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.
I have a 2008 Dodge Caliber garage kept 49000 miles with a rusted busted frame. Didn't realize until knocking in front end. Always done repairs and recalls and this is dangerous. Called to request Chrysler to be accountable and they basically told me its my problem. Where do you go from here in liability.
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Caliber. While driving 50 mph, the vehicle independently veered left and a loud clanking sound was heard. The failure occurred constantly. The contact inspected the vehicle and diagnosed that the front subframe was severely rusted and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 48,000.
I have a Dodge calibur that is 8 years old & the undercarriage is rotted through. Took it to get new tires and they refused to work on the car and said it is a safety hazard to drive.
Took vehicle to a reputable shop for required yearly state inspection. Shop found dangerously corroded front and rear sub frame assemblies. Research revealed that 2007 model year cars are being treated under an extended warranty for this identical problem, but 2008 cars are not covered. Both our dealer and the Chrysler customer assistance center have been informed, and refused to extend the coverage to our vehicle.
My 2008 Dodge Caliber is garage kept and has 92,000 miles. It is well maintained and taken care of. I took it for an oil change and the service man told me that the subframe is rotted through and it is dangerous to drive. I was totally surprised and took it to tyson Dodge in shorewood Illinois. They informed me that this is not covered. They told me to call Chrysler. I called them and they said that even though it's unusual for that part to rust quickly, there was a recall on that part for the 2007 Caliber and not 2008. They could not help me. Tyson Dodge also said I need a right control arm. Total to fix it-$1700. Unbelievable! saw many complaints on line!
- Lockport, IL, USA
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While driving car I heard a loud noise coming from beneath the car. I looked under car and saw that the drivers side connection of the sway bar had come loose from the front cross member. This was caused by the cross member being in a severe state of rust and corrosion. I brought the car to a local Dodge dealership and the service dept. Verified the rusted cross member and recommended immediate replacement.
Rotten subframe - my control arm separated from the frame and my tire/wheel went sideways causing me to screech to a stop, luckily I was coming to a stop anyway but it easily could have happened at a high speed and killed myself and others
My car is 8 years old under 90,000 miles and has serious amount of rust on the subframe (K frame) and damage that is making the car deemed unsafe. This part should be recalled seeing how the 07 models are in the same defect and has a recall
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Caliber. While the vehicle was being serviced by an independent mechanic, it was discovered that the frame was severely rusted and the subframe needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 107,000.
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Caliber. The contact discovered a hole had developed in the frame under the vehicle due to corrosion. The vehicle was taken to a independent mechanic, where it diagnosed that the K member frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 51,000.
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 09/14/15 updated 10/31/2017
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Caliber. While having maintenance performed at the dealer, the technician diagnosed that the engine cradle was corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 95,000.
A noise was heard that seemed to come from the front suspension while driving. Inspection later showed that the front crossmember was badly rusted and has holes in it. Both the front and rear crossmembers on this vehicle are badly rusted. The rest of the car is rust free. This seems to be a very common problem on this car. The 2007 Dodge Caliber has a service bulletin to replace these parts if they have holes in them under warranty, however I was told this does not apply to the 2008 model year. The dealer and Chrysler customer service were contacted and would not help. If this issue is not found and repaired it could result in a crash.
I've had sooo many issues with my 2008 Dodge Caliber that I've lost count. The most recent ones are really bothering me, as I have one more payment and the car is paid off. About two months ago, my etc light came on and I just knew it had to be an error because I had it totally replaced in 2011 and paid over $500. So I did some research and found that a whole lot of people has had the same issue so I emailed Dodge to let them know this and to see if there was a recall on the etc. Of course they didn't really address the issue and they told me there was nothing they can do. So I ended up paying over $500 to have it replaced again. Now, I have an issue with my driver door, the spring has popped out and now it won't close! I took it in and they said it's going to cost between $1200-$1400 to have it fixed because I need a new door! again, I did some research and find out that this has also happened to a lot of people with this same car! and both of these issues poses extreme safety risks, as with the etc, the car automatically stops accelerating. Then with the door, if the spring is just popping out at any given moment, I feel that the door could easily swing open while you are driving. I'm a single mother with two children and now I have no car since the door can't close.this is extremely frustrating and unfair! how can these cars be so defective and no one is addressing it? this is in addition to countless other issues I've had over the years. I would like for Dodge to be held accountable for the cost of my repairs. This just isn't right. And I can see if this was an isolated incident with a few people, but in researching and finding out how many people has had the same issue, both of these issues, is extremely alarming. It's probably one of the reasons they no longer make this car! I truly believe it's a lemon!!
Traveling on highway in winter road conditions. Driver lost control on black ice. Hit highway guardrail head on, then on the pax front side, then on driver front side. Major damage to front costing approx $6000 in damage. Air bag did not deploy even thought lights on dash were activated as deployed. With seat belt on passenger was thrown forward hitting steering wheel and knees to lower dashboard. Sever concussion as result, bruising and soreness. Vehicle was purchased in 2011 from enterprise/national car rental with 31K miles on it.
The exhaust pipe protrudes too far from the rear of the vehicle making it possible for small children to receive injury when the vehicle is hot. A small child in our home received a second degree burn when walking around the vehicle to ask a question. In merely walking by, the child was able to come into contact with the vehicle's exhaust pipe causing a burn.
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- Homer Glen, IL, USA