Suspension Problems of Dodge Caliber - part 1

I was at a gas station and attempted to leave the lot and the cradle and/or attached parts broke into, rendering the car undrivable.

See all problems of the 2007 Dodge Caliber 🔎.

Severe rust to vehicle frame common to this vehicle, no accident. Rust has corroded frame despite normal use and normal care. Vehicle hasn't reached 75k miles yet, and the frame is failing. How is this not a recall?.

See all problems of the 2010 Dodge Caliber 🔎.

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

The contact's daughter owns a 2010 Dodge Caliber. The contact stated while his daughter was driving at various speeds, she heard an abnormal sound and felt a vibration in the rear end of the vehicle. The contact stated that he had also noticed the failure while test-driving the vehicle. Upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that the rear cross member was severely rusted and had fractured. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 77,200.

The contact owns a 2007 Dodge Caliber. The contact stated while pulling into a parking space, there was an abnormal sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact stated that upon inspecting the vehicle, he noticed that the subframe was severely rusted and there was a piece of metal hanging in the rear of the vehicle. An independent mechanic inspected the vehicle and determined that the subframe needed to be replaced. The mechanic informed the contact that the vehicle was undrivable. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 175,000. The VIN was not available.

Premature rust on rear subframe.

I just bought this vehicle July 28 of 23. It was supposed to have been inspected to be sold. It’s completely rusted out the whole bottom of the car it’s unsafe to drive. I’ve been told by three people the people that did the inspection and said it was ok, and then belle tire, which I tried to get a alignment for him because it’s so bad and separating. I can’t get an alignment it hydroplanes and back in bounces up and down and it’s not for me to drive. I’m 82 years old and I need a good safe vehicle and I need something done with this or someone to take it back so that I can get a different car that is safe for me to drive.

See all problems of the 2011 Dodge Caliber 🔎.

This vehicle was sold to me July 28,2023. It was said to be safe to sell to me by h&I, auto repair shop in sterling hts , they let grimaldi's auto sales, in warren, mi , on mound sell me the vehicle I am an 82-year-old woman. The repair man there said it was safe to drive. I took it for an alignment. Which at belle tire they could not be due to the fact how bad it is! now I have a vehicle that is not safe to drive because the rear suspension crossmember is rusted out and other parts in back plus struts and other parts. I need this vehicle fixed or replaced as I live on social security. For free I can't afford to pay for something that was sold to me that it is junk. It was hydroplaning, had the tires checked out! then the back end was bosing up and down. Thats when I found out more problems. I need help with this vehicle now < I need to be safe on the road please patricia garnett 586-277-3438 -4970 finchley CT. , sterling heights, mi 48310.

The contact owns a 2010 Dodge Caliber. The contact stated that while making a right turn at 10 mph, the vehicle kept turning. The vehicle was steered into a parking lot where it was observed that right front axle separated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the cross member needed to be replaced due to corrosion. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 125,000.

Rusted subframe!!.

Due to the subframe rusting on the undercarriage of the car, the lower ball joint completely detached from the car, cause the driver side tire to fall off during operation.

See all problems of the 2012 Dodge Caliber 🔎.

Subframe rusty and broke while driving car went left almost causing a head on coalition.

Rear subframe rotted in half, causing rear driver side tire to sit sideways and loss of rear end.

See all problems of the 2009 Dodge Caliber 🔎.

Frame rotted out.

I had my 2007 Dodge Caliber rear brakes replaced today, at 83,487 miles. The service professional noted on the receipt that the “rear subframe is rotting out. ” he suggested that I contact Dodge, to find out if there has been a recall regarding this issue. Please advise as to how this problem may be resolved, with no additional, out-of-pocket cost to me, the consumer. Thank you.

I’ve only had the car since Aug. Im the second owner, it drove just fine. Then I got an oil change. Then the car began to rev down hill and struggled to make it uphill. Then my exhaust became excessively loud. Then the wheel became loose ,and started pulling alot. I was on my way to get an alignment this morning and the whole front end began to buckle not even a minute down the road. I tmade it in back the driveway before the front end collapsed completely.

See all problems of the 2008 Dodge Caliber 🔎.

My spouse and I owned this vehicle from day one. Front subframe assembly was rotting and was replaced by manufacturer under a recall but rear subframe assembly was not included. The rear subframe assembly is now rotted to the point where it needs to be replaced before vehicle becomes unsafe as it has for others. Vehicle barely has 72,000 miles on it and was garaged for the first 12 years of its life. Image of repaired front subframe assembly included for posterity.

Rear subframe rusted right through control rods snapped rear end of car dropped down. Upon researching they know that this is bad and unsafe even gave a 10 year extended warranty for front and rear subframe so how long will and how many complaints before this is an actual recall. I see here in your complaints that there is a large number of complaints on this issue. How are they getting away with this and nothing being done. I will have photos also police had said if this happened while it was on interstate would have crashed and could have been fatal. The tire would have ripped right off. So not only was my safety but the safety of the others being jeopardized cause everyone just keeps looking away at this issue. I would love to know how many of these subframes have had to be replaced I bet if you do research there is not one of them out there that either should be replaced have been replaced or will need to be replaced. Stop allowing these car companies to use sub standard parts. I am sure this will fall to the wayside along with the other 100 complaints. I will try my hardest to make sure everyone knows this is a problem that the car company is fully aware of and nobody has done anything about and keep researching on how many more this has happened to and try to get everyone to file a complaint. There was no warning sign just broke loose passenger side of car was practically on the ground the broken control arm is what held everything up. Please can we really check into this if there is a recall at least people will know the problem exist.

Started hearing a loud banging noise whenever I would hit a bump or turn left coming from drivers side tire. After getting home, I checked and the entire subframe is rusted out.

Rear crossmember/ subframe rusted thru and broke. Replaced front several years ago. Car has always been garaged.

The entire underneath of my car is rusted out. I was driving to work one day when someone pulled out in front of me and I had to hit the brakes. That resulted in the subframe and front drivers axel to break as I’m driving! the sunroof leaks when it rains and half the time the electricity doesn’t work on the sunroof button. My doors have completely stopped auto locking and my hazards will randomly start flashing without pushing the button. Steering is absolutely terrible, it feels like you’re skidding on ice or hydroplaning the entire drive.

The passenger side rear lower control are rusted off of the back frame crossmember which shows a significant amount of rust! this almost caused an accident while driving. It broke loose while driving down the highway.

Upon bringing our Caliber into a service shop to install shocks because we thought the severe vibration was from worn shocks, we were told the entire rear suspension subframe was rotted and rusted to the point of the driver-side rear was almost split in half. Had it been driven much farther, the left rear wheel would have been separated from the subframe. The shop did not want the car driven any further because of the safety risk to ourselves and others on the road and we had to fix this issue immediately. This is a grave issue of safety being this is a major frame component, that was clearly faulty and known about by Dodge, which could lead to a serious or fatal incident. The car has 139,000 miles on it and has been a good car mechanically thus far, prompting us to remedy the problem. Upon researching this issue, it seems as if this is a known issue by Dodge and many other Calibers are also affected. Had we known about the bulletin, we would have addressed this issue earlier. The shop costs were around $2000, which included us purchasing parts to save more money on labor.

Rear suspension rusted and broke during operation; control arm, tie rod and/or wheel bearings rusted and broke during operation causing vehicle to lose control.

Noticed the vehicle was making creaking and grinding sounds from the rear suspension. This forcing the car to struggle to reverse. Noticed a large portion of the rear suspension/subframe was rusted and was cracking.

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.

Rotted subframe on Dodge Caliber I was driving home after picking my kids up from school and my front tires would not steer and were wobbling while driving, losing control of my vehicle. I had to pull over on the side of the road so I did not crash with my children in the car. I called a tow company and had it towed to the closest independent service center. Yes, the problem was reproduced by a local mechanic ase certified that the car is not driveable because the subframe was completely rotted out and needed to be replaced. No, the car is still at the garage and not inspected by manufacturer, police or insurance. There were no warning lamps, message or other symptoms prior to the failure. There were no issues driving to school and driving home it began to be hard to steer and then starting losing control over the vehicle and keeping it on the road. I slowed and pulled over to the side of the road and called a tow truck immediately. I was not going to take the chance of driving any further with my children and crash.

Cradle connected to front suspension is corroded and cracked. Causing wobble in steering wheel.

Rear subframe is badly rusted making the vehicle unsafe to drive. Don’t know how long it been like this, just noticed it while doing brake work. I’ve owned the car since 2008 and was never notified of the extended warranty.

Hearing noise on drivers side. Took to garage for inspection and h frame, sub frame, is rusting out and needs to be replaced. Motor and a arms mount to this frame. Find out this is a common problem and no recall or help from Chrysler. This is a huge safety issue! only have 68,000 on vehicle.

Car has been garage kept entire time of owning. Sub frame still rotted out causing so much damage to the car, the struts, the tire(s); etc, causing car to shake and tire to bow out. Car has been at a repair shop for over 7 months now trying to get a replacement part to repair it with no luck as of yet. This should not be the responsibility of the customer. This has been a known issue for many of these vehicles for years now with nothings done or any warnings sent out regarding this issue being a possible hazard.

The contact owns a 2007 Dodge Caliber. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the front end of the vehicle emitted abnormal sounds and the vehicle was vibrating. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the front passenger's side and the front driver's side tires were wiggly and the frontal lower ball joints had failed. Additionally, the independent mechanic diagnosed that the front subframe was severely corroded and had a hole. The vehicle was then taken to another independent mechanic who diagnosed that the rear subframe was severely corroded as well. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 133,000.

I started having noise problems with my car and also had inspection due so I brought it into a mechanic and he was horrified to see that my front cross member was so rusted that my sway bar came out and he said lucky my wheels didn’t come off and that a car accident would be horrible as it is that rusted , and he also stayed the back cross member is the same . This is a huge safety concern specially where my car itself isn’t even rusted only the cross members. I hope you can help me and my family so we can be safe . Thank you richard.

I took my car to my repair man he was trying to see why my tires had the steel treads showing and the car shaking. Once up on the lift he found the subframe was rusted out. He ordered a new frame which took all my savings. He was surprised I made it off the expressway without an accident.

I was driving down to road and the the k member (subframe) rusted all the way through.