LIGHT ON AND DASH LIGHTS KEEP FLASHING
TOOK CAR IN FOR INSPECTION, WAS TOLD CRADLE , SUBFRAME IS ROTTED. WAS TOLD THERE WAS A RECALL. CHRYSLER DID RECALL 2007 2008 .BUT NOT 2009 . CAR HAS LESS THAN 60,000 MILES. BODY IS NOT RUSTED. CALLED CUSTOMER CARE AND WAS TOLD THEY ARE AWARE THERE IS A PROBLEM AND GET MANY COMPLAINT BUT HAVE CHOSEN NOT TO EXTEND RECALL. EVEN THOUGH THEY KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM. ALMOST EVERY COMPLAINT ON THIS WEBSITE IS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE.
TOOK MY 2009 DODGE CALIBER IN FOR ANNUAL STATE INSPECTION, FAILED BECAUSE OF A CRACKED K MEMBER (SUB FRAME) ON THE LEFT SIDE AND LOOSE LEFT TIE ROD. SHOP DOES NOT DO REPAIRS. TOOK TO ANOTHER REPAIR SHOP IN VERMONT FOR A SECOND LOOK. HE FOUND THAT THE K MEMBER CORRODED WITH HOLES NEAR THE MOUNTING BOLT ON THE K MEMBER AND CORROSION ON THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS. HE ORDERED PARTS TO REPLACE THE K MEMBER AND LOWER CONTROL ARMS. HE ALSO REPLACED THE OUTER TIE ROD WHICH I HAD PURCHASED AFTER THE FAILED INSPECTION. STEERING QUICKER TO LEFT THAN TO THE RIGHT BEFORE TAKING THE CAR IN FOR THE FAILED INSPECTION
FOR THE LAST 3 YEARS I HAVE HAD TROUBLE WITH THE CAR LOOSING ACCELERATION AFTER DRIVING IT FOR A PERIOD OF TIME. AT FIRST IT WOULD GO SEVERAL HOURS BUT NOW I CAN'T GO FOR A 30 MINUTE DRIVE AND OVER 70MPH BEFORE IT LOOSES ACCELERATION ON THE HIGHWAY. I WILL BE DRIVING AND THEN THE RPM'S RACE ALL THE WAY TO THE MAXIMUM, THE TEMP. GAUGE COMES ON AND IT LOOSES POWER. I CAN PUT THE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR AND IT WON'T GO ANYWHERE. I HAVE TO SIT AND WAIT FOR IT TO 'COOL' OFF WHICH IS CRAZY SINCE IT'S NOT OVER HEATED. THIS CAN TAKE ANYWHERE FROM A HALF HOUR TO AN HOUR EACH TIME. WHEN I TRY TO START OUT AGAIN AFTER IT'S SET, I CAN GO ANOTHER MILE BEFORE IT HAPPENS AGAIN AND I START ALL OVER. I HAVE HAD IT TO SEVERAL MECHANICS AND THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THEY DON'T HAVE THE TIME TO TAKE IT OUT ON A DRIVE LIKE THAT TO HAVE IT HAPPEN TO THEM. IT'S A HAZZARD AND I'VE BEEN ALMOST REAR ENDED A FEW TIMES BY SEMI'S AND OTHER CARS. THIS CAR IS VERY UNSAFE BUT IT'S ALL I HAVE. I NOW HAVE A PIECE OF SOMETHING HANGING FROM THE UNDERCARRIAGE AND THE FRONT END IS VERY LOOSE. THIS IS A DEATH TRAP YET WHEN I CALL THE COMPANY, NOTHING IS DONE. SO GLAD THEY STAND BY THEIR PRODUCT. AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS COMPLAINT IT ASKS WHEN IT HAPPENED, IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME I GET ON THE HIGHWAY SO THERE'S NO SPECIFIC DATE, ALL THE TIME.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED FIVE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER 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 APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED, THE MECHANIC NOTICED THE REAR TRAILING ARM BUSHING WAS STUCK TO THE SUSPENSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000.
DRIVING OVER 2 HOURS ON HIGHWAY (HIGHWAY INTERSTATE 81) (ROUTE 80 ) (NEW JERSEY TURNPIKE)ENGINE STARTS WHINING RPMS RISE OVER 4 & STAY, SPEED DROPS TO 25-30MPH CAN'T GET UP INCLINE TRANSMISSION OVERHEAT LIGHT COMES ON, HAD TO PULL OVER MY SON ALMOST GOT KILLED BECAUSE CAR HAD NO POWER HAD TO LET CAR SIT FOR AN HOUR, THIS HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES CAR HAS BEEN TOWED TO 2 DEALERSHIPS 1ST DEALERSHIP(ZIMMERMAN DODGE SUNBURY, PA) COULDN'T FIND A PROBLEM 2ND DEALERSHIP(SALERNO-DUANE SUMMIT,NJ) REPLACED THE COMPUTER, CAR STILL HAS THE SAME PROBLEM CAR IS NOW BEING TOWED TO 3RD DEALERSHIP(NICHOLS DODGE BURLINGTON,NC) 69,000 MILES ON THIS CAR THIS CAR IS VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 5 TIMES JULY 2014 , OCTOBER 2014 , APRIL 2015 JULY 2015 , OCTOBER 2015,
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN.
VEHICLE WOULDN'T START. WOULDN'T TURN OVER. LIGHTS AND RADIO WORKED. BATTERY, STARTER, ALT, FUSES ALL OKAY. REPLACED TIPM. WORKED FOR 2 WEEKS AND THE PROBLEM STARTED ALL OVER AGAIN. HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM OVER AND OVER SINCE 2014. WE WERE GIVEN A 'KEY' TO TRY TO START THE CAR FROM OUTSIDE UNDER THE HOOD WHEN THIS HAPPENED. IT WORKED SOMETIMES, BUT NOT ALWAYS. IT'S BEEN TOWED AGAIN TODAY FOR THE SAME REASON(9/9/15). WE'VE OWNED MANY DODGE VEHICLES OVER THE YEARS AND NEVER HAD PROBLEMS LIKE WE HAVE WITH THE 2009 CALIBER. WE HAD GIVEN THIS CAR TO OUR DAUGHTER TO DRIVE FOR COLLEGE AND IT HAS LEFT HER STRANDED MANY, MANY TIMES. I'M CONCERNED FOR HER SAFETY.
AFTER SUSPECTING SOME FRONT END SUSPENSION ISSUES I TOOK MY 2009 DODGE CALIBER TO MY REGULAR MECHANIC. UPON INSPECTION HE REPORTED THAT, ALONG WITH CONTROL ARMS NEEDING TO BE REPLACED, THE SUBFRAME WAS UNUSUALLY RUSTED AND CORRODED TO A POINT THAT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I INVESTIGATED THE MATTER AND FOUND THAT CHRYSLER ISSUED AN EXTENSION ON THE FACTORY WARRANTY TO COVER THE SAME ISSUE ON THE 2007 CALIBERS BUT WHEN I CONTACTED CHRYSLER CUSTOMER SERVICE THEY INFORMED MY THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL OR WARRANTY EXTENSION FOR THE 2009 CALIBER. THE CAR IS AT THE GARAGE AND WILL BE GETTING FIXED TOMORROW. I HAVE TAKEN PICTURES AND WILL PURSUE THE ISSUE FURTHER.
ENGINE CRADLE IS RUSTED OUT WHEN THE REST OF THE VEHICLE HAS NO RUST AT ALL RESULTING IN APPROX. $800 TO $1000 IN REPAIRS.
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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 2009 Dodge Caliber → · Every Caliber year → · How the figures are calculated →