2009 Dodge Caliber transmission problems

POWER TRAIN

The problem initially occurred in early November of 2020 when the vehicle would unpredictably stall at a stop sign or traffic light and would not immediately start for a couple minutes. After this short wait of 1 to 3 minutes it was possible to restart the car and move forward normally and the car could be driven without stalling for 2 or 3 miles when it would stall again and the engine would not start again for 2 to 3 minutes. In traffic situations this was unsafe to not be able to move the vehicle to a safe distance from heavy traffic. Finally, the problem started to occur after the vehicle was supposedly repaired and not driven for 2 -3 days and when it an attempt to start the car it would idle for 3-5 seconds and sound like it was choking before dying, and this was happening 2 weeks after it had been "repaired" by the Dodge dealer. This problem has repeatedly occurred over the two years since the original incident and has been to a Dodge dealership for unsuccessful repairs 4 different times; 11/20; 04/22 &05/22 and it is still at the dealership being inoperable. Each time the car functioned for a few miles and then broke down again. The dealer informs us that the parts that would most likely repair the car are no longer made by Dodge and the car cannot be fixed. Interestingly enough this model vehicle has had a variety of recalls starting in 2007 but never for the particular control modules that are no longer available which are The Throttle control & Power Train Control modules, which the Dealer thinks might possibly be a fix but even that is not a sure thing. The Dodge dealer that worked on the vehicle presumably would have informed me about this situation at least before they had the vehicle in for now the 4th time in 3 years with the same problem with no solution. Up to the time of these breakdowns the vehicle was well maintained and taken care of and still has low mileage of just over 69,000 miles. Is the Dodge Corporation at least partially liable?

NHTSA complaint #11479281 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

The engine stalls when I take off more times than none I'm stuck idling in traffic almost causing accident the frame that hold motor mounts are bad I've replaced motor mounts twice in a less than a year the car heats up after 70 miles an hour I have 5o pull over and let it cool off this happens 3 to 4 times a week with the engine stalling and overheating didn't find out til after I leased the car from AtoZ auto on gen McMullen and it's financed through car financial services I believe they knew the car was damaged I got scammed and have to pay 425 dollars a month on a car that can't be fixed I've spent a lot trying to fix the car

NHTSA complaint #11456269 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

My PCM failed car stopped on the highway in traffic without warning. I could have die or caused a death. My car is available . I’ve owned that vehicle for going on three months the first issue that I’ve had. After Car felt the check engine light came on I took it to be for a diagnostics test which read the PCM was the issue. My car is a 2009 Dodge caliber just recently charged 81,000 miles I pay $6000 for a car I just don’t believe that [XXX] dealer didn’t know I am fearful of dry driving it but what choice do I have. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #11450676 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

When the vehicle reaches 3,000 RPMs the temperature light comes on and the vehicle seems like it wants to go into neutral The engine light comes on the antilock brake system light comes on.

NHTSA complaint #11421138 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

SPEED SENSORS, INNER/OUTER TIE RODS, HUB ASSEMBLY, RADIATOR, INTAKE VALVE, TIRES WERE DIFFERENT SIZES, MORE PROBLEMS AROSE.

NHTSA complaint #11378373 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

WHEN I STARTED MY 09 DODGE CALIBER UP ONE MORNING . I BACK UP ,THEN PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE AND IT HESITATED AND JUMP OR JOLT.IT SCARED ME .THE ENGINE CAME ON,SO I WENT TO A AUTO PARTS STORE DOWN THE STREET FROM MY HOUSE TO GET A READING OR CODES READ ON MY CALIBER, IT GAVE ME A CODE ABOUT THE POWER TRAIN.

NHTSA complaint #11378071 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE VEHICLE JUST STOPPED. THEN WHEN I STARTED IT, IT WOULD ONLY GO 5 MILES A HOUR. ALMOST CAUSED ME TO GET INTO A WRECK WITH MY 3 YR. OLD GRANDDAUGHTER WITH ME. I HAD A CODE READER PUT ON IT AND IT READS U0402-IMPLAUSIBLE DATA RECEIVED FROM TCM.

NHTSA complaint #11373981 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SLOW DOWN WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE DECELERATED FROM 70 MPH DOWN TO 20 MPH. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY BEFORE DRIVING BACK TO THE RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE AND JERKED WITHOUT MOVING BACKWARDS. THE VEHICLE WAS UNREPAIRED AND UNDRIVABLE AT THE RESIDENCE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000.

NHTSA complaint #11364112 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

FRONT SUBFRAME SEVERELY RUSTED AND BROKEN

NHTSA complaint #11280963 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

THE CAR JUST STOPPED. I COULDN'T MOVE RATHER IT WAS IN DRIVE OR REVERSE.

NHTSA complaint #11270497 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

THE CARS TRANSMISSION LIGHT CAME ON INDACATING THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID IS OVER 250 DEGREES AND IT SHUTS DOWN TO WHERE I CANT DRIVE IT IT JUMPS AND IT WON'T LET ME ACCELERATE I WAS GOING TO THE DR OFFICE OUT OF THE TOWN FROM WHERE I LIVE AND IT PUT ME OUT PUT IT ON THE DIAGNOSICT MACHINE AT IT SAID TMC MODUEL I HAVENT HAD IT VERY LONG AND ALL AND THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IT HAS DONE IT TO ME

NHTSA complaint #11270545 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

WHILE STATIONARY DURING COLD START, CAR CRANKS AND RUNS, BUT AUTOMATICALLY STARTS IN LIMP MODE WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON SAYING TRANSMISSION OVERHEATING AND WHILE IN MOTION IT WILL NOT DRIVE FASTER THAN 20 MPH. EVEN ON COLD DAYS. BEEN HEARING ALOT ABOUT THIS ISSUE FROM OTHER OWNERS.

NHTSA complaint #11269814 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

THE RECALL U HAVE THAT U SAY HAS NOT EFFECTED MINE HAS. I'VE ALREADY PUT A NEW ENGINE IN THE CAR AND A GAS TANK, ALL THE LINES AND NOW THE CAR IS STILL SHUTTING OFF/DOWN ON ITS OWN. THE RECALL IS EXACTLY WAT THE MECHANIC SAYS NEEDS DONE AND HE DOESN'T HAVE THE EQUIPMENT TO DO THE REPAIR. NO ADVANCED READ OUT MACHINERY TO CHANGE OR REPROGRAM. I NEED THIS RECALL ON MINE. THERE'S NO WAY U GOT EVERY ONE THAT WAS RECALLED. LIKE I SAID JEFF BRADLEY IS THE MECHANIC THAT'S FINE ALL THE WORK THE NEW MOTOR THE GAS TANK AND LINES, AND NOW IT'S STILL SHUTTING DOWN. THERE IS NO DASH LIGHTS THAT CONE N AT ALL

NHTSA complaint #11233731 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

MY CAR IS STUTTERING/JOLTING UPON PUTTING IT IN DRIVE & STOPPING & DRIVING (AFTER STOPPING @ TRAFFIC LIGHTS & STOP SIGNS). ALSO, IT TAKES A BIT FOR THE CAR TO INCREASE IN SPEED ONCE I'M STOPPED (@ TRAFFIC LIGHTS & STOP SIGNS) & HAVE TO START DRIVING AGAIN. THIS HAS BEEN NOTICEABLE FOR THE PAST MONTH NOW.

NHTSA complaint #11229353 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

TRANSMISSION OVERHEATED AND WENT INTO LIMP MODE REPEATEDLY DURING A ROAD TRIP IN SUMMER OF 2017 ON THE FREEWAY. FLUSHING AND REPLACING FILTER FIXED THE PROBLEM FOR ABOUT 10 MONTHS. JUNE OF 2018, COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. TOOK IT TO AAMCO, AND THEY REBUILT IT FOR $2800. FIXED THE ISSUE AGAIN FOR ABOUT A YEAR. FAILED AGAIN JUNE OF 2019, TOOK IT TO AAMCO AGAIN, AND THIS TIME THEY REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION UNDER WARRANTY. THREE DAYS AFTER GETTING IT BACK FROM THE SHOP, THE TRANSMISSION HAS STARTED TO OVERHEAT AND GO INTO LIMP MODE YET AGAIN.

NHTSA complaint #11228420 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH ON AN INCLINE, THE GEAR DID NOT SHIFT OUT OF FIRST GEAR AND THE TRANSMISSION INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT CALLED LARRY HILLIS CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM FIAT AT 573-785-5769 (LOCATED AT 3211 N WESTWOOD BLVD, POPLAR BLUFF, MO 63901) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE TECHNICIAN RECOMMENDED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000.

NHTSA complaint #11220865 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

I BOUGHT MY CAR ABOUT A WEEK AGO WITH 100,000 MILES ON IT AND THE DAY TREE WE BROUGHT IT HOME WHEN WE ARE DRIVING IT WILL START TO GO BACK AND FORTH, LIKE STALL/ CHUG FOR A SPLIT SECOND THEN GO BACK WHILE IN MOTION, IT DOESN'T MATTER HOW SLOW OR FAST I'M GOING IT DOES IT WHENEVER I AM DRIVING. I CAN'T WAIT FOR IT TO JUST DIE AND GET IT FIXED I NEED THIS FIXED NOW AND I CAN NOW SEE AFTER RESEARCHING THERE ARE MANY 2009 DODGE CALIBERS ON RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE BUT MINE ISN'T AND I'M CONFUSED AS TO WHY AND NEED THIS TO BE FIXED ASAP.

NHTSA complaint #11186884 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

MY VEHICLE FOR MY YEAR HAS A RECALL FOR THE TRANSMISSION POWER CONTROL MODULE, I CALLED TO GET IT SORTED OUT AND EVERYONE TELLS ME MY SPECIFIC VIN DOES NOT MATCH ANY RECALLS, IRONICALLY MY CHECK GONE LIGHT HAS COME ON FOR THIS EXACT REASON. I WAS DRIVING AND FROM WHAT I EXPERIENCED THE CAR DID SHUT OFF AND I HAD TO RESTART IT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD.

NHTSA complaint #11186138 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

TRANSMISSION OVER HEATING ON HIGHWAY.. FRONT STEERING AND SUSPENSION KEEP NEEDS REPAIRED. NOISE IN FRONT WHEN TURNING TO THE RIGHT.

NHTSA complaint #11144934 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

TRANSMISSION OVERHEATS QUICKLY AND CAR LOSES POWER. AAMCO HAS REPLACED IT NUMEROUS TIMES. ADDED EXTERNAL TRANSMISSION COOLER. PROBLEM PERSISTS. SUSPENSION IS INSUFFICIENT FOR THIS CAR.

NHTSA complaint #11128809 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

DEFECTIVE POWER TRAIN MANUFACTURE HAD CLEAR KNOWLEDGE AFTER THE CAR WENT IN PRODUCT AND WAS MANUFACTURED. WHEN CAR IN MOTION GET LOW SQUEEZING NOISE ON CITY STREET OR HIGHWAY. TAKING A TRIP AT THAT TIME AND STILL HAVING SAME SOUND TODAY PLS JERKING.

NHTSA complaint #11114187 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

THE TRANSMISSION CONTINUOUSLY OVERHEATS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER. THE IS NO NOTIFICATION OTHER THAN A LIGHT AT THE TIME IT STARTS TO SLOW DOWN. AT THIS POINT YOU HAVE TO MANEUVER CAUTIOUSLY THROUGH FAST MOVING TRAFFIC TO PULL OVER FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES EACH TIME. I HAVE ALMOST BEEN IN MULTIPLE ACCIDENTS (AND ALMOST CAUSED A FEW) BECAUSE OF THE UNANNOUNCED EXTREME LOSS OF POWER. I'VE TAKEN THE CAR FOR MULTIPLE TRANSMISSION FLUSHES AND FILTER CHANGES. NOTHING WORKS AND I'M REPEATEDLY TOLD THAT MANY CALIBERS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE BUT THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT CREATED A SOLUTION. THE VEHICLE HAS REMAINED PARKED FOR THE LAST 2 YEARS. MY DAUGHTER TOOK IT OUT FOR A DRIVE TODAY AND WAS STUCK ON THE FREEWAY TWICE IN A 30 MILE TRIP DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION. I CANNOT SELL OR USE THE VEHICLE FOR OBVIOUS SAFETY REASONS.

NHTSA complaint #11092363 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

WHEN ACCELERATING MY VEHICLE IS SLOW TO TAKE OFF WITH MAX SPEEDS OF ONLY 50 MPH ON THE FREEWAY AND 30 MPH CITY. I HAVE PRESSED THE GAS ALL THE WAY AND CAR IS STILL LAGGING. THE CEL STAYS ON AND THE FOLLOWING DIAGNOSTIC CODES ARE READ P0722 WHICH IS TRANS OUTPUT SPEED SENSOR U1146 WHICH IS A COMMUNICATION ERROR P0717 WHICH IS INPUT SPEED SENSOR 1 CIRCUIT NO SIGNAL P0700 WHICH IS TRANSAXLE CONTROL SYSTEM MALFUNCTION AND P0712 WHICH IS TRANS FLUID TEMP SENSOR LOW INPUT. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL SHOP AND THEY SUGGESTED I TAKE IT TO THE DEALER TO PERFORM A TCM SOFTWARE UPDATE AND ITS STILL DOING THE SAME THING EVEN AFTER THE CODES WERE CLEARED. NOW A CODE IS READ THAT HAS TO DO WITH A LARGE EVAP LEAK. AM I BEING STEERED IN THE WRONG DIRECTION SO THAT THE DEALER CAN AVOID HONORING THE FACTORY RECALL OF THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE/FUEL PUMP RELAY NHSTA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V528000. MY SPECIFIC VIN DID NOT SHOW UP AS BEING RECALLED BUT I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF MY ISSUE CAN BE FURTHER INVESTIGATED. PLEASE HELP.

NHTSA complaint #11085068 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

AFTER 60 MINUTES DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE ENGINE REVS RISE BUT SPEED FALLS. TRANSMISSION OVERHEATING WARNING COMES ON ALTHOUGH THE TEMPERATURE HAS NOT RISEN VERY MUCH. CAR HAS TO BE STOPPED AND NEEDS TO WAIT 20 MINUTES FOR TEMPERATURE TO RETURN TO "NORMAL". DODGE DEALER CANNOT DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM AS THEY WILL NOT TAKE A LONG TEST DRIVE.

NHTSA complaint #11083457 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

THE CVT TRANSMISSION KEEPS FAILING. TO DATE, I'VE HAD IT REPLACED UNDER THE LIFETIME POWERTRAIN WARRANTY FOUR TIMES. ONCE AT 17000 MILES, AGAIN AT 92000 MILES, AGAIN AT 117000 MILES, AND NOW AT 135000 MILES. NO ROOT CAUSE HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED, YET EACH TIME THE SAME FAILURE MODE HAPPENS - WARM TEMPERATURE, LIMP MODE, AND EVENTUALLY A SCREAMING SOUND WITH NO ENGAGEMENT.

NHTSA complaint #11067332 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MANY OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 179,000.

NHTSA complaint #10937249 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

THIS CAR ATTEMPTED TO KILL ME TWICE. FIRST THE SUBFRAME ROTTED OUT DUE TO BAD DESIGN. WE NOTICED THIS AS THE STRUTS WERE BEING REPLACED - ALSO BECAUSE OF BAD DESIGN. THIS WAS NOTICED IN 2014 (ON A 2009 VEHICLE!) COST ME OVER $1,000 TO FIX - DODGE OFFERED NO HELP AT ALL. LATER IN 2014 - THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE ARM SEPARATED FROM WHEEL, CAUSING WHEEL TO POP OFF. IF I WAS GOING ANY FASTER THAN THE 10 MPH I WAS GOING (HEADED TO HIGHWAY!), I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. AGAIN CONTACTED DODGE AND NO ASSISTANCE. THEY RECALLED THE 2007 BUT NOT THIS MODEL YEAR FOR THESE PROBLEMS. PICTURES ATTACHED. I HOPE SOMEONE HOLDS THIS COMPANY ACCOUNTABLE! CARS SHOULD NOT COST THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO REPAIR IN YEAR 5!!!

NHTSA complaint #10905575 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V528000 (POWER TRAIN). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 199,000.

NHTSA complaint #10904770 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE DRIVING HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE FROM 60 TO 30 MPH WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT IF THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS PRESSED, THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE WITH NO ISSUES FOR A WHILE BEFORE THE FAILURE WOULD RECUR. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE ALTERNATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CERTIFIED MECHANIC DIAGONOISED THAT THE PCM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE DEALER VERIFIED THE DIAGNOSIS. THE PCM WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTUER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

NHTSA complaint #10895991 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.