NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008 Dodge Caliber. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
VEHICLE: DODGE CALIBER SXT MODEL 2008 ON SUNDAY, JANUARY 3RD I WAS RETURNING FROM MEXICO STATE TO PUEBLA AROUND 3 PM, USING THE HIGHWAY. I NOTICED A SLIGHT CHANGE IN THE ACCELERATION OF THE CAR, SIMILAR TO WHEN THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM NEEDS CLEANING. ABOUT 2 KM PRIOR TO GETTING TO PUEBLA TOLL, THE BRAKES DID NOT ANSWERED AT ALL, THE INSTRUMENT PANELS INDICATOR DID NOT SHOW ANY PROBLEM. I HAD TO SLOW DOWN BY USING THE MOTOR (L), UNTIL I COULD SAFELY PULL OVER AND STOP THE CAR COMPLETELY WITH THE HAND BRAKE. FORTUNATELY I HAD A GOOD SPACE WITH CARS PRECEDING AND AVOIDED ANY COLLISION BY ALSO USING THE ALERT LIGHTS. THE CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED AS THE MANUAL STATES, AND HAVE NEVER DETECTED ANY PROBLEM RELATED BEFORE. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE SERVICE WHERE THEY TOLD ME THE FAIL WAS DUE TO A COMPUTER PROBLEM, AND THEY UPGRADED THE SOFTWARE TO A MORE RECENT VERSION, STATING THAT WILL AVOID THE PROBLEM. I ASKED IF THEY HAVE RECEIVED CARS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND THEY CONFIRMED TO ME THAT THERE HAVE BEEN SOME, BUT "NOT TOO MANY...". THEN CHECKING NHTSA WEBPAGE FOUND SIMILAR ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE BUT DEALERSHIP NEVER REPORT ISSUE. *TR
I HAVE A 2008 DODGE CALIBER I PURCHASED IN SEPTEMBER OF 2009. I AM HAVING A PROBLEM WITH MY CAR STOPPING WHEN I APPROACH A TRAFFIC SIGNAL. I HAVE GONE RIGHT THROUGH TRAFFIC SIGNALS. I WAS COMING OFF AN EXIT RAMP, AND IT HAD BEEN SNOWING. WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T STOP, AND I ALMOST SLID INTO THE SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. WE BOTH COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. THE TURN SIGNALS AND THE FOG LIGHTS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND SINCE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED A REMEDY WAS NOT PROVIDED. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WILL BE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,591 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 18,501.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER SXT. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. HER VEHICLE ROLLED OVER AND TRAVELED DOWN AN EMBANKMENT. THE FRONTAL AND SIDE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURES TO HER LEGS, NECK, AND INTESTINES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND RESPONDED IN WRITING THAT THE AIR BAGS FUNCTIONED PROPERLY. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT SHE WOULD RECEIVE A CALL BACK. THE INSURANCE COMPANY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 23,011. UPDATED 10/27/09.*LJ UPDATED 10/29/09.*JB
I TOOK MY CALIBER IN FOR SOME WARRANTY WORK. THEY FOUND THE LEFT STRUT WAS BAD. THEY ORDERED THE PART. I WENT BACK IN THE NEXT WEEK FOR THE STRUT AND ALIGNMENT. WHILE THEY WERE DRIVING BACK FROM THE ALIGNMENT PLACE, THEY HAD AN ACCIDENT IN MY CAR. THEY FIXED IT. I HAVE SINCE THEN BROUGHT IT BACK TO A ROAR IN THE CAR. THEY TOLD ME MY TIRES WERE BAD. I ASKED IF IT COULD BE BECAUSE OF THE ALIGNMENT WAS OUT AND THEY SAID NO. I ASKED IF IT COULD BE BECAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT, AGAIN NO. WHO IN THEIR RIGHT MIND WOULD ALIGN A CAR WITH BAD TIRES. THEY HAVE MADE NO DEAL FOR ME IN THIS MATTER. THE TIRES DID NOT GO BAD IN A MATTER OF A WEEK. *TR
COMPLAINED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS TO THE STONE MOUNTAIN DODGE DEALER THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH MY FUEL GAUGE. IT DOES NOT KEEP AN ACCURATE ACCOUNT OF THE FUEL IN MY FUEL TANK. UPON FILLING UP MY CAR ON FULL WITH FUEL, IT WOULD GIVE AN INACCURATE READING RIGHT AWAY. AS SOON AS I DROVE OUT OF THE PARKING LOT. I EXPLAINED THIS TO THE DEALER ON A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT OCCASIONS AND EACH TIME I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A PART THAT MY CAR NEEDED, AND IT WAS ON ORDER AND WOULD BE IN A COUPLE OF MONTHS. I WOULD WAIT A COUPLE OF MONTHS, AND RETURN TO THE DEALER, AND AT THAT TIME I WAS TOLD THE SAME STORY AGAIN, THAT THIS PART WOULD BE ORDERED, BUT NOW, THEY COULD NOT FIND A MANUFACTURER TO GET THE PART FROM, BUT THAT CORPORATE KNEW ABOUT THIS. ON VARIOUS VISITS TO THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT, THERE WAS NEVER A RESOLUTION, AND FINALLY I WAS TOLD TO CONTACT THEIR CORPORATE CUSTOMER SERVICE. UPON CONTACT TO THEIR CORPORATE CUSTOMER SERVICE, I WAS OFFERED A DEAL FOR DODGE TO PAY TWO OF MY CAR NOTES, AND I HAD 30 DAYS TO ACCEPT. I DID NOT ACCEPT THAT OFFER BECAUSE THAT MEANT THAT THERE WAS STILL NO RESOLUTION IN FIXING MY CAR. WHEN I PURCHASED MY CAR, IT HAD APPROXIMATELY 18,000 MILES ON MY CAR, AND I WAS TOLD THAT MY CAR HAD BEEN SERVICED AND LOOKED AT BY THEIR MECHANICS, AND EVERYTHING WAS FINE BEFORE DRIVING IT OFF THE LOT. TWO TO THREE MONTHS LATER IS WHEN I NOTICED THIS PROBLEM, AND I FEEL THAT THE DODGE DEALER LIED TO ME WHEN I WAS TOLD THAT EVERYTHING WAS FINE, AND LATER AGAIN, WHEN I WAS TOLD ON A CONSISTENT BASIS THAT A PART WAS COMING IN AND MY CAR WOULD BE FIXED. I DO NOT FEEL THAT IT IS FAIR TO ME AS A CONSUMER THAT I AM LITERALLY PAYING FOR SOMETHING THAT IS NOT TRUE. I HAVE CONSISTENTLY BEEN LIED TO BY THEIR SERVICE PEOPLE, AND STILL NO RESOLUTION TO EITHER FIX MY CAR, OR TO EVEN GIVE ME ANOTHER CAR FOR THE SAME VALUE OF WHEN I PURCHASED MY CAR. UPDATED 01/21/11
DURING A RECENT TRIP TO LAS VEGAS, MY PARTNER AND I RENTED A DODGE CALIBER. WE BELIEVE THERE IS A SERIOUS SAFETY FLAW IN THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT BELT SYSTEMS. DURING OUR TRIP WE HAD MANY INSTANCES WHEN OUR SEAT BELTS WOULD COME UNBUCKLED. AFTER EXAMINING WHY THIS WAS HAPPENING WE FOUND THE PROBLEM. IF YOU JUST BUCKLE YOUR SEAT BELT WITHOUT LOOKING, LIKE MOST AMERICANS DO, YOU CAN ACTUALLY PUT THE BUCKLE INTO THE PLASTIC LATCH HOUSING AND NOT THE LATCH ITSELF. IT FEELS VERY SIMILAR TO WHEN YOU CORRECTLY LATCH THE BELT. IT WILL ALSO HOLD IN THAT POSITION, BUT OBVIOUSLY NOT IN A CAR ACCIDENT. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH IN RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS AND AT NIGHT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS CUT OFF THE ROAD BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE HYDROPLANED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO THE CEMENT BARRIER. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE THREE AIR BAG SENSORS WERE DESTROYED. THE CONTACT WAS SEVERELY INJURED. THE POLICE AND AMBULANCE WERE CALLED TO THE SCENE AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND TOWED TO THE COLLISION CENTER. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 6,400.
MY HUSBAND AND COUSIN WERE IN THIS CAR SOME HOW LOST CONTROL ON A CLEAR DRY DAY AND ROLLED. THEY SAY THE BRAKES WERE NEVER APPLIED BUT I WONDER WHY NOT, MAYBE THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. *TR
I WAS TRAVELING TO A T INTERSECTION; I WAS THE ONE WHO WAS REQUIRED TO MAKE THE LEFT OR RIGHT HAND TURN. MY BRAKES STOPPED WORKING AND I WENT FROM ~55MPH TO 45MPH OVER THE COURSE OF A FOOTBALL FIELD OR SO. I SHOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO STOP COMPLETELY BUT THAT WASN'T THE CASE. IT WAS THE 2008 CALIBER SRT4. THE SRT4 HAS A MASSIVE BRAKE KIT FROM THE CHARGER AND MAGNUM ON IT WHICH SHOULD HAVE MADE IT STOP RELATIVELY QUICKLY. I MASHED MY VEHICLE INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AT THE INTERSECTION AND MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I BELIEVE THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES AND AIRBAGS ON THE 2008 CALIBER SRT4. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2008 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM AND BALL JOINTS WERE CONTINUOUSLY FAILING AND BEING REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE BELIEVED THAT THE BULK OF THE STRESS WAS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,358 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 57,990. UPDATED 03/16/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE STRUTS WERE REPLACED AND THE CONTROL ARM WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES.
ON 09/19/2008, MY VERY FIRST STATE INSPECTION ON MY BRAND NEW VEHICLE, I WAS DENIED A WINDOW STICKER, AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS BECAUSE THREE OF MY TIRES HAD A SLIGHT BUBBLE ON THE SIDEWALL OF EACH. THESE ARE THE ORIGINAL TIRES THAT CAME WITH THE VEHICLE THAT I PURCHASED ON 02/29/2008. SO I CALLED GOOD YEAR AND THEY TOLD ME TO TAKE IT TO A SERVICE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OF THEM. I DID. THE TIRE COMPANY TOLD ME THAT THE TIRES ARE RADIAL TIRES, AND THEY NORMALLY DO HAVE THAT SLIGHT LITTLE BULGE ON THEM. MY POSITION IS " WHAT DO I REALLY KNOW" I AM BEING PUSHED BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN THE TWO. MAYBE THE TIRE COMPANY DO NOT WANT TO GIVE NEW TIRES, AND MAYBE THE INSPECTION STATION WANTS TO DEFRAUD ME AS HE HAS SO MANY OTHER CUSTOMERS. HOW DO I REALLY KNOW IF THE TIRES ARE DEFECTIVE. TAKE IT TO A INDEPENDENT TIRE COMPANY? IF I COULD AFFORD THE COST I WOULD BECAUSE SAFETY IS MORE IMPORTANT. BUT I DON'T HAVE THE CASH TO DO THAT. I'VE SEARCHED YOUR DATA BASE, AND FOUND A RECALL VERY CLOSE TO THE TYPE AS MINE BUT IT IS NOT THE EXACT NUMBER TIRE. SO IS IT REALLY TRUE THAT RADIAL TIRES HAVE A NATURAL SLIGHT BUBBLE ON THE SIDEWALL. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE O2 SENSORS CONTINUE TO FAIL AND CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO DRIVE ROUGHLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP AT LEAST TEN TIMES AND THEY KEEP REPLACING THE SENSORS EACH VISIT. THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,500 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 18,438.
MY FRONT SEAT MAKES ANNOYING SQUEAKS WHEN TRAVELING ON ROAD IMPERFECTIONS, POT HOLES AND SPEED DUMPS AT ANY SPEED. I NOTICED THE SOUND WHEN MY CAR WAS IN THE MID 4,000 MILES. ALSO THE BRAKES WOULD SQUEAK WHEN I BRAKED IN REVERSE. MY CAR IS NOW 13,383 (SIX MONTHS LATE) AND I'VE TAKEN MY CAR TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS AND THE SEAT STILL SQUEAKS. THEY TIGHTENED BOTH FRONT SEATS AND THE TRACKS. THEY ALSO REPLACED ONE OF THE TRACKS DURING ANOTHER VISIT. EACH TIME I TAKE MY CAR IN THEY SAY THAT THEY HAVE SOLVED THE PROBLEM, BUT AS SOON I GO OVER THE SPEED BUMP WHILE EXITING THE DEALERSHIP, THE SEAT STILL SQUEAKS. I CALLED THE MANAGER FOR THE DEALERSHIP WHICH HE WAS THE ONE THAT HAD HELPED ME. HE IS ASKING FOR A SIXTH VISIT TO REPAIR THE SQUEAKING NOISE, BUT I DON'T THINK THAT THAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN. I'M SURE THAT A SQUEAK MAY NOT BE A BIG DEAL BUT IF THERE IS A SOUND THEN THAT MEANS THERE IS FRICTION WHICH OVER TIME WILL CAUSE WEAR TO THE SEAT AND MAY CAUSE A FAILURE TO HOLD IF IN A COLLISION. LASTLY, WHEN IDLING AT RED LIGHTS OR STOP SIGNS THE RHYTHM OF THE ENGINE RANDOMLY JERKS/BOGG AS IF IT FEELS LIKE IT'S ABOUT TO DIE OUT.*TR
ON 08/09/08 I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO GET CHECKED; I HAD ALREADY BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY BRAKE LIGHT COMING ON AT DIFFERENT TIMES. AT THAT MOMENT THE LIGHT WAS NOT ON AND THE SERVICE REP TOLD ME THAT THE LIGHT HAD TO BE ON IN ORDER TO CHECK THE VEHICLE EVEN AFTER I SHOWED HIM A RECENT VIDEO ON MY PHONE SHOWING THE LIGHT FLASHING. ON 08/12/08 I TOOK THE VEHICLE AS THE LIGHT WAS ONE, THEY ASKED ME TO BRING IT IN ON 08/14/08. I DROPPED OF MY VEHICLE ON 08/14/08 AND THEY FOUND THAT THE BRAKE SENSOR NEEDS TO CHANGED; SO THEY PLACED THE ORDER AND ASKED ME TO COME IN ON 08/19/08 TO HAVE IT REPLACED. DUE TO TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS ON THE 19TH, I DID NOT TAKE MY VEHICLE, WE RESCHEDULE FOR 8/21/08. DROPPING OFF MY VEHICLE ON 08/21/08 THEY CALLED ME IN THE EARLY AFTERNOON THAT MY VEHICLE WAS READY. THE NEXT DAY 08/22/08 THE LIGHT TURNED ON AGAIN; ON 08/25 OR 08/26 I CALLED CHRYSLER FINANCIAL TO COMPLAIN; THEY TOLD ME I NEED TO TAKE MY VEHICLE AGAIN WHEN ONLY THE LIGHT IS ON. ON 08/27 THE LIGHT TURNED ON AND I WENT AND SPOKE WITH THE MANAGER, HE PROMISED ME A DRIVER AT 7:00AM ON 09/02 TO BRING ME TO WORK SO I MAY LEAVE ME CAR; THAT PROMISE WAS NOT FULFILLED AND MY CAR FINALLY WENT IN ON 09/05 AS THEY NOW SEE IT AS A SAFETY ISSUE AFTER I HAVE BEEN SAYING IT IN THE BEGINNING. I AM WAITING FOR THE WEEKEND TO SEE IF THE LIGHT TURNS ON AGAIN ON MY VEHICLE. I HAVE HAD OTHER INSTANCE ABOUT 3 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE THAT THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF 2 TIMES! I TOOK IT TO THE SERVICE AND THEIR COMPUTER COULD NOT PICK-UP ANY CODES AND NEVER FOUND ANYTHING. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH MAROONE DODGE OF PEMBROKE PINES SERVICE. *TR
MY COMPLAINT IS NOT FOCUSED ON THE AUTO MANUFACTURER. IT IS DIRECTED TOWARD THE AUTO INSURANCE INDUSTRY, AND IN PARTICULAR NATIONWIDE INSURANCE BASED IN COLUMBUS, OH. I WAS RECENTLY INVOLVED IN AN AUTO ACCIDENT, AND A NATIONWIDE CLIENT REAR-ENDED MY NEW 2008 DODGE CALIBER. IT WAS LESS THEN 1 WEEK OLD AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, AND HAD FEWER THEN 300 MILES ON IT. NATIONWIDE PROMPTLY AGREED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE BY REPLACING THE BUMPER. HOWEVER, IT HAS COME TO MY ATTENTION THAT THE COMPANY'S POLICY IS TO REPLACE THE BUMPER WITH A REFURBISHED PART, OR A PART MADE BY A COMPANY THAT MAY NOT BE LICENSED OR REPRESENT MOPAR, THE PARTS COMPANY THAT SUPPLIES DODGE REPLACEMENT PARTS. I AM VERY CONCERNED NOT ONLY ABOUT LOSING VALUE FOR MY BRAND NEW CAR, BUT ALSO THAT MY SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OF MY PASSENGERS COULD BE POTENTIALLY COMPROMISED BY THE USE OF POSSIBLY INFERIOR PRODUCTS. I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE IS A GOVERNING BODY FOR THESE TYPES OF PARTS KNOWN AS CAPA, BUT I ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT NOT EVERY PART IS CERTIFIED BY CAPA, NOR COULD I FIND A CERTIFIED PART LISTED FOR THE REAR BUMPER OF A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. THIS IS SIMPLY NOT ACCEPTABLE, AND NATIONWIDE MUST REPLACE MY BUMPER (AND ANY UNSEEN DAMAGED PARTS) WITH GENUINE MOPAR-SUPPLIED PARTS TO RESTORE MY VEHICLE TO ITS ORIGINAL, SAFE, OPERATING CONDITION AS IT WAS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE HASN'T EVEN BEEN FULLY BROKEN-IN YET. *TR
2008 DODGE CALIBER R/T WITH 2.4 LITRE, 5 SPEED MANUAL TRANNY STALLS WHILE IDLING AT RED LIGHTS. HAPPENED TWICE WITHIN 3 WEEKS. *TR
MY ENGINE TICKS WHEN IDLING AND THE GAS GAUGE JUMPS. THE ENGINE DID NOT SOUND LIKE THIS WHEN I PURCHASED IT. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALER TWICE AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THERE IS NO PROBLEM, AND THAT ALL CARS SOUND LIKE THAT. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT NOTICED OCCASIONALLY THAT WHILE DRIVING AT A SPEED OF 45 MPH THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD HAVE TO BE DEPRESSED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE BRINGING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP, THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WOULD SWAY FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP ON SEVERAL DIFFERENT OCCASIONS WHERE THE CONTACT HAD THE BRAKE PADS , FRONT AXLE, STRUTS, AND SHOCK ABSORBERS REPLACED. HOWEVER THE CONTACT IS STILL EXPERIENCING THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS AT 3000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 35600.
THE EXHAUST PIPE PROTRUDES TOO FAR FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE MAKING IT POSSIBLE FOR SMALL CHILDREN TO RECEIVE INJURY WHEN THE VEHICLE IS HOT. A SMALL CHILD IN OUR HOME RECEIVED A SECOND DEGREE BURN WHEN WALKING AROUND THE VEHICLE TO ASK A QUESTION. IN MERELY WALKING BY, THE CHILD WAS ABLE TO COME INTO CONTACT WITH THE VEHICLE'S EXHAUST PIPE CAUSING A BURN. *TR
WAS TRAVELING 30 TO 35 MPH WEST ON HIGHWAY APPROACHING INTERSECTION WITH GREEN LIGHT, ANOTHER 4 DOOR SEDAN TRAVELING EAST MADE LEFT HAND TURN IN FRONT OF MY VEHICLE. THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF MY VEHICLE BEFORE IT WAS SEEN, I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES AND HIT BOTH DOORS OF THE OTHER VEHICLE WITH THE FRONT END OF MY VEHICLE CAUSING EXTENSIVE FRONT END DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH 2 FRONT AIRBAGS AND A KNEE AIRBAG ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *TR
I BOUGHT A USED 2008 DODGE CALIBER WITH 14,100 MILES ON IT. THE TIRES WEREN'T RIGHT FROM THE NIGHT I BROUGHT IT HOME. I CALLED AND COMPLAINED, THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THEY PUT NEW BRAKES ON IT AND TO GIVE IT A FEW DAYS TO SEE IF IT WOULD GET BETTER. IT DID NOT, I STILL HAD A PULSING OR THUMPING NOISE IN THE FRONT END. I TOOK IT BACK, THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT. I ASKED ABOUT THE TIRES AND I WAS TOLD "THE TIRES PASSED INSPECTION". I TOOK MY CAR TO A FRIEND WHO ROTATED AND BALANCED THE TIRES, AND WAS TOLD I HAD A BAD TIRE, IT WASN'T ROUND OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. THE BAD TIRE THEN WENT ON THE BACK PASSENGER SIDE. I THEN CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND TOLD THEM WHAT I DID, THEY WERE ANGRY AND SAID NOTHING WAS MECHANICALLY WRONG WITH THE CAR AND AGAIN THE TIRES HAD PASSED INSPECTION. AFTER MUCH ARGUING THEY AGREED TO EITHER PUT ON 4 NEW TIRES AT HALF THE COST TO ME OR PUT ON ANOTHER USED TIRE. I CHOSE TO HAVE ANOTHER USED TIRE PUT ON. THE CAR NOW PULSES OR THUMPS ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. I DIDN'T GET 5 MILES UP THE ROAD AND IT STARTED ALL OVER AGAIN. THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT CALIBERS ARE KNOWN FOR "CHOPPING TIRES" AND IF I GOT NEW TIRES TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE ROTATED WITHOUT FAIL EVERY 6K MILES. I DIDN'T EVEN CALL THE DEALERSHIP BACK ABOUT THE NOISE. I SENT IN A FORM COMPLAINING THAT THE NOISE WAS NOT RESOLVED. THEY WERE HORRIBLE TO EVEN TALK TO, THEY SAID TIRES WERE NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND THE 1/2 OFF THE TIRES WAS A ONE TIME OFFER. I LIKE MY CAR BUT I CAN'T STAND THE THUMPING NOISE THE TIRES MAKE. IF THE CAR IS KNOWN TO DO THIS WHY ISN'T SOMETHING BEING DONE TO CORRECT IT?? BECAUSE I BOUGHT THIS CAR AT A ROCK BOTTOM PRICE I CAN'T EXPECT TO HAVE NEW TIRES ON THE CAR AND I HAVE TO BASICALLY LIVE WITH IT I WAS TOLD SO THAT IS WHY I AM COMPLAINING. I PAID A LITTLE OVER $10000. FOR THIS CAR AND IT IS NEW TO ME, I STILL HAVE THE BALANCE OF THE FACTORY WARRANTY LEFT ON THE CAR. IT'S A NICE CAR TO ME AND IT IS A LOT OF MONEY TO ME. I JUST WANTED SOMEONE TO KNOW. *TR
CAR WOULDN'T START BECAUSE OF DEFECTIVE TIPM. I OFTEN TRAVEL THE FREEWAY AND WAS EXPERIENCING A BRIEF PAUSE IN THE FUEL SYSTEMS WHILE TRYING TO ACCELERATE. AFTER RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH A VARIETY OF DODGE MODEL CARS AND FEEL THAT THIS COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS TO THE PUBLIC IN GENERAL. I FEEL THE IMPLICATIONS THAT THIS TYPE OF SYSTEM FAILURE HAS ON THESE MODELS AS WELL AS THEIR SAFETY FEATURE IS NUMEROUS. I ALSO QUITE SURE THAT THE COMPANY IS WELL AWARE OF ITS DEFECTS, YET THEY ARE DOING NOTHING TO PROTECT THEIR CONSUMERS. *TR
MY BOYFRIEND AND I HAD A SINGLE CAR ACCIDENT IN MY 2008 DODGE CALIBER THIS PAST WEEKEND. DURING THE ACCIDENT WE WERE TRAVELING BETWEEN 40 AND 50 MPH IN FOG AND WERE UNAWARE THAT THE ROAD WE WERE ON ENDED IN THE SHAPE OF A "T". WE THEN FLEW IN THE AIR LANDED AND CRASHED THE WHOLE FRONT PART OF MY CAR. THE ANGLE AT WHICH WE LANDED WAS WITH THE FRONT OF THE CAR POINTED DOWN. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. HIS INJURIES INCLUDE 3 CHIPPED MOLARS ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF HIS MOUTH AND A PIECE OF FLESH MISSING FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF HIS MOUTH. HIS LEFT JAW IS ALSO SWOLLEN AND HE CAN HARDLY OPEN HIS MOUTH TO EAT. MY INJURIES INCLUDE A SWOLLEN LEFT KNEE, BOTH KNEES ARE SKINNED UP. MY LEFT SHOULDER AS AN IMPRINT OF MY LACE SHIRT ON IT AND IS SORE TO THE TOUCH, BOTH MY ARMS ARE IN PAIN AND THE LEFT IS SCRAPPED. I CAN'T LOOK TO EITHER SIDE WITHOUT HAVING TO MOVE MY WHOLE BODY AND I CAN'T LOOK UP WITH MY NECK. MY CHEST, RIBS AND BREAST BONE ARE ALSO SORE, SORE ENOUGH IN FACT THAT I HAD TO BE TAKEN TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM THE NIGHT AFTER BECAUSE I HAD THROWN UP THAT MORNING AND IT WAS HURTING TO BREATHE AND FROM THE STRESS I EITHER HAD A SEIZURE OR ANXIETY ATTACK. *TR
AFTER PURCHASING MY DODGE CALIBER IN FEBRUARY OR 2008 I NOTICED THE GAS GAUGE WAS NOT CONSISTENTLY ACCURATE. IT TOOK A TOTAL OF 6 MONTHS FOR SCHAEFER AND STROHMINGER TO "FIX" IT. I CALLED THEM AFTERWARDS TO TELL THEM IT WAS BETTER BUT NOT COMPLETELY CORRECT AND THEY PUT ME OFF SEVERAL TIMES. THEY SAID THEY WOULD CALL THE ENGINEER AND FOLLOW UP WITH ME. THAT NEVER HAPPENED EVEN AFTER THE CEO OF THE VEHICLE MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT TOLD ME I MET THE LEMON LAW REQUIREMENTS. DURING THIS TIME THE CAR BEGAN TO HESITATE FROM TIME TO TIME WHEN STARTING. I ALSO ASKED THEM ABOUT THAT PROBLEM. THEY COULD NOT FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM AFTER HAVING IT IN THE SHOP TWICE. ABOUT A YEAR LATER THE CAR WOULDN'T START AND LEFT ME STRANDED AT WORK. IT WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP. I CALLED AHEAD TO TALK TO THE MECHANIC WHO KNEW EXACTLY WHAT MY PROBLEM WAS BECAUSE HE'D HAD SEVERAL OTHERS NEED TO BE REPLACED ALREADY IN THE CALIBER. IT WAS THE WIRELESS CONTROL MODULE. WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY THEY REPLACED IT. IT'S BEEN A FEW MONTHS NOW AND THE CAR HAS HESITATED WHILE STARTING 4 TIMES ALREADY. OBVIOUSLY THERE IS A FAULT IN THE WIRELESS CONTROL MODULE UNIT THEY ARE USING. FINALLY, I'M TAKING IT BACK TO HAVE THEM CHECK THE WATER IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE TAIL LIGHT AND WET CARPET BEHIND THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT. I'M VERY DISSATISFIED WITH THIS CAR AND DO NOT PLAN ON BUYING FROM DODGE OR SCHAEFER AND STROHMINGER AGAIN. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. THE VEHICLE HAS FIRESTONE AFFINITY TIRES. WHILE DRIVING 8 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE FAILED. THE CONTACT SLIGHTLY STRUCK THE CURB AND THE SIDEWALL OF THE TIRE FAILED. THE TIRE SIZE AND DOT NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 8,410 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,300. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,300.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. DURING ACCELERATION, THE VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT. THE CONTACT HAS TO ACCELERATE VERY HARD AND THEN OVERSTEER TO KEEP THE VEHICLE FROM DRIVING OFF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO FOUR DEALERS AND NONE WERE ABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE CAN OCCUR AT SPEEDS OF 5 MPH OR GREATER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 1,000. UPDATED 01-11-08. *KB
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026