general problems of the 2007 Dodge Caliber

I was informed on 09/29/2025 by my Chrysler dealer that a second critical component of my 2007 Caliber frame had rusted to the point that it broke. The first critical component was reported in my complaint tracking number 11459461 submitted on 04/03/2022. The component in that filing was the engine pan that supported the engine. On this latest failure, I was told the same thing by the shop manager: "if you hit a bump while driving this vehicle you could lose your back wheels". In the first incident, the engine could have fallen out of my vehicle. He was not going to let me drive it home. Then he changed his mind and told me it was "at my discretion". I did drive it home (4. 5 miles) with no problem. He told me he was going to try and find a new or used part to fix the issue. He made it clear that he was not hopeful of finding one. This is twice now that my life and the lives of any drivers on the road at the same time were placed in danger from excessive rusting problems. I submitted files in the first incident showing that Chrysler was aware of the issue. A copy of the corporate service bulletin was attached. To my knowledge nothing was ever done. Is anything going to be done this time?.

My car is at 69739 miles and the control arms and the front and rear subframe is rotted out.

Vehicle has less than 100,000 miles (strictly highway miles) and rear sub frame has completely rusted through causing back alignment to be drastically out, and fish tailing, which also causes hazardous steering control on dry and especially wet roads. Rapid wear and replacement of tires on rear end. I have researched and found this to be a consistent problem on multiple sites and forums.

The contact owns a 2007 Dodge Caliber. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the rear passenger side. The contact looked in the rearview mirror and saw sparks coming from the rear passenger side. The contact pulled over, and upon inspection, the contact noticed that the rear passenger's side tire was inward and the crossmember was corroded. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact related the failure to TSB number: 23-012-14 front and rear crossmember corrosion (x58 10 years unlimited mileage). The failure mileage was unavailable.

In the midst of me driving across the intersection. . . My car began to shake uncontrollably. . . I had to get of the road because my wheel on the driver's side was disconnected from they entire car. . . Due to sever corrosion, yu under vehicle. . When I saw photos. . . I was terrifed!! my life was on jeopardy. . The first day I purchased this vehicle. . . I am sending photos to help support my claims. .

So , the car I purchased on Aug. 2nd, of this year. . . Has many issues! first of all about 2 weeks into having the vehicle. . . I needed exhaust work done. . . Shortly after that. . I began experiencing some pulling to the right when I touched the break pedal, now I'm experiencing some weird situation under the front of the car. Which in fact is causing the car to shake and now when I tap the break to stop the vehicle theirs a loud noise and when I give it gas. . It shreeks! it's very terrifying to say the least. . . I was unable to drive it back to my residence. . . I'm unable to drive this vehicle at all.

Tl the contact owns a 2007 Dodge Caliber. The contact stated that upon turning the steering wheel or driving over a bump, there was an abnormal noise coming from the driver side of the vehicle. Upon taking the vehicle for an oil change, an independent mechanic discovered that the crossmember bar on the front end of the vehicle was severely corroded. There were no warning lights associated with the failure. The mechanic informed the contact that the corrosion was a known defect and to call the manufacturer for additional information. The contact called zeigler Chrysler Dodge Jeep ram of downers grove located at (2311 ogden Ave, downers grove, IL 60515), larry roesch Chrysler Jeep Dodge ram located at (200 w grand Ave. , elmhurst, IL 60126), and dupage cdjr located at (433 e north Ave. , glendale heights, IL 60139), where the contact was informed that the manufacturer provided an extended warranty on the vehicle however, the warranty period had expired. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and provided the same information. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was 160,133.

I am a single disabled mom who was involved in a head on collision on 7/21/2019 in austell GA off veterans memorial hwy. Prior to incident I just got out of a major surgery on my stomach that I was healing from. Acccident happened a week later in process of me healing. My stomach wound opened back due to collision along with other internal and external trauma to my body. I was heading home driving on right side of lane. Heard a very loud honk that startled me. I pressed the brakes. Car started maneuvering to opposite side of hwy. I couldn't understand what was going on since I was steering but it became very difficult for me to do that. As the car was going opposite my direction no moving cars was present besides one in left lane. Im managed to steer my vehicle away from left into right. Car in left lane hit my front end which led to a head on collision. The roadways was clear and weather conditions dry. I became very traumatized from even becausey car was very hard to control and maneuver. I feel that it is a car malfunction that caused my car to go opposite side of road. At the time I didn't know but I felt it was a brake malfunction. Due to my own research, I found out the braking system on these cars had a recall. I wasn't aware of this because I just purchased vehicle from a private owner before my stomach surgery. I didn't drive the since I was in er for 2 weeks. Drove it fully for a week and ended up in a wreck. I am suffering a lot mentally and physically from incident just trying to heal along with cooperating with law enforcement which I haven't obtained a police report from yet till this day. As of right now I have a pending claim with my insurance company. No info from other party insurance company as of yet. Nor do I have representation for my personal injuries. This traumatic event has put more stress and strain on my life physically and mentally.

The contact owns a 2007 Dodge Caliber. While driving 40 mph, the subframe fractured on the vehicle. In addition, the contact replaced the tires on three occasions and the rear wheel bearings were replaced three times. Furthermore, the ignition switch caught fire. The contact extinguished the fire. The vehicle was towed and repaired by a dealer and an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 162,000.

Husband was driving our 2007 Dodge Caliber making a u-turn and noticed a jerk in the steering. Proceeded to drive to our complex as it was only two miles away. Made a second u-turn and same thing happened. Once in our complex and proceeded to go over the first speed bump. The car stopped with the front driver side dropped. He exited the car to see what happened and noticed the subframe had snappened in half and was rusted beyond extreme.

My wife was driving my car heard a squealing noise and could not control the car. The steering seemed very lose. She was by a garage and stopped and left the car there. Today they looked at the car and send the undercarriage was shot and could not be fixed. . Can Chrysler be notified of this and should we get a second opinion? its a good thing this happened on a back road with no traffic or my wife could have been seriously injured.

While turning the corner the rear tire leaned in and rubbed against the strut spring causing tire damage and damage to the strut spring. The cars sub frame is completely rusted and will not hold the suspension parts that hold the rear tire in place and straight. Tire falls in and rubs on strut spring. Under body parts are rusting from air conditioning draining into sub frame. Car was so bad it had to be loaded onto a flat bed and be hauled to the mechanic to see if it repairable and to see how bad the other side is. This should not happen with only 100,000 miles on the frame. Dodge should be held accountable for this!.

Fiance had a seizure and car went to side of road. Car flopped on the left driver side and crashed into trees. Air bags did not deploy, seat belts were intact and working. Previously, seat belts were found to unlatch at times when driver was in car and car was in motion. Amazed that seat belts worked because it saved our lives. Airbags did not deploy.

With only 38,550 miles on my car (which has been well cared for) I had to have the wheel bearings replaced. When I picked it up, my mechanic (who has been the only mechanic I have used for over 10 years) told me that the ball joints were also totally shot & had to be replaced. After a little research I found out the danger I was putting myself & others in, had him do the ball joints the next day. These 2 parts seemed to need replacement way before they should have. The dealership here (service person/al) told me since I was over my 3 year, 36,000 mile warrenty, (and havent been there in 2 years) there was nothing they could do for me. Immediately after the work was completed by my mechanic, I stopped at the bank. There I saw another Dodge Caliber pull in. While in the bank, I spoke with that driver. She told me she just had the wheel bearings done also. Im not sure what year her car was but it appeared to be newer than mine! whats going on with these cars? shouldnt the dealer have had a little more interest when my actual mileage was only 2000 over the warrenty. They kept pointing out that the car was over 5 years old & only had a 3 year warrenty. To me that has no significance. . . The mileage is what concerns me. I hope others will take note & bring this to the attention of Chrysler before there are related accidents or deaths. I did try to find a number online to call Chrysler, only to come up with sales. . . I wouldnt buy another! please inform me of any actions taken. Thank you.

After two sets of tires we were told the lower ball joints had to be replaced on front end. Had to park the car and wait a week before the parts came in. We were told it wasn't safe to drive and there should be a recall due to the many problems of this nature. Also the water pump had to be replaced two months prior to this problem. This vehicle was serviced each time at the Dodge dealer who informed us these problem should not have happen so soon.

Car swerved to the left suddenly and forcefully twice. First time was on a 3 lane road. If another vehichile were in the lane next to me there would have been a serioius collision. Second time nearly avoided a head on collision with oncoming traffic. Then when I pulled into my drive way, the u-joint on my front passender tire broke completely. Car became undrivable and had to be towed.

Noticed that the front tires on the vehicle were worn down to the steel radial only on the inside edge, all the way to the steel radial, even though the tires were only a year old. Took it to the shop and found out the ball joint and front control arms needed to be replaced. Auto shop said we were fortunate that we noticed the problem, and suggested not driving any further until it was fixed. Also told us they had two other Calibers this year with same problem. We took the car to the dealership and they confirmed the problem and want to charge $1400 to fix and replace our relatively new tires. Upon researching many owners have had this same problem. Just grateful that we found the problem while parked and before the tires blew on the highway or suspension became even looser.

The first indication of the problem was as I was driving at higher speeds (above 50 mph). I noticed a definite shaking which I took to mean that the tires were not balanced properly. I had the vehicle checked and was told that the front ball joints, control arms and tie rods were worn out. I replaced these parts and the tires as they had begun to wear badly. I am now about to replace the same parts for the fourth time! there are also major problems with the rear suspension. I am replacing the rear control arms and lateral links for the third time! I drive a lot and at first put the problem down to the number of miles I drive. The vehicle is now at approximately 211,000 miles, but this is ridiculous! the last time the front suspension wore out, the right front wheel nearly fell off! the vehicle began to shake severely and as I was a mile or two to my destination, I slowed to a crawl and when I arrived I was nearly sick when I saw how bad it was. Now the front and the rear are bad at the same time. Help me out please! I'm at my wits end as I still owe someone money I had to borrow the last time I needed this fixed. I really don't want a car payment now as my wife lost her job recently.

When driving in the winter, snow has a tendency to build up on the inside of all the wheels. The inside diameter surface of the wheel is flat not allowing any build up of snow to work its way out causing the wheel assembly to become extremely unbalanced. Clearing the snow is difficult at best. The wheel should have been designed with some sort of taper to allow the snow to come out or when melting in the warmer part of the day to fall out, not build up on the bottom of the wheel. This is a constant occurrence that I have to deal with every winter, many times a week. ## VIN failed ##.

My 2007 Dodge caliper se was equipped factory with 15 in steel wheels. Shortly after purchase I noticed a extreme vibration from 60-70mph. I returned it to the dealership multiple times and had the wheels balanced and rotated several times, test to make sure the wheels were not out of round, and finally the tires replaced. I had the factory tires inspected at one of the dunlop retailers and they were to be fine and that the issue was with the wheels. All of the wheels. Replacing the tires did not resolve the issue or make it any better. None of the repairs did. After much research on this I found that the vibration is not apparent in the aluminum wheels so I opted to pay out of pocket to have them placed on my vehicle. The issue has since been resolved with the purchase of the new wheels plus tires with and expense of $600. 00+. I did attempt to report this issue to Dodge directly but have only received the response of "no recall".

I've had numerous issues with the vehicle suspension since I purchased this vehicle brand new (a 2007( around thanksgiving 2006. The first issue involved the steering and was told that both front struts, control arms and outer tie rod ends would require replacement - at 6k miles! this repair also involved replacing the rear brake shoes. The steering was making a grinding noise when parking or parallel parking at very low speeds. I had this repair performed using parts I purchased myself and a local mechanic I found on craigslist who was willing to do the labor for about $300 including the necessary 4 wheel alignment. The parts cost about $500 or so. Another issue that has been present since I brought the car home has been this rattle and clunk in the rear suspension. It seems that nobody has been able to pinpoint what the exact problem may be. I replaced the rear shocks myself thinking that might be the problem, but it still makes this annoying noise. The car has no rear sway bar. I was told it's not a control issue and have "lived with it" as annoying as it is all these years. It seems it has not affected the vehicle control, but it's a nuissance. I'm getting ready to fix this problem myself as it must be the rear control arms or toe links. This always occurs while driving over an uneven surface like a gravel driveway or a very bumpy road. It also seems that the front tie rods appear to be in need of replacement yet again as I inpsected these myself and noted theres no boot on them and getting some steering noises again, including a clunk while steering or braking at very low speeds. Might need another set of control arms (not sure yet) really feel as if Dodge should address and acknowledge this as a defect and pay for these repairs - as I've been reading here and on plenty of Caliber forums I'm definitely not the only one who's had these exact problems.