FaultScore

2008 Dodge Caliber engine problems

56 of the 570 complaints about the 2008 Dodge Caliber are about the engine — 10% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 84,000 miles.

B

56

Complaints

1

Crashes

1

Fires

1

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Engine 43 76.8%
Engine AND Engine Cooling 11 19.6%
Engine 1 1.8%
Exhaust System 1 1.8%

Engine & Cooling across every Dodge Caliber year

2007 95 38.0%
2008 56 22.4%
2009 31 12.4%
2010 26 10.4%
2011 42 16.8%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Xenia, OH

ENGINE

My vehicle has created a rotten subframe that holds my engine

NHTSA complaint #11535980 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 120,000 miles Grass Valley, CA

ENGINE

The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Caliber. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds in the rain, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the power steering became inoperable. The battery warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that an unstated computer needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but no additional assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000. The contact stated that the vehicle is unsafe to drive and the mechanics has not found a resolution to the problem yet.

NHTSA complaint #11502388 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Akron, OH

ENGINE

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

NHTSA complaint #11496552 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 90,000 miles Clinton, MO

ENGINE

LUCKILY, I WAS ON A CITY STREET. THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND SLOWED SIGNIFICANTLY, ALMOST STOPPING COMPLETELY AND BEGAN TO REBOOT AS IF IT WERE JUST BEING STARTED. I AM COMPLAINING BECAUSE I DO NOT FEEL IT TO BE SAFE FOR CONSUMERS ON ANY ROAD. I HAVE A 3 YEAR OLD SON AND I WOULD VERY MUCH LIKE DODGE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM BEFORE MY, OR ANYONE ELSE'S FAMILY, GETS WHIPLASH FROM A REAR COLLISION. I'M REACHING OUT TO NHTSA BECAUSE, I LACK THE TOOLS AND KNOWLEDGE TO FIX IT MYSELF, AND DON'T FIND IT FAIR THAT I PAY FOR A MISTAKE THAT DODGE MADE IN MAKING THE CAR.

NHTSA complaint #11324134 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 140,000 miles Lakeville, IN

ENGINE

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE KNOWING OF RUST BUT WHEN I CLIMBED UNDER IT I SEEN THE SUBFRAME IS ALMOST RUSTED ALL THE WAY THROUGH THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE I'VE HEARD OF A FEW OTHER CALIBER OWNERS WHO'S WHOLE DRIVETRAIN FELL OUT OF ENGINE BAY DUE TO THIS, THIS COULD BE A DANGEROUS PROBLEM IF SOMEONE IS DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS DODGE NEEDS TO TAKE ACTION AND RECALL THIS PART AND PUT A BETTER COMPONENT ON THE VEHICLES THEY PRODUCE

NHTSA complaint #11222009 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Toledo, OH

ENGINE

MOTOR CRADLE IS RUSTING OUT! THAT'S VERY DANGEROUS AND THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON CALL CALIBERS. I CAN NOT AFFORD TO BAY OVER $1,000 TO FIX MY CAR. AND THE MAKER SHOULD USE POOR QUALITY PARTS KNOWING HOW SERIOUS IT CAN GET. RECALL RECALL RECALL !!

NHTSA complaint #11163337 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 140,000 miles Mahtomedi, MN

ENGINE

TOOK OUR DODGE CALIBER 2008 (MANUFACTURER DATE: 11/2007) TO A MECHANIC FOR REPAIRS THOUGHT TO BE STRUTS AND WAS TOLD THE FRONT CRADLE WAS RUSTED OUT AND NEED TO BE REPLACED TO CONTINUE ANY SAFE DRIVING. THIS WAS A 2007 RECALL BUT WAS NEVER INCLUDED IN ANY TITLED 2008 CARS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED IN 2007. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE AND SEEMS TO BE REPORTED MORE OFTEN NOW AT THE 10 YEAR MARK. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS NOT A TRADITIONAL PROBLEM ON MOST VEHICLES AND SEEMS TO BE A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IT RECALLED, BECAUSE THE REPLACEMENT COST ON THIS IS IN THE THOUSANDS AND IT IS A SEVERE SAFETY HAZARD.

NHTSA complaint #11103479 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 199,990 miles Portsmouth, VA

ENGINE

I HAVE REPORTED THIS BEFORE AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE I HAVE A HAVE A 2008 DODGE CALIBER AND HAVE HAD TO CHANGE THE ELECTRICAL THROTTLE THIS IS VERY SERIOUS FIR MY CAR HAVE TURNED OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING IN TRAFFIC THIS PART NEEDED TO BE RECALLED BEFORE I ALL SOME ONE ELSE GET KILLS OR GET BADLY HURT I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THIS PART 3 TIMES AND I'M VERY TIRED OF THIS PLEASE FIND OUT WHY THIS PART GOES BAD SO FAST ON THESE CARS I HAVE READY PLENTY OF STORIES ABOUT THIS PART GOING OUT ON THESE DODGE CALIBERS AND STILL NO RECALLS DO SOMETHING BEFORE SOME ONE GETS HURTS AND PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS MATTER BECAUSE ITS SERIOUS WHEN YOU'RE DRIVING THE CAR SHUTS OFF IN TRAFFIC AND I'M SURE I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE THAT HAVE BROUGHT THIS TO Y'ALL ATTENTION DO SOMETHING BEFORE ITS TO LATE AND THIS IS MY SECOND DODGE CALIBER AND HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE ELECTRIC THROTTLE AND MY CAR WAS IN MOTION IT HAPPENED ALL 3 TIMES

NHTSA complaint #11099296 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 176,000 miles Monroe, MI

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PLACED THE GEAR SHIFTER IN NEUTRAL, TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND BACK ON, SHIFTED THE GEAR SELECTOR BACK IN DRIVE, AND THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS INTENDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MONROE DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP RAM SUPERSTORE (15160 S DIXIE HWY, MONROE, MI 48161, (734) 230-7872) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY REPLACED THREE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 176,000.

NHTSA complaint #11063671 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,000 miles NEW Braunfels, TX

ENGINE

THERE ARE CURRENTLY 0 RECALLS ON THE 2008 DODGE CALIBER 2.0. HOWEVER, A SIMPLE YOUTUBE SEARCH WILL BRING UP COMMON ISSUES WITH THE LOWER BALL JOINTS, WHICH CAUSE EXTREME TIRE WEAR AND EVEN SEVERE PULLING TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT WITH VERY LITTLE CONTROL. THE ANTI-LOCK BREAKING SYSTEM AS WELL AS THE THROTTLE BODY ARE HUGE ISSUES AS WELL. HOWEVER, IT WASN'T A YOUTUBE SEARCH THAT BROUGHT THIS TO MY ATTENTION BUT INSTEAD DRIVING ONE AND LOOKING INTO IT. TO MY SURPRISE THERE ARE ZERO RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10991328 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pittsburgh, PA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

ENGINE CRADLE MOUNTING AND FRONT SUSPENSION PLATES HAVE FAILED OR BROKEN TWICE ON THIS CAR ONLINE COMPLAINTS SEEM VERY SIMILAR DEALER SEEMS TO IGNORE THIS PROBLEM BUT WILL FIX IT FOR 2000.00 CAR PULLS OR VEERS UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE MOVING I CANNOT I FEEL SAFELY DRIVE ANYMORE.

NHTSA complaint #10947216 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 89,577 miles Chesaning, MI

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND NOTICED PREMATURE RUST AND CORROSION ON THE ENGINE CRADLE, WHICH CRACKED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE CRADLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER INDICATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,577.

NHTSA complaint #10943946 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Blue Springs, MO

ENGINE

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?

NHTSA complaint #10839592 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 118,000 miles Hunter River, NJ

ENGINE

MY CAR IS WELL MAINTAINED. I HAVE IT SERVICED EVERY 3000 MILES AND HAVE THE RECORDS TO PROVE IT. I HAD THE RUSTED FRAME REPLACED THIS PASSED AUGUST AFTER MY MECHANIC NOTICED THE CORRODED FRAME. I HAVE HAD ALMOST ALL OF THE OTHER PROBLEMS LISTED AND REPLACED ON MY CAR. I STARTED HEARING AN ODD NOISE WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, AND TOOK THE CAR IN TO MY MECHANIC WHO REPLACED A PULLEY. THE CAR CONTINUED TO MAKE THE NOISE ALL THE TIME WHILE DRIVING AND I BROUGHT IT BACK IN FOR SERVICING. MY MECHANIC COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. HE TOLD ME TO JUST DRIVE IT TIL SOMETHING HAPPENED. THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON ONE NIGHT DRIVING HOME ON THE HIGHWAY FROM GROCERY SHOPPING. THE LIGHT CAME ON FLASHING, THE CAR STARTED BUCKING, THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. I WAS ABLE TO PULL THE CAR OFF THE ROAD AND HAD IT TOWED TO MY MECHANIC. MY MECHANIC PUT IN A NEW ALTERNATOR AT A COST OF $650. A WEEK LATER MY HUSBAND DROVE 6 MILES AND THE LIGHT CAME ON. HE CAME BACK HOME AND CALLED OUR MECHANIC. HE ADVISED TO LET THE CAR STALL OUT AND IT WOULD RECORD ON THE LOG. NEXT DAY SAME THING, I LET IT STALL OUT. TOOK CAR IN. HE CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. SAYS IT WILL BE $500 AT THE DODGE DEALER JUST FOR THE ETC PART. THIS IS A KNOWN DOCUMENTED DEFECT WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. WHY IS DODGE NOT ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS PROBLEM? WHY HASN'T THERE BEEN A RECALL? WHY ISN'T ANYONE CONCERNED ABOUT ALL OF THE SAFETY ISSUES WITH THIS DEFECTIVE DODGE CALIBER? THIS CAR IS A HUGE SAFETY RISK TO ALL DRIVERS ON THE ROAD. PLEASE DO SOMETHING BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED.

NHTSA complaint #10824252 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 3 miles Jacksonville, FL

ENGINE

I CAN DRIVE THE CAR BUT CAN'T SPEED UP OR ENGINE LIGHT WILL FLASH. IF I'M AT A STOP LIGHT TOO LONG MY CAR WILL STALL WHILE ENGINE LIGHT IS FLASHING AND CAN'T TURN OVER ENGINE RIGHT AWAY.

NHTSA complaint #10808866 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

North Royalton, OH

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE CRADLE RUSTED OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE CRADLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10786373 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Oswegatchie, NY

ENGINE

NOTED MOUNTS RUST AND I ALMOST LOST THE ENGINE THANKS TO A DUE INSPECTION I WAS SAVE A BAD ACCIDENT. THE 2007 DODGE IS COVERED BUT NOT THE 2008.

NHTSA complaint #10764716 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 84,000 miles Tarentum, PA

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, A LOUD NOISE EMITTED FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE LEFT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE ENGINE CRADLE WAS RUSTED AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO SHIFT INTO A LOWER POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000.

NHTSA complaint #10761267 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 160,000 miles Rome, NY

ENGINE

TL* 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.

NHTSA complaint #10731500 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 95,000 miles Deerfield, NY

ENGINE

TL* 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.

NHTSA complaint #10716736 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 113,000 miles Southfield, MI

ENGINE

WHILE TRAVELING AT 45 MPH ON 6 LANE HIGHWAY ENGINE DECELERATED TO BETWEEN 5 TO 10 MILES PER HOUR. ENGINE BEGUN TO IDLE VERY ROUGH. I WAS APPROACHING A SIDE STREET AND WAS ABLE TO TURN OFF THE MAIN HWY. TO ACCESS THE PROBLEM. THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE LIGHT HAD COME ON INDICATING A PROBLEM WITH THE THROTTLE SYSTEM.

NHTSA complaint #10706491 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 110,000 miles Ruther Glen, VA

ENGINE

I WAS DRIVING MY 2008 DODGE CALIBER IN FEBRUARY 2015 TRAVELING ROUGHLY 45 MPH WHEN SUDDENLY THE BATTERY LIGHT AND ALL DASH LIGHTS BEGAN TO COME ON AND FLASH. I WAS ABLE (JUST BARELY) TO AVOID A HEAD ON COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE AND PARKED THE CAR; IN THE PREVIOUS 30 DAYS I HAD SEVERAL REPAIRS MADE THAT INCLUDED THE ALTERNATOR AND BATTER, ET CETERA. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE REPAIRING SHOP WHERE A NEW ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY WERE INSTALLED, THEN TONIGHT 20150411 THE BATTER LIGHT HAS AGAIN COME ON WITH FLUCTUATING SPEEDS. I HAVE RESEARCHED AND READ ABOUT MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THE DODGE CALIBER REGARDING THE TIPMS SYSTEM OR SUCH; THE FACT THAT THE CHRYSLER CORPORATION HAS BEEN ABLE TO CONSISTENTLY FAIL TO MAKE THE REQUIRED REPAIRS TO THESE VEHICLES IS ATROCIOUS. THE LIVES OF OTHER VEHICLE OPERATORS ARE BEING PUT AT RISK; I'M CERTAIN THAT SOMETHING MORE SHOULD BE DONE.

NHTSA complaint #10705142 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 40,000 miles Yonkers, NY

ENGINE

AS I WAS ATTEMPTING TO MERGE ONTO THE CROSS COUNTY PWY EAST A LIGHTING BOLT APPEARED ON MY CLUSTER PANEL. THE CAR BEGAN TO MISFIRE AND I COULD NOT SPEED UP CARS SWERVED TO AVOID CRASHING INTO ME. PRETTY SCARY!

NHTSA complaint #10694979 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 106,689 miles Lexington, MA

ENGINE

FOR THREE SUDDEN ENGINE FAILURES: 1) APPROXIMATELY APRIL 16, 2014 NOTICED SOME OF THE DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHTS BLINKED A LITTLE. STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT IT TURNED GREEN STEPPED ON THE GAS, THE CAR JUMPED AND STALLED IN TRAFFIC. WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR AND GO ABOUT A 100 YARDS INTO A SIDE STREET. WAS MET BY LOCAL POLICE. GOT TOW TRUCK AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE LOCAL CHRYSLER DEALER. AFTER THE CAR WAS REPAIRED DROVE OUT OF THE DEALER BUT NOTICED THAT A DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHT WAS ON. 2) APPROXIMATELY MAY 2, 2014 THE DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHTS BLINKED AGAIN BUT THE CAR KEPT RUNNING. DROVE TO MY DESTINATION. WHEN I RETURNED TO MY CAR, TURNED ON THE IGNITION KEY IT WOULD NOT START AGAIN NOT EVEN TO CRANK THE MOTOR. GOT TOW TRUCK AND TOWED IT BACK TO THE CHRYSLER DEALER. AFTER THE CAR WAS REPAIRED, THE WARNING LIGHTS WERE DOUBLE CHECKED, THEN DROVE OUT OF THE DEALER. 3) APPROXIMATELY MAY 20, 2014 WAS GOING DOWN HILL HIT A SMALL BUMP CAUSING DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHTS TO GO ON THE CAR STALLED, ROLLED THE REST OF THE WAY DOWN HILL AND PUSHED IT INTO MY DRIVEWAY. I TRIED MYSELF TO FIX IT. PULLED OFF THE MAIN FUZE COVER AND PULLED OUT SOME FUZES THIS BROUGHT BACK SOME POWER TO RESTART THE CAR. THE FUZES WERE APPARENTLY TO THE AIR BAGS BUT GAVE ENOUGH POWER TO MAKE THE ENGINE RUN. MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH AN ELECTRICAL REPAIR SPECIALIST. DROVE IT TO THERE LOT. WAS ASKED DETAILED QUESTIONS ON HOW I GOT THERE. THE CAR WAS REPAIRED BUT WITH PROBLEMS, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS NOT PROTECTED IN THE FRONT OF THE CAR AND WAS ADVISED TO GET A SPLASH GUARD. BUT WENT TO THE CHRYSLER DEALER PARTS DEPARTMENT. FOUND THAT IT WOULDN'T DO MUCH GOOD AND NONE EXIST TO COMPLETELY PROTECT IT. THE CAR RUNS FINE NOW BUT HAZARDOUS. I BELIEVE I SHOULDN'T BE PAYING REPAIR BILLS FOR THIS FAULT.

NHTSA complaint #10669163 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 75,000 miles Lakewales, FL

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000. UPDATED 3/12/15 THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING AROUND 25 MPH, WHEN SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE STARTED TO VIBRATE UNCONTROLLABLY, LOST POWER AND THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATED. HE SHUT THE VEHICLE DOWN AND EVENTUALLY RE-STARTED IT. THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED THE ISSUED TWO MORE TIMES. UPDATED 04/02/15

NHTSA complaint #10668712 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 87,607 miles Norwich, NY

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING MAINTENANCE PERFORMED, THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE CRADLE WAS CORRODED AND HOLES HAD DEVELOPED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,607.

NHTSA complaint #10662003 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tupleo, MS

ENGINE

I WAS STOPPED IN TRAFFIC AT A RED LIGHT, TRAIN WAS COMING SO I WAS HOLDING MY BRAKES. IT FELT AS IF THE CAR WAS JERKING FORWARD NOT WITH ALOT OF POWER BUT ENOUGH FOR ME TO NOTICE. I LOOK AT MY DASH AND I NOTICED THAT A REDLIGHT THAT SEEM TO BE RED LIGHTING BOLTS WAS ON. I IMMEDIATELY PULL MY CAR OUT OF TRAFFIC. WHILE TRYING TO GET THE CAR OUT OF THE ROAD I NOTICE IT WAS SLOWLY ACCELERATING MY CAR DIDN'T GO PASS 20MPH. I PARKED THE CAR AND WAITED TO SEE IF I COULD JUST TRY TO DRIVE IT HOME WHICH WAS ONLY 1.5 MILES AT THE MOST AWAY. I HAD NO ISSUES BESIDES THE CAR WOULDN'T GO PASS 20MPH AND WHEN IT STALLED IT SEEMED AS IF IT WOULD JERK FORWARD, WHILE DRIVING THE CAR HOME. BEFORE THAT DAY I HAD NO ISSUES.

NHTSA complaint #10633799 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 129,000 miles Jacksonville, FL

ENGINE

FIRST TIME DODGE OWNER AND NEVER AGAIN...AS I WAS DRIVING AT 45 MPH FIRST MY BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON THEN 10 SECONDS LATER ALL THE PANEL LIGHTS CAME IN CAR LOST ALL POWER BUT NEVER SHUT DOWN I PULLED OFF 6 LANE INTERSECTION TO A SAFE LOCATION AND TURNED CAR OFF AND IT WOULD NOT START BACK I WAIT 2 HRS IN 90DEGREE HEAT 6 MONTHS PREGNANT FOR A TOW TRUCK I CALL DODGE DEALER AND THEY SAID 160 TO LOOK AT IT BUT SOUNDS LIKE FUSE BOX OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. SAID TYPICAL IN THESE CARS SO I JUST HAD THE CAR TOWED HOME BECAUSE I CAN'T AFFORD TO DISH OUT ALL KINDS OF MONEY. JUST UNDER A YEAR AGO I REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY AGAIN NOT CHEAP.... NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR AND AS SOON AS I AM ABLE I AM GETTING RID OF IT.

NHTSA complaint #10588409 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 73,000 miles Waco, TX

ENGINE

WHILE DRIVING MY CHILDREN TO SCHOOL, MY CAR BEGAN SHUTTING DOWN ON A MAJOR ROAD PUTTING MYCHILDREN AND MYSELF IN DANGER. THE THROTTLE CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF AND WAITING A COUPLE OF MINUTES I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE EXTREMELY SLOW TO GE THEM TO SCHOOL SAFELY. THIS SOUNDS SIMILAR TO THE SAME PROBLEMS CURRENTLY HAPPENING WITH THE CHEVY COBALTS. IS IT GOING TO TAKE CHRYSLER/DODGE KILLING PEOPLE BEFORE THIS GETS RECALLED? I ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO CONTACT THEIR LOCAL NEWS STATIONS ALONG WITH NATIONAL NEWS STATIONS! CAR COMPANIES ARE ONLY INTERESTED IN MAKING THEIR MONEY AND NOT LOOKING AT THE SAFETY ISSUES OF THE DEATH TRAPS THEY ARE SELLING TO CONSUMERS. I WILL BE ENDLESSLY PURSUING THIS MATTER UNTIL DODGE STEPS UP AND PAY FOR THE REPAIR! I WILL CALL EVERY NEWS STATION UNTIL SOME ATTENTION IS BROUGHT TO THIS MATTER AND HOLDING CAR COMPANIES LIKE DODGE/CHRYSLER RESPONSIBLE FOR SELLING AND MANUFACTURING FAULTY VEHICLES. I HAVE GONE THROUGH ALL COMPLAINTS LISTED ON THIS SITE AND NUMEROUS OTHERS. SOMEONE IS NOT DOING THEIR JOB!

NHTSA complaint #10586756 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 63,000 miles Mechanicsburg, PA

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. THE STATED THAT THE ENGINE STALLED WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE ENGINE AND ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL WARNING INDICATORS WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A COMPLETE STOP. THE ENGINE RESTARTED AND THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMALLY AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO REPROGRAMMED THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL AND ENGINE CONTROL MODULE. THE FAILURE PERSISTED AFTER THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN FURTHER REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10568571 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2008 Dodge Caliber problems

← Full 2008 Dodge Caliber report