2008 Dodge Caliber Complaint Log

I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY ON MY WAY TO WORK, AND I WENT TO CHANGE FROM THE LEFT TO THE MIDDLE LANE AND THE CAR KEPT ON GOING PASS THE MIDDLE LANE AND TOWARD THE WALL IN THE RIGHT LANE. THANK GOD THE LANES HAD ENOUGH CLEARLY BETWEEN AND I WAS ABLE TO GAIN CONTROL AND STRAIGTENED OUT THE WHEELS WITHOUT CRASHING INTO OTHER CARS AND BEFORE I HIT THE WALL. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHAINIC AND HE CHANGED THE TIRE ROD ON THE DRIVER LEFT SIDE WHEEL. THIS SAME TIRE ROD WAS CHANGED APPROXIMATELY SIX MONTHS PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. ANOTHER SCARY EXPERIENCE I HAVE ENDURED WITH THIS CAR, WHICH COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL FOR MYSELF AS WELL AS OTHERS. I HAVE HAD FOUR INCIDENTS WITH THIS CAR ALREADY, I AM VERY SCARED TO DRIVE IT. I BROUGHT THIS CAR IN AUGUST OF 2009, I AM STILL MAKING PAYMENTS ON IT, AND STILL HAVE TO TAKE OUT OF POCKET EXPENSE FOR ITS' FAULTY WORKMANSHIP. TODAY IS FEBRUARY 11, 2013 AND I AM READY TO GET RID OF IT...AFTER THIS I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER DODGE MADE CAR. *TR

THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL FAILED ON THIS 2008 DODGE CALIBER. THE CAR STALLED AND LOST ALL POWER WHILE BEING DRIVEN. THIS PROBLEM WAS A RECALL ITEM ON THE 2007 DODGE CALIBER. DODGE SHOULD NOW MAKE THIS ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL A RECALL ITEM FOR THE 2008 MODEL YEAR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ETC WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ON AN INTERMITTENTL BASIS. THE ENGINE BEGAN TO EXHIBIT A SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED AMOUNT OF POWER AND THE ROAD PERFORMANCE WAS EXTREMELY POOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHERE THE COMPUTERIZED SYSTEM WAS RESET. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE WAS 86,000.

BOTH FRONT AND REAR SUSPENSION-STRUTS/SHOCKS LEAKING AND BOTH NEED TO BE REPLACED-MECHANIC STATED THEY HAVE REPLACED SO MANY SUSPENSIONS ON THESE VEHICLES, THEY CANT KEEP PARTS INSTOCK. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE TIRES WERE BEING ROTATED BY A PRIVATE MECHANIC, THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT STEEL WAS SHOWING THROUGH BOTH FRONT TIRES. THE MECHANIC ATTRIBUTED THE FAILURE TO THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS, WHICH HAS FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 60,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED A KNOCKING COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO PURCHASE THE BALL JOINTS SEPARATELY. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE CONTROL ARM AND BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CONTROL ARM AND BALL JOINTS HAD TO BE REPLACED ON BOTH THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES BECAUSE THE TIRE WAS WEARING RAPIDLY AND THE KNOCKING NOISE WAS STILL HEARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

I HAVE 2 2008 VEHICLES THE FIRST ONE IS A DODGE AVENGER AND THE 2ND ONE IS A CALIBER. I BOUGHT BOTH OF THESE CARS FROM THE SAME DEALERSHIP NEW. I HAVE ISSUES WITH THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSORS IN ALL THE TIRES. THEY ARE CORRODING CAUSING THE TIRE PRESSURE TO DROP, ARE THEY ANY CURRENT ISSUES OR RECALLS ON THESE TYPE OF DEVICES. *TR

HAD COME TO A STOP AT AN INTERSECTION FOR A RED LIGHT. GREEN LIGHT MAKING LEFT HAND TURN, CAR STALLED OUT IN INTERSECTION, ABLE TO RESTART CAR. I AM AT 89K NOW EVER SINCE THEN THE CAR HAS BEEN RANDOMLY STALLING OUT AT STOPS. I KEEP UP WITH MY VEHICLE MAINTENANCE. BY DOING SOME RESEARCH THIS PROBLEM IS A CAUSE FOR CONCERN, MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AROUND THE INTERNET. THIS A SAFETY ISSUE AND I BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO AND CORRECTED. THESE PROBLEMS CAN BE PREVENTED. *TT

WHILE OPERATING THE 2008 DODGE CALIBER 2.0L ENGINE AT APPROXIMATELY 45MPH, THE CAR INSTANTLY STOPPED WITHOUT APPLYING THE BRAKES. THEN THE CAR WOULD GO FROM 7MPH TO 50MPH IN A RAPID ACCELERATION AND THEN BACK DOWN TO 7MPH. THIS WAS RATHER DANGEROUS AS I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED NUMEROUS TIMES DESPITE HAVING MY EMERGENCY SIGNAL FLASHING LIGHTS ON AS WELL AS DRIVING IN THE FAR RIGHT LANE. THE CAR ALSO EXPERIENCED EXCESSIVE BACK FIRING AND ONE LOUD EXPLOSION SOUNDED AS IF IT OCCURRED IN THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER DIRECTLY UNDERNEATH THE CAR. I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO FIND AN AUTO PARTS STORE LAST NIGHT AND WAS ABLE TO HAVE THE TECH THERE USE THE ODBII READER AND IT INDICATED THE ERROR P0132 WHICH IS THE OXYGEN SENSOR AS THE FAILING UNIT. THE FAILURE OF THE OXYGEN SENSOR NEARLY RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT AS THE DODGE CALIBER WAS ALMOST IMPACTED BY OTHER CARS IN TRAFFIC AS THE OTHER CARS WERE NOT PREPARED FOR THE DODGE CALIBER TO RAPIDLY DECELERATE FROM 45MPH TO 7MPH. THE PART WAS REPLACED ASAP THE NEXT DAY WITH BOSCH PART # 15124 AND UPON TESTING FOR 20 MINUTES THE CAR OPERATED WITHOUT ERROR. I CALLED DODGE TO INQUIRE ABOUT A RECALL OR WARRANTY WORK AND THEY DECLINED BOTH. IN REGARD TO PUBLIC SAFETY, I REQUEST THAT A CASE BE OPENED TO INVESTIGATE THIS SITUATION AND OTHERS LIKE IT. THE DESIRED OUTCOME IS TO HAVE DODGE RECALL THE O2 SENSORS AS THIS TYPE OF FAILURE CAN BE CATASTROPHIC WHEN TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AT HIGHER SPEEDS WITH TRAFFIC. *TR

2008 DODGE CALIBER SXT: BOUGHT THE CAR FROM DEALER IN MOREHEAD CITY, NC. AFTER 24K MILES HAD TO REPLACE TIRES BECAUSE THEY WERE ALREADY WORN. WHEN TIRES WERE REPLACED OUT OF MY POCKET THE SERVICE DEPT FAILED TO DO AN ALIGNMENT. NOW 19K MILES LATER MY TIRES BRIDGESTONE TURANZA'S P215/60R17 ARE ALREADY WORN OUT AGAIN. UPON INSPECTION BY THE DEALERSHIP, THEY DETERMINED THAT IT WAS AIR PRESSURE PROBLEM THAT CAUSED IT TO WEAR AND ALSO MY INNER TIRE RODS WERE ALREADY WORN. I TOLD THEM I HAD SEEN COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET THAT THE 2008 CALIBER WAS HAVING PREMATURE WEARING OF TIRE RODS AND THEY CLAIMED THEY NEVER HEARD OF THIS. OF COURSE NOW THAT MY CAR IS AT 43K MILES AND OUT OF WARRANTY THEY DON'T WANT TO TAKE CARE OF IT, I HAVE TO. ALSO, THE FACT THEY MISSED DOING AN ALIGNMENT THE FIRST TIME THEY DID NOT FIND THE TIE ROD WEARING PREMATURE BEFORE MY WARRANTY WAS UP OR EITHER THEY DID KNOW IT AND THEY DIDN'T TELL ME. I DON'T TRUST THE DEALER OR THEIR SERVICE TEAM NOW BECAUSE THEY MISSED DOING AN ALIGNMENT, THEY MISSED A ROTATION WHEN THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO, THEY MISSED FINDING THE PREMATURE WEARING OF TIE RODS. THESE ARE DANGEROUS ISSUES WHEN YOU ARE OUT DRIVING ON THE ROAD NOW I WONDER EVERY TIME I GET OUT THERE ARE MY TIRES GOING TO BLOW OR ARE MY TIE RODS GOING TO BREAK. SHAME ON THE DEALERSHIP AND SHAME ON BRIDGESTONE FOR NOT WANTING TO STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCTS. WHAT WILL IT TAKE, LOSS OF LIFE. THE ONLY THING THE DEALERSHIP WILL OFFER TO DO IS PAY FOR 2 TIRES AND I HAVE TO PAY FOR EVERYTHING ELSE. *TR

FOUND BOTH LOWER CONTROL ARM'S WORN TO A POINT WHERE THE TIRES HAD TO BE REPLACED ALSO. AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT PASS NYS INSPECTION BECAUSE OF WORN BALL JOINTS. *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY DECELERATED. THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL LIGHT BEGAN TO FLASH ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000.

STARTED HAVING NOISY FRONT END/BRAKE ISSUE @16000 MILES ONE YEAR AFTER PURCHASE, HAVE HAD THE CAR IN 7 DIFFERENT TIMES FOR THE SAME COMPLAINT, THE DEALER JUST KEPT REPLACING DIFFERENT PARTS HOPING THE NOISE WOULD GO AWAY, IT HASN'T, NOW THAT THE CAR IS 2000 MILES OUT OF WARRANTY, THE DEALER TREATS US LIKE WE ABUSED THE CAR, IT ONLY HAS 37000 MILES ON IT!! A NEW CAR SHOULD LAST LONGER THATN 3 YEARS WITHOUT MAJOR SUSPENSION PROBLEMS !! DODGE HAS A REPUTATION OF USING DEFECTIVE SUSPENSION PARTS AND SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR HARD-WORKING CONSUMERS THAT BAILED THEM OUT!!!! ALL I WANT IS MY CAR FIXED THEY CHOOSE TO USE INFERIOR PARTS AND NOW THEY SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THEIR HINDSITE. *TT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE DEPRESSED THE HORN, BUT THE HORN DID NOT SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT SHE NEEDED A NEW HORN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000. UPDATED 10/07/11

THE CAR HAS JUST SHUT DOWN 3 DIFFERENT TIMES NOW (WHILE DRIVING) AND HAS LEFT US STRANDED IN THE ARIZONA DESERT EACH TIME. WE WILL BE DRIVING AND SUDDENLY NO MATTER HOW HARD I PRESS THE GAS PEDAL THE CAR COMES TO A STOP AND WILL NOT TURN BACK ON UNTIL ABOUT 10 MINUTES LATER. I TOOK IT TO BRAKES PLUS AFTER IT HAPPENED THE FIRST TIME AND THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. IT THEN HAPPENED AGAIN A FEW MONTHS AGO, AND NOW AGAIN TODAY. I AM SCARED TO PUT MY FAMILY IN THE FAMILY CAR. SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS. I'M GOING TO CALL DODGE AND GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS. I CAME ON HERE TO SEE IF ANYONE HAS HAD THE SAME ISSUE. APPARENTLY THEY DO. I WILL NEVER BUY A DODGE AGAIN UNLESS THEY COME UP WITH AN ANSWER TO THIS. *TR

LEFT AND RIGHT A POST MUCH TOO WIDE HINDERING ABILITY TO SEE WHERE THE CURB IS IN RELATION TO THE CAR. IT ALSO HINDERS THE ABILITY TO SEE IF A SMALL ANIMAL IS IN THE AFFECTED VIEW. IN RELATION TO THE TRANSMISSION, MY TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED RIGHT AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. I'VE HAD TO HAVE 2 TIE RODS REPLACED. AN ENGINE MOUNT REPLACED, AND A STRUT REPLACED, I AM ALSO ON MY SECOND BATTERY. THIS CAR HAS COST ME A LOT OF MONEY SO FAR. I KNOW IT'S 11 YEARS OLD BUT I'VE NEVER HAD THIS MANY MECHANICAL ISSUES WITH ANY CAR I'VE OWNED SO FAR. THE NEWEST PROBLEM IS A GRINDING NOISE THAT SOUNDS LIKE THE WHEEL IS GOING TO FALL OFF BEFORE I GET HOME SAFELY. THERE IS A NEW NOISE AS WELL THAT ALMOST SOUNDS LIKE A RADIAL TIRE WITH AN ISSUE BUT MY TIRES ARE ALL FINE. I AM TAKING IT TO A GOOD MECHANIC TOMORROW....AGAIN!! AT ONE POINT WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 35 MPH AND STARTING TO TURN THERE WAS A GRINDING NOISE IN THE FRONT END AND IT SOUNDED LIKE SOMETHING FELL OFF, I WAS TURNING LEFT AT THE TIME. MY ABS BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON. I SLOWLY WENT TO THE AUTO DEALER, AND THEY SAID THERE WAS A CONNECTOR THAT BROKE AND ALSO A SENSOR THEY HAD TO ORDER. THAT COST OVER $400 PLUS I NEEDED TO RENT A CAR TO GET HOME. NOT A FAN OF THE CALIBER AT ALL. I DO LOVE THE STYLE IT'S SPORTY AND EASY TO DRIVE, WHEN IT'S NOT IN THE SHOP THAT IS.

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 TO 45 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SLOWED DOWN TO 30 MPH. SHE ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT GEARS AND THAT DID NOT ASSIST WITH DECREASING THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED HIM THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 59,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

IF IT IS 80 DEGREES OR HOTTER, THE AUTOMATIC LOCKS WILL NOT LOCK/UNLOCK BY PUSHING THE BUTTON ON THE DRIVER DOOR OR BY PUSHING THE BUTTON ON THE KEY. THEY WILL NOT PERFORM THE AUTOMATIC LOCK WHEN YOU FIRST START DRIVING. WHEN THIS OCCURS I HAVE NO WAY OF OPENING THE HATCH BECAUSE THERE IS NO KEY HOLE. I'M AFRAID THIS IS A FIRE HAZARD. ONLY HAPPENS WHEN IT IS HOT WEATHER OR WHEN I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR A LONG TRIP. HAS ANYONE ELSE HAD THIS PROBLEM? *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND THE ELECTRIC THROTTLE CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND THE TECHNICIANS INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE COMPUTER AND THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED TO 10 MPH. DURING THE FAILURE, THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT BEGAN ILLUMINATING ON THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE BECAUSE THE WARNING LIGHT WAS NO LONGER ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. APPROXIMATELY THREE WEEKS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000. UPDATED 05/26/11 *BF UPDATED 2/9/12 *CN

2008 DODGE CALIBER WITH 44,000 MILES. BOTH FRONT LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE SEVERELY WORN, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS CAR HAD ONLY NORMAL DRIVING (NO SEVERE USE). THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN A SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE IF I HAD NOT HAPPENED TO NOTICE THE SUSPENSION LOOSENESS WHEN ROTATING THE TIRES. THERE WAS NO OBVIOUS SYMPTOM WHEN DRIVING THE CAR. *TR

THERE IS A SERIOUS GROWLING ROAD NOISE COMING FROM THE WHEEL BEARINGS. IF YOU CHECK "CAR FORUMS AND AUTOMOTIVE CHAT" THERE IS A FIX UNDER CHAT LABELED "STWSTI" DATE 10-19-2008... I FEEL THIS IS A SERIOUS ENOUGH PROBLEM FOR DODGE TO RECALL THESE VEHICLES OR AT LEAST TO NOTIFY OWNERS OF THE PROBLEM OF BEARING FAILURE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS... *TR

I HAVE REPLACED ALTERNATOR, DRIVE BELT, BALL JOINTS, WHEEL BEARINGS, TIRE RODS ON MY 2008 DODGE. IT IS MAKING A HORRIBLE NOISE NOW UNDER THE HOOD. I AM ONE OF MANY WHO HAVE THIS SAME ISSUE. *TR

HAD MY TIRES ROTATED AND THE MECHANIC SHOWED ME HOW MUCH MY BALL JOINTS WERE WORE OUT AT ONLY 50,000 MILES. DODGE CALIBER 2008 MODEL. *TR

THE FRONT TIRES WERE VIBRATING AND MY STEERING WHEEL WAS SHAKING, SO I THOUGHT THE TIRES NEEDED BALANCING. I BROUGHT THE CAR INTO A FIRESTONE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THE FRONT RIGHT STRUT WAS BLOWN OUT AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THEY SAID THAT THIS WAS A SAFETY ISSUE, AND THAT STRUTS HELP HOLD THE WHEELS TO THE ROAD. ALSO, MY FRIEND WHO IS AN ASE CERTIFIED MECHANIC CHECKED THE STRUT AND HE VERIFIED THAT THE STRUT WAS BROKEN.

2008 DODGE CALIBER STEERING WHEEL ISSUE. OVER A PERIOD OF TIME MY DODGE CALIBER SRT4 STEERING WHEEL BECAME LOOSE AND MOVES FORWARD AND BACK CALLED THE DODGE DEALERSHIP AND THEY HAD TOLD ME THAT MY CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE IT FREE OF CHARGE AND THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE WHOLE STEERING COLUMN. WHEN I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL HAS ABOUT A HALF INCH PLAY IN IT. *TR

THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR BROKE ON MY DODGE CALIBER. THE DEALERSHIP WANTS TO CHARGE ME CLOSE TO $200 FOR THIS. I THINK ITS RIDICULOUS FOR HOW POORLY THEY WERE MADE. THIS ITEM SHOULD BE RECALLED WITH ALL THE DISCUSSIONS ONLINE ABOUT THEM. *TR

FRONT LEFT TIRE PRESSURE DROPPED TO 25 PSI IN EARLY DECEMBER 2010. CAR IS EQUIPPED WITH FACTORY TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM WHICH PROVIDES NUMERIC PRESSURE FOR ALL 4 TIRES PLUS AN AMBER WARNING LIGHT IF PRESSURE DROPS BELOW SAFE LEVELS. ASSUMED PRESSURE DROP WAS DUE TO LOW AIR TEMPERATURE - APPROX. 20 DEGF. ADDED AIR TO ALL 4 TIRES THE NEXT DAY, FRONT LEFT WAS FOUND TO BE 25 PSI CONFIRMED WITH A HAND-HELD MECHANICAL GAUGE, REMAINING 3 TIRES WERE 30-31 PSI. FILLED ALL TIRES TO 32-33 PSI (FACTORY PLACARD SPECIFIES 32 PSI COLD) OVER THE COURSE OF 2 DAYS THE FRONT LEFT TIRE PRESSURE AGAIN DROPPED. TPM SHOWED 28 PSI AT FRONT LEFT TIRE, 32-33 PSI IN REMAINING TIRES. REFILLED FRONT LEFT TO 34 PSI. REMOVED FRONT LEFT TIRE AND INSPECTED FOR LEAKS USING SOAPY WATER. NO LEAKS FOUND. REINSTALLED FRONT LEFT TIRE. OVER 2 WEEKS, PRESSURE DROPPED TO LOW 20'S PSI ON FRONT LEFT TIRE. REFILLED TO 34-35 PSI EACH TIME. AFTER THE FINAL REFILL, PRESSURE DROPPED TO 19 PSI OVER A 12 HOUR PERIOD. DROVE CAR TO SERVICE STATION AND VALVE STEM SNAPPED NEAR THE BASE OF THE THREADS WHILE ADDING AIR. RESULTED IN IMMEDIATE TIRE DEFLATION. CENTER CHECK VALVE CAME OUT WITH IT. WILL RETAIN ALL PIECES FOR INSPECTION UPON REQUEST, PLUS PLASTIC VALVE STEM CAP. ALL PARTS ARE OEM. VALVE STEM IS PART OF THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SENSOR ASSEMBLY WHICH IS A COMMON PART FOR MOST JEEP DODGE CHRYSLER VEHICLES. HAVE READ NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME FAILURE. SUSPECTED ROOT CAUSE WAS USING METALLIC VALVE CAPS THAT COULD CAUSE CORROSION, HOWEVER, SUSPECT VALVE CAP ON MY CAR IS PLASTIC AS SHIPPED FROM THE FACTORY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THROTTLE CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. WHEN THIS OCCURRED, THE VEHICLE WOULD EITHER DECELERATE OR STALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NEED TO REST FOR A FEW MOMENTS BEFORE IT WOULD FUNCTION AS NORMAL AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE THROTTLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

2008 DODGE CALIBER - CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR $700 IN REPAIRS. THEY STATE THAT THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE CAR WOULD RANDOMLY AND SUDDENLY BOGG DOWN UPON NORMAL ACCELERATION--VERY DANGEROUS WHEN PULLING INTO TRAFFIC-- AND THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE EITHER MOMENTARILY OR FLASH. IT WOULD NOT GO ABOVE 10 MPH WHEN THIS HAPPENED. RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET HAS REVEALED MANY, MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE. DODGE TAKES NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS CLAIMING IT NOT TO BE A COVERED PART OF THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. WHEN QUESTIONED, THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT WHEN CARBON BEGINS TO FORM THAT "APPARENTLY THE ENTIRE INSIDE OF THE THROTTLE BODY UNIT CARBS UP". I ASKED, "DO YOU MEAN NORMAL CARBON FORMATION THAT HAPPENS IN ALL ENGINES." THE RESPONSE WAS, YES AND THAT THEY RECOMMEND A "CARB CLEANOUT" EVERY 30,000 MILES (MINE IS AT 53,000). I THEN ASKED (KNOWING THE ANSWER) IF THAT WAS MAINTENANCE THAT WAS INCLUDED WITH OTHER MAINTENANCE IN THE MANUAL. OF COURSE, THE REPLY WAS "NO". THIS FAILURE, WHEN IT HAPPENS, PRESENTS AND EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION. IT ONLY HAD TO PUT ME IN A BAD PREDICAMENT ONCE BEFORE I HEADED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE MERE FACT THAT THE DEALERSHIP SEEMED TO BE AWARE OF THIS EXCESSIVE CARBON PROBLEM MAKES ME FEEL THAT THEY DO, INDEED, HAVE SOME RESPONSIBILITY TO THIS ISSUE. I HAVE READ COMPLAINT AFTER COMPLAINT ON THE INTERNET REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. ONE UNFORTUNATE MAN WAS HIT BY A GASOLINE TRUCK WHEN THIS OCCURRED. IT'S UNFORTUNATE THAT MORE PEOPLE DON'T KNOW TO COME HERE AND FILE A FORMAL COMPLAINT RATHER THAN POSTING ON BLOGS TO TRY TO HELP OTHERS. I IMPLORE WHOMEVER HAS THE AUTHORITY TO INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED. *TR

WENT SHOPPING CAME OUT FROM SHOPPING MY CAR LEFT ME STRANDED HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER I BOUGHT IT FROM AFTER BEING STRANDED FOR OVER 3 HOURS THEY HAD TO SENT IT TO A DODGE DEALER THEY SAID THE ISSUE WAS FROM A STATIC LOCK WHICH CASED MY MODULE TO HAVE TO BE REST BUT THEN THEY TOLD ME IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN I JUST NEED TO UNPLUG THE POSITIVE CABLE TO THE BATTERY AND IT SHOULD WORK WHICH IT DOES BUT THEY SAID THEY HAD TO RESET MY KEY TO IT SO I WAS CHARGED FOR THEM TO DO NOTHING AND THE CAR IS STILL NOT FIXED IT HAPPENED AGAIN ON JANUARY 7 2011 AND SO I CALLED THE DEALER I BOUGHT IF FROM AND THEY TOLD ME TO BRING IN AND THEY WOULD LOOK AT SOME COMPONENTS AND INSTALL A GROUND WIRE WELL I DID THAT BUT THEN THE THEY TOLD ME THE CAR COULDN'T BE WORKING SO IN OTHER WORDS THEY WERE NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM I BOUGHT IT FROM JERRERY KIA I NEED A RELIABLE CAR TO DRIVE AND I DON'T HAVE ONE AND I TOO WILL NEVER BUY A DODGE AGAIN. *TR

THE CAR STARTS, DROPS RPMS TO 700 WHEN PUT IN REVERSE, THEN STALLS WHILE DRIVING. *TR

I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT, THE FRONT AXLES AND, BALL JOINTS ON MY CAR ARE IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT. I HAVE TALKED TO SEVERAL OTHER DODGE CALIBER OWNER'S THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. WHAT DO I NEED TO DO? *TR

2008 DODGE CALIBER STOPPED ACCELERATING NORMALLY IN SEPTEMBER 2010 AT ABOUT 43,000 MILES (AND ABOUT 6 MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT IT FROM A MAZDA DEALERSHIP). I TOOK IT TO SEVERAL TRANSMISSION SHOPS WHO ALL SAID THEY COULDN'T HELP, BUT HAD HEARD OF MANY SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. I FINALLY TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A DIAGNOSIS AND WAS TOLD THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED (AT ABOUT $4000). THIS DIAGNOSIS SEEMS TO BE VERY DIFFERENT FROM THE THROTTLE ISSUE THAT I'VE READ ABOUT ONLINE. I WAS TOLD IT MIGHT HURT THE POWERTRAIN FURTHER TO CONTINUE DRIVING IT, SO THE CAR IS STILL SITTING IN MY DRIVE WAY AS A NON-OP. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW DODGE IS GETTING AWAY WITH THIS, WHEN SO MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS EXIST (MOST OF WHICH ARE WITHIN THE WARRANTY). *JS

I RECENTLY PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE ABOUT THREE MONTHS AGO WITH AIRCHECK. LITTLE DID I KNOW I WAS BUYING A MORE DEFECTIVE CAR THAN I ORIGINALLY HAD. ABOUT A WEEK AGO MY A/C GOES TO CRAP I ASK THE DEALERSHIP TO FIX IT AND ALL HE SAYS IS I KNOW A GUY THAT CAN FIX IT FOR YOU FOR ALITTLE CHARGE. AND TO TOP IT OFF THE A/C GOES OUT ON THE HOTTEST FREAKING DAY OF THE MONTH. THEN MY ENGINE MAKES THIS RATTLING NOISE MY FREAKING RADIO DOESN'T ACCEPT CD'S WHAT KIND OF WHOLE DID I GET MY SELF INTO. AND FOR THIS CAR TO BE A 4 CYLINDER IT DRINKS GAS AS IF IT WHERE A V8. *TR

TL. THE CONTACT OWNS 2008 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE DOES NOT COME WITH A SPARE TIRE AND A JACK. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THEY DO NOT PROVIDE A SPARE AND JACK FOR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE SUFFERED A FLAT TIRE AND THE CONTACT WAS STUCK ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WAITING FOR A TOW TRUCK. THE CONTACT STATED IF A SPARE TIRE WAS PROVIDED THE TIRE COULD HAVE BEEN CHANGED. IN THE EVENT OF A FLAT TIRE THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED A PUMP TO INFLATE THE TIRE BUT THE CONTACT STATED THE IT'S VERY DANGEROUS TO BE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT A SPARE TIRE WITH VEHICLE PASSING BY AT HIGH SPEEDS. THE CONTACT STATED THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD PROVIDE A SPARE TIRE FOR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000. JO

WHEN TURNING OVER THE KEY TO START THE VEHICLE, NOTHING WOULD HAPPEN. TURNING BACK THE KEY AND TRYING AGAIN WOULD TYPICALLY RESULT IN THE CAR STARTING. AFTER 2-3 MONTHS OF THIS INTERMITTENT BEHAVIOR, THE VEHICLE ALSO BEGAN TO ACT AS IF THE KEY WAS IN THE IGNITION AFTER IT WAS REMOVED (IT WOULD DING WHEN THE DOOR WAS OPENED AND NOT ALLOW ME TO LOCK MY DOORS).

AT AROUND 35000 MILES IS WHEN THIS STARTED: WHEN I WOULD SLOW DOWN I WOULD NOTICE THAT IT FELT LIKE MY DRIVER FRONT TIRE WOULD WOBBLE, THIS WENT ON FOR A WHILE, AND NO ONE COULD FIGURE OUT WHAT IT WAS, BLAMED IT ON BAD TIRES. I EVEN TOOK IT TO MY DEALERSHIP BECAUSE MY WARRANTY WAS GOING TO BE UP SOON AND ASKED THEM TO LOOK OVER EVERYTHING AND THEY NEVER FOUND ANYTHING. SO I GOT NEW TIRES AND IT WOULD STILL SOMETIMES SEEM TO WOBBLE BUT IT WASN'T CONSISTENT. FAST FORWARD TO THIS SUMMER (2011) I START TO NOTICE THAT IT IS REALLY BAD PULLING OUT OF MY WORKS DRIVEWAY TURNING LEFT SO I THINK MY SHOCKS ARE GOING BAD. ALSO I START TO NOTICE THAT WHEN I START MOVING AGAIN FROM A STOP IT SEEMS LIKE THE CAR HAS A LITTLE JERK. SO I GO TO GET MY OIL CHANGED AND TIRES ROTATED (DIFFERENT PLACES) AND AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE OIL THEY FILL OUT A LITTLE INSPECTION SHEET, ONLY THING MARKED IS A BAD AIR FILTER. SHOCKS ARE GOOD THEY SAID. TIME TO CHANGE THE BRAKES TOO, SO I BUY SOME WITH THE AIR FILTER AND TELL MY HUSBAND WHEN HE IS CHANGING THEM TO PLEASE LOOK GOOD BECAUSE SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT. WELL, HE FINDS OUT THAT HE CAN COMPLETELY MOVE THE WHOLE WHEEL ASSEMBLY ON ITS OWN! SO I TAKE IT TO A LOCAL SHOP AND BOTH LOWER BALL JOINTS ARE BAD AND MAYBE A TIRE ROD! AT APPROX 48,000 MILES (CURRENT) THIS IS RIDICULOUS!!! SO CALL DODGE DEALERSHIP AND OUT OF WARRANTY SO... UNLESS WE BRING IT DOWN AND ALL THESE OTHER INSTRUCTIONS THEY MIGHT BE ABLE TO PAY FOR SOME OF IT. NOT DRIVING THE VEHICLE 45 MILES WHEN THE WHEELS MIGHT SNAP OFF AND FOR THEM TO MOST LIKELY SAY "TOO BAD"! AFTER SEEING HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM SOMETHING IS OBLIVIOUSLY WRONG WITH THE DESIGN OF THE CALIBER, AND FOR DODGE TO DO NOTHING, WE WILL NEVER EVEN CONSIDER A DODGE, OR MAYBE EVEN A CHRYSLER (NEVER HAD ISSUES WITH PAST JEEPS) AGAIN!

REFERENCE CHRYSLER TSB 23-035-07 FOR SOME (POSSIBLY) VALUABLE, RELATED INFORMATION. TAIL LIGHT LENS CONDENSING AND CONTAINING WATER. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO MY LOCAL DODGE DEALER ABOUT THIS MATTER TWICE. THE SECOND TIME I REPORTED IT, I HAD GONE IN FOR REGULAR SERVICE AND, BY CHANCE, WAS GIVEN A 2011 DODGE CALIBER AS A RENTAL. BOTH TAIL LIGHTS HAD CONDENSATION AND AT LEAST 1/2" OF WATER IN THEM. I POINTED THIS OUT THE GENERAL MANAGER, TELLING HIM I THOUGHT IT WAS A DEFECT, WITHOUT LETTING HIM EVEN KNOW THAT IT WAS 'HIS' CAR. HE ONLY NODDED IN AGREEMENT. I TOLD HIM THAT THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE SAID THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE ABOUT IT EXCEPT FOR ME TO PURCHASE A REPLACEMENT LENS ASSEMBLY. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THERE WERE NO TSB'S RELATED TO THIS. WHEN I TOLD THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT ABOUT THE TSB I FOUND, THEY SAID THE REFERENCE TO "EXTERIOR LAMP" IS TO THE 'HEADLAMPS' AND NO OTHERS. THOUGH MY DEALER IS WILLING TO HELP ME WITH THE COST OF A REPLACEMENT LENS ASSEMBLY, AND SINCE I FEEL THIS IS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT, AND I DO NOT THINK IT IS FAIR TO THEM TO CARRY THE BURDEN. FINALLY, IF ONE WERE TO PERFORM A GOOGLE SEARCH RELATING TO THIS ISSUE THEY WOULD FIND THAT THERE IS CLEARLY AN ONGOING AND PERVASIVE ISSUE WITH NOT ONLY THE DODGE CALIBER LINE OF MOST YEARS SINCE PRODUCTION STARTED, BUT MANY OTHER MODELS AS WELL. IN PARTICULAR, THE CALIBER FORUM SITES HAVE MANY COMPLAINTS POSTED REGARDING THIS MATTER AND THE LENGTHS THE OWNERS HAVE HAD TO GO THROUGH TO RESOLVE THE MATTER ON THEIR OWN. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE MADE A CLUCKING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL MECHANIC. THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE REAR TIE ROD AND STRUT HAVING DEFECTIVE MATERIAL. THE IGNITION ALSO FAILED AND COULD NOT BE TURNED. THE REAR TIE ROD STRUT AND IGNITION WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT CONTINUED EXHIBITING A NOISE FROM THE REAR. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,176.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES AND HEARD A SQUEAKING SOUND IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FRONT BRAKES WERE DEGLAZED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 39000.

HORN DEFECT ON 2008 DODGE CALIBER. HORN DOES NOT WORK DESPITE 3 ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR BY DEALER. PURCHASED AT HERITAGE FORD IN CORYDON, INDIANA AND REPAIRED BY GERDON CHRYSLER/DODGE IN CORYDON. HORN SOUNDS ON FIRST PUSH, THEN WILL NOT SOUND FOR SEVERAL HOURS OR DAYS WHEN PUSHED. *TR

TIRE SENSOR MONITOR BROKE FOR NO REASON ON TWO OF MY TIRES. CALLED TO GET FIXED AND WAS TOLD THEY WERE AN ESTIMATED 8,000 ON BACKORDER AND NOT SURE WHEN THEY WOULD BE COMING IN. MY TIRE WAS LOSING AIR EVERY 2 DAYS. I FEEL THAT THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL. WHY ARE WE RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING $100.00 PER SENSOR TO HAVE THIS FIXED WHEN IT IS CLEARLY A DEFECT ON THE MANUFACTURER? CHRYSLER/DODGE NEEDS TO FIX THIS AND RECALL THE PRODUCT. *TR

BOTH OF THE TIE RODS ON MY CAR ARE COMPLETELY WORN AT 36,000 MILES. THE DEALER TOLD ME THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH DODGE CALIBERS - PREMATURE FAILURE OF TIE RODS. *TR

08 DODGE CALIBER SE. JUST RIDING DOWN THE ROAD . FUEL THROTTLE CONTROL MODULE LIGHT COMES ON AND CAR QUITS RUNNING WHILE YOUR DRIVING. I WAS ON INTERSTATE. HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. CHRYSLER SAID IT COULD BE A FLUKE TO KEEP DRIVING IT. SOMEONE GOING TO GET HURT.. LUCKILY I WAS IN A LANE,WHERE I COULD JUST ROLL INTO EMERGENCY LANE. *TR

THE ETC (ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL) INDICATOR STARTED FLASHING AND THEN MY CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. I WAS AT 3 RPMS AND COULDN'T GO OVER 10MPH. IT ONLY HAPPENED OCCASIONALLY AT FIRST AND THEN IT BECAME MORE FREQUENT. I WAS GETTING ON THE ON RAMP OF A HIGHWAY WHEN IT STARTED FLASHING AND THEN MY CAR COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. LUCKILY THE CARS BEHIND HAD ENOUGH SHOULDER TO SWERVE AROUND ME PREVENTING A ACCIDENT. I COULDN'T START MY CAR RIGHT AWAY I HAD TO WAIT ABOUT 3 MIN. AS SOON AS I RESTARTED IT EVERYTHING WENT BACK TO NORMAL. THIS HAPPENED 2 MORE TIMES AND I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC. HE REPLACED THE ETC CHIP AND THAT DIDN'T WORK SO HE REPLACED THE ETC BODY. THAT DIDN'T WORK EITHER SO HE SENT IT TO A DEALERSHIP. THEY REPLACED THE WHOLE ETC...$900 LATER THAT PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE FINE. I FIND A CAR SHUTTING DOWN WHENEVER IT CHOOSES VERY DANGEROUS AND I HAVE RESEARCHED IT AND SEEN MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE. MOSTLY IN 07' MODELS BUT ALSO 08'S. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE BEFORE SOMEONE IS INJURED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED WITHIN A FEW MINUTES AND RESUMED IN A JERKING MOTION AT AN EXTREMELY LOW SPEED OF 20 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED. NINE MONTHS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER WHO STATED THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WILL BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,000.

HAD CAR IN PARK. STARTED VEHICLE AND STARTER KEPT TRYING TO TURN OVER. STOPPED CAR AND TOOK KEY OUT, STARTER KEPT GOING. STARTED CAR AGAIN AND DROVE 30 FEET WHILE STARTER IS TURNING OVER AND SMOKE WAS COMING INTO VEHICLE. VEHICLE THEN STOPPED AND ENGINE DIED. THE VEHICLE ENDED UP STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF A FOUR LANE MAIN ROAD. LIGHTS WERE ON AND BATTERY WAS STILL WORKING. COULD NOT START CAR. POLICE WERE CALLED DUE TO VEHICLE BEING INOPERATIVE. TOWED TO DEALER, WHERE THEY RAN TESTS ON NEW STARTER AFTER IT WAS REPLACED. WAS TOLD ALL TESTS PASSED AND THE ORIGINAL WAS A BAD STARTER. ON MARCH 18, 2010 ENGINE WAS STARTING TO MAKE SIMILAR SOUNDS AND VEHICLE TRIED STARTING WITHOUT A KEY IN IGNITION. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THIS, WAS TO PULL WIRE OFF THE BATTERY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO EXIT HIS DRIVEWAY IN SNOWY CONDITIONS AT SPEEDS OF LESS THAN 3 MPH, THE BRAKES LOCKED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SLIDE IN THE SNOW AND CRASH INTO A VEHICLE IN THE CONTACT'S DRIVEWAY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED. THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING REPAIRS BY HIS INSURANCE COMPANY. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE UNDER 35,222.