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.
Rear subframe rusted right through control rods snapped rear end of car dropped down. Upon researching they know that this is bad and unsafe even gave a 10 year extended warranty for front and rear subframe so how long will and how many complaints before this is an actual recall. I see here in your complaints that there is a large number of complaints on this issue. How are they getting away with this and nothing being done. I will have photos also police had said if this happened while it was on interstate would have crashed and could have been fatal. The tire would have ripped right off. So not only was my safety but the safety of the others being jeopardized cause everyone just keeps looking away at this issue. I would love to know how many of these subframes have had to be replaced I bet if you do research there is not one of them out there that either should be replaced have been replaced or will need to be replaced. Stop allowing these car companies to use sub standard parts. I am sure this will fall to the wayside along with the other 100 complaints. I will try my hardest to make sure everyone knows this is a problem that the car company is fully aware of and nobody has done anything about and keep researching on how many more this has happened to and try to get everyone to file a complaint. There was NO WARNING SIGN just broke loose passenger side of car was practically on the ground the broken control arm is what held everything up. Please can we really check into this if there is a recall at least people will know the problem exist.
I-??ve only had the car since Aug. Im the second owner, it drove just fine. Then I got an oil change. Then the car began to rev down hill and struggled to make it uphill. Then my exhaust became excessively loud. Then the wheel became loose, and started pulling ALOT. I was on my way to get an alignment this morning and the whole front end began to buckle not even a minute down the road. I tmade it in back the driveway before the front end collapsed completely
The entire underneath of my car is rusted out. I was driving to work one day when someone pulled out in front of me and I had to hit the brakes. That resulted in the subframe and front drivers axel to break as I-??m driving! The sunroof leaks when it rains and half the time the electricity doesn-??t work on the sunroof button. My doors have completely stopped auto locking and my hazards will randomly start flashing without pushing the button. Steering is absolutely terrible, it feels like you-??re skidding on ice or hydroplaning the entire drive.
I was informed at inspection that the main front cross member has a huge hole in the center of it and is rusting out badly. At 162,356 miles this car will not pass safety inspection. This car is not safe for me or my family. No warning lamps or messages. I was told that one bad bump could do us in. We were told to contact the dealership and found out about the extended warranty that had already passed during the previous owners time. This should have been a recall, but what else can you expect from dodge.
- Jefferson City, MO, USA
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2008 Dodge Caliber sub frame/K-frame front end crossmember completely rusted thru causing the driver side lower control arm to rip free from frame (seperating part of frame, with lower control arm) from rest of frame. This left driver with no control of affected wheel which turning it 90 degrees out from normal operating position. Left operator with no ability to steer while driving on main primary (35 mph speed limit) two lane road. Car slid to halt in middle of road. Car needed to be towed. Dodge/Chrysler apparently knew of this problem and never notified owner. Please see attached notice. Front and rear crossmember corrosion (X69 warranty extension) - 2008-2012 Dodge Caliber & Jeep compass/patriot oemdtc July 17, 2017 15 comments NHTSA id number: 10140027 manufacturer communication number: 23-007-17 rev. B summary front and rear crossmember corrosion (X69 warranty extension) the driver of this car could have been killed or seriously hurt. It is unfathomable that Dodge Chrysler was allowed to get away with not notifying potential crash victims
I have had my 2008 Dodge Caliber since 2009. Since then I have replaced both tie rods 4 times. I just had them done again about 1 1/2 years ago and they are broken again. I have changed the ball joints as well.. this is ridiculous and should have been recalled I read a lot of forums and everybody complains about the same thing.
Recently purchased a 2008 Dodge Caliber(Ohio). On initial drive returning with vehicle I noticed a vibration coming through steering wheel. Upon inspection, was informed the tie rod ends and control arms both could use replacement, but could have been caused by the more important bad front and rear crossmembers as well as front and rear crash bars, both have severe rust development with metal deterioration which could impose a safety concern down the road. Was advise to look into replacement. Reached out to one of the local dealerships and was informed it was a bulletin, had an extended warranty, but am outside of 10 year period. Rust from crossmember is now in process of transferring to actual frame and coming through as holes in rockers now as well. Dealership offering no help after stating the enhanced safety concern. Hard to believe an 08 can deteriorate so fast. You would think with the complaints and T.S.B. as well as safety concerns, seeing still original parts that have been warrantied to replace but have not on this VIN, gets no help at all.
While my wife was driving, the front subframe crossmember rusted through, causing her to lose control of the car and she could not safely operate it without repair. I managed to get it to a Firestone for them to look at and they referred me to a dealer and told me not to drive it anymore because it is unsafe. This is a problem that Dodge knew about, but failed to notify me about. I only found out about the problem from the dealership, who told me that the extended warranty that covers this problem had expired in 2018 and that I would be responsible for the cost of any repairs. I owned the car during that time and I did not know of this problem, so I could not act on getting it repaired. This never should have been an extended warranty, this should have been a recall because of the potential to kill people when the subframe rusts out. My wife was driving in a parking lot at the time at a relatively low speed, but had this happened on a highway it could have killed her and my son, as well as others on the road. Number: 23-007-17 rev. B group: Body date: March 10, 2017
I previously called regarding ODI 11282835. The front and rear cross-members were completely rusted away. There was an extended warranty and the original owner never repaired the issue the warranty expired 04/2018. Chrysler refuses to fix the issue. I purchased the vehicle 09/2019 and discovered the entire suspension had rotted out. This is extremely dangerous. It is pursuant to this bulletin. Chrysler is refusing to repair it. Service bulletin number: 23-012-14 group: Body date: May 19, 2014 this bulletin is supplied as technical information only and is not an authorization for repair. Note: This only applies to vehicles in the Canadian market and in salt belt states which include Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, D.C., West Virginia and Wisconsin. Subject: Front and rear crossmember corrosion (X58 10 years unlimited mileage) overview: This bulletin involves inspecting the front and rear crossmembers for perforation / rust through and if necessary, replace the crossmember(s). Models: 2007 pm Caliber 2007 mk compass, patriot note: This bulletin applies to vehicles built on or after August 26, 2005 (mdh 0826xx) and on or before July 23, 2007 (mdh 0723xx). Symptom/condition: The customer may describe a vibration at the steering wheel or may have been informed by a technician or state vehicle inspection that the front and / or rear cross-member is severely corroded. Policy: Warranty period for cross-member perforation / rust through is extended to 10 years. Reimbursable within the provisions of the warranty.
I was turning in my vehicle for a trade in and during the appraisal test drive the axel broke and it had to be towed. The gentlemen stated that is was due to rust build up. Over the years, I have complain about the power steering feeling off, the car not driving right, etc and it has been in three places where the maintenance folks said nothing was wrong. According to the bulletin, these same issues should have been caught somewhere to prevent this from happening. I may have been notified but I am active duty military and move every two years to include deployments where I easily could have not received the notice. My car value was 1500 dollars before it was wrecked, but I should be reimbursed for the previous maintenance totals and the lost days of not having my car the other times it should have been fixed. Below, I will show pictures of the rust, inspections that was done in June 2018 showing that underneath was good, and previous work on my vehicle when I complaint of issues with steering, tires, suspension. Number: 23-007-17 rev. C group: 23 - body date: July 13, 2017
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Caliber. The contact took the vehicle to a tire store because she heard a grinding noise and thought there was a brake issue. The tire store representative determined that the front and rear cross members were severly corroded and needed replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and dealer were not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 145,000.
Left and right a post much too wide hindering ability to see where the curb is in relation to the car. It also hinders the ability to see if a small animal is in the affected view. In relation to the transmission, my transmission had to be replaced right after the warranty expired. I've had to have 2 tie rods replaced. An engine mount replaced, and a strut replaced, I am also on my second battery. This car has cost me a lot of money so far. I know it's 11 years old but I've never had this many mechanical issues with any car I've owned so far. The newest problem is a grinding noise that sounds like the wheel is going to fall off before I get home safely. There is a new noise as well that almost sounds like a radial tire with an issue but my tires are all fine. I am taking it to a good mechanic tomorrow....again!! at one point while driving at about 35 mph and starting to turn there was a grinding noise in the front end and it sounded like something fell off, I was turning left at the time. My ABS brake light came on. I slowly went to the auto dealer, and they said there was a connector that broke and also a sensor they had to order. That cost over $400 plus I needed to rent a car to get home. Not a fan of the Caliber at all. I do love the style it's sporty and easy to drive, when it's not in the shop that is.
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Caliber. While driving approximately 25 mph, the front end of the vehicle started to shake and a loud sound emerged from the wheels. The contact pulled over to the side of the road. The vehicle was taken to a tire shop where it was determined that the crossmembers on the front of the vehicle were severely rusted and needed replacement. The vehicle was taken to kolosso Jeep Dodge (2701 w college ave, appleton, wi 54914) where it was diagnosed that the frontal crossmembers were also rusted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 145,200.
The front crossmember has rusted out so much that it will not pass a pa state inspection and is unsafe to drive. After hearing this I found out that it is not a matter "if" it will rust out, just a matter of "when". I was not fortunate enough to have this happen during the warranty extension and feel that Dodge should have notified me that there was an extension.
Noticed noise when turning and going over small bumps in road.on city streetlooked under it saw subframe is rusted out with big rust holes in it now parked not save to drive
One headlight doesn't, work sub frame completely rusted, doors lock at different speeds shock and struts are horrible squeaks and makes really bad sounding noises at any speed even backing out
Front cross member completely rusted through. The car runs great but is unsafe to drive. I had to purchase a newer, safer car for my family because Dodge refuses to fix their problem that is well documented. The car rattles very loudly while driving.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Hanover Township, PA, USA