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.
The crossmember/sub floor in my 2008 Dodge Caliber is so abnormally rusted that it is literally a deathtrap. The car has 120K miles on it. I took it to get new tires on it and the mechanic recommended that I junk the car as the entire subfloor is severely rotted away. I searched to see if there is a recall and found out that only the 2007 model has a recall for this issue. I would argue that they used the same defective parts in my 2008 model. This is very disturbing.
2008 Dodge Caliber. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle repair work necessary to pass state inspection. Consumer states repairs should have been covered under previous year model vehicle recall notice. According to the invoice, the front cradle was rusted.
I bought my car in 2009, ran great at first until I hit over 100 thousand miles. I was on my way out of town to see a family member in the hospital. It was 80 degrees out and my car just slowed down on the highway and came to a stop. I thought it overheated so I waited about 30 mins and started it up again. Today I was at the Dodge dealership to have them look at it, to find out why the passenger side front tire was making a noise(like it was going to fall off). They told me it was the controll arm and that I needed to replace it. Apparently I'm not the only one having these issues. Where's the recall Dodge?
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
The engine cradle was completely corroded and had to be replaced, along with the attached lower control arms w/ ball joints. This cost $1,800. There was a recall on the 2007 model. Mechanic said that it was so corroded that it was a miracle that it hadn't broken. The car had about 57,625 miles on it at the time.
- Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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Took my 2008 Dodge Caliber to the dealership for an oil change, was told by the service rep that my front cross member needs replaced due to substantial rust through and that to continue to drive the vehicle could be dangerous because if this part broke, all steering control would be lost. Was told the 2007 model year Calibers had the warranty extended to 10 years for the same issue, but that no 2008S were affected. Was told it would be $1094 plus tax to replace this part. This part is a structural member and should never rust through in such a short period of time. No other substantial rust on the vehicle including the undercarriage. This vehicle has been well maintained and cleaned regularly. Called Dodge customer care and was told that there is nothing they would do as the extended warranty applied only to 2007 Calibers.
Had the vehicle in for replacement of a rear wheel bearing and the shop informed me that the subframe is nearly in need of replacement. The 2007 Dodge Caliber subframe coverage was extended to 10 years, but not for the 2008. Vehicle had approximately 135,000 miles at time of inspection.
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Caliber. The contact stated while reversing out of a parking space, there was an abnormal noise coming from the front of the vehicle. There were no warning indicators illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that the sub frame fractured in half. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the tie rods, the shocks and the sub frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 103,000.
Front sub frame (crossbar) has rusted and cracked making this vehicle unsafe to drive. Upon driving home the car started vibrating and making loud clunking noise. It was very hard to keep control of the steering
I took my car in for its yearly inspection. I was notified that the front crossmember was rotted away/rusted and need replaced at an estimated cost of $800. I was told that this was an common problem for my car in the years 2007 & 2008 as well as the Jeep compass, and it shouldn't happen on a car with my year/mileage. After doing some research, I found that Dodge has issued an extended warranty for the 2007 Calibers and is paying for their repairs, but will not offer any compensation/warranty to the owners of the 2008 models. The car is dangerous to drive at this point.
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Caliber. The contact stated that while reversing out the driveway at approximately 15 mph, the front driver side tire detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the under carriage was fractured due to rust. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 102,000. Updated 11/19/15
I own a 2008 Dodge Caliber that is built on the same chassis that the 2007 Dodge Caliber was built on and as a result of rust and corrosion the front suspension cross member failed and Dodge/Chrysler issued a technical safety bulletin to the owners of the 2007 vehicles to bring the vehicles to a Dodge/Chrysler repair facility to have the cross member replace at no charge. I have contacted Dodge/Chrysler three times including pictures of my rusted and corroded cross member and they have refused to do anything about it. I work at a vocational training school where they teach automotive repairing as class, and I offered to Dodge/Chrysler that I would absorb the labor cost if they would send me the cross member at no cost and the refused to do that also. I am very disappointed with their decision as I am concerned what will happen if the vehicle is in motion at the time the cross member fails. I would be happy to include the photos here but there is no way to attach them.
Owned the car for almost 4 years. Tie rods have been replaced 3 times. Recently had to replace, struts, ball joints, brakes on the front for the 5th time, back breaks are out and rotors as well had them replaced less than a year ago. Manifold had to be replaced. Barrings on the front and one on the right back. Went through a set a tires in less than 6 months. Has been to Dodge and other mechanics problems still persist.
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Caliber. The contact stated that the vehicle swerved and made a clicking sound while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the front ball joint and the lower control arm failed. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where an alignment was performed but failed to correct the failure. The contact also stated that the brake system failed. The brake emitted a metal grinding noise when the brake pedal was engaged. The dealer inspected the brake system and found corrosion on the brake lines the corrosion was removed from the brake lines however, the failure was not corrected. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 133,833. MA 10/15/2015
While performing an oil change and brake inspection, I saw the rear section of the front suspension cross member has rust through in several locations. The vehicle is not safe to drive in this condition.
The car was making a rattling noise. Took it to the shop the entire bottom was rusted and needed to be replaced. Cost $1500. Had to have the front suspension replaced three years prior.
Left front wheel (left tie rod assembly?) broke and wheel/tire was detached from vehicle while it was being driven, causing the car to "collide" with the ground (geico definition - policy 4324 0054 06, claim 048 555 271010 1019; adjuster charles fincher) ) and losing control before skidding to a stop. Damage included wheel well, hood, driver's side door, breaking system, and wheel connection hardware. Receipt is in the mail from the repair shop (North canton collision in canton oh) so we don't have exact damage specifics yet.
I bought my 2008 Dodge Caliber in July 2010. It had 27,000 miles on it. It was a campaign car. It has always had a problem with pickup. Acceleration is not great, but we noticed on a July 4 trip, that the car was not only making the "normal" steering/suspension noise, but it was also making a whirring noise that my husband feared was the transmission slipping. I made an appointment at the dealership where I bought the vehicle and found out that the whirring noise was not the transmission, but the alternator is bad. $550. The ball joints and the tie rod ends are bad and need to be replaced, $1040. The struts also need to be replaced as well as the front brakes. $800. Yes, my car has 110,000 miles on it, but the trade in value is only about $3500 anyway. Its luckily been paid off for many years. The ball joint/tie rod issue is very worrysome, though. It is dangerous.
I have a 2008 Dodge Caliber we bought it in April 2013 and about every 5-6 months we have to replace struts, ball joints, etc. Plus have the sway bar worked on that often as well..... Dodge needs to recall all these cars with this defect and we have problems with alignments... these cars are very high maintenance because they are so defected and no one can afford to replace all this and keep their cars in shops every 5-6 months... please Dodge do something about all of this...
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Caliber. While driving at approximately 50 mph, the vehicle inadvertently turned the steering wheel to the left and right. The contact also stated that the failure occurred while braking. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The mechanic stated that the case frame of the engine and the control arm needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Alpha, NJ, USA