Page 5 of 5 · complaints 201–232 of 232

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 →

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed May 11, 201252,000 milesNJ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE VEHICLE BECAME HESITANT TO ACCELERATION ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS WHERE THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND FILTER. THE FAILURE CONTINUED AFTER THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT ADDED TRANSMISSION FLUID TO THE VEHICLE BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE INCORRECT TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS USED BY THE CONTACT. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS NO WARNING LABEL ON THE VEHICLE STATING WHICH TYPE OR BRAND OF TRANSMISSION FLUID HAD TO BE USED IN THE VEHICLE, NOR WAS THERE A DIP STICK TO CHECK THE FLUID. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000. UPDATED 08/14/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED A CODE FOR THE TRANSMISSION, WHICH READ P0218 MEANT THE TRANSMISSION OVERHEATED. UPDATED 08/16/15

Power Train
Filed May 10, 20129,908 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING BETWEEN 50-60 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE RPMS INCREASED ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE ALSO FAILED TO SHIFT GEARS AND ACCELERATE PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER EIGHTEEN TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,908 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,653.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Apr 24, 20128,587 milesPR

THE CAR STARTED HAVING STALLING PROBLEMS LESS THAN A YEAR AFTER PURCHASE. STALLING PROBLEMS ARE MORE COMMON DURING RAINY PERIODS BUT COULD HAPPEN AT ANY TIME. MOST INCIDENTS HAPPEN WHILE CAR IS ON IDLE, NO MOVEMENT, IN THE HIGHWAY OR AT A RED LIGHT. THE CAR WILL VIBRATE AND IMMEDIATELY STALL OR TRY TO. CAR HAS BEEN TAKEN TO DEALER UNDER WARRANTY BUT NO REASON FOR THE STALLING HAS BEEN FOUND; CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. NO RECALL NOTICE IS AVAILABLE AT THE DODGE PERSONALIZE WEBSITE. THIS CAR WAS BOUGHT AT THE MILITARY EXCHANGE NEW CAR SALES IN PUERTO RICO BUT APPARENTLY WAS RELOCATE FROM OCONUS EUROPE AND I AM NO SURE HOW POSSIBLE RECALLS WILL APPLY TO THIS CAR. THERE IS A NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V528000 BUT I DO NOT NOW IF IT APPLIES TO THIS CAR. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Feb 18, 201265,000 milesLA

I BOUGHT MY 2009 DODGE CALIBER BRAND NEW IN JULY 2009. I MADE MY DECISION BASED ON THE 5-YR POWERTRAIN WARRANTY, ASSUMING THE CAR MUST BE MECHANICALLY DEPENDABLE. WELL NEEDLESS TO SAY, I WAS WRONG FOR MAKING THAT ASSUMPTION. I BEGAN TO HAVE SERIOUS MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WITHIN THE FIRST 2 YEARS OF OWNING THE CAR. I REPLACED THE BATTERY 3 TIMES, HAD A TUNE-UP AT 65,000 MILES AND REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR TWICE AFTER THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THAT MY WARRANTY WOULD NOT COVER ANY REPAIRS SINCE THE CAR HAD OVER 36,000 MILES ON THE ENGINE AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY $100.00 FOR A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK TO SEE IF THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY WOULD COVER A REPAIR FOR MY CAR TO RUN. SINCE THIS CAR WAS MY ONLY TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM WORK AND LIVING PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK, I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO ATTEMPT REPAIRS WITH THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR REPLACEMENTS JUST TO MAKE IT TO WORK AND BE ABLE TO PAY MY MORTGAGE AND CAR NOTE. THOSE REPAIRS SEEM TO WORK AT FIRST UNTIL 2 WEEKS AFTER THE SECOND ALTERNATOR REPLACEMENT, WHEN I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN MY CAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND I MANAGED TO MAKE MY WAY TO THE SHOULDER. IT WAS TURNING DARK AND MY HAZARD LIGHTS WERE NO LONGER VISIBLE DUE TO THE BATTERY BEING DRAINED. I WAS ON SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE IN DARK FREEZING WEATHER FOR AT LEAST AN HOUR BEFORE A CO-WORKER COULD FIND ME TO HELP ME TO SAFETY. I RETURNED THE CAR TO THE FINANCE COMPANY. *TR

Structure › Body
Filed Feb 13, 201270,000 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S DOOR FAILED AND WOULD NOT CLOSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPRING IN THE DOOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND SEPARATED FROM THE DOOR HINGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER DENIED ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 70,000.

Wheels
Filed Feb 7, 201257,718 milesMI

3 OUT OF 4 VALVE STEM'S HAD TO BE REPLACE ON MY CAR DUE TO MATERIAL DEFECT...CONTACTED DODGE DUE TO PRODUCT FAILURE TO SEE IF THIS HAD BEEN RECALLED AS OF YET. HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY DAUGHTERS 2009 DODGE AVENGER LAST JULY 2011. *TR

Power Train
Filed Nov 22, 201175,000 milesVA

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE WHEN THE CAR DECELERATE AND TURNED OFF WITH NO WARNING. WHEN I TRIED TO TURN IT BACK ON THE POWER TRAIN LIGHT WAS ON AND INDICATED THAT IT WAS OVER HEATING. IT WOULD NOT RESTART. TOWED TO DEALER. CALLED DODGE AND THEY TOLD ME TO HAVE DIAGNOSTICS RUN (MY COST). DEALER SAID THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSION ON THIS MODEL BUT DID NOT INCLUDE MY VIN #. DIAGNOSTIC SAID NOTHING WRONG. CALLED DODGE AGAIN THEY TOLD ME TO TAKE IT TO ANOTHER DEALER 50 MILES AWAY. IT WILL COST ME ANOTHER +100 TO GET IT CHECKED OUT. MY GRANDCHILDREN WERE IN BACKSEAT CAR SEATS. I WAS ON I-95 GOING TOWARDS WASHINGTON DC IN RUSH HOUR. IF I WAS IN THE CENTER LANE, I WOULD HAVE BEEN HIT BY A SEMI AND MY GRANDKIDS KILLED. DODGE DOES NOT CARE. I AM DISAPPOINTED AS I ALSO OWN A NEON AND RAM TRUCK. I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND IT AT ALL. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Sep 1, 201135,799 milesGA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED. THE TRANSMISSION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND A HUMMING NOISE ALSO EMITTED FROM THE ENGINE PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST, WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE COMPUTER THAT OPERATED THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON TWO PREVIOUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED.THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,799 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE 38,000.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Aug 30, 201143,000 milesMI

AT 43,000 MY 2009 DODGE CALIBER'S CVT TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. DEALER WON'T FIX IT, CALLED CHRYSLER IN MAY, 2010, WAS TOLD THAT THEY WON'T FIX IT. WAS TOLD THAT THE BEARINGS ARE BAD. NOT FIXABLE, ONLY REPLACEABLE. COST $4,200. THERE IS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER RECALL REGARDING A POWER TRAIN MODULE, CALLED CHRYSLER, THEY TOLD ME THAT IT DIDN'T EXIST. I PRINTED OUT THE RECALL FROM THE NHTSA WEBSITE, THEY STILL TOLD ME THAT THEY DID NOT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THEY WOULD NOT FIX IT. AFTER REPEATEDLY SENDING EMAILS AND CALLING CHRYSLER, THEY FINALLY CAME TO THE DEALER A YEAR LATER, DROVE MY CAR AND SAID, YES, TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, BUT THEY WON'T FIX IT, IT IS OVER THE 3 YR 36,000, ?IT IS NOT WORTH PUTTING THE MONEY INTO IT?, LIKE WHAT????? THEY WON'T FIX IT. I AM A SINGLE MOM WITH TWO KIDS, 20YR CHRYSLER CUSTOMER AND THIS IS HOW I AM TREATED. ON 8/19/2011, TRANSMISSION DIED. IT IS NOW AT A TRANSMISSION SHOP, TRANSMISSION ON THE GROUND, CAN'T BE FIXED, ONLY REPLACED: COST $4,000. I DO NOT HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY, I EITHER PAY FOR MY HOUSE OR MY CAR, CAN'T DO BOTH, AND MY CHILDREN CAN'T LIVE IN THE CAR, SO I DECIDED TO MAKE HOUSE PAYMENTS. I WILL CONTACT THE MICHIGAN STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE, I WOULD LIKE TO FILE A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT REGARDING THIS CVT TRANSMISSION THAT IS NOT REPAIRABLE, ONLY REPLACEABLE AT A COST OF $4,000. I DO NOT HAVE A CAR TO DRIVE, DO NOT HAVE $4,000. HOW CAN THEY PUT A MAJOR - EXPENSIVE PART INTO A CAR, WHEN THIS PART IS NOT FI

Tires › Pressure Monitoring and Regulating Systems
Filed Aug 14, 201174,900 milesNY

IN THE LAST 2 MONTHS I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE 3 OF MY SENSORED VALVE STEMS. THIS HAS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING AND WHEN PUTTING AIR INTO THE TIRE. THE FIRST 2 I WAS ABLE TO GET THE SENSOR REPLACED WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS, THE LAST ONE I HAD TO GO TO 4 DIFFERENT PLACES TO SEE IF THEY HAD ONE, WAITED FOR 2 DAYS TO ACTUALLY GET THE PART AND THEN HAVE IT PUT IT IN. THE MANAGER AT THE STORE SAID IN THE LAST MONTH HE HAS HAD MANY VEHICLES COMING IN TO HAVE THESE REPLACED AS THEY WERE BROKEN, ESPECIALLY CHRYSLER/DODGE/JEEP PRODUCTS. *TR

Suspension › Front
Filed Aug 4, 201133,000 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS RECEIVING REPAIRS FOR STATE INSPECTION WHEN HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE FRONT LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE WORN PREMATURELY AND NEEDED REPLACING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED HIM TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 33,000. DEALER REFUSED TO DO WORK. WENT TO ANOTHER DEALER AND HAD CAR FIXED. UPDATED 09/07/2011 *LN *TR

Tires › Pressure Monitoring and Regulating Systems
Filed Jul 23, 201148,750 milesNY

WHILE CHECKING TIRE PRESSURE TPMS BROKE - FILED BY JIFFY LUBE. *TR

Steering
Filed Apr 25, 2011FL

THE ABS SENSORS IN BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT REAR TIRE WELLS ARE SUDDENLY BAD AT THE SAME TIME. THIS IS CAUSING THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) TO NOT WORK PROPERLY; SENDING THE CAR INTO A SKID. ESC IS TO ASSIST DRIVERS IN MAINTAINING CONTROL OF THEIR VEHICLES DURING EXTREME STEERING MANEUVERS. ESC SENSES WHEN A VEHICLE IS STARTING TO SPIN (OVERSTEER) OR PLOW (UNDERSTEER), AND ATTEMPTS TO CORRECT THE VEHICLE?S COURSE BY AUTOMATICALLY CONTROLLING THE THROTTLE AND APPLYING THE BRAKES AT INDIVIDUAL WHEELS. *TR

Power Train
Filed Jan 7, 201159,300 milesGA

I OWN A 2009 DODGE CALIBER RT WITH ODO READING 59,300 & MY TRANSMISSION LINE BURST CAUSING $450 IN NEEDED REPAIR THAT IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

Suspension
Filed Dec 17, 201025,000 milesNC

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE DRIVING 3 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED. AFTER INSPECTING, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A SINGLE BOLT THAT ATTACHED TO THE BOTTOM ARM WHICH HAD LOOSENED AND CAUSED THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL TO MOVE OUTWARD. THE MOVEMENT OF THE WHEEL PULLED THE DRIVESHAFT OUT OF THE TRANSMISSION AND STOPPED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 25,000.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Dec 16, 201051,900 milesOH

TRANSMISSION NOISE LOUD AND SLIPPING I HAVE ANOTHER 09 DODGE CALIBER MAKING THE SAME NOISE AND VERY SLOW TO MAKE IT UP TO SPEED FROM A STOP. *TR

Seat BeltsCrash1 injured
Filed Nov 26, 201046,000 milesMO

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH SHE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. DURING THE CRASH THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND THE SEAT BELT UNLATCHED CAUSING THE CONTACT TO FALL INTO THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUFFERED INJURIES TO THE LEFT SIDE OF HER BODY. THE CONTACT HAD NOT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT SHOULDN'T HAVE UNLATCHED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Nov 4, 20101,700 milesNV

09/2009 VEHICLE DIED WHILE DRIVING IN MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC TOWED TO DEALER, SUGGESTED CAR HAD AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM AND FIXED. 08/16/2010 VEHICLE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND VEHICLE WAS JERKING BEFORE IT DIED WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC, TOWED TO DEALER SUGGESTED TRANSMISSION WAS BAD AND FIXED. 09/14/2010 VEHICLE ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OVER TO START, WHEN STARTED DROVE 5 MILES AND STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC, TOWED BACK TO DEALER SUGGESTED COOLANT WAS LEAKING ON THE RADIATOR AND BATTERY WAS BAD AND FIXED. 09/20/2010 ENGINE, THROTTLE AND ENGINE TEMP LIGHT ON VEHICLE DIED WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC, TOWED BACK TO DEALER SUGGESTING HEAD GASKETS FAILED AND FIXED. 10/21/2010 ENGINE TEMP RUNS HOT, OVERHEATS, MAKES TUGGING SOUNDS AND JERKS WHILE DRIVING, DROVE BACK TO DEALER SUGGESTING THERMOSTATS NOT OPENING FULLY REPLACED AND STATES THE CAR WAS SOLD WITH A BAD ENGINE. 11/04/2010 CAR RETURNED TO DEALER DUE TO JERKING, ENGINE LIGHT ON, MAKING TUGGING SOUNDS AS YOU ACCELERATE, WINDING DOWN SOUNDS WHEN YOU BREAK AND OVERHEATING. *TR

Suspension
Filed Sep 21, 201017,425 milesNH

2009 DODGE CALIBER HAS NO ADJUSTMENTS FOR REAR CAMBER AND REQUIRES AN AFTER-MARKET BOLT INSTALLATION FOR FRONT. MY 2009 DODGE CALIBER [XXX], HAS EATEN THE INSIDE EDGES OFF ALL 4 TIRES (SCOOPED) THIS WAS WRITTEN OFF AS TIRE WEAR-OK ON EACH CHRYSLER SERVICE. I NOTICED THAT THE INSIDES OF THE TIRES WERE SCOOPED OUT WHEN THE WHEELS WERE TURNED OUT WHEN I PARKED RECENTLY. ESSENTIALLY, YOU AS THE OWNER GET TO REPLACE FOUR TIRES EVERY 24,000 MILES AND THERE SEEMS TO BE NO SOLID REPAIR. MY CAR HAS 17,425 MILES AND I AM DISGUSTED THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT ESSENTIALLY HAS NO REPAIR. THE BOLT THE INSTALLED IN THE R FRONT ALLOWS FOR A + OR - 1 DEGREE ADJUSTMENT. WHAT HAPPENS IF THE OWNER DOESN'T FIND THE PROBLEM? BLOWOUTS AND CRASHES. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jul 10, 201043,225 milesNV

I WAS DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY (AT HIGH SPEED) WHEN IT BECAME NECESSARY FOR ME TO PUNCH THE GAS PEDAL IN ORDER TO MAKE A LANE CHANGE. WHEN I DID THIS, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BROKE OFF JUST BELOW THE SPRING-ACTION PIVOT POINT AND THE ACCELERATOR BECAME USELESS BECAUSE THE SPRING (WHICH IS WIRED TO THE ENGINE'S ACCELERATOR AND RECEIVES ACCELERATION INPUT FROM THE PEDAL TO WHICH IT IS ATTACHED) WAS NO LONGER (OBVIOUSLY) ATTACHED TO THE PEDAL. I WAS THANKFULLY ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND OUT OF TRAFFIC DESPITE HAVING NO ABILITY TO ACCELERATE AT THAT POINT. *TR

Air Bags › Side/WindowCrash3 injured
Filed Jul 9, 201014,500 milesAE

AFTER GETTING MISLEADING DIRECTIONS AND GOING DOWN AN UNKNOWN ROAD AND ENDING AT A STOP SIGN, THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE WAITED A COUPLE MINUTES BEFORE DECIDING TO PASS THROUGH THE STOP SIGN ACROSS THE INTERSECTION. UPON PASSING ON OF THE LANES OF TRAFFIC WHERE THERE WAS A VEHICLE AT THE TOP OF THE HILL WHICH GAVE ME MORE THAN ENOUGH TIME TO GET ACROSS THE ROAD AND OUT OF NOWHERE A VEHICLE CAME FROM THE RIGHT SIDE AND STRUCK MY VEHICLE FULL SPEED AT THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. UPON SEEING THE VEHICLE LAST MINUTE MY DRIVER HIT THE BREAKS TO PREVENT MUCH WORSE INJURY AND THE VEHICLE HIT US AND THE PASSENGER WAS THEN JOLTED BACK TOWARD THE PASSENGER DOOR AND FACE STRUCK THE WINDOW AND NOSE WAS BROKEN IN THE PROCESS. NOT ONE AIRBAG DEPLOYED AT POINT OF IMPACT, THEREFORE, ALL THREE PASSENGERS SUFFERED WHIPLASH INJURIES, ONE ALMOST BREAKING HER NECK, ONE BROKEN NOSE, AND KNEE BRUISING. THE VEHICLE AT THE MOMENT IS BEING APPRAISED AT THE MOMENT BUT EVERYTHING UNDER THE HOOD SHIFTED TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND IS LOOSE INCLUDING THE BATTERY AND THE RIGHT FRONT TIRED IS SEVERELY DAMAGED WITH THE SHOCK SITTING ON TOP OF IT. *TR

Tires › Pressure Monitoring and Regulating Systems
Filed May 4, 201022,000 milesNY

VALVE STEM CORROSION-FAILURE ON A 2009 DODGE CALIBER WITH TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE TWO STEMS AT A COST OF OVER $100.00 EACH. ONE "FELL APART" IN MY FINGERS WHEN CHECKING AIR PRESSURE AND THE OTHER BLEW OUT WHILE DRIVING. COULD HAVE BEEN INTERESTING IF IT HAPPENED AT HIGH SPEED. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Mar 29, 201025,882 milesMI

BOUGHT VEHICLE END OF FEBRUARY 2009. DID NOT HEAR ANY TRANSMISSION NOISE UNTIL SOMETIME IN MAY 2009. TRANSMISSION NOISE WAS GETTING WORSE AND TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO DEALER TO HAVE TRANSMISSION NOISE CHECKED OUT. THE DEALER'S DIAGNOSIS WAS THAT TRANSMISSION IS MAKING NOISE WHEN TAKING OFF AND STOPPING. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED @ MILEAGE 7371. DURING MONTH OF FEBRUARY 2010 TRANSMISSION STARTED MAKING SAME NOISE AGAIN. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER TO HAVE TRANSMISSION NOISE CHECKED OUT AGAIN @ MILEAGE 25882. THE DEALER'S DIAGNOSIS WAS THAT TRANSMISSION IS NOISY AND SLIPS INTERMITANTLY AFTER I TOOK TECHNICAIN FOR A DRIVE AND SHOWED THE PROBLEM. DEALER STATED THAT TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS COULD NOT BE FOUND FOR THIS PROBLEM AND THAT CHRYSLER WAS CALLED AND OTHER DEALERS HAVE CALLED ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. DEALER STATED THAT CHRYSLER STATED THE I SHOULD/COULD DRIVE CAR FOR NOW.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever and Linkage › Floor ShiftCrash1 injured
Filed Mar 8, 201016,027 milesNJ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. ON DECEMBER 26, 2009 WHILE TAKING PACKAGES OUT THE VEHICLE THE GEAR SHIFT FAILED. THE VEHICLE REVERSED ON ITS OWN AND SHE WAS STRUCK BY THE DRIVER'S DOOR. SHE RECEIVED INJURIES TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE BODY. THE VEHICLE STOPPED WHEN IT COLLIDED INTO A SNOW EMBANKMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE VEHICLE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TRADED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 16,027.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever and Linkage › Floor ShiftCrash1 injured
Filed Mar 8, 201016,027 milesNJ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. ON DECEMBER 26, 2009 WHILE TAKEN PACKAGES OUT THE VEHICLE, THE GEAR SHIFT FAILED. THE VEHICLE REVERSED ON ITS OWN AND SHE WAS STRUCK BY THE DRIVERS DOOR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED INJURIES TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE BODY. THE VEHICLE STOPPED WHEN IT COLLIDED INTO A SNOW EMBANKMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE VEHICLE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TRADED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 16,027.

Power Train › Automatic TransmissionCrash1 injured
Filed Mar 8, 20101,627 milesNJ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. ON DECEMBER 26, 2009 WHILE TAKEN PACKAGES OUT THE VEHICLE THE GEAR SHIFT FAILED AND THE VEHICLE REVERSED ON ITS OWN. SHE WAS STRUCK BY THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED INJURIES TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE BODY. THE VEHICLE STOPPED WHEN IT COLLIDED INTO A SNOW EMBANKMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE VEHICLE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TRADED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,627. UPDATED 05/04/10. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN SHE PUT THE GEAR IN PARK, SHE DISCOVERED THE VEHICLE WOULD GO IN REVERSE BY ITSELF. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY. UPDATED 06/30/10.*JB

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Feb 9, 2010CA

I RENTED A DODGE CALIBER FROM DOLLAR RENT-A-CAR IN HARTFORD, CN ON FRIDAY. JAN 29, 2009. ON THE THIRD TRIP IN THE CAR, ON JAN 30, I PARKED IT, REMOVED THE KEY, SET THE PARKING BRAKE, AND STARTED TO WALK AWAY FROM THE CAR. TO THIS POINT, ALL WAS NORMAL. THEN, THE CAR STARTED UP ON ITS OWN, AND THE MOTOR CONTINUED TO RUN. THE CAR CONTINUED TO RUN FOR 20-30 MINUTES REGARDLESS OF WHAT I DID WITH THE KEY. THE KEY DID NOT HAVE A REMOTE IGNITION SWITCH. I EVENTUALLY CONTACTED DOLLAR, AND AFTER ABOUT 20 MINUTES, WHILE I WAS SITTING IN THE CAR WITH THE MOTOR RUNNING AND THE KEYS IN MY HAND, THE CAR STOPPED RUNNING, WITHOUT ANY INTERVENTION ON MY PART. WHILE NOTHING SERIOUS HAPPENED, IT IS EASY TO SPECULATE THAT IF THE CAR HAD BEEN PARKED IN AN ENCLOSED GARAGE, IT COULD HAVE FILLED WITH FUMES. THE CAR ALSO MIGHT HAVE KEPT RUNNING TILL IT RAN OUT OF GAS. I DID NOT MAKE CAREFUL NOTE ABOUT THE SPECIFIC CAR, BUT THE RECORDS SHOULD BE HELD BY DOLLAR RENT-A-CAR. *TR

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Oct 7, 200916,922 milesNJ

2009 DODGE CALIBER SXT- A GUST OF WIND HIT MY DOOR AS I PROCEEDED TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE DOOR HINGES EXPLODED, SENDING A SPRING INTO MY FACE, AND HYPER-EXTENDING THE DOOR RANGE. THE DEALER APPRAISED THE DAMAGE AT $600 DOLLARS FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE HINGES AND COSMETIC REPAIR. IT WILL BE FILED AS A WARRANTY CLAIM BUT IT WILL "MOST LIKELY BE KICKED BACK". *TR

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed Sep 9, 20092,234 milesCA

1. 2009 DODGE CALIBER SXT, WHILE DRIVING, THE ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS WILL UNLOCK AND THEN LOCK THEMSELVES. THIS HAPPENS AT ANY SPEED, IN TOWN OR ON FREEWAYS. DEALER HAS HAD CAR 7 DIFFERENT TIMES, AND IS UNABLE TO REPAIR OR EVEN SEE THE FAULT, ALTHOUGH HE HAS ON DIFFERENT OCCASIONS FOUND FAULT CODES FOR STUCK DOOR LOCK SWITCH. DEALER CURRENTLY HAS CAR TO TRY TO DETERMINE THE FAULTS. MAIN DOOR LOCK SWITCH (DRIVERS SIDE) REPLACED BY DEALER. WIRING HARNESS REPAIRED BY DEALER DUE TO DEALER INSTALLED AFTER MARKET ALARM SYSTEM INCORRECTLY INSTALLED. DEALER HAS REPLACED THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. PROBLEM IS STILL THERE - I AM CONCERNED FOR MY WIFE'S SAFETY, AS SHE DRIVES HOME FROM WORK AFTER DARK, AND ON OCCASION, SHE IS UNABLE TO ELECTRICALLY RE-LOCK THE DOORS - EVEN TO THE EXTENT OF HAVING TO PULL OVER, MANUALLY PUSH ALL DOOR LOCKS DOWN, ONLY TO HAVE THEM POP UP AGAIN BEFORE SHE GETS HOME. *TR

Structure
Filed Jul 21, 2009800 milesCT

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. WHEN THE CONTACT ACTIVATES THE AIR CONDITIONING OR HEATER, HIS HAND WILL TOUCH AND ACTIVATE THE FOUR WAY FLASHER. HE STATED THAT THE FLASHER WAS IN A BAD LOCATION. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY RECEIVED OTHER COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE POOR DESIGN OF THE FLASHER AND AIR CONDITIONER KNOBS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 800. UPDATED 08/20/09.*JB

Visibility
Filed May 17, 2009100 milesMO

09 DODGE CALIBER. VIBRATION OF ENTIRE CAR IN WHAT MANUFACTURER CALLS WIND BUFFETING DEFECT. START OF VIBRATION AT 45 TO 50 MPR. BACK WINDOWS ROLLED DOWN AND FRONT WINDOW CRACKED. CAR VIBRATES CAUSING IT HARD TO CONTROL VEHICLE. SALESMAN AND SALESMANAGER STATED THIS WAS COMMON IN ALL SMALL SEDANS AND COMPACT CARS THAT THEY CARRY ON LOT. WAS TOLD TO DRIVE VEHICLE WITH WINDOWS UP!THEY HAD NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS IN ANY TEST DRIVE. THEY ONLY DROVE WITH ALL WINDOWS DOWN. TOOK ANOTHER 09 CALIBER OFF LOT TO SEE IF IT WOULD ALSO VIBRATE; IT DID THE SAME THING. IF NOTHING ELSE CAN BE DONE TELL MANUFACTURER TO MAKE BACK WINDOW THAT DON'T ROLL DOWN (FOR THE KIDS THAT RIDE IN BACK SEAT). *TR

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed May 8, 20095,500 milesDE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO YIELD TO THE LEFT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT SUFFERED MODERATE INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. SHE HAS PICTURES OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND IS WAITING FOR A RESPONSE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 5,500.

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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