NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2009 Dodge Caliber. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
THIS CAR ATTEMPTED TO KILL ME TWICE. FIRST THE SUBFRAME ROTTED OUT DUE TO BAD DESIGN. WE NOTICED THIS AS THE STRUTS WERE BEING REPLACED - ALSO BECAUSE OF BAD DESIGN. THIS WAS NOTICED IN 2014 (ON A 2009 VEHICLE!) COST ME OVER $1,000 TO FIX - DODGE OFFERED NO HELP AT ALL. LATER IN 2014 - THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE ARM SEPARATED FROM WHEEL, CAUSING WHEEL TO POP OFF. IF I WAS GOING ANY FASTER THAN THE 10 MPH I WAS GOING (HEADED TO HIGHWAY!), I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. AGAIN CONTACTED DODGE AND NO ASSISTANCE. THEY RECALLED THE 2007 BUT NOT THIS MODEL YEAR FOR THESE PROBLEMS. PICTURES ATTACHED. I HOPE SOMEONE HOLDS THIS COMPANY ACCOUNTABLE! CARS SHOULD NOT COST THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO REPAIR IN YEAR 5!!!
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND AS THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ANTI LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,248.
RED CLUSTER WARNING LITE FLASH LOW TIRE LOW TIRE LIGHT LITES LOW TIRE ON ODOMATER RED LITES ON CENTER CLUSTER. *TR
DEFECTIVE POWER TRAIN MANUFACTURE HAD CLEAR KNOWLEDGE AFTER THE CAR WENT IN PRODUCT AND WAS MANUFACTURED. WHEN CAR IN MOTION GET LOW SQUEEZING NOISE ON CITY STREET OR HIGHWAY. TAKING A TRIP AT THAT TIME AND STILL HAVING SAME SOUND TODAY PLS JERKING.
UPON INSPECTION OF MY VEHICLE, MY MECHANIC NOTED THAT THE FRAME CROSSMEMBERS WERE RUSTED TO THE POINT OF NEEDING IMMEDIATE REPLACEMENT. HE STATED THE CAR WAS UNSAFE AND COULD HAVE CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT. *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE DOOR LATCH FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE AND FUEL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
2009 DODGE CALIBER, WITHIN 3 MONTHS OF BUYING VEHICLE, AS IS, STARTED HAVING ACCELERATION PROBLEMS, BRAKE AND SUSPENSION PROBLEMS. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, WAS INFORMED I NEEDED SUSPENSION BAR AND STRUTS REPLACED WHICH WOULD COST OVER $800. ABOUT THE SAME TIME MY TRANSMISSION OVERHEAT LIGHT STARTED COMING ON, I LOOSE POWER AND HAVE TO PULL OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FOR 15-30 MINUTES BEFORE VEHICLE WOULD DRIVE AGAIN. GO APPROX. 23 MILES AT A TIME WHEN SAME PROBLEM OCCURS. WORSE IN THE SUMMER TIME. TODAY, MY ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL LIGHT, MALFUNCTION INDICATION LIGHT AND ENGINE OVERHEAT LIGHT CAME ON AND REMAINS ON EVERY TIME I START THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE WILL NOT ACCELERATE WITHOUT GETTING UP BETWEEN 3 & 4 RPM'S. NOT MUCH POWER. WHEN HITTING A BUMP OR ICE AT STOPPING POINT, VEHICLE JUMPS AHEAD INSTEAD OF STOPPING, ALMOST CAUSING ME TO REAR END SEVERAL TIMES. TONS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THESE SAME ISSUES. SOMETHING MUST BE DONE. I PAID $10700 FOR MY VEHICLE. CANT EVEN AFFORD TO GET IT FIXED AS REPAIRS ARE NOW ESTIMATED OVER $4200. THIS IS NOT RIGHT TO DO TO PEOPLE...
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE DRIVING LONG DISTANCES, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. AFTER WAITING THIRTY MINUTES, THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS DESIGNED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 176,417.
WHEN DRIVING FOR LONG DISTANCE WITH TWO OR MORE IN CAR, TRANSMISSION OVERHEATS AND SLOWS CAR UNTIL IT COOLS. IT WILL NOT COOL UNLESS STOPPED AND SHUT OFF. THIS TAKES ABOUT 20 MINUTES. *TR
TIRE TPMS VALVE STEM COMPLETELY SHATTERED. THE VEHICLE HAS HAD THESE REPLACED WITHIN THE PAST 6 MONTHS WITH NEW TIRES INSTALLED, YET THE ONE HAD SHATTERED WHILE ADDING AIR ALLOWING ALL AIR TO SPEW OUT OF TIRE. THIS COULD BE A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE IF THESE FRAGILE SENSORS/STEMS WERE TO SHATTER WHILE DRIVING. *TR
VEHICLE WOULDN'T START. WOULDN'T TURN OVER. LIGHTS AND RADIO WORKED. BATTERY, STARTER, ALT, FUSES ALL OKAY. REPLACED TIPM. WORKED FOR 2 WEEKS AND THE PROBLEM STARTED ALL OVER AGAIN. HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM OVER AND OVER SINCE 2014. WE WERE GIVEN A 'KEY' TO TRY TO START THE CAR FROM OUTSIDE UNDER THE HOOD WHEN THIS HAPPENED. IT WORKED SOMETIMES, BUT NOT ALWAYS. IT'S BEEN TOWED AGAIN TODAY FOR THE SAME REASON(9/9/15). WE'VE OWNED MANY DODGE VEHICLES OVER THE YEARS AND NEVER HAD PROBLEMS LIKE WE HAVE WITH THE 2009 CALIBER. WE HAD GIVEN THIS CAR TO OUR DAUGHTER TO DRIVE FOR COLLEGE AND IT HAS LEFT HER STRANDED MANY, MANY TIMES. I'M CONCERNED FOR HER SAFETY.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ADDING AIR TO THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR TIRE, THE VALVE STEM BECAME FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS ADVISED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM AND VALVE STEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 56,000. .UPDATED 01-10-14 *BF
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE OUT OF CONTROL AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED WHICH LOCATED THE FAILURE WITHIN THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN RECALL 08V528000 (POWER TRAIN). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,000.
WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE TO WORK, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO GO ABOVE 30 MPH WHILE ACCELERATING, AND A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE BEGAN UNDER THE HOOD. I BROUGHT VEHICLE TO THE NEAREST MECHANIC WHO INDICATED IT WAS A TRANSMISSION ISSUE AND TO BRING TO A DEALER. THERE IS NO DODGE DEALER NEAR ME THAT WOULD TOW THE VEHICLE AND THE TOW WOULD HAVE BEEN AT MY EXPENSE, SO I TOWED THE VEHICLE FOR FREE TO THE DEALER WHOM I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND THEY DIAGNOSED A MAJOR MECHANICAL FAILURE WITH THE CVT TRANSMISSION. CHRYSLER HAS BEEN CONTACTED, HOWEVER THEY ARE BEING DIFFICULT TO WORK WITH DUE TO THE VEHICLE NOT BEING AT A DODGE DEALER. THERE IS NO REPAIRING THE TRANSMISSION IT CAN ONLY BE REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER $4000! THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 65000 MILES. *TR
FIRST TIME HAPPENED NOTED ABOVE. WAS DRIVING FROM OHIO TO MI TO TAKE MY GRANDCHILDREN HOME. LOST SPEED ON MAJOR HIGHWAY DOING 70 MPH. CAR WENT DOWN TO 45 AND I WAS JUST ABOUT REAR ENDED BY A SEMI. I WAS IN PURE SHOCK AND DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS HAPPENING TO THE CAR. I KEPT GOING BECAUSE I COULD NOT PULL OFF. GOT TO EXIT, READ BOOK, WAITED AND WAITED FOR IT TO COOL DOWN SO I COULD DRIVE. WOULDN'T...GOT TO GRANDCHILDREN'S HOME, CALLED CROWN MOTORS IN HOLLAND MI. THEY STATED THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG, NO CODES, ETC. THE CAR WAS STILL SLUGGISH WHEN THE WRECKER PICKED IT UP AND TOWED IT TO THEM. IT HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES SINCE THEN, AND WHEN I CALL TO MAKE A COMPLAINT, THEY HAVE SAID: "TAKE IT TO THE DEALER WHEN IT IS DOING IT" NOT POSSIBLE. THIS CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. PLEASE HELP ME. I TAKE IT IN AND NOTHING IS FOUND. IT MAKES AND IS STILL MAKING A HIGH WHINNING, WHEEZING OR WHATEVER NOISE IN THE ENGINE JUST BEFORE THE VEHICLE STARTS TO LOOSE SPEED. I AM NOT A MECHANIC, BUT IS SOMETHING STICKING IN THIS. PLEASE HELP ME. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE ANY MORE THAN 2 HOURS IN THIS VEHICLE. THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR HELPING ME!!! *TR
VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY SLOWS DOWN AT SPEEDS OF 60 TO 70 MPH WHEN CAR IS DRIVEN FOR A MINIMUM OF 3 HOURS. FEEL THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. EXAMPLE: DRIVING WITH MY GRANDCHILDREN ON EXPRESSWAY; TEMPERATURE LIGHT CAME ON, CAR LOST POWER AND SLOWED DOWN TO 45. CALLED WRECKER, TOWED TO A DODGE DEALER,. THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG. VEHICLE DOES THIS ON A CONTINUAL BASIS. SPEEDS OF 60 TO 70 MPH WHILE TRAVELING FOR A MINIMUM OF 3 HOURS. VERY DANGEROUS ON EXPRESSWAYS. HAD MY GRANDCHILDREN WITH VEHICLES COMING UP ON ME AT 70, HAD MY FATHER IN THE CAR A COUPLE OF TIMES. WHEN IT COMES ON NOW, I PULL OFF ROAD, WAIT 30 MINUTES OR SO AND THEN CONTINUE ON MY WAY WHICH AFFECTS MY LONG DISTANCE TRIPS. CALLED DODGE WEBSITE (?) THEY SAID TO TAKE IT IN TO A DEALER WHEN IT DOES THIS. I DO TAKE IT IN AND THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. PLEASE HELP ME, THIS CAR IS USED ON LONG DISTANCE TRIPS. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS CAR AND HOPE IT IS RECALLED BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY INJURED. IF IT IS NOT A CAR TO BE DRIVEN LONG DISTANCE THAN THEY SHOULD RECALL EVERYONE OF THEM! THANK YOU. I HOPE YOU CAN HELP ME.
VALVE STEM BROKE WHILE CHECKING A CUSTOMER'S TIRE PRESSURE. *TR
IN JUNE OF 2013 WHILE DRIVING DOWN I-75 HEADING UP NORTH, MY TEMP LIGHT CAME ON, THE TEMP GAGE NEVER MOVED PAST THE NORMAL RANGE (DIRECTLY BETWEEN COLD AND HOT) AFTER I NOTICED THE LIGHT I WAS WATCHING THE TEMP GAGE AND MY CAR JUST SHUT DOWN. I LOST ALL POWER, SPEED, STEERING, EVERYTHING. THANKFULLY I WAS ALREADY IN THE RIGHT HAND LANE AND I WAS CLOSE TO AN EXIT SO THAT I COULD EXIT THE HIGHWAY. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I GOT THE CAR AND THEY HAD NO IDEA WHAT HAPPENED. AFTER SITTING FOR AN HOUR I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE BACK DOWNSTATE. I GOT THE CAR APRIL 1 2013. IN DECEMBER OF 2013 THE LIGHTNING BOLT POPPED UP ON MY DASH, I HAVE NO CLUE WHAT THAT MEANS SINCE MY CAR DID NOT COME WITH AN OWNERS MANUAL WHEN I GOT IT USED. THE RPMS JERKED UP TO 4, THEN DROPPED BACK DOWN. THIS HAPPENED ROUGHLY 10 TIMES OVER THE PAST YEAR. IN AUGUST OF 2014 THE CAR BEGAN TO JERK LIKE IT WAS HAVING A HARD TIME GETTING INTO GEAR. AT FIRST IT ONLY HAPPENED AT STOP SIGNS AND RED LIGHTS, THEN IT BEGAN TO DO IT WHILE I DROVE. ANYWHERE BETWEEN 10 TO 60 MPH. NORMALLY IT WOULD ONLY DO IT A COUPLE A TIMES AND THEN IT BEGAN DOING IT EVERY TIME THE CAR WAS RUNNING. I TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL DODGE DEALERSHIP, THEY CHECKED IT ON THE COMPUTER AND EVEN TEST DROVE IT, ACCORDING TO THEM IT DIDN'T DO ANYTHING WHILE THEY WERE DRIVING IT AND SINCE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DOESN'T COME IT THE COMPUTERS DIDN'T PICK UP ANY ISSUES. ALSO HAVE A HARD TIME GETTING THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION AFTER I SHUT OFF THE CAR. *TR
I HAVE BEEN HAVING INTERMITTENT STARTING PROBLEMS FOR 5 MONTHS. I TURN THE KEY AND THE CAR IS DEAD OR IT ATTEMPTS TO TURN OVER. USUALLY AFTER 6 - 8 TRIES IT WILL START, TWICE I HAVE BEEN STRANDED BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT START AT ALL. I HAVE HAD WITNESSES IN THE CAR WITH ME WHEN IT HAPPENS AND OTHERS WHO HAVE DRIVEN THE CAR HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. CHRYSLER DEALERS REFUSE TO ATTEMPT TO FIX THE PROBLEM AS THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET IT TO FAIL AT THEIR SITE. IT HAS BEEN IN AND OUT OF SERVICE FOR OVER 20 DAYS SINCE JUNE. CHRYSLER GROUP SAYS THEY WILL REFUND PART OF THE REPAIR COSTS IF "I" CAN IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. THEY APPARENTLY CANNOT IDENTIFY IT. THE CAR NOW HAS 31,750 MILES ON IT. I NO LONGER DRIVE IT BECAUSE IT IS UNRELIABLE. SO I HAVE A $17,775 CAR WHICH I MADE PAYMENTS ON FOR 4 YEARS WHICH IS USELESS. I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY HELP YOU CAN OFFER. I AM DESPERATE. I CANNOT AFFORD TO BUY ANOTHER NEW CAR RIGHT NOW. *TR
I HAD BEEN DRIVING APPROXIMATELY ONE HOUR WHEN I BEGAN TO CLIMB THE INCLINE OVER SB 5 FWY (GRAPEVINE) AND THE ENGINE BEGAN WHINING, RPMS ROSE TO 4 AND REMAINED THERE, THE TRANSMISSION OVERHEAT DASHBOARD LIGHT ILLUMINATED, SPEED DROPPED TO ABOUT 30 MPH AND I WAS UNABLE TO CONTINUE UP THE INCLINE. HAD TO PULL OFF AND LET THE VEHICLE SIT FOR 30 MINUTES AT WHICH TIME I CONTINUED UP THE INCLINE MAKING SURE THAT THE RPMS DID NOT GO ABOVE 2.5 - SO KEEPING THE SPEED LOW - AND HAD NO FURTHER INCIDENT. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN ON 8/21/04, SAME CIRCUMSTANCES, AT APPROXIMATELY 79,000 MILES. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS MODEL AND MODEL YEAR VEHICLE FOR THIS SAME ISSUE (RECALL #08V528000) ON NOVEMBER 10, 2008, BUT ACCORDING TO MY DEALER, MY CAR'S VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. I BELIEVE THIS WARRANTS INVESTIGATION INTO WHETHER OR NOT THIS WAS A MORE WIDESPREAD ISSUE THAN WAS ORIGINALLY THOUGHT AND WHETHER MY VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THAT THE VEHICLE DECELERATED WHILE THE ACCELERATED PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. IN ADDITION, THE ENGINE RMPS INCREASED HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE DID NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED, WHICH LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 08V528000 (POWER TRAIN). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,000.
I BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW. THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO AT ABOUT 10000 MILES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 16,000. A MECHANIC SAID THE CODE INDICATED LOW VOLTAGE TO THE ABS MOTOR. THE BATTERY VOLTAGE WAS GOOD. THE DEALER AND ANOTHER MECHANIC SAID THE REPAIR WOULD BE AROUND $600 SO I DID NOT REPAIR IT.
LOWER DRIVER SIDE BALL JOINT FAILED. *TR
I NOTICE A FEW AFTER MY CAR INSPECTION, WATER WAS IN MY DRIVER TAIL LIGHT HOUSING. HOUSING WAS DRAINED. AFTER ABOUT 2 MONTH MY DAUGHTER ASK WHAT THAT DARK LOOKING STUFF WAS IN MY DRIVER TAIL LIGHT HOUSING WAS. OF COURSE IT WAS WATER AGAIN, AND THE LIGHTS STOP WORKING. PLEASE FIX THIS PROBLEM SOON. THANKS *TR
2009 DODGE CALIBER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO A RECALL NOTICE FOR FRONT SEATS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED IT WAS HARD TO SEE OVER THE SEAT BACK, WHEN LOOKING BACK. SHE STATED THEY WERE TOO TALL AND SHOULD BE LOWERED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE HAD FAILED. THE CONTACT SPOKE TO THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER:08V528000(POWER TRAIN), BUT WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000. *TR
PLEASE NOTE THIS CAR HAS BEEN DIFFICULT SINCE I BOUGHT IT. BETWEEN THE TIRES, BRAKES AND ROTORS THERE HAVE BEEN ISSUES. APPROXIMATELY 6-12 MONTHS AGO I STOPPED TO PUT AIR IN MY TIRE AS MY SENSOR INFORMED ME THE TIRE WAS LOW. WHEN I PLACED THE HOSE ON THE VALVE STEM THE STEM CRACKED IN HALF. THIS COST ME MONEY TO FIX. NOW ON 11/24/12 I WAS ONCE AGAIN INFORMED I NEEDED AIR AND ONCE AGAIN THE STEM BROKE, COSTING ME OVER $100 TO FIX PLUS I HAD IT FIXED AT PEPBOYS AS THE SPARE WAS A DONUT AND DIDN'T WANT TO USE IT.THIS COST ME $25 BUT THE STEM WAS NOT THE ONE FOR THE CENSOR. MEANWHILE I CALLED THE DEALER, OUTTEN COUNTY CHRYSLER, AND LEFT A MESSAGE AS THEY WERE CLOSED. I SETUP AN APPOINTMENT AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY HAVE SEEN THIS MANY, MANY TIMES. TO ME, PERSONALLY, I FEEL THIS A MAJOR ISSUE. I BOUGHT A NEW CAR TO ALLEVIATE ALL THE "REPAIR HEADACHES" YET I AM STILL DOING IT, PLUS WHY WOULD SIMPLY PUTTING AIR IN THE TIRE CAUSE THE VALVE TO BREAK? ACCORDING TO THE PERSON AT THE DESK THEY NOTED THEY HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM MANY TIMES THAT THE VALVE STEMS CORRODE AND BREAK EASILY. TO ME THIS IS A RIP OFF TO ME, THE CONSUMER AND COSTLY AT THAT. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU NEED ANYTHING ELSE. *TR
DRIVING THE CAR WITH A/C ON FOR ABOUT AN HOUR AND HALF DOWN THE INTERSTATE WHEN THE ILLUMINATION LIGHT TURNED ON IN DASH PANEL. THE CAR STARTED TO LOSE ACCELERATION AND WOULD NOT GO OVER 50MPH, BY THE TIME I PULLED OFF AT NEXT EXIT THE CAR WOULD GO NOT FASTER THAN 20MPH, AND WAS ACCOMPANIED BY A LOUD WHINNING NOISE COMING FROM ENGINE. CAR SAT FOR 30 MINUTES COOLING OFF. TURNED ON CAR AND LIGHT WAS OFF. STARTED DOWN HIGHWAY AGAIN 30 MINUTES LATER LIGHT CAME BACK ON PULLED OVER AGAIN, TURNED CAR OFF, WAITED 30 MINUTES. TURNED ON CAR AND LIGHT WAS OFF. THIS HAPPENED IN SEPTEMBER 2009, APRIL 2013, AND AGAIN JULY 1ST, 2013. $1,600 LATER OF TRYING TO FIX DIFFERENT THINGS BECAUSE DODGE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS THE MATTER WITH IT AND 3 TRIPS TO DODGE DEALERSHIP, "THEY CAN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM". I AM A WOMAN AND CAN NOT BE STUCK ON THE SIDE OF A HIGHWAY SO THE CAR I HAVEN'T PAID DODGE OFF FOR YET WILL COOL DOWN TO DRIVE. I FOUND 219 SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON EDMONDS.COM, AND CARCOMPLAINTS.COM. EVERYONE KNOWS THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION. PLEASE ISSUE A RECALL. IM SURE DODGE WOULD NOT LET THEIR DAUGHTERS DRIVE THIS CAR OUT OF TOWN ON THE HIGHWAY. BETTER YET, LETS NOT WAIT UNTIL SOMEONE IS INJURED IN A CRASH BECAUSE THEIR CAR DECELERATES ON THE INTERSTATE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING VERY ROUGH AND WOULD GO UP TO 30 MPH. THE CONTACT STATED THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,143. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE VEHICLE PRESENTED AN ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION WITH THE AUTHORIZED UPGRADED RIMS AND TIRES. ON LONG TRIPS. THE TRANSMISSION WOULD OVERHEAT CAUSING THE SAME RESULT AS IN DEPLETED PERFORMANCE. UPDATED 12/10/12
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THE ELECTRIC THROTTLE CONTROL LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED. WHENEVER THE CONTACT DROVE 15 MPH THE WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE PCM CHIP AT LEAST TWICE BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 77,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY AND THE VEHICLE STALLED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED AND PROGRESSIVELY WORSENED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
2009 DODGE CALIBER. CONSUMER STATES SMELL OF GAS LEAK AND MELTED WIRES GOING TO THE FUEL PUMP.*TGW THE WIRES ALSO MELTED A HOLE IN THE FUEL LINES. THE REPAIR SHOP REPLACED THE MELTED WIRES AND THE FUEL PUMP. *JB
WHILE WE WERE SERVICING THIS CUSTOMER'S VEHICLE THE TPMS SENSOR AND VALVE STEM BROKE. THIS CLAIM IS FILED ON BEHALF OF OUR CUSTOMER. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER REAR TIRE CONTINUED TO GO FLAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INSPECTED THE TIRES AND NOTICED BOTH FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO STATED THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,822.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE BATTERY WAS DRAINED. THE BATTERY WARNING LIGHT AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE CONTACT WAS PARKED AND ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO CHANGE THE GEAR FROM PARK TO DRIVE. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 83,000.
EXCESSIVE INNER TIRE TREAD WEAR DUE TO PREMATURE WEAR TO LOWER BALL JOINT, BEFORE 50,000 MILES. COULD RESULT IN TIRE FAILURE (BLOW OUT) AT ANY SPEED AND ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *JS
EXTREME RUST ON FRONT SUBFRAME. PART IS WEAKENED AND INTEGRITY IS DOUBTFUL. MOUNTS LOWER CONTROL ARM. FAILURE WOULD AFFECT SUSPENSION, DRIVE TRAIN, BRAKES AND RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING, BRAKES AND POWER TO DRIVE WHEELS. *JS
FRONT LOWER BALL JOINTS TOTALLY WORN AND IN DANGER OF SEPARATING FROM CONTROL ARM. THIS HAPPENED BEFORE 50,000 MILES RESULTING IN EXCESSIVE INNER TIRE TREAD WEAR. OTHER POSSIBLE RESULTS: LOSS OF STEERING, SUSPENSION AND BRAKES.
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
CAR STARTED FALLING APART AT AROUND 48K TIE RODS. CONTROL ARMS. STRUTS. BUSHINGS. BALL JOINTS. BEARINGS. SWAY BAR LINKS. LATERAL ARM BUSHINGS. UPPER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS. UPPER TOW LINKS. FRONT STRUT MOUNTS. MY LATEST REPAIR BILL (TODAY) IS 1500.00 AND THE CAR HAS ONLY 60K ON IT. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER IS ALSO SLATED FOR REPLACEMENT AS SOON AS THE DEALER GETS IT IN. I AM A VERY CONSERVATIVE DRIVER AND ALWAYS KEEP MY CAR SERVICED. I BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW. THE SUSPENSION ON THIS CAR IS A MENACE. THE BLOWER MOTOR ALSO WENT AT 48K (A SAFETY ISSUE IN MY NORTHERN MN WINTERS) AND THE REAR DEFROSTER ONLY HAS TWO OR THREE LINES THAT WORK. THE POWER STEERING UNIT IS ALSO LOSING FLUID AND I WILL HAVE TO HAVE THAT REPAIRED AS WELL. I AM MORE THAN HAPPY TO PROVIDE A PRINT OUT FROM FIRESTONE AUTO REPAIR. *TR
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.
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
VALVE STEMS BREAK AND CAN CAUSE TIRES TO LOOSE AIR. VALVE STEMS OFTEN BREAK NEAR THE CAP SO YOU CANNOT ADD AIR TO THE TIRE, AND IN SOME CASES THEY BREAK LOWER SO THE NEEDLE IN THE VALVE BECOMES LOOSE. THIS HAPPENED WITH TWO VALVE STEMS WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS AT ABOUT 35,500 MILES, AND NOW WITH ABOUT 39,000 MILES, I HAVE A THIRD VALVE STEM THAT CRACKED DIFFERENTLY AT A LOWER POSITION SO IT WAS EVEN HARDER TO DETECT. TIRES MAY LOOSE AIR SO THE WARNING LIGHT COMES BUT YOU MAY NOT BE ABLE TO ADD AIR. IT MAY BE A SLOW LEAK OR IF THE CRACK IS NEAR THE NEEDLE IT COULD CAUSE A RAPID LOSS OF AIR. THESE DEFECTIVE STEMS WHICH HAVE PRESSURE SENSORS COST ALMOST $100 AT THE DEALER. I UNDERSTAND PEOPLE ARE REPLACING THE DEFECTIVE STEMS WITH CONVENTIONAL RUBBER STEMS AND JUST IGNORING THE WARNING LIGHT. THIS IS A COMMON WELL DOCUMENTED PROBLEM FOR MAY CHRYSLER VEHICLES. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 75 MPH WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED A VALVE THAT WAS OUTSIDE OF THE TRANSMISSION. THIS FAILURE RECURRED ON MANY OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE HAS ENCOUNTERED NUMEROUS TRANSMISSIONS PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE FAILING TO ACCELERATE. THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SLIP AND CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO DECELERATE. AT TIMES, IT WAS DIFFICULT TO REACH A SAFE SPEED WHEN MERGING ONTO THE HIGHWAY. THE DECELERATION HAS NOW STARTED AT A MUCH LOWER SPEED. WHEN IT OCCURRED, THE TRANSMISSION LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONSUMER STATED EACH TIME SHE EXPERIENCED A FAILURE, SHE WOULD HAVE TO PULL OVER, TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND SIT FOR 15-45 MINUTES TO WAIT FOR THE TRANSMISSION TO COOL OFF. THE TRANSMISSION VALVE WAS REPLACED, BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. UPDATED 08/08/12 THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE. THE DEALER FOUND THE ALTERNATOR BEARINGS WERE CAUSING THE NOISE. THEY REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR. UPDATED 08/09/12
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MADE A STOP AT THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND TURNED OFF VEHICLE FOR A FEW MINUTES. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED THE WARNING LIGHT TURNED OFF. THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC AND THE COMPUTER WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED FREQUENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 199,820.
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
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
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.
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
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
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026