205 of the
1,396 complaints about the 2007 Dodge Caliber are about the
electrical system — 15% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
90,000 miles.
Vehicle tipm shut off transmission while driving an cause a traffic jam on a busy intersection caused the transmission system to go in limp mode an no breaks. Was very dangerous lucky I had a hand break that worked cause engine to shut off an studder had to get towed an transported the vehicle home an got it inspected by a mobile mechanic an says the fuse box had blown internal components due to failing internal electrical components or weak points in the tipm system
NHTSA complaint #11736456 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 154,000 milesSan Bruno, CACrash
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2007 Dodge Caliber. The contact stated that the ECU had been hacked. While driving on the highway at 70 MPH, the brakes applied without application, but I was able to move to the right lane. The vehicle was able to pull over safely, and it stalled. While parking with the foot on the brakes, the vehicle suddenly accelerated and crashed into a small pole. There was no reported fire, airbag deployment, police report filed, or injuries. While in neutral, the vehicle suddenly accelerated. The driver was able to shift to neutral. The vehicle was making an abnormal growling sound. There was no light inside. While using the headlights, the windshield wipers turned on for five minutes. After locking the vehicle, the headlights remain on. While using the turn signal, the windshield wipers engaged without application. While driving in the rain, the vehicle hydroplaned. The contact stated that someone stole the key fob, made copies, hacked into the vehicle, and was controlling the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing, which confirmed the vehicle was working as designed. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was approximately 154,000. The VIN was not available.
NHTSA complaint #11713355 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lake Stevens, WA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The air bag light and sound are going off without any collision or accident type. Just randomly started going off. Airbags have never been deployed and goes off with or without weight on the seats.
NHTSA complaint #11572966 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Madison, WI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My throttle body keeps going in and out which cause me to have to get an alternator replaced twice plus a crankshaft twice. Now my car is smoking which is the valve cover gasket . Also my car lights went out one at a time so my driver side lights wnt work at all in the front and the passenger side front won't work just my signal on the passenger side. Also my dashboard won't work properly it keeps goin on and off as I turn on other lights in my car . When I signal left my car light on the roof comes on. I spent $12000 on this car from a dealership and have done nothing but put money into it more than I paid for it.
NHTSA complaint #11453724 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lewistown, IL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Passenger side headlight and driver's side tail light not working. Bulbs have been replaced and tested as to being good. Went on internet and found this to be a very common problem with Dodge and Chrysler vehicles, many times requiring replacement of the TPIM. Grounds have been checked as good. Dealer says repair requires replacement of the TIPM for $1,600.00!! Vehicle lighting are safety items covered by vehicle laws. These are safety issues and customers should not be held hostage for ransom for their poor design. Dodge and Chrysler should be replacing these TIPMs when they start failing without cost to customers.
NHTSA complaint #11449403 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Altoona, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I was driving at night time and my left side lowbeam headlight went out. Then briefly after the right side. I put my highbeams on to finish my trip home and then right before I made it home they both went out. Upon having the vehicle diagnosed it would be a $1000 part plus labor known as the TIPM. My friend has his own garage and he jumped power from my foglights. My headlights now work but he said he won't be long until other things start failing. Now my dash lights went out 2 weeks ago while I was on the interstate. I immediately pulled over and tried turning the car off and on and nothing. So I turned on my hazard flashers and drove 25 miles home with no dash lights. They will flicker on and off so rapidly I turned my dimmer switch the whole way down so it doesn't distract me while driving. Apparently the TIPM in these cars is a widely known issue after very little research I found over thousands of failed units in people's vehicles. Dodge should be liable for this mess!
NHTSA complaint #11425392 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
North Wales, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
dash light not working at night. can't see speedometer at night
NHTSA complaint #11424926 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,000 milesMira Loma, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL WENT OUT ON ME AS I WAS ENTERING THE FREEWAY. THE ETC IS BASICALLY THE CAR LOSING ALL POWER BUT THE VEHICLE DOES NOT SHUT OFF ONLY THE GAS PEDDLE LOSES ALL POWER. IT WAS VERY SCARY WHEN YOUR LITTERALY CARRYING YOUR ENTIRE FAMILY INCLUDING YOUR DOGGY.
NHTSA complaint #11374360 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 165,000 milesForney, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2007 DODGE CALIBER. THE TIPM BOX IS MALFUNCTIONED, AND CONTINUES TO BE. THIS IS AN ISSUE ASSOCIATED WITH THE STOCK, FACTORY TIPM BOX.
NHTSA complaint #11372493 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,000 milesYpsilanti, MI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE TIPS IS SHORTING OUT. GOING TO COST 2200 TO FIX. THIS IS A RECALL IN OTHER VEHICLES AROUND THE SAME YEAR. WHY DOES IT NOT APPLY TO THE CALIBER. SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE. LOOKED INTO SEVERAL FORUMS WITH SAME ISSUE THAT KEEPS POPPING UP.
NHTSA complaint #11351366 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 135,000 milesTrumansburg, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THIS PROBLEM OCCURS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY AND IN MOTION. THE VEHICLE WILL START TO FREAK OUT BY LOSING ALL OF ITS GAUGES AND CONTROLS, ALSO THE AIR BAG, ELECTRICAL, ABS AND CHECK ENGINE WILL COME ON. THERE WAS NO WARNING SIGNS WHEN THIS INITIALLY OCCURRED. I TOOK IT TO A DEALER AND THEY CLAIMED THE IT WAS THE TIPM (TOTAL INTEGRATED POWER MODULE) AND ITS SUPER COMMON WITH DODGE PRODUCTS. I WAS INFORMED THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON OTHER DODGE PRODUCTS FOR THIS VERY ISSUE BUT NOT THE CALIBER. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND THIS NOR HOW IF THIS IS A PROBLEM ON OTHER MODELS FROM THE SAME YEAR IT CAN BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BUT NOT FOR THIS CAR.
NHTSA complaint #11348387 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 43,000 milesWilmington, DE
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. ADDITIONALLY, THE BRAKE LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT THAT THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE BALL JOINTS AND TIE RODS WERE REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES AT BRANDYWINE CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM (3807 KIRKWOOD HWY, WILMINGTON, DE 19808). THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000.
NHTSA complaint #11343755 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 173,000 milesBerea, KY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I WAS DRIVING AND THE BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON. LATER ON WHEN ABOUT 100 MILES FROM HOME THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER LIGHTS THAT COME ON AND THEN WHILE RUNNING APPROX 60MPH THE CAR JUST SHUTS DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. AFTER REPLACING THE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY THE BATTERY LIGHT CONTINUES TO STAY ON. I TAKE THE CAR TO A LOCAL GARAGE TO FIND OUT THE TIPM NEEDS TO BE REPLACED WHICH APPEARS TO COST OVER $1000 IN WHICH I DO NOT HAVE TO SPEND.
NHTSA complaint #11342489 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 91,000 milesMccarley, MS
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I RECENTLY PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. THE VEHICLE LIGHT FLASHES WHILE DRIVING. THE MILEAGE IS CURRENTLY 91K MILES. NOW THE LIGHTENING BOLT SYMBOL WILL NOT TURN OFF AND THE VEHICLE WILL NOT ACCELERATE OVER 39 MILES. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE FOR OVER A WEEK.
NHTSA complaint #11339212 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Scottsdale, AZ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM SINCE THE BEGINNING OF OWNERSHIP. THE CAR WON'T START, I HAVE HAD SO MANY BATTERIES THINKING THIS WAS THE PROBLEM. THE CAR WON'T START EVEN WITH A NEW BATTERY OR THE BATTERY WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED WITHIN MONTHS. I PLAN TO GO SOMEWHERE AND CAN'T BECAUSE IT WON'T START...LIKE RIGHT NOW. I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO START IT IN DAYS. SOMETIMES BY WIGGLING THE WIRES I CAN START IT BUT NOW IT IS SO BAD IT WON'T START.
NHTSA complaint #11337929 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 155,000 milesPark Hills, MO
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
STARTED VEHICLE WHICH HAD BEEN RUNNING PERFECTLY FINE, JUST GOT A OIL CHANGE A FEW DAYS PRIOR. STARTED DRIVING AND THE CAR STARTS SPUTTERING LIKE IT WAS GOING TO DIE. THE ETC SYMBOL STARTED TO FLASH AND CAR WOULD ONLY GO 5-10 MPH WHEN THIS HAPPENED I WAS ALREADY DRIVING AT 40MPH WHEN THE CAR JUST STARTED TO SLOW DOWN TO THE 5 MILES AND SPUTTER.
NHTSA complaint #11322277 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesLivermore, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ONLY ONE HEADLIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE, EVEN AFTER REPLACEMENT. THIS IS A COMMONLY REPORTED ISSUE WITH DEFECTIVE TOTALLY INTEGRATED POWER MODULE (TIPM) UNITS ON THIS MODEL. THE EXACT SAME TIPM UNITS HAVE BEEN RECALLED ON OTHER MODELS USING THE PART, BUT NOT FOR THE CALIBER. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE MORE THAN ONE HEADLIGHT CAN FAIL AT ANY TIME. THE CONSUMER SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR A DEFECT LIKE THIS.
NHTSA complaint #11309951 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Milwaukee, WI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE THROTTLE LIGHT CAME ON AND NOW MY CAR IS WONT PICK UP SPEED ONLY 10MPH AND ITS PUTTERING AND JERKING. SO I REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY UNIT AND DID A RELEARN ON THE CAR AND ITS STILL ACTING FUNKY. I SAW ITS A RECALL ON THE 2007 DODGE CABLIER OTHER PPL ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS SAME PROBLEM .. ITS VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE A CAR LIKE THIS WITH MY FAMILY
NHTSA complaint #11299704 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 84,355 milesColumbus, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CLUSTER LIGHTS, BACK LIGHTING FOR CLIMATE CONTROL KNOBS AND TAIL LIGHTS FLICKER THREE TIMES AND THEN GO OFF. THIS HAPPENS ANY TIME WHEN TURNING ON LIGHTS, WHETHER AT VEHICLE START-UP OR WHEN DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY. MAKES FOR UNSAFE NIGHT TIME DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #11266705 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesAsheville, NC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THERE IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE TIPM IN THESE VEHICLES AND THEY HAVE BEEN RECALLED IN OTHER MODELS WITH THE SAME TIPM WHEN THIS MODULE FAILS THE HEADLIGHTS STOP WORKING AND THERE IS NO REPAIR OTHER THEN PAYING DODGE TO FIX IT AND THEY WANT 1000$ THEY HAVE RECALLED OTHER MODELS OF CHRYSLER JEEPS AND DODGES WHICH HAVE THIS SAME MODULE BUT NOT THE CALIBER. I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. MY LIGHTS FAILED WHEN I WAS DRIVING AT NIGHT. SO THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #11210194 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesPinesville, GA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE HIGH BEAM LAMP WAS INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUSE BOX AND ELECTRICAL HARNESS FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11193018 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 73,000 milesPhelan, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHEN IN CRUISE CONTROL AT BETWEEN 70-75 MPH AND GOING UP A LONG INCLINE (CAJON PASS) THE ELECTRICAL LIGHT COMES ON AND THE CAR QUITS RUNNING, AND TO DATE STARTS AGAIN AFTER LOSING ABOUT 5MPH AFTER SEVERAL HEARTBEATS. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING INTERMITTENTLY SINCE THE CAR WAS NEW WITH LESS THAN 6000 MILES ON IT.
NHTSA complaint #11186121 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 275,000 milesIndianola, IA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
AT FIRST, THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT WOULD BEGIN FLASHING WHEN I HIT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND I LOST POWER. COULD NOT GO OVER 35 MPH. THEN BY THE TIME I MADE IT OFF THE HIGHWAY, THE LIGHT STAYED FLASHING ALL THE TIME. AND I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO REGAIN PROPER POWER AT ALL. IT USES A TON OF GAS AND WHEN SITTING IN PARK, IF I PUSH THE BREAK PEDAL, THERE IS A CLICKING NOISE UNDER WHERE THE SHIFTER IS LOCATED. WITH LOSING POWER ON THE HIGHWAY, OTHER TRAFFIC AND MYSELF WERE IN DANGER. I LOOKED ONLINE AND MANY MANY PPL HAVE THE SAME ISSUE WITH NO LUCK OF FIXING THE PROBLEM EVEN AFTER HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS AT THE MECHANIC. ALSO, MANY HAVE FILED COMPLAINTS AND HAVE GOTTEN NO WHERE AND VERY NEGATIVE RESPONSES WHEN CALLING DODGE. I DONT HAVE HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS FOR REPAIRS AS I AM ON DISABILITY. HOPE THIS HAS BECAME A RECALL ISSUE AND I DONT HAVE A HUGE OUT OF POCKET EXPENSE. I TRAVEL TO DRS ALOT
NHTSA complaint #11185053 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 110,000 milesLancaster, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY LEFT HEADLIGHT WENT OUT. CHANGING THE BULB DID NOT FIX IT. I WAS TOLD IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE THAT WOULD COST $1000. AFTER SEVERAL MONTHS, THE CAR STARTED TO STALL OUT AND HAVE TROUBLE ACCELERATING. WHEN THE CAR STALLS OUT IT WON'T START FOR SEVERAL MINUTES. I WOULD BE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 60 MPH AND THE CAR WOULD JUST DIE. THE WORST SITUATION IS WHEN I WAS DRIVING UP A HILL AND MY CAR STALLED. I HAD TO STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND TURN IT OFF FOR SEVERAL MINUTES BEFORE IT WOULD START AGAIN. I WAS TOLD THIS WAS RELATED TO THE SAME ELECTRICAL ISSUE AND THE TIPM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, I FOUND THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS CAR. IT WAS A DEFECT IN MANUFACTURING THAT CAUSES A VERY HIGH NUMBER OF THE TIPM MODULES TO EVENTUALLY FAIL. THIS IS NOT RIGHT AND SHOULD BE FIXED BY DODGE.
NHTSA complaint #11165610 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 70,000 milesVirginia Beach, VA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DRIVER SIDE SEATBELT RELEASES ITSELF WHILE I'M DRIVING, FRONT DRIVER HEADLIGHT DOES NOT TURN ON EVEN THOUGH BULB HAS BEEN CHANGED SEVERAL TIMES TO RULE OUT DAMAGED BULB, REAR TAG LIGHT WON'T TURN ON WHEN VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, REARVIEW MIRROR LIGHT WILL NOT TURN ON.
NHTSA complaint #11161764 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 173,000 milesTEN Mile, TN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I WAS DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH I NOTICED MY SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING I CONTINUED ABOUT THE SAME SPEED( USING MY TACHOMETER) FOR ABOUT 3 MILES AND MY CAR ABRUPTLY LOST ALL POWER ALMOST CAUSING ME TO GET HIT. I MAKE IT OFF THE HIGHWAY TO THE SHOULDER AND THE CAR WILL BARELY IDLE AND HAD NO THROTTLE RESPONSE. THIS WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION CAUSED BY A FAULTY ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL (THROTTLE BODY) THAT IS A WELL KNOWN ISSUE BY CONSUMERS AND DEALERS
NHTSA complaint #11133211 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 141,016 milesEmmett, ID
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THIS IS MY THIRD TIME THAT THIS CAR HAS NOT STARTED. FOR NO REASON WITH A NEW BATTERY IT WON'T TURN ON AND HAS NO POWER AT ALL. NO POWER TO THE LIGHTS, LOCKS, RADIO OR DASH. NOW IT HAS LOW POWER AND WHEN IT'S TURNED OFF WITH NO KEY IN THE IGNITION IT'S MAKING A TICKING NOISE EVERY 30 SECONDS. I HAVE TO WAIT AGAIN TO GET THIS JUMPED AND I WANT OUT OF THIS VEHICLE. I'VE REPLACED THE BATTERY TWICE IN THIS CAR WITHIN 10 MONTHS AND THE FUSE BOX DOESN'T WORK FOR THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT. I DON'T KNOW HOW TO GET OUT OF THIS CAR WITHOUT THE DEALERSHIP COMING AFTER ME.
NHTSA complaint #11128194 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 10,000 milesBarstow, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE BATTERY WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 10,000.
NHTSA complaint #11128173 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 184,000 milesNassau, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY CAR HAS HAD ELECTRICAL ISSUES AND MOST ALL THE CALIBERS DO ALSO HAS TRANSMISSION ISSUES WHICH HAS HAD MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS DODGE REFUSES TO ANSWER OR FIX ANY OF THE CARS OR ISSUE RECALLS THEY HAVE BEEN MADE WELL AWARE IF YOU CHECK FORUMS AS WELL YOU CAN SEE THE DIFFICULT TIMES OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD AND THE DANGEROUS SITUATIONS
NHTSA complaint #11119479 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 125,000 milesSarasota, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FOR THE SECOND TIME THIS YEAR, I HAVE LOST ALL HEADLIGHTS, AIR CONDITIONING, ENGINE DYING RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING, SAFETY LIGHTS FLASHING AND BEEPING ON DASHBOARD. THE TIPM MODULE IS GOING OUT AGAIN. THIS PART IS NEARLY $1,000 AND ONLY A DODGE DEALERSHIP IS ABLE TO FIX THIS ISSUE. THERE ARE ISSUES WORLDWIDE WITH THIS SAME PART IN MULTIPLE DODGE CARS SINCE 2007 AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO FIX THIS ISSUE
NHTSA complaint #11100496 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.