FaultScore

Dodge Caliber acceleration problems

188 of the 2,919 complaints filed about the Dodge Caliber are about the throttle and cruise control — 6% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2007.

188

Complaints

6%

Share of all complaints

13

Crashes

2

Fires

Acceleration & Cruise Control complaints by model year

2007 Caliber 105 55.9%

Median failure at 76,425 miles

2008 Caliber 27 14.4%

Median failure at 69,122 miles

2009 Caliber 10 5.3%

Median failure at 70,500 miles

2010 Caliber 18 9.6%

Median failure at 77,700 miles

2011 Caliber 21 11.2%

Median failure at 84,500 miles

2012 Caliber 7 3.7%

Median failure at 38,000 miles

What owners said

2007 Dodge Caliber Fall River, MA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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.

2007 Dodge Caliber La Habra, CA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

The contact owns a 2007 Dodge Caliber. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V234000 (Vehicle Speed Control) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA complaint #11585321 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Dodge Caliber Akron, OH

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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.

2007 Dodge Caliber Bradley, IL

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

My car was slow to accelerate, and sounded like the engine was over-revving. The engine stalled several times, and the car itself was shaking, while driving at a moderate speed level, which I feared would have caused an accident, because it was sudden. The service warning light appeared. I had the manifold replaced by one mechanic, but the problem occurred again. I got a second opinion, that determined it was the throttle body assembly, which was replaced. That was three years ago. Now, the same issue has cropped up again. The cost was exorbitant, and is something I can't afford every few years.

NHTSA complaint #11479885 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Dodge Caliber Madison, WI

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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.

2011 Dodge Caliber Oklahoma City, OK

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Car slowed down and electronic throttle control light and traction control light came on was dangerously slow to accelerate and would not maintain speed

NHTSA complaint #11448659 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2009 Dodge Caliber Flagler Beach, FL

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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.

2011 Dodge Caliber at 130,000 miles Gainesville, GA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

CAR JERKS EXTREMELY BAD WHEN ON ACCELERATOR. DOESN'T DO IT ALL THE TIME. JUST WHEN IT WANTS TO. LEFT ME STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF A MAIN HIGHWAY WHILE TRYING TO PULL OUT INTO TRAFFIC. LOOKED UP THE CAUSE AND I BELIEVE IT TO BE THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL.

NHTSA complaint #11398589 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Dodge Caliber at 141,000 miles Murrayville, GA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

FOR THE LAST TWO WEEKS I HAVE BEEN LOSING THROTTLE CONTROL. I HAVE REPLACED BOTH ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODIES. NOTHING IS HELPING. THIS VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE YOY NEVER KNOW WHEN IT IS GOING TO SHUT DOWN ON YOU. IT COULD BE AT A RED LIGHT OR GOING 65 ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS NEEDS TO BE A RECALL

NHTSA complaint #11388912 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Dodge Caliber at 14,490 miles Kansas, OK Crash 1 injured

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

MY SON DROVE MY CAR ONE NIGHT AND HE SAID HE DIDN'T LIKE THE STEERING BECAUSE IT ACT LIKE ILOSE AND TIRES ABOUT TO FALL OFF I TOLD HIM I KNOW CAUSE IT WAS EATING UP THE OUT SIDE OF TIRES FAST TO WEAR WIRES WERE SEEN ON BOTH SIDES OF THE FRONT TIRES AND LATER EVENY SON HAD A WRECK AND TOTAL OUT CAR ON THE SEEN WHERE THE WRECK HAPPEN IT DIDN'T MAKE SENSE TO ME AND MY SON DIDN'T HAVE HIS SEAT BEAT ON AND IT THREW H OUT AND I BELIEVE IIF HE DID IT WOULD OF KILLED HIM HE DON'T REMEMBER NOTHING CAUSE I THINK IT PUT HIM IN SHOCK I HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE POLICE REPORT BUT I HAVE TAKING PICTURES AND I DO KNOW THERE WAS A ALOT RUST UNDERNEATH I ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR TWO MONTH THE CAR IS AT A SALVAGE PLACE AND I CAN'T GET IT AND I AM GOING TO HAVE TO PAY FOR IT I JUST THINK SOMETHING WAS NOT RIGHT ON THE STEERING AND SUPENTION IT WAS ON HWY ON A STRAIGHT AWAY

NHTSA complaint #11388470 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Dodge Caliber at 155,000 miles Pompano Beach, FL

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

MY ABS NOT WORKING. AND I CHANGE ALREADY SPEED SENSOR - ITS DOESN'T HELP. AND CRUISE CONTROL DOESN'T WORK TO. WHAT I NEED TO DO?

NHTSA complaint #11343333 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Dodge Caliber at 91,000 miles Mccarley, MS

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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.

2012 Dodge Caliber Wilmington, DE

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

I RECENTLY BROUGHT A USED VEHICLE, WHEN I TOOK IT FOR A TEST DRIVE EVERYTHING RAN SMOOTHLY AND THINGS WERE WORKING JUST FINE, NO PROBLEMS. I DROVE THE CAR HOME AND WHEN I GOT OUT THE VEHICLE AND TRIED TO USE THE KEYPAD TO LOCK THE DOORS, IT DIDN'T WORK AND ACTUALLY STARTED THE CAR THAN THE ALARM WENT OFF. I HAD TO START THE ENGINE AND SHUT IT BACK OFF AND MANUALLY GO AND LOCK ALL DOORS BECAUSE I ALSO NOTICED THE LOCK DOOR BUTTON ON THE DOOR DID NOT WORK BUT THE WINDOW BUTTONS DOES. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THEM AND INFORMED THEM OF THE ISSUE THAT I WAS EXPERIENCING. ABOUT 1 WEEK WENT BY AND I STARTED TO FEEL THE CAR DRAGGING WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE AS WELL AS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND GAS CAP LIGHT COMING ON. AND MOST OF ALL I NOTICED HOW QUICKLY THE MILEAGE WAS MOVING VERSUS THE MILEAGE I SIGNED IT AT. I ALSO CALLED IN AND REPORTED WHAT I WAS EXPERIENCING, THEY SUGGESTED I BRING IN THE VEHICLE TO A SHOP THEY CONTRACT WITH TO SEE THE PROBLEM AND RESOLVE IT. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN ON THE NEXT AVAILABLE DAY FOR ME FOR ABOUT 4-6 HOURS, I WAS CALLED BACK TO PICK THE VEHICLE BACK UP. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND GAS CAP LIGHT WAS OFF BUT NOTHING ELSE AS FAR AS THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITHIN THE CAR, AND THE DRAGGING FEELING AS WELL AS THE MILEAGE TROUBLESHOOTING. I WASN'T SATISFIED WITH THE WORK THAT WAS DONE, SO I CALLED AGAIN TO REPORT THE TROUBLES AND REQUEST FOR A REFUND BECAUSE I WAS NOT SATISFIED WITH THE VEHICLE AND HOW HIGH THE MILEAGE GOES WHEN I ONLY DRIVE 25 MILES BACK AND FORTH 6 DAYS A WEEK. I'VE HAD THE VEHICLE FOR 8 WEEKS NOW, AND THIS CAR MAINTENANCE IS POOR AS WELL AS I HAVE A STRONG FEELING THE CARS BEEN TAMPERED WITH BECAUSE OF THE DAMAGE TO ONE OF THE VENTS IN THE CAR ON THE DASH BOARD, AS WELL AS THE CAR NEEDING AN OIL CHANGE ALREADY AND I ONLY HAD THE VEHICLE SINCE MARCH 20, 2020.

NHTSA complaint #11324810 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Dodge Caliber at 155,000 miles Park Hills, MO

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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.

2007 Dodge Caliber Long Beach, CA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

FEELS LIKE THE CAR IS GOING TO HIT A CORNER OR BUMP AND THE WHOLE FRONT AND TIRES ARE GONNA COME OFF. ALSO THE GAS CAP LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON FOLLOWED BY THE ENGINE LIGHT. FOR SOME REASON MY GAS CAP KEEPS OPENING ITSELF LIKE THERE IS AIR OR PRESSURE LITERALLY UNSCREWING IT. THE GAS CAP HAPPENS WHEN PARKED

NHTSA complaint #11302207 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2009 Dodge Caliber at 125,000 miles Jackson, MS

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

THE CAR WILL STALL AND NOT TAKE OFF AFTER BEING STOPPED AT A LIGHT FOR TOO LONG . WILL SHUT OFF AS WELL ALONG WITH THROTTLING AS IF IT WANTS TO SHUT OFF

NHTSA complaint #11302111 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Dodge Caliber Milwaukee, WI

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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.

2010 Dodge Caliber at 145,000 miles Lexington, KY

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

WHEN I START MY CAR, IT STARTS JUST FINE AND THEN ABOUT 1-2 MINUTES LATER THE ENGINE CHECK SIGN WILL COME ON FOLLOWED BY A RED LIGHTING BOLD ON THE DASHBOARD. ONCE THE RED LIGHTNING BOLT COMES ON EITHER PARKED OR DRIVING IN A CITY STREET OR HIGHWAY, THE CAR IMMEDIATELY STARTS MAKING LOUD NOISES, SHAKES UNCONTROLLABLY AND SPEED REDUCES, SOMETIMES TO THE POINT WHERE IT SHUTS OFF WHILE I'M STILL DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY OR CITY STREET. IT SORT OF STARTS FORCING ITSELF TO MOVE WHILE IN MOTION. WHILE THE LIGHT IS STILL ON, IF I STOP AT A RED LIGHT OR STOP SIGN AND IT'S TIME FOR ME TO GO OR THE LIGHT IS GREEN, WHEN I PUSH THE GAS PADDLE THE CAR SORT OF TRIES TO MOVE WITH PUSHES, JUST AS THOUGH SOMEONE WAS PUSHING IT WHILE PARKED AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MOVES WITH SPEED. TO RESOLVE IT, I HAVE TO STOP ON THE SIDE AND TURN THE CAR OFF OCCASIONALLY , WAIT ABOUT 5 MINUTES AND THEN START IT FOR THE CAR TO DRIVE NORMALLY ONCE AGAIN UNTIL THE RED LIGHTNING BOLT COMES ON AGAIN. THE LIGHT COMES ON WHETHER PARKED OR IN MOTION. AT TIMES I'D STILL BE DRIVING THE CAR AND WHEN THE LIGHTNING SIGN COMES ON, THE CAR SHUTS OFF WHILE STILL ON DRIVE IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. I'VE TAKEN IT TO DODGE AND OTHER MECHANICS BUT NOBODY IS ABLE TO FIX IT. IT'S REALLY UNSAFE ON THE ROAD WITH THE SUDDEN STOPS, PUSHES AND SHUTTING OFF.

NHTSA complaint #11281281 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Dodge Caliber at 163,000 miles Atlanta, GA Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE EXITING A PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING INTO A BUSY STREET, CROSSED OVER TRAIN TRACKS, AND CRASHED INTO A TRAIN. THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WENT UNDER THE TRAIN. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 163,000. *DT*DT *TR *DT

NHTSA complaint #11270956 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2009 Dodge Caliber Crockett, TX

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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.

Other Dodge Caliber problems