general problems of the 2008 Dodge Caliber - part 2

My car started making a clunking noise from the front end. The noise happened when turning left and right, then happened just driving the car at all. Mechanic showed me that the subframe is completely rusted through prematurely. Very dangerous to drive! mileage is 114,000. I called Chrysler to see if the recall they had out for 2005-2007 Calibers on the same part would cover mine. They extended the warranty for 10 more years on those year cars. They refused to add the 2008 models even though there are plenty of complaints. This is going to cost me close to $1600. 00 and a week in the repair shop.

Just took my 2008 Dodge Caliber to mylocal firestone. The car was making noises under the car when going over bumbs, so I thought I needed shocks. When they put the car up to look at it they had tio call me in to look at a rusted out lower carriage that was starting to fall apart. They said it should not even be driven. Since there is only a five year warranty on this model, and only the 2007's were covered under a recall, I will have to get repaired on my own. The tow truck is coming today to take to a local repair shop. Cannot believe with the complaints on this web page, that Dodge will not cover this replacement.

I just took my 2008 Dodge Caliber to get inspected and it will not pass due to a rusted out subframe. I was told it is extremely expensive to get repaired and is very time consuming. This is a big safety hazard and I was told not to drive it much longer. Is there any way this is covered under recalls as the 2007 is. If not, is there some sort of warranty that takes care of this?.

The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Caliber. While driving 40-45 mph, the lower a-arm on the front passenger side separated from the subframe of the vehicle. The contact stated that the sub frame showed excessive corrosion. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 118,000.

Took in my 2008 Caliber for an inspection and it wouldn't pass due to a corroded, rusted subframe. The rust has occurred because the ac drips onto sub frame. Called dealership and Chrysler and they are refusing to do anything about this issue. I have 65,000 on this vehicle. It is well cared for also.

Front subframe of my 2008 Dodge Caliber was rusted through at the horizontal factory self causing the vehicle to fail the annual state inspection. Issue was found by an independent mechanic during routine state inspection. Vehicle has 103,000 miles. Lower subframe failure also has been accompanied by excess noise coming from the front of the vehicle.

Vehicle was at dealership for state inspection. I was informed that the subframe would have to be replaced because of corrosion and fractures.

The crossmember/sub floor in my 2008 Dodge Caliber is so abnormally rusted that it is literally a deathtrap. The car has 120k miles on it. I took it to get new tires on it and the mechanic recommended that I junk the car as the entire subfloor is severely rotted away. I searched to see if there is a recall and found out that only the 2007 model has a recall for this issue. I would argue that they used the same defective parts in my 2008 model. This is very disturbing.

I bought my car in 2009, ran great at first until I hit over 100 thousand miles. I was on my way out of town to see a family member in the hospital. It was 80 degrees out and my car just slowed down on the highway and came to a stop. I thought it overheated so I waited about 30 mins and started it up again. Today I was at the Dodge dealership to have them look at it, to find out why the passenger side front tire was making a noise(like it was going to fall off). They told me it was the controll arm and that I needed to replace it. Apparently I'm not the only one having these issues. Where's the recall Dodge?.

Took my 2008 Dodge Caliber to the dealership for an oil change, was told by the service rep that my front cross member needs replaced due to substantial rust through and that to continue to drive the vehicle could be dangerous because if this part broke, all steering control would be lost. Was told the 2007 model year Calibers had the warranty extended to 10 years for the same issue, but that no 2008s were affected. Was told it would be $1094 plus tax to replace this part. This part is a structural member and should never rust through in such a short period of time. No other substantial rust on the vehicle including the undercarriage. This vehicle has been well maintained and cleaned regularly. Called Dodge customer care and was told that there is nothing they would do as the extended warranty applied only to 2007 Calibers.

The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Caliber. The contact stated while reversing out of a parking space, there was an abnormal noise coming from the front of the vehicle. There were no warning indicators illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that the sub frame fractured in half. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the tie rods, the shocks and the sub frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 103,000.

Front sub frame (crossbar) has rusted and cracked making this vehicle unsafe to drive. Upon driving home the car started vibrating and making loud clunking noise. It was very hard to keep control of the steering.

I took my car in for its yearly inspection. I was notified that the front crossmember was rotted away/rusted and need replaced at an estimated cost of $800. I was told that this was an common problem for my car in the years 2007 & 2008 as well as the Jeep compass, and it shouldn't happen on a car with my year/mileage. After doing some research, I found that Dodge has issued an extended warranty for the 2007 Calibers and is paying for their repairs, but will not offer any compensation/warranty to the owners of the 2008 models. The car is dangerous to drive at this point.

Tl-the contact owns a 2008 Dodge Caliber. The contact stated while reversing out the driveway approximately 15 mph, the front driver side tire detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the diagnosis was the under carriage was fractured due to rust. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 102,000. Ak.

While performing an oil change and brake inspection, I saw the rear section of the front suspension cross member has rust through in several locations. The vehicle is not safe to drive in this condition.

While getting a maryland state inspection on a low mileage (56k) garage kept Dodge Caliber the car failed due both the front and rear subframe had excessive rust, fractures and holes. Both the subframes crossmembers will need to be replaced. There is a recall on the 2007 for this exact issue but it is not honored on the 2008.

Left front wheel (left tie rod assembly?) broke and wheel/tire was detached from vehicle while it was being driven, causing the car to "collide" with the ground (geico definition - policy 4324 0054 06, claim 048 555 271010 1019; adjuster charles fincher) ) and losing control before skidding to a stop. Damage included wheel well, hood, driver's side door, breaking system, and wheel connection hardware. Receipt is in the mail from the repair shop (north canton collision in canton OH) so we don't have exact damage specifics yet.

2008 Dodge Caliber. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle repair work necessary to pass state inspection. Consumer states repairs should have been covered under previous year model vehicle recall notice. According to the invoice, the front cradle was rusted.

The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Caliber. While inspecting the vehicle during routine maintenance, it was discovered that there was extensive rust and corrosion causing holes on the framing of the vehicle. In addition, the sub frame, the front suspension cross member and the entire underbody framing deteriorated prematurely and might fracture. The vehicle was taken to a dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 108,000. Updated 09/14/lj.

My sons car, sub frame rusted inconsistant with all of other components. Making unusual noises, deemed unsafe to operate,.

Tl-the contact owns a 2008 Dodge Caliber. The contact stated that while driving 45 mph, the cross member that caused the front driver side wheel to turn inward. The vehicle was taken to an dealer mechanic, who diagnosed that the cross member needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 104,000. Lb.

Front crossmember frame rusted through. Car is not safe and cannot be driven. Car belongs to our daughter who is a single mother and was just paid off. She cannot afford this repair. After finding many complaints on the internet, we called Chrysler and only some of these Calibers qualified for repair (free). Not sure why our car is not included. This is also a problem on the Jeep compass. It would seem that a frame would last longer than 6-7 years.

The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Caliber. While driving at an unknown speed, the front end of the vehicle became unstable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who indicated that the front struts needed to be replaced and that they were prematurely worn. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 30,000.

Tl-the contact owns 2008 Dodge Caliber. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 mph around a curve, there was a slight loss of steering control. In addition, the failure occurred when making turns. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis. The mechanic informed that the rear cross member assembly exhibited rust corrosion. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000. Js.

My vehicle won't stay aligned. And now it has a bad jerk in it. You can be going 10 mph or 50 mph and it still jerks you to the left. You can feel it in the steering wheel. We have put new tires on it so many times. We have bought tierods for it and nothing seems to be helping it.

I own a 2008 Dodge Caliber that is built on the same chassis that the 2007 Dodge Caliber was built on and as a result of rust and corrosion the front suspension cross member failed and Dodge/Chrysler issued a technical safety bulletin to the owners of the 2007 vehicles to bring the vehicles to a Dodge/Chrysler repair facility to have the cross member replace at no charge. I have contacted Dodge/Chrysler three times including pictures of my rusted and corroded cross member and they have refused to do anything about it. I work at a vocational training school where they teach automotive repairing as class, and I offered to Dodge/Chrysler that I would absorb the labor cost if they would send me the cross member at no cost and the refused to do that also. I am very disappointed with their decision as I am concerned what will happen if the vehicle is in motion at the time the cross member fails. I would be happy to include the photos here but there is no way to attach them.

I was on my way to work and drove approximately 5 minutes. As I was making a left turn to approach the entrance of the exressway, the car starting swerving and screeching and during my manuvering and engaging of the brakes, it came to a holt. The left driver's side axle had snapped and the tire was side-ways. I had to get the car towed to my mechanic, who stated that in all his years in his profession he has never seen anything like that. The axle which is made of steel was broken in half. Thank god I was able to safely manuver it without crashing into something, it was quite a scary experience. If I would have experienced this occurrence on the highway, it would have been a fatal accident. This is not the only incident I have had with this car, please refer to my other submissions for this car.

Had to replace the wish bones. And am on my 5 th set if tires since may of 2012. Which are not cheap at $130 a piece for the cheapest. Alignment is always off and tires have to be pumped every couple months.

Both front and rear suspension-struts/shocks leaking and both need to be replaced-mechanic stated they have replaced so many suspensions on these vehichles, they cant keep parts instock.

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.

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.