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.
I BOUGHT MY 2007 CALIBER USED IN NOV '07 WITH 19,000 MILES, WITHIN 7 MONTHS, EVERY TIME I HIT A ROUGH SPOT IN THE ROAD IT WOULD THUMP AND BANG, SOUNDED LIKE THE FRONT END WAS GOING TO FALL OUT, TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND THE DRIVERS SIDE STRUT WAS BAD, REPLACED IT AND WAS GOOD FOR A FEW MONTHS. SINCE THEN I HAVE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THAT STRUT, THE NEW ONE ONLY LASTED SEVERAL MONTHS AND I HAD TO REPLACE THE PASSENGER SIDE STRUT, 3 TIMES I HAVE HAD REPLACE THE STRUTS ON ONE SIDE OR THE OTHER AND I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BUSHINGS, REPLACE 2 MOTOR MOUNTS, I HAVE HAD THE CAR 5 YEARS NOW WITH 90,000 MILES, BOTH STRUTS NEED REPLACED AGAIN, THE RACK AND PINION NEEDS REPLACED, THE FRONT END IS A COMPLETE FAILURE, IT IS NOTHING BUT A DEATH TRAP, FEARFUL OF DRIVING AND HAVE SOMETHING BREAK AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT, BUT WHAT CAN I DO, WITH A HIGH CAR PAYMENT, CAN'T AFFORD BOTH THE PAYMENT AND GETTING IT FIXED, . READ THAT DODGE KNOWS ABOUT ALL THE PROBLEMS ON THE '07 CALIBERS AND KNOW THE FRONT END SUSPENSION IS NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF THE MOTOR, THEY HAVE NOT DONE ANYTHING TO RECTIFY THESE ISSUES. THEY WILL USE THE EXCUSE OF IT BEING THE DRIVERS FAULT BECAUSE OF THE WAY THEY DRIVE AND TREAT THEIR CARS, INSTEAD OF OWNING UP TO THEIR MISTAKE OF INSUFFICIENT MATERIALS AND PRODUCTION. HAVE NEVER OWNED SUCH A PIECE OF JUNK/LEMON AS BAD AS THIS CALIBER FOR THE PRICE I HAD TO PAY FOR IT.... STICKER SHOULD HAVE READ $19,000 RETAIL PRICE AND $10,000+ REPAIRS FOR THE LIFE OF THIS 07'DODGE CALIBER ...TALK ABOUT STICKER SHOCK!!!!
Front struts were completely dead. All the oil leaked out and there was dampering. I had to replace the struts. It seemed rather soon to need to change them.
Caliber was purchased new. While checking front end out for popping noise during acceleration I found both front struts leaking oil. Along with front ball joints bad and outer tie rod end.MAYBE DODGE WILL REIMBURSE ME FOR TIE ROD END AND LOWER CONTROL ARMS-BALLJOINT SO I CAN PURCHASE NEW STRUT. Mech. Bill.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
A minor annoyance that felt major after all the other issues.
- Alison S., Erie, PA, US