CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2007 Dodge Caliber has all kinds of suspension problems at relatively low mileage: typically 40-50,000 miles.
The most commonly reported problems are with ball joints & control arms going bad. Tie rods & leaking struts are also reported failing in the same mileage range.
Unfortunately all the suspension problems means some owners only find out after they notice their tires are ruined.
We've given the 2007 Caliber our worst rating because these problems happen at such low mileage, & it involves a wide range of apparently defective parts. With most other cars, major suspension work is pretty rare under 50,000 miles.
8.3
pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$870
Average Mileage:
57,650 miles
Total Complaints:
79 complaints
Most Common Solutions:
had them replaced (58 reports)
not sure (12 reports)
replace tie rods and lower control arms (8 reports)
Replaced lower ball joints on both sides, before that at about 45000 miles had tie rod ends replaced. at about 34000 miles a switch that locks transmission in park stopped working & had to haul to a garage with a wrecker. Now I think the trans. is slipping, but the dealer said drive it till the check engine light comes on... and the gas mileage is going down. Have been a dodge man for years, but I think it is time to change.
This took up 6 hours of my time and was the 3rd time I had been to the dealership within 9 months of front end issues. Would of cost me another $600 to fix if I didn't have the extended warranty.
the guys at firestone told me that the Dodge Calibers
front ball joints and control arms bad was known for this problem, it should be a recall. my car had less then 50,000 miles on it and should have not gone bad yet. I have a 1998 dodge ram with over 150,000 miles and i just had to replace the brakes, now that's a good vehicle..
i have a 2007 caliber, bought it cause it was cute, very girl thing to do, 4 days into owing it i took it back and they had it for a week for the driver front tire making a rubbing clunking noise while turning, was told it was fixed. they replaced a shock. then a month later, total amount of owning, the car 52 days, the driver front ball joint broke at 30 mile an hours and all but dropped my transmission, tore up my drive axle and did massive body damage considering the tire turned sideways and crushed into the body of the car.
2007 Dodge Caliber with 45,500 miles. I was just informed that the ball joints and control arms have failed and need to be replaced. I received opinions from an independent mechanic as well as from a Dodge dealer, both stating the problem is a safety issue. I'm terrified to drive my car as I was told by the Dodge dealer that the front tires may fold in on me! Called Chrystler and they will not even consider the case. I've spoken with the case manager, his manager ahead of him, and I'm awaiting a call from the manager ahead of him. I cannot believe Chrystler will not stand behind their product. It's crazy and I cannot afford to make this repair, so I'm driving and praying nothing happens. The warranty has expired and Chrystler, like I stated before, will not even consider assisting me with this issue. Anyone out there had any luck with getting this repair compensated by Chrystler or the Dealer? Need help!
- jennyfaith5,
North Salt Lake, UT, US
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Had to have The Driverside replaced under 25K. contacted Chry. and was told had I replaced with them, They could of given me a discount.. LOL!!!!! This should of been covered as DEFECTIVE!!!!! Now the Pass. side needs replaced at under 30K. I've spoken to several other Caliber owners and They are also having the same Contol Arm/Ball joint problems...And have heard of Many more... This should be handled as a DEFECT/RECALL.... Dodge OWNERS beware !!!!!!
Of course I don't have a warranty. I only drive my car to and from work 3 miles each way. Had the car since 2006 and only 53000 miles on the vehicle. The mechanic says ball joints, tie rods, control arm ( the whole front end is crap). He can't understand it. Had problems with suspension with 30,000 miles on vehicle and had tie-rod fixed. I don't have money to put into repair right now. Chrysler is crap and I will never buy another plastic car from them again!!!!
At a recent service visit, I was informed that both tie rod ends and the driver side control arm need to be replaced. It is not under warranty (CPO) but at 63,000 miles, it is way too soon for this to be happening to any car. I have driven Chrysler cars since I started driving (let's just say I was not 16 yet) and have well over 1 million miles on the 5 that I have owned. I have had to replace the tie rods on one of them after 125,000 miles and two accidents.
I contacted Chrysler customer service today and they were quite cordial with me in taking all the details of my complaint. I am supposed to hear from them soon with their decision.
All the above are true! One more instance of an unidentifiable knocking over washboard roads. Told shock was leaking, replaced all 4, brake job, new tires, alignment, no mention of ball joints after spending $1400. Now noise is back, wheel has obvious wobble with ball joint actually moving around in socket at 32K miles. Mech. can't believe such a problem at that mileage. Dealer combo part + install. almost $400. The Attorney General is going to hear about this.
Seriously, 32,000 miles on my Caliber that I love and I'm told that both ball joints are bad and the tie rod needs replaced? Really? By the time, I'm done fixing this piece of crap, I could've afforded the CRV I looked at first. Never EVER will I buy a Dodge product. My mechanic simply wanted to replace my ball joints to find out they don't make the replacement ball joint itself but you have to buy an entire control arm which doubles the price. This is why Chrysler products are laughable at best. The minute I have positive equity, I will get the car I deserve...because no one deserves this amount of problems on a car with so few miles!
I have to replace both front suspension arm bushings on my 3yr-old R/T AWD Caliber 2007, first at 13504 Kms on the guarantee & the second at 45,450 not on the guarantee. They replace this time both tie rods and did a second alignment cost me $870.
My dealership admit it's very unusual to replace suspension arm on such short mileage.
I love this car but i have to admit it's a poor quality finishing and now a poor quality suspension. No wonder the company was on bankruptcy. With such a bad product and a bad service.
I cant believe with only 37000 miles my suspension has gone bad! Can't get after market parts. I have had 3 places look at my car and all three say something different. I had the dealership tell me it is unsafe to drive. The front suspension and ball joints have gone bad and the back suspension trailing arms are bad which make the back end of the car "kick" around when I hit any bumps and then can't keep it under control when its raining or snowing. Of course the warranty has expired. I keep checking to see if Dodge has had any recalls, but not yet. I will never buy a Dodge Caliber again.
My car started making a "clunking" noise when I would turn sharp corners. I then noticed that my tires kept wearing out. I took my car and had it aligned; however, the problem was still there. When I went to have my front tires replaced, I was told that my ball joints and control arms were bad. Nobody that I tell can believe that such a new car could have this problem...it's only a 2007! I have two children that are in my car with me and I want them to be safe. I had the left side replaced on 10/20/10; I will have to come up with the money to have the other side done now. I am a single mom and can't afford these problems that I feel the company should be liable for.
I own a 2007 Caliber with 34,000 miles on it, I started noticing rattling in the front end. I took my car to two different establishments, and was told the same thing at both places. Both of the lower control arms need to be replaced. This is BS, I have never had a newer car make so much noise!!!! I plan on going to the local dealer tomorrow and voice my complaint, and see if Dodge stands behind their product.
This car only has 54,000 miles on it. I started noticing a noise in the front about a month ago. I had my new tires rotated on Aug. 6, 2010 and I asked them to check it out. They said the ball joints were about ready to fall out, so I took it to another place and they said the tie rods were bad as well as the ball joints. In fact, that it was too dangerous to drive. I had just return from a 1600 mile trip driving 70 on the interstate. How dangerous was that? Chrysler needs to make this right. I just paid the car off and there is no more warranty left. I am hoping to contact Chrysler to get a recall...
This is bull __! My caliber is only three years old and already had ball joints replaced. I think Dodge should be paying for this. Same thing happened in my Durango. Never again will I buy a DODGE. I need chryslers email address.
i took car in for routine alignment was told had bad ball joints. ordered the parts and took car back to mechanic. first mechanic couldn't do work took to 2nd mechanic who was unable to fix because chrysler sold him the incorrect parts for the car and i was then told that parts are on back order for up to 6months, and i cant drive the car because they could break at any time
Went to two mechanics for opinions. The problem was assessed. Then I went to the dealer, who fixed the problem. It was not under warranty any more. It was a safety issue they did fix it free of charge.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Replaced lower ball joints on both sides, before that at about 45000 miles had tie rod ends replaced. at about 34000 miles a switch that locks transmission in park stopped working & had to haul to a garage with a wrecker. Now I think the trans. is slipping, but the dealer said drive it till the check engine light comes on... and the gas mileage is going down. Have been a dodge man for years, but I think it is time to change.
- Jerry W., Washta, IA, US