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.
10.0
really awful
Crashes / Fires:
8 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
72,758 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
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..
Car squeaks and clunks. Rear suspension components are extremely rusted. Feels like car is fish tailing while driving. Was driving from work and lost all control of the car. Speed was about 25mph.
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
I I have changed multiple times the sway bar links and had to put on new struts twice. There was supposed to be a recall on the cross member bar and when I took it to be fixed the dealer would not honor the recall on the bar. It is now making once again a popping sound in the front drivers side and I am wanting to once again get the recall on the car that was supposed to be fixed before.
The contact owns a 2007 Dodge Caliber. The contact stated that while driving at 3-5 mph, there was an abnormal sound coming from underneath the vehicle near the driver's side front tire. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the engine cradle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 93,500.
- Rockford, IL, USA
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The contact owns a 2007 Dodge Caliber. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 55 mph, there was an abnormal ticking noise. In addition, while exiting the highway the front axle fractured. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the frame and front of the vehicle was rusted. The vehicle was towed to midway Dodge (4747 S pulaski rd, Chicago, il 60632, (773) 376-8060) where the diagnosis was confirmed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.
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.
Common subframe corrosion on low mileage 2007 vehicles causing extreme safety issues while driving. Was warned by auto shop that this is common and renders safety issues to driver as entire engine could drop when driving or wheel separation, that could cause severe injury or death. No recall or warranty issued to me. This should be a safety recall as common as it is.
Have a 2007 Dodge Caliber with 90K miles. My wife recently went to get it inspected and come to find out the front and rear crossmembers and subframe components were terribly corroded. Needless to say it was not passed. It's started shaking while driving, alignment is off according to tire wear. I've read tons of complaints and see they issues not a recall but a 10 year extended warranty on this issue. Curious as to when this was issued and if my car falls into that
Feels like the car is going to hit a corner or bump and the whole front and tires are gonna come off. Also the gas cap light keeps coming on followed by the engine light. For some reason my gas cap keeps opening itself like there is air or pressure literally unscrewing it. The gas cap happens when parked
Vehicle rusted front and rear sub frame with perforation, while driving car, a clunking sound started to occur from underneath. The car began to feel unstable to drive and is especially bad when turning corners or hitting a bump. After taking it to a shop the mechanics informed me that the K frames or sub frames were completely rusted and would need replaced, vehicle front sub frame rusted through with holes and excessive rusted components in rear suspension components. Cause. Excessive corrosion due to normal exposure to environment and normal driving conditions. My vehicle was excluded from a recall. The vehicle was built with the same parts as the vehicles that got covered by the existing recall. And has identical corrosion failures as the vehicles included in the recall
I washed my car for the first time and that is when I noticed my cars frame is rusted out. There is a big hole in the middle of my frame that is near the motor. I have to drive it and it sounds like it's going to break in half. It is worst when I hit a bump in the road, like speed bumps. My car has 106K miles the body has little to no rust. I've owned it only a few months.
The contact owns a 2007 Dodge Caliber. While reversing out of the parking lot, the contact noticed an abnormal noise under the vehicle. The contact immediately took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the subframe had a lot of corrosion and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer (terry henricks Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, 1935 S defiance St, archbold, oh 43502, (419) 445-2576) was contacted and stated that the VIN was not included in a recall. The contact mentioned that the ball joints were replaced five times by an independent mechanic at 30,000 miles. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was approximately 100,011.
My 2007 Dodge Caliber's subframe is severely rusted and there's less then 80,000 miles on the car. A car that new should not rust so bad in such a short amount of time. The warranty on the car should be a recall because the subframe is so rusted that it's dangerous and too unsafe to drive anywhere. In addition to the car being a safety hazard, the subframe is very expensive to fix thanks to the amount of time it takes to remove the subframe. With the subframe gone bad, the rusted out subframe also damages attached parts of the car. The struts in the rear and front have gone bad due to the subframe's erosion.
Had creaking noises from front end, as I was inspecting noticed the front crossmember severely rusted with holes. Did a google search and found numerous complaints. Also found a campaign from Dodge stating there was an extended warranty on both the rear and front subframes/cross members. I had already replaced the rear. I contacted Dodge and was told there are no longer any campaigns or recalls that are active for my Caliber. I stated that the front sub frame has rusted beyond its life and my vehicle has less than 145K miles. I also asked if they would provide assistance in its repair as it is a major safety hazard. They replied with, since all warranties are expired and no recalls are in effect, they would not help or provide any assistance with any repairs.
Failed state inspection do to rusted front and rear sub frame with perforation.vehicle has 138 321 miles. Reference Chrysler action # 23-012-14. Recall/extended warranty
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Philadelphia, PA, USA