general problems of the 2007 Dodge Caliber - part 2

Drove home from work parked my car next morning it wouldn't start. Had battery power and cranked when I turned the key but would not kick over to start. Towed to mechanic. He said there wasn't anything wrong with it, he cleaned the spark plugs, weather warmed up and car worked again. This happened twice, he stated I needed to take it to Dodge dealership to have the computer reprogrammed (that this was a common problem for my car type) two days later, driving to work all the lights went on and the steering froze, not able to turn left or right. I was able to exit and park car without incident now having it towed to delearship .

Upon hitting a small pothole, the subframe broke causing a loss of steering into oncoming traffic. Luckily there were no accidents. The tires now go two seperate directions. After getting the vehicle towed to a repair shop, they discovered the subframe had rusted through due to the air compressor leaking directly onto the subframe. When having our insurance adjuster from state farm out to assess the damage it was determined it was manufacturer's defect and would not be covered. I then contacted Dodge who stated that the perferation for rusting was 100,000 miles. Although the incident on the vehicle we are still paying for through an authorized Dodge dealer happened on a vehicle that has exceeding the 100,000 miles by only 10,000 miles - we are now stuck with a car that's going to cost over $1,100 to fix due to a manufacturer's defect. This incident could've resulted in a fatality. Dodge needs to be held liable for this issue.

My 2007 Dodge Caliber was taken to my mechanic where it was found that the main subframe had rusted through in multiple places. The car is only 6 years old and has approximately 76,150 miles. I called Chrysler and mentioned it. Customer service stated that they would only provide cost assistance if I had the work done at a Chrysler dealership. The car was taken apart and on the lift at my preferred mechanic. I had my mechanic provide the service. I did receive a quote from a local Chrysler dealership it would have cost me $ 850. 00. My mechanic did the service for $ 650. 00. Chrysler has refused payment. This subframe components is rusted through in three locations. After only 6 years, this doesn't seem acceptable on a major front end component.

I was slowing down to stop at an intersection and heard a thump on the bottom of the car. As I started to pull forward the steering was very difficult and the I heard a whining sound from the right front tire. I was about a mile from my repair shop so I had my brother follow me with his emergency flashers and drove slowly to the shop where I found out that the subframe was completely rotted through. In the last year, I have had to replace upper and lower control arms and the alternator.

Car is hard to start cranks very slow and there is a tapping sound like a bad lifter upon starting but goes away when the car warms up. The wheel bearings had to be replaced. Alignment was way off and tires had to be replaced. Breaks have to be replaced. There is a hollow noise from the rear of the vehicle. After jacking the car up to check that sound out the rear passenger wheel would not come off the ground. After replacing the front wheel bearings and new tires the car now shakes and vibrates in the front end. The car has been at the repair center for 10 days on and off. This last time it has been there for 6 days and counting. These vehicles are unsafe for the road and should be recalled and taken off the road permanently. There are way too many problems with these vehicles and the manufacturer will not do anything about it. Nhtsa needs to step up and hold the manufacturer accountable before someone gets seriously injured or killed. Do not wait until there is a fatality! action needs to be taken now!.

Vehicle taken in for tire rotation. Located excessive wear in lower ball joints,tierod ends and control arm bushings. Many entries on internet of others with same vintage Calibers finding same prob with premature wear. Failure of any of the above components.

My sisters 2007 Dodge Caliber only has only 32236 miles on it and the ball joints need replaced already, it cost 800 dollars to replace them, I looked on line and everybody that has a 2007 Caliber is having the same problem there should be a recall on the ball joints, just look on line and u will see how many people are having trouble with the ball joints, how many complaints does it take to have a recall done, thank you for your time, please just e mail me back thank you.

These cars are dangerous for people to be driving on the highlway. Dodge knows the control arms are defective and they should be made to do a recall on these cars. Luckily, I have not had a wreck in this. Vehicle. If the control arms break while driving,it will be very bad. There are so many complaints on-line about these cars, I am shocked nobody has made Dodge do something about this problem.

Front lower ball joints are completely shot. Found this out when I got tires fixes- car only has 52,000 miles- I am a very good driver making sure that I watch out for all road condidtions.

The vehicle has had the ignition switch slip from "on" to "accessory" twice in the last few years. The first time was on I-95 just north of richmond, va. I was driving, shifted my knee (with a long keychain), and the switch slipped. I was unable to control the car at that point. I hit the emergency lights button and tried to re-start the car. I was able to re-start the car and continue driving without accident or injury. The second time was on edwards mill road in raleigh, nc. At that point, I was not driving with the longer keychain, but a shorter one with only four keys, and the switch slipped again. Because it had happened before, I knew what I needed to do was to re-start the car, and I was able to do so successfully without accident or injury. Because at the time, I didn't think much of it, and because I had no concept that it could have been a bigger issue, and because there was no accident, I did not stop to write down or remember the dates/times of these incidents. I know that the first incident was at night; the second incident was during the day. I remember where I was because I have a photographic memory; however, because I didn't stop to look at the date or time then or later, I don't recall exact dates and times. My best guess, based on my travel schedule through richmond, va, is that it took place within the last three years, and then the second incident sometime after that. I thought nothing of these incidents even when the gm recalls started happening, because it wasn't a gm vehicle. However, the other day, I read that Chrysler vehicles were being recalled for this issue, and something triggered my memory with the switch slips. I wanted to provide this information and notice so that a decision could be made about investigating other Chrysler models, as well as to provide notice to the company of an issue.

Lower ball joints and control arms are defective on 2007 Dodge Calibers.

The tie-rods in my 2007 Dodge Caliber were so worn they needed immediate replacement. The manager of the les schwab tire company I visited remarked that for the age and mileage on the vehicle the tie-rods should not be needing replaced.

2007 Dodge Caliber, while driving today going to make a left hand turn with son in the back seat. The keychain holder you attach to any key got caught on the sterring wheel part and actually broke the key off while driving. It the gadgets shouldn't be positioned that way. Anyway the whole front end of the key is still in the steering wheel and it almost caused alot of cars to hit the car because after they key broke off and half stayed in the car it actually locked the wheel. We do not know what to do but I told my spouse not to touch it. We could have been seriously hurt or killed today. I no longer feel safe at all. I feel the wheel and the space they have from where the key is inserted and where they put other things is obviouslly unsafe. We are frustrated and afraid of getting back in the car when it is fixed. Also where do we go to get this fixed since this is not our fault? a steering wheel should never be designed where the parts are so close together that a simple string that is your key chain and short can get caught on the gadgets of the wheel. My son is only 4 please give us advice. When trying to get the wheel to move after it stopped our son was jerked and we are frustrated.

At 132000 miles, I am replacing both control arms for the fourth time on my 2007 Dodge Caliber sxt 2. 0l, no to mention the numerous cv boots and ball joints. With the numerous complaints I have seen online, it is surprising that no recall efforts (at least seemingly) have been made for such a dangerous and costly defect. I implore your company, please investigate the concerns and having Chrysler-Dodge fix their errors!!! even my mechanic informed me that the length of the arm is just short enough to create continual issues. This isn't right. As a result of so many repairs on this vehicle, I will never own a Chrysler-Dodge product again. Thank you for your time and consideration.

The contact owns a 2007 Dodge Caliber. While driving 60 mph on the expressway, the contact suddenly lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle rolled over at least three to four times and landed upside down on its roof. The contact sustained injuries, although she was wearing her seat belt. There was no ice on the road and the pavement was dry at the time of the failure. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a repair shop by the insurance company. The manufacturer has not yet been notified. The failure mileage was 55,000. Updated 03-09-09 updated 03/13/09.

The contact owns a 2007 Dodge Caliber. The vehicle came equipped with firestone firehawk gta-02 tires, size p215/55r18. All four of the tires are completely worn and the vehicle failed inspection. When depressing the brake pedal at any speed, the steering pulls to the right. The dealer stated that the steering torque was the cause of the failure. Based on the tires, the dealer also stated that the suspension could be the possible cause of failure, and replacing the tires would correct the issue. The vehicle current mileage was 15,593 and failure mileage was 15,398. The tire failure mileage was 12,000.

I bought a 2007 Dodge Caliber new. I started having front end "vibrations" almost immediately (when I drove out of the dealership after delivery) mainly from 60-70mph. Took it back to the dealer and was told there was nothing wrong. Took it back numerous times and was told once the tires were bad; I replaced them at my expense. Same problem. Took it back again and was told one of the rims was bent; I bought new rims (almost $1,000). Took it back again and was told the rims were bad again. Had the rims checked and they are perfectly round. Bought another set of tires (same as factory); same problem. I have 69,000 miles on my car and it still does the same thing. I guess I have to live with it since "it's my imagination. ".

The contact owns a 2007 Dodge Caliber. While driving approximately 65 mph, the vehicle veered slightly to the left. The contact attempted to correct the steering and the vehicle overturned. The vehicle was destroyed and the cause of failure has not been determined. The current and failure mileages were 1,400.

Copy of complaint letter attached: October 25, 2006 daimler Chrysler motors corporation customer center po box 21-8004 auburn hills, mi 48321-8004, purchase date: March 25, 2006, dealership name: manassas Dodge kia Subaru to whom it may concern: after consulting with my attorney, mr. Thomas f. Hennessy of vienna, va, I was advised to make one last attempt to reconcile my problems with my 2007 Dodge Caliber before taking legal action. As of today my car has been seen by Dodge dealerships six times for the same problem (see attached repair orders). The problem I am having is a bad vibration in the steering wheel once I have reached 60 miles an hour and above. This problem persists 90% of the time when driving. I view this as a serious safety defect or at the least a significant impairment. Each time the vehicle was brought into the dealership I was told it was repaired or they could not find a problem. I have owned many cars and never had a car perform this poorly. I kept bringing this car back to the dealership because I was concerned about my safety and still feel this way. I bought this vehicle for the sleek styling and performance qualities. I am very disappointed. I am now requesting that you get very much involved in the problem because I no longer have the time or the patience to deal with this any longer. I expect to have a response from you within ten days of your receiving this letter.