2008 Dodge Caliber Complaint Log

I WAS GOING HOME ONE EVENING WHEN I SWERVED TO MISS A DEER AND I WENT OFF A LITTLE DITCH AND HIT A TREE. NONE OF MY AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. I WAS FLOWN TO THE HOSPITAL. I HAD SHATTERED MY SHOULDER, BROKE MY HIP, ANKLE, AND 7 OF MY RIBS. I WAS BED BOUND AND WHEEL CHAIR BOUND FOR 3 MONTHS AND COULD NOT WALK AT ALL. IT WAS VERY DEVASTATING. I WAS IN VERY GOOD HEALTH BUT NOT NOW. I DID HAVE TO LEARN TO WALK AGAIN BUT I DID IT. I DO HAVE TO LIVE WITH SOME LIMITATIONS NOW. VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT NONE OF MY AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER AWD. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ACTIVATED AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT WAS NOT ABLE TO DEACTIVATE THE CRUISE CONTROL. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000.

FRONT LOWER BALL JOINT ASSEMBLY AND OUTER TIE ROD VERY BAD AFFECTING STEERING AND HANDLING. SHIMMIES ON THE HIGHWAY, COULD BE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. MECHANIC RECOMMENDS A TRIP TO THE DEALER IMMEDIATELY SINCE I DID BUY EXTENDED WARRANTY. *TR

HAVE ISSUES WITH BOTH FRONT STRUTS, BOTH BALL JOINTS, AND BOTH INNER AND OUTER TIE RODS. WHILE DRIVING YOU CAN FEEL SHAKING AND VIBRATIONS. ALSO STEERING IS STARTING TO BECOME BAD BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THIS BEFORE AN ACCIDENT OCCURS AND SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. *TR

THIS IS THE THIRD TIME IN LESS THAN A YEAR I AM HAVING TROUBLE WITH THIS. I LOOK THIS UP ONLINE AND A LOT. HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. MY ETC (ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL LIGHT) COMES ON. MY CAR LOSES POWER AND SOMETIME STOP RUNNING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. I HAVE THE PCM REPLACE IN THE CAR THAT COST ABOUT $600 AND I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN. LOSING POWER IN A VEHICLE IS VERY DANGEROUS. I STARTED HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM IN MY 2011 DODGE CARAVAN THE DEALER SAYING THE CYLINDERS ARE MISFIRING. SOMETHING NEEDS TO DONE ABOUT THIS. *TR

I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE ON 09/11/2013 AND A DAY LATER I NOTICED THE BACK DRIVERS SIDE FLOOR & MAT WAS SOPPING WET.(IT WAS RAINING THE DAY I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE) I FELT UNDER THE DRIVERS SEAT & THAT WAS WET AS WELL BUT NOT AS WET AS THE BACK. FEELING THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE MAT I NOTICED THAT WAS WET TOO AS WAS THE CARPET UNDERNEATH! I RAN THE SHOP VAC TO GET ALL THE WATER OUT. I WAS GOING AWAY FOR THREE DAYS SO WHEN I GOT TO MY DESTINATION I CHECKED THE FLOOR AGAIN & IT WAS SOPPING WET AGAIN!! THERE WAS NO RAIN THAT DAY! I WILL BE CALLING THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT THIS "USED" VEHICLE TODAY. SO FAR I CLEARED THE WATER OUT TWICE & IT JUST REAPPEARS. WITH COOLER TEMPERATURES COMING THIS COULD BE A VERY HAZARDOUS CONDITION DUE TO THE FLOOR & MATS FREEZING UNDER YOUR FEET WHEN YOUR DRIVING THE VEHICLE!! *TR

WENT TO YOUR CAR ON SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 7,2013 TO OPEN MY DRIVER DOOR AND IT FELL OFF THE HINGE. PURCHASE THE VEHICLE LAST YEAR AND IT HAS NOT BEEN INVOLVED IN ANY ACCIDENT SINCE I'VE BEEN THE OWNER. TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I'M STILL MAKING PAYMENT ON THIS VEHICLE AND I'M JUST SHOCKED THE HINGE WOULD BREAK. I NEED TO REPORT THIS INCIDENT DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE HINGE IS DEFECTIVE AND THIS SORT OF THING IS NOT A COMMON INCIDENT. *TR

GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND WHEN DOWN SHIFTING TO MERGE IN TRAFFIC THE CAR DIED. GOT IT TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD & IT STARTED BUT WAS MAKING A HORRIBLE NOISE. GOT IT TOWED HOME & TO GARAGE WHERE THEY TOOK THE MOTOR APART & FOUND IT HAD 2 BURNT VALVES. TOOK THE HEAD TO ENGINE SHOP & FOUND THAT THE HEAD SEATS ARE BROKEN AND THE OTHER 2 ARE WORN & ALSO HAVE TO BE REPLACED. CANNOT FIND PARTS FROM DODGE & MECHANIC SAID HE HAD TO ORDER THEM FROM JAPAN. NOW A JOB THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN AROUND $100 IS COSTING US OVER $500. VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT A CAR WITH THAT LOW MILEAGE WOULD HAVE SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAPPEN. I STILL OWE 2 YEARS ON THE CAR & BY THE LOOKS OF THE COMPLAINTS ON THE CALIBER I SHOULD HAVE NEVER BOUGHT IT IN THE FIRST PLACE. *TR

ABS LIGHT CAME ON, FOUND RIGHET REAR WHEEL SENSER WAS DEFICTIVE. *JS

FAILURE OF BOTH FRONT LOWER BALL JOINTS. CAUSED PULLING WHILE DRIVE AND TURNING. *TR

AFTER TURNING ON MY CAR IT BEGAN TO LUNGE WHILE IN IDLE. AS I ATTEMPTED TO BACK IT OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL HAD LITTLE TO NO EFFECT. THE CAR WOULD NOT DRIVE MORE THAN 10 MPH, STILL LUNGING. THE INDICATOR LIGHT FOR THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL (ETC) LIT UP AND STARTED BLINKING. I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER AND THE DIAGNOSTIC ($150) PROVED IT TO BE THE ETC. THE ETC KIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED WHICH APPARENTLY IS A "DEALER ONLY" PART. THIS IS SUCH A COMMON OCCURRENCE FOR DODGE THAT THE ETC KIT IS ON BACK ORDER AND WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR 2 WEEKS! NOT TO MENTION THE PART COSTS $600+. AND BY THE WAY, I HAD TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED IN 2011! *TR

THE NUT THAT HOLDS THE TIRE VALVE STEM CORRODED, CRACKED IN HALF, AND FELL OFF THE TIRE. THE RESULT IS THAT THE VALVE STEM FELL INSIDE THE RIM, AND ALL OF THE AIR SUDDENLY LEAKED OUT OF THE TIRE. LUCKILY THERE WAS NO LIGHT TRAFFIC ON THE ROAD OTHERWISE THERE COULD HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THIS HAS HAPPENED AGAIN ON A SECOND TIRE; THIS OCCURRENCE I WAS DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED IN A PARKING LOT. AFTER A BRIEF INTERNET SEARCH FOR "DODGE VALVE STEM PROBLEMS" AND VIEWING ONLINE FORUMS IT SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE ACROSS SEVERAL DODGE VEHICLES. THIS DEFECT SHOULD BE RECALLED AS IT HAS POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT SAFETY IMPLICATIONS. I CAN ONLY IMAGINE WHAT KIND OF DISASTER COULD HAVE HAPPENED IF ONE BLEW OUT DURING RUSH HOUR. THANK YOU *TR

THE MAIN ISSUE IS NOT BEING ABLE TO TAKE THE CAR OUT OF "PARK" WHEN IT IS RUNNING. FOR THE PAST YEAR IT HAS HAPPENED INTERMITTENTLY. THE LAST 2 DAYS NONE OF MY TRYING AND RETRYING TO GET IT OUT OF PARK WORKS. ALSO, MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON WHENEVER THEY FEEL LIKE IT. MOSTLY UPON STARTING. I ALSO CANNOT RESET MY CHANGE OIL LIGHT. *TR

I HAVE REPLACED THE BULBS MULTIPLE TIMES ON THE TURN SIGNALS. THE BRAKE LIGHTS CONTINUE TO COME ON AND OFF AT THEIR LEISURE . SOMETIMES, THE TURN SIGNALS ON THE FRONT WORK AND SOMETIMES NOT. THIS IS BECOMING A REGULAR INCIDENT AND IS VERY DANGEROUS SINCE I DRIVE LONG DISTANCES FREQUENTLY. I ALSO HAVE BEEN STOPPED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT SEVERAL TIMES FOR DEFECTIVE BULBS, LUCKILY ONLY WARNINGS SO FAR.

VEHICLE IS AN AUTOMATIC, 2.0L ENGINE. WHILE AT A STOP, IN ANY GEAR, FOOT ON OR OFF THE BRAKE, MY CAR WILL IDLE ROUGHLY, RPMS FLUCTUATE RAPIDLY BETWEEN 200-900 OR HIGHER, AND THE VEHICLE WILL SOMETIMES STALL AND SHUT DOWN WHILE DOING THIS. THIS ROUGH IDLE AND STALLING OUT WILL ALSO HAPPEN WHILE SLOWING DOWN/DECELERATING, AS WELL AS ACCELERATING FROM A STOP OR SLOWER SPEEDS. THE ISSUE TENDS TO HAPPEN MORE WHEN THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE HAS WARMED UP A BIT FROM NORMAL DRIVING, BUT HAS OCCURRED AT LOWER TEMPERATURES AS WELL. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO MY LOCAL DODGE DEALERSHIP AT LEAST THREE TIMES IN THE PAST THREE MONTHS; ON THE FIRST VISIT, THEY REPLACED THE PCV VALVE, IGNITION COIL, AND SPARK PLUGS ($400); ON THE NEXT TWO VISITS, THEY CLAIM THEY CANNOT REPLICATE THE ISSUE, AND NO ERROR CODES APPEAR ON THEIR DIAGNOSTIC COMPUTERS. I HAVE HAD THE FUEL INJECTORS CLEANED, AND HAD OTHER MECHANICS INSPECT THE CAR; THEY CANNOT FIND ANY NEEDED REPAIRS OR ERROR CODES, BUT THEY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO REPLICATE THE ISSUE. THE CAR CONTINUES TO EXPERIENCE THIS ISSUE, NO MATTER WHAT REPAIRS I HAVE DONE. I AM IN CONTACT WITH CHRYSLER/DODGE CORPORATE CUSTOMER RELATIONS, AND HAVE AN OPEN CASE WITH THEM, THOUGH THEY AND THE DEALERSHIP STATE MY CAR "HAS NO WARRANTY WITH DODGE," AND THUS THE ISSUE ISN'T COVERED, NOR DO I HAVE ANY CLAIM TO FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM CHRYSLER/DODGE. MY VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT MY LOCAL DODGE DEALERSHIP, IN HOPES THEY MIGHT FINALLY BE ABLE TO REPLICATE THE ISSUE AND FIND A CAUSE/FIX. *TR

IT IS RAINING IN MY VEHICLE. RAIN IS POURING IN THROUGH THE SUNROOF AND ENTERING MY CAR THROUGH THE DOME LIGHT, PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE SUPPORT PILLARS, AND ONTO THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE FLOOR AND SEATS THROUGH A FAULTY DRAINAGE SYSTEM. THERE IS ALREADY A SERVICE BULLETIN OUT FOR THE 2007 MODEL FOR THIS ISSUE. I WENT TO DODGE TODAY AND THEY WILL NOT FIX MY CAR PER THEIR SERVICE BULLETIN: 23-043-06 SUBJECT: WATER LEAK FROM HEADLINER, BECAUSE IT IS OUT FOR THE 2007 MODEL. THEY SAID THE EXTENDED WARRANTY I BOUGHT THROUGH CHRYSLER WILL NOT COVER THE PARTS OR LABOR AND THEY WILL NOT APPLY THE SERVICE BULLETIN TO MY VEHICLE BECAUSE I OWN A 2008 VEHICLE. THE ISSUE, NOT TAKEN CARE OF LEADS TO ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, AS REPORTED BY OTHER OWNERS ON VARIOUS BLOGS THAT PERTAIN TO THIS SAME PROBLEM. THIS COMPANY HAS IRRESPONSIBLY PRODUCED A 2008 MODEL WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE 2007 MODEL, HOWEVER, THEY WILL NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. IN ADDITION, THE PARTICULAR DEALERSHIP I WENT TO AT 9600 ATLANTIC BLVD, JACKSONVILLE, FL, WANTED ME TO PAY AT $105 DIAGNOSTIC FEE IN ADDITION TO THE WARRANTY DEDUCTIBLE OF $100 IF THE WARRANTY WAS TO COVER THE PROBLEM THAT DODGE CREATED IN THEIR COUNTERPRODUCTIVE MANUFACTURING METHODS. *TR

ON 4/10/2013, I WAS BROADSIDED BY A PICK-UP TRUCK AT 18TH & PIKE STREETS. THE GLASS EXPLODED, MY CAR THEN WENT INTO A BACKWARD SPIN. I SPUN ABOUT THREE TIMES AND THEN COMING OUT OF THE SPIN CRASHED HEAD ON INTO A LARGE SUV THAT WAS DOUBLED PARKED. MY CAR BOUNCED OFF THE SUV, THE ENGINE THEN SHUT DOWN AND MY CAR CONTINUED TO ROLL BACKWARDS. I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO STEP ON THE BRAKE AND STOP THE CAR FROM ROLLING. ONE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE WAS THAT NOT ONE OF MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. MY CAR CAME EQUIPPED WITH SIDE AIRBAGS, PASSENGER AND A DRIVER AIRBAG. I PURCHASED MY CAR BRAND NEW AND I WAS REALLY HAPPY ABOUT HAVING THIS SAFETY FEATURE BUT HIGHLY DISAPPOINTED WHEN THEY DID NOT WORK. I WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE ABOUT IT BECAUSE I WAS NOT PARAPLEGIC, PARALYZED OR DEAD! I FOUND THIS TO BE A PROBLEM BECAUSE OTHER DODGE OWNERS ARE DRIVING AROUND AND MAY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM I DID. I WOULD HOPE NOBODY HAS TO DIE, BECOME PARAPLEGIC OR PARALYZED FOR SOMETHING TO BE DONE ABOUT FAULTY AIRBAGS. MY CAR WAS TOTALED. I HAVE PICTURES IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE THEM

I WAS MAKING A TURN AND THE PASSENGER SIDE TIE ROD BROKE. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE A TIE ROD. THANK GOD MY KIDS WERE NOT IN THE CAR OR I WASN'T ON THE HIGHWAY. WHEN IS SOME GONNA DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. PEOPLE HAVE HAD MORE THAN ONE BAD EXPERIENCE WITH THIS. DODGE NEEDS TO STEP UP AND FIX THESE CARS!! THIS WILL B THE LAST DODGE I EVER BUY. *TR

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP AND ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,056. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONTAL AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY WHEN THE DRIVER CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE DRIVER SUFFERED INJURIES TO THE KNEE AND ARMS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER BUT WAS NOT INSPECTED FOR THE AIR BAG FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 63,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. THE STATED THAT THE ENGINE STALLED WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE ENGINE AND ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL WARNING INDICATORS WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A COMPLETE STOP. THE ENGINE RESTARTED AND THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMALLY AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO REPROGRAMMED THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL AND ENGINE CONTROL MODULE. THE FAILURE PERSISTED AFTER THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN FURTHER REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. *TR

I HAD JUST LEFT FOR WORK AND AFTER DRIVING FOR TWO MINUTES, THE ENGINE, COOLANT AND NAVIGATIONAL LIGHTS TURNED ON, AND WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO DRIVE OVER 15 MPH. I RETURNED HOME, CHECKED, AND TOP OFF THE COOLANT LEVEL, WHICH WAS NOT VERY LOW AT ALL. RESET THE PANEL AND ONCE I STARTED TO PULL OUT OF THE PARKING SPACE, THE SAME LIGHTS TURNED ON. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST INCIDENT I HAVE HAD WITH THIS CAR. PLEASE REFER TO THE OTHER INCIDENTS I HAVE SUBMITTED, AFFECTING OTHER PARTS OF THIS CAR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TAILLIGHT BECAME FILLED WITH WATER, CAUSING THE TAILLIGHT TO FAIL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC, WHO REMOVED THE LIGHT BUT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE.. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 77,000. *TR

DRIVING CAR AT ~35 MPH - ENTIRE DASHBOARD INDICATOR LIGHTS COME ON - VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY SLOWS DOWN TO 5 MPH - NO POWER WHEN PRESSING ON GAS - RPM TO UP TO 3 OR 4 (LIKE I'M DRIVING 80 MPH) MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT AND TRANS OIL TEMP LIGHT COMES ON - ALMOST REAR-ENDED BECAUSE OF DRASTIC REDUCTION IN SPEED IN ~5 SECONDS. TOOK TO MECHANIC CODES U0101 (LOSS OF COMMUNICATION WITH TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE AND CODE U0402 (INVALID DATA RECEIVED FROM TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE) MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO CLEAR CODES BUT INDICATED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH DODGE CALIBERS - HAPPENED AGAIN ON FEBRUARY 27TH - CALLED DODGE (800-423-6343) AND THEY SAID TO TAKE TO DEALERSHIP FOR $112 DIAGNOSTIC (ALREADY KNOW THE DIAGNOSIS) - THEY COULD NOT PROVIDE ANY INFORMATION ON AN ACTUAL FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM - STILL WANT CUSTOMER TO PAY FOR DIAGNOSIS WITH NO ACTUAL FIX - THEY CAN CLEAR THE CODES (LIKE MY MECHANIC DID FOR $50) AND WAIT FOR IT TO HAPPEN AGAIN - ONLY TO (AGAIN) DO THE $112 DIAGNOSTIC WITH NO FIX FOR THIS ISSUE. I DO NOT WANT TO DIE DRIVING THIS CAR. DODGE TOTALLY UNRESPONSIVE - UPON INTERNET SEARCH - LOTS OF COMPLAINTS AND TALK OF CLASS-ACTION AND RECALL. PLEASE RECALL - THIS IS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURER COMPUTER SOFTWARE PROBLEM - A VERY DANGEROUS COMPUTER SOFTWARE PROBLEM THAT SHOULD BE FIXED BY THE MANUFACTURER. *TR

WHILE DRIVING A 2008 DODGE CALIBER SE IN A STREET BETWEEN 40MPH AND 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUTDOWN ITSELF. FIVE SECOND LATER AND AFTER PULLING OVER AS CLOSE AS I COULD TO THE CURVE OF THE ROAD, THE CAR DIED. I TRIED TO RESTART THE ENGINE TO MOVE IT OUT OF THE WAY OF THE TRAFFIC, BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT START. SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT UNDER THE HOOD, AND AFTER FURTHER EXAMINATION, I SAW SPARKS AND SMOKE COMING OUT OFF THE FUSES' BOX. I DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY AND WAITED FOR THE SMOKE TO CLEAR UP. USING A FLASH LIGHT, I FOUND OUT THAT ONE OF THE CIRCUIT CARD IN THE TOTALLY INTEGRATED POWER MODULE (TIPM) SHORTED AND MELTED PART OF THE PLASTIC COVER. THE VEHICLE COULDN'T BE PUT IN NEUTRAL, AND THE BREAK PEDAL AND STEERING WHEEL WERE INOPERATIVE. IF THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED IN A HIGH WAY, I AM SURE THAT THE INCOMING TRAFFIC COULD HAVE HIT MY CAR WITH SPEED OVER 65MPH DUE TO SUDDENLY DECELERATION AND LACK OF VEHICLE'S RESPONSE TO THE DRIVER'S COMMANDS. MY WIFE, THREE YEARS OLD DAUGHTER AND I COULD HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN A FATAL CRASH. *TR

CAR WILL BE AT A STOP, THEN WHEN YOU TRY AND ACCELERATE IT WON'T GO AND TRIES PULLING FORWARD AND KIND OF JERKS. ALSO THE AIRBAG LIGHT WILL GO ON FOR A MINUTE THEN TURN OFF THEN COME BACK ON A MINUTE LATER OVER AND OVER THE WHOLE TIME WHILE DRIVING. THIS CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. *TR

CPSC: I1340364A. 2008 DODGE CALIBER. CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING THE CAR AT 70 MPH DOWN THE INTERSTATE THE POWER SUDDENLY WENT OUT, AND THE CAR WAS DECELERATING SPEED AT THE SAME TIME. *LN THE CONSUMER STATED THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ACTIVATED, AND JUST AS SHE WAS TRYING TO PULL OVER, THE POWER RETURNED, AND THE VEHICLE TOOK OFF, TRYING TO GET BACK TO 70 MPH. EVER SINCE THE INCIDENT, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WHILE ACCELERATING. THE CONSUMER FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET, FROM OTHER OWNERS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, A LOUD CLICKING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TOTALLY INTEGRATED POWER MODULE (TIPM) NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK, HEADLIGHTS AND DASH LIGHTS STARTED TO FLICKER, ALL THE INDICATOR LIGHT ON THE DASH CAME ON. SMOKE STARTED COMING IN THE VENTS INTO THE VEHICLE WENT TO STOP, BRAKES GRABBED FOR A SECOND THEN WENT OUT COMPLETELY, EVEN SHIFTING THE VEHICLE TO PARK DID NOTHING. STOPPED THE VEHICLE BY HITTING GUARD RAIL CALLED POLICE, WITHIN MINUTES THE ENTIRE FRONT END WAS IN FLAMES. *TR

MY 17 YR OLD DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING OUR 2008 DODGE CALIBER WHEN ACCELERATION WAS LOST. THE CAR STARTED SHAKING WHEN SHE TRIED TO GIVE IT FUEL AND THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE SYSTEM LIKE CAME ON. NEEDLESS TO SAY, SHE WAS VERY SHAKEN BY THIS ORDEAL. WE HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT WE PURCHASED THROUGH CARMAX, WITH A 300.00 DEDUCTIBLE, HOWEVER THE WARRANTY COMPANY WOULD ONLY PAY 144.00 DOLLARS OF THE 647.00 TOTAL BILL. THE CAR HAS APPROX 70,000 MILES SO I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THE THROTTLE SYSTEM WOULD BE DEFECTIVE. ACCORDING TO THE REPAIR SHOP, THE NEEDLE INSIDE THE THROTTLE THAT FEEDS THE FUEL WAS DEFECTIVE. LUCKILY MY DAUGHTER WAS NOT ON THE MAIN HIGHWAY WHEN IT WENT OUT, OTHERWISE IT COULD HAVE BEEN MORE SERIOUS. I AM VOICING MY COMPLAINT ON THIS PART AND ALL BE WARE OF THE THROTTLE NEEDLE GOING BAD. I WILL ALSO MAKE THIS A FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH DODGE AS WELL. *TR

FRONT TIRES PREMATURELY WORN OUT DUE TO BOTH LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND BOTH LOWER BALL JOINTS FAILING COMPLETELY. CAR HAS 38K MILES AND IS GARAGE KEPT. HAD TO BUY 4 NEW TIRES AT A COST OF $650.00 AND NOW BOTH CONTROL ARMS AND BALL JOINTS AT A COST OF $580.00. VEHICLE IS NOT ROAD WORTHY. THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN WITH THESE LOW MILES. THE MECHANIC SAID THE FRONT WHEELS WERE VERY CLOSE TO FALLING OFF OF THE CAR. CAN YOU HELP? *TR

AS YOU START TO DRIVE THE TRANSMISSION BEGINS TO MAKE A LOUD WHINNING NOISE AS YOU SPEED UP IT GOT HIGHER PITCHED. TOOK TO DEALER 10/12/12 AFTER PAYING $112 FOR THEM TO TELL ME THE TRANSMISSION WAS BAD AND NEEDED REPLACED. THE COST OF THAT WAS GOING TO BE $3700 AND THERE WAS NO ASSISTANTS BY DEALERSHIP. INFORMED ME THAT IT IS A PROBLEM WITH CVT TRANS BECAUSE IT IS UNSERVICABLE. TOOK TO LOCAL TRANS SHOP PAID $3200 FOR A REMANUFACTURED, WAS SUGGESTED THAT WE GET RID OF CAR BECAUSE THEY FEEL IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN. WORST WARR. EVER AN TRANS OF 18MONTH 18,000 MILE. CALLED DODGE DIRECTLY AND THE DECLINED TO HELP IN ANYWAY TOLD ME THAT THERE IS NO PROBLEM LISTED WITH THESE CARS OR TRANS. *TR

I WAS IN GEORGETOWN ONTARIO ON THE WEEKEND AND GOT IN MY CAR TO DRIVE BACK TO WINDSOR ON MONDAY OCT 8TH. THE TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON BUT WE HAD FROST OVERNIGHT AND KNEW THIS WAS A NORMAL CHANGE IN TIRE PRESSURES. I STOPPED AT THE GAS STATION AND PUT AIR IN TIRES AND MADE SURE THEY WERE ALL THE SAME PRESSURE. THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT IMMEDIATELY WENT OUT. WE DROVE FOR ABOUT AN HOUR AND THE TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT WENT ON AGAIN. I STOPPED AT THE NEXT SERVICE CENTER ON THE 401 AND CHECKED THE TIRES. I COULD SEE THE RIGHT FRONT VALVE STEM WAS CRACKED. WHEN I TURNED IT, THE AIR STARTED TO QUICKLY EXIT THE TIRE. I HAD MY WIFE PUT HER THUMB ON IT WHILE I GOT THE JACK OUT AND INSTALLED THE SPARE TIRE. I HAD TO HAVE THE TPM SENSOR AND VALVE STEM REPLACED @ $150. READING ON THE INTERNET, THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME ITS DUE TO CORROSION AND HAS HAD TO REPLACE SOME. HE SAID CHRYSLER HAS NOT COME UP WITH A SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM ON MY MODEL VEHICLE. THIS CAR ONLY HAS 38,000 KM AND IS JUST OVER THREE YEARS OLD! THE VALVE STEM SHOULD NOT BE CRACKING! THIS IS A BIG SAFETY HAZARD, IF THAT STEM HAD LET LOOSE WHEN I WAS PASSING SOMEONE ON THE 401 IN THE LEFT LANE, I COULD HAVE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I AM NOW WORRIED ABOUT THE OTHER THREE VALVE STEMS. *TR

2008 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH THE BATTERY CHARGING LIGHT CAME ON. NEXT DAY TOOK CAR TO AUTO STORE TO HAVE BATTERY TESTED AND THEY REPLACED THE BATTERY. NEXT MORNING AT 2:00 AM WHILE DRIVING MY HUSBAND TO WORK, ALL LIGHTS ON PANEL STARTED COMING ON ONE AT A TIME AND CAR LOST POWER AND WE COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY. THE CAR IS AT THE SHOP TODAY AND MECHANICS ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT HAPPENED. THEY NOTED THE BATTERY WAS BAD, BUT I JUST HAD A NEW BATTERY PUT IN AND THEY STATED THE STARTED WAS NOT BAD. WHAT IS WRONG SO I CAN GET IT FIXED. ALSO CHANGE OIL LIGHT ALWAYS COMES ON EVEN WHEN I HAVE JUST HAD THE OIL CHANGED; WHICH I DO EVERY 3,000 MILES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE ON VEHICLE IS 57,000 MILES. *TR

I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK AND DROVE APPROXIMATELY 5 MINUTES. AS I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN TO APPROACH THE ENTRANCE OF THE EXRESSWAY, THE CAR STARTING SWERVING AND SCREECHING AND DURING MY MANUVERING AND ENGAGING OF THE BRAKES, IT CAME TO A HOLT. THE LEFT DRIVER'S SIDE AXLE HAD SNAPPED AND THE TIRE WAS SIDE-WAYS. I HAD TO GET THE CAR TOWED TO MY MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT IN ALL HIS YEARS IN HIS PROFESSION HE HAS NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THAT. THE AXLE WHICH IS MADE OF STEEL WAS BROKEN IN HALF. THANK GOD I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY MANUVER IT WITHOUT CRASHING INTO SOMETHING, IT WAS QUITE A SCARY EXPERIENCE. IF I WOULD HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS OCCURRENCE ON THE HIGHWAY, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A FATAL ACCIDENT. THIS IS NOT THE ONLY INCIDENT I HAVE HAD WITH THIS CAR, PLEASE REFER TO MY OTHER SUBMISSIONS FOR THIS CAR. *TR

DRIVING THE CAR DOWN THE ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON. THE CAR LOST ENGINE POWER WILL RUNNING VERY ROUGH. CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND BECAME HARD TO HANDLE. WAS EVENTUALLY ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I WAS ON A CITY STREET. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON A VERY BUSY STREET OR THE HIGHWAY I COULD HAVE BEEN STUCK RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC WITH NO OR VERY LITTLE POWER TO GET IT OUT OF THE ROAD. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AT HIGHER SPEEDS OR MORE TRAFFIC. THERE WAS NO WARNING OTHER THEN THE LIGHT THAT CAME ON WHEN IT HAPPENED. *TR

WHILE DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE AT 60 MILES PER HOUR AT NIGHT IN A HEAVY RAIN, MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING. I COULD NOT SEE BUT I LUCKILY STOPPED ON THE SHOULDER. AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES THE WIPERS STARTED UP. I TRAVELED 20-30 MINUTES AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN. AFTER PULLING OVER AND WAITING SEVERAL MINUTES, THEY RESTARTED. I DROVE OFF AND SOON IT HAPPENED FOR A THIRD TIME. AFTER WAITING SEVERAL MINUTES, THE RAIN STOPPED AND I TRAVELED HOME. THIS FAILURE IS VERY SIMILAR TO THE CAUSE LISTED IN THE 2008 JEEP LIBERTY RECALL DUE TO A DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR. I AM BEING CHARGED $343 BY A DEALER TO REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR. *TR

AT 41000 MILES, OUR 4 YEAR OLD VEHICLE, SHOULD NOT HAVE NEEDED NEW BALL JOINTS. RESEARCH TELLS ME DODGE HAS BEEN VERY AWARE OF A PROBLEM FOR YEARS, BUT HAVE NOT DONE ANY TYPE OF A RECALL. ALL I CAN SAY IS THANK GOD WE FOUND THE PROBLEM BEFORE WE WENT TO THE MOUNTAINS. *TR

MY FIANCEE AND I GOT INTO THE CAR AND AFTER I STARTED IT, IT WOULDN'T SHIFT OUT OF PARK. LUCKILY WE WERE CLOSE TO HOME AND I HAD INTERNET ON MY PHONE SO I COULD LOOK UP HOW TO MANUALLY OVERRIDE THE ISSUE. IF THERE'S A MANUAL OVERRIDE, IT SEEMS LIKE THEY KNEW IT WOULD/COULD HAPPEN. MY FIANCEE IS DISABLED, IF SHE HAD BEEN DRIVING THE CAR (IT IS HER CAR) AND GOT STUCK OUT IN THIS 100 DEGREE HEAT WAVE, SHE WOULDN'T HAVE KNOWN WHAT TO DO OR HAVE EVEN BEEN ABLE TO DO IT HAD SHE KNOWN WHAT TO DO. I'M IRRITATED BECAUSE MY RESEARCH SHOWS THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON DODGE ISSUE AMONGST MANY DIFFERENT MODELS YET THEY HAVE ONLY ISSUED RECALLS ON CERTAIN MODELS. I DID CALL DODGE HQ TO FIND OUT IF THIS MODEL HAD A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE AND OBVIOUSLY IT HASN'T. THE DRONE JUST DID THEIR JOB OF GETTING THE INFORMATION THEY NEEDED. I CAN'T STRESS THIS PART ENOUGH, IF THEY PROVIDE AN OVERRIDE, THEY KNOW THERE IS AN ISSUE! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED. LOST POWER, THE TRANSMISSION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OVER 35 MPH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED TO THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED DUE BY THE TRANSMISSION FLUID OVERHEATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,000. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. UPDATED 08/06/12

THE BALL JOINTS HAVE PREMATURELY WORN OUT ON OUR 2008 DODGE CALIBER. AT 40,000 MILES I ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE TIE ROD ENDS AND THE BRAKE PADS. *TT

LEFT AND RIGHT BALL JOINTS WORN AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS CAUSED EXCESSIVE PLAY IN THE STREEING.*JS

SITTING ON I-10 STOPPED WHEN A TRACTOR TRAILER REAR ENDED ME. HIS SPEED WAS 40 MILES PER AND NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE FRONT AIR BAGS SHOULD HAVE HELPED ME FROM GETTING MY FACE CUT AND PREVENTED MY INJURY. I WISH THE BAGS WOULD HAVE WORKED. WE JUST HAD THE CAR CHECKED OUT AT THE DODGE DEALER A FEW MONTHS PRIOR. THE DRIVER FRONT BAG BURNING ME WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER THEN THE BLUNT FORCE TO MY FACE. *TR

WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, THE 2008 DODGE CALIBER LOSS POWER AND BEGAN TO DECREASE SPEED. I STEPPED ON THE ACCELERATOR BUT THE CAR DID NOT RESPOND. I EXITED THE FREEWAY, AND AFTER I WAS STOPPED AT A LIGHT, I ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE, BUT AGAIN, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND. WHEN IT DID, IT JERKED REPEATEDLY UNTIL IT WAS ABLE TO ACCELERATE. WHILE DRIVING THE CAR LOSS POWER AGAIN. ADDITIONALLY, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON FOR A FEW MONTHS PRIOR, A KNOCKING NOISE WOULD COME FROM THE ENGINE, AND A MECHANIC ADVISED ME THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. LASTLY, WHEN IT RAINS, THE BACK SEAT PASSENGER SIDE AND FLOOR WAS INUNDATED WITH WATER. *TR

HAD TO REPLACE THE WISH BONES. AND AM ON MY 5 TH SET IF TIRES SINCE MAY OF 2012. WHICH ARE NOT CHEAP AT $130 A PIECE FOR THE CHEAPEST. ALIGNMENT IS ALWAYS OFF AND TIRES HAVE TO BE PUMPED EVERY COUPLE MONTHS.

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60MPH MY CAR LOST POWER AND WOULD ONLY GO ABOUT 10-15 MPH FOR APPROXIMATELY 15 MILES, WHEN I FINALLY FOUND A PLACE THAT I COULD LEAVE THE CAR IT WAS ONLY IDLING. UPON TAKING IT TO THE CHRYSLER DEALER WAS TOLD IT WILL COST APPROXIMATELY $500 TO FIX THAT THE THROTTLE BODY DOES NOT KNOW WHAT IT WANTS TO DO. I ASKED IF IT WOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE LIFETIME POWER TRAIN WARRANTY AS THE WARRANTY DOES NOT EXCLUDE IT AND WAS ADVISED THAT IT IS NOT COVERED. I HAVE READ ON THE INTERNET THAT THERE IS A MAJOR ISSUE WITH BOTH THE 2007 AND 2008 THROTTLE BODY GOING OUT. THIS IS REDICULOUS THAT CHRYSLER HAS NOT ADDRESSED THIS ISSUE AND IS NOT COVERING IT UNDER THE WARRANTY SINCE THE CAR WILL NOT DRIVE SAFELY UNDER THESE CONDITIONS, DOES IT TAKE SOMEONE BEING KILLED BECAUSE THEY ALL OF A SUDDEN LOSE POWER AND GET HIT. IF THEY ARE GOING TO GIVE THIS TYPE OF WARRANTY THEN THEY SHOULD COVER IT AND IF IT IS NOT COVERED THEY SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE TO LIST IT AS A NON COVERED ITEM AND PEOPLE SHOULD BE INFORMED WHEN PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. POWER TRAIN....THROTTLE BODY.....WITHOUT THE THROTTLE BODY YOU HAVE NO POWER. SOUNDS PRETTY SIMPLE TO ME.. THIS SHOULD BE COVERED. *JS

I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE USED FROM GANLEY DODGE IN BEDFORD OHIO. WE HAVE DRIVEN THIS VEHICLE APROX 12000 MILES AND HAVE REPLACED OR SERVICED THE REAR BRAKES SIX TIMES AT TWO SEPARATE DEALERS. THE REAR BRAKES HAVE MADE A HOWLING NOISE SINCE THE DAY IT LEFT THE LOT. CHRYSLER HAS ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM SIX TIMES TO NO AVAIL. BOTH DEALERS THAT HAVE SERVICED THE CALIBER SAY THAT THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE TO FIX THE PROBLEM, THEY ALSO SAY IT IS COSMETIC. AFTER DEALING WITH THE DEALERS NONSENSE I CALLED CHRYSLER DIRECTLY, AFTER A WEEK OF DEALING WITH THEM THEY FINALLY CALL ME BACK TO TELL ME THAT AN ENGINEER HAS STATED THAT REAR BRAKES MAKING NOISE IS A NORMAL THING FOR THIS CAR TO DO. AND THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY WILL DO TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I SUPPOSE THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU ALLOW AND AMERICAN CAR COMPANY TO BE OWNED BY AN ITALIAN AND GERMAN COMPANIES. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED AND NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 75,000.

WE PARKED OUR 2008 DODGE CALIPER FOR THREE DAYS AND WHEN WE DROVE NEXT THE HEAD LIGHT SWITCH WOULD NOT ACTIVATE THE HEAD LIGHTS AT ALL, THE AUXILIARY DRIVING LIGHTS WOULD NOT WORK, THE WIND SHIED WIPERS WILL NOT WORK (FRONT OR BACK) THE WIND SHIELD WASHER WILL NOT WORK. THE HEAD LIGHTS DO COME ON AUTOMATIC WHEN YOU START THE VEHICLE AND THEN THEY STAY ON UNTIL YOU TURN THE IGNITION SWITCH OFF. THE HAZARD LIGHTS WILL COME ON AND FLASH BUT THAT IS THE ONLY THING THAT IS CONNECTED TO THE DRIVER'S COLUMN THAT WILL WORK. THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF LIGHTING CAPABILITY, THE WIND SHIELD WASHERS NOT WORKING. I HAVE GOGGLED THIS PROBLEM AND THE SAME PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED ON THE DODGE AVENGER AND THERE ARE SEVERAL ENTRIES OF THE PROBLEM HAPPENING ON THE DODGE CALIPER. *TR