85 of the
2,919 complaints filed about the Dodge Caliber
are about the fuel system —
3% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2007.
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.
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Caliber. The contact stated while driving at 15 MPH, the stability and throttle body malfunction indicators warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but did not provide any assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000.
NHTSA complaint #11458149 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
UPON COMPLETELY FILLING THE FUEL TANK, THE ENGINE REPEATEDLY STALLS AFTER I'VE DRIVEN IT FOR A FEW MINUTES. IT DOESN'T MATTER IF I'M ON THE FREEWAY OR IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION TRYING TO MAKE A TURN, THE ENGINE JUST DIES. THIS ISSUE HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CREATE A VERY HAZARDOUS IF NOT LIFE THREATENING SITUATION.
NHTSA complaint #11321037 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
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.
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.
RED LIGHTNING BOLT ON SAID THROTTLE BODY SO REPLACED THAT ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY STILL NO POWER ONLY GOES 25 MPH WAS TOLD ELECTRIC ACCELERATOR PEDAL BUT NOT SURE SO MANY PEOPLE WITH ISSUE ON SAME CAR I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO
NHTSA complaint #11173623 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
IT WAS RAINING AND AS IT WAS RAINING MY CAR STARTED TO BLINK ALL LIGHTS AND STARTED SLOWING DOWN NO MECHANIC CAN SEEM TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS GOING ON BUT AS I WAS DRIVING EVERY WARNING LIGHT STARTED GOING CRAZY THE TACHOMETER WENT CRAZY AND SO DID MY SPEEDOMETER EVENTUALLY MY CAR STARTED TO SLOW DOWN EVEN THOUGH IT THE ACCELORATOR WAS PUSHED TO THE FLOOR. AND THAN EVENTUALLY IT JUST STOPPED ALL TOGETHER WHEN I TRIED TURNING THE CAR BACK ON.THE STARTED WOULDNT ENGAGE AND THE ENGINE WOULD START TILL I PUT UNHOOKED THE BATTERY AND HOOKED IT BACK IN. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS 12/25/2016 6/15/2017 AND AGAIN TODAY 11/3/2017 THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES WHEN MY FATHER OWNED THE VEHICLE AS WELL BEFORE I PURCHASED IT FROM HIM.
NHTSA complaint #11043057 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE TRAVELING 80 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE MY CALIBER STOPPED ACCELERATING AND I RAPIDLY LOST SPEED; HOWEVER, THE CAR WAS STILL RUNNING AND NO MATTER HOW FAR I PUSHED THE GAS PEDAL IT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. I HAD TO TURN ON MY HAZARDS AND MAKE MY WAY ACROSS 4 LANES TO GET OFF THE INTERSTATE. I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO A GAS STATION BY COASTING WHERE I STOPPED THE CALIBER, TURNED IT OFF, AND LET IT SIT FOR A MINUTE. WHEN I TURNED IT BACK ON IT SEEMED TO BE FINE. IN DOING RESEARCH FOR REPAIR I'VE FOUND THERE'S A WHOLE COMMUNITY OF DODGE OWNERS THAT ARE EXPERIENCING THIS LOSS OF ACCELERATION AND GETTING THE RUN AROUND FROM DODGE DEALERS. I BELIEVE DODGE SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR MY REPAIRS AS THERE'S NO REGULAR MAINTENANCE THAT I CAN DO AS A CAR OWNER TO REGULATE/IMPROVE THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL AND IT SEEMS TO BE A FAULTY PART OR COMPUTER FUNCTION THAT I HAVE NO CONTROL OVER.
NHTSA complaint #11025353 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE SUCH AS THE O2 SENSORS THAT HAS TO BE REPAIRED EVERY YEAR. THE SAFETY ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE IF YOU ARE AT STOP SIGN OR JUST IDLE IN TRAFFIC- THE ENGINE LIGHT WILL BEGIN TO BLINK AND THE CAR BEGINS TO MOVE BACK AND FORTH..ALSO, IT CONSTANTLY OVER HEATS AFTER MUCH REPAIRS- THESE SYMPTOMS CONTINUE TO PERSIST-THE GENTLEMAN AT GOOD YEAR TOLD ME THAT SOME OF YOUR PARTS O2 SENSOR WAS RECALLED- FAILED TO GET ASSISTANCE FROM CHRYSLER- THE OVERHEATING IS ANNOYING- I CAN NOT DRIVE OVER 45 MILES WITHOUT OVER HEATING. I HAD TO PULL OVER AT THE EXIT WHILE OTHER CARS- WITH INCOMING TRAFFIC WAS COMING VERY FAST AND THE CAR IS IN MOTION ON THE HIGHWAY WITH OTHER DRIVERS- BECAUSE THE CAR BEGINS TO PULL - I HAVE TO PULL OVER SO THAT THE ENGINE CAN COOL DOWN- ..SOMETIMES IN TRAFFIC- THE ABS LIGHT WILL COME ON AND BEGIN TO SHIFT GEARS IN TRAFFIC- THIS HAPPENS OCCASIONALLY. THE SAFETY ISSUES ARE ENGINE OVERHEATS, START JERKING BACK AND FORTH AT STOP SIGNS OR JUST BEING IDLE IN TRAFFIC, OCCASIONALLY JUST SHIFT ACCELERATION IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. TH MOST RECENT INCIDENT WAS LAST NIGHT- I HAD TO PULL OVER- CAR STARTED JERKING- IT OVERHEATED- 07-19-2017 I AM FILING ANOTHER COMPLAINT- CALLED CHRYSLER SAID THAT I HAD TO PAY FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC TESTING ON SOMETHING THAT IS THEIR MANUFACTURER FAULT.
NHTSA complaint #11006656 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE DRIVING AUTO STOPS BEING ABLE TO ACCELERATE. HAVE TO COAST TO SIDE AND STOP. THROTTLE CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON. USUALLY AFTER LITTLE WHILE CAN TURN BACK ON AND GO. I ALSO HAVE CHRYSLER SEBRING 2008 TJAT DOES SAME THING EVEN AFTER. MULTIPLE TRIPS TO DODGE SERVICE. READ WHERE THIS IS A BIV PROBLEM MA NY ARE HAVING BUT DODGE/CHRYSLER STILL DOING NOTHING TO REPAIR. DANGEROUS I WAS ON FREEWAY GOING 65 MP AND ALMOST HIT NY FOUR CARS. HAPPENS MORE AT FAST SPEEDS.
NHTSA complaint #11005971 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR WOULD LOOSE ALL POWER AND ENGINE WOULD DIE. IF I SLOWED DOWN TO MAKE A TURN, CAR WOULD DO SAME THING, LOOSE POWER AND ENGINE WOULD DIE. IT WOULD ALSO HAVE TROUBLE STARTING. WOULDN'T STAY RUNNING. IN SCHOOL PICKUP LINE, CAR WOULD LOOSE ALL POWER AND ENGINE WOULD DIE AS SOON AS GAS PEDDLE WAS PUSHED ON. THIS WOULD HAPPEN ON THE MAIN HIGHWAY, CITY ROADS, SCHOOL PICKUP/ DROP OFF LINE, MAKING TURNS, AND WHEN FIRST STARTING CAR. IT WOULD ALSO DO THESE THINGS WHEN SLOWING DOWN AND ACCELERATING. I HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH THE CAR FOR NEARLY A MONTH, BEFORE THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN AND WOULDN'T START. ONE OF THE WIRES CONNECTED TO FUEL PUMP BURNT THROUGH THE HOUSING. WITH THE FUEL PUMP BEING IN THE GAS TANK DON'T YOU THINK THERE COULD HAVE BEEN AN EXPLOSION.
NHTSA complaint #11003549 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AFTER MAKING SLIGHT TURN (EITHER DIRECTION), AND HITTING SMALL BUMP. IE, TRANSITION BETWEEN HIGHWAY AND SIDE STREET. VEHICLE STALLS. LOOSE ALL STEERING AND EXCELLERATION. HAVE TO QUICKLY PUT INTO NUETRAL WHILE COASTING AND RESTART ENGINE. NO ACCIDENTS YET. MAYBE DODGE NEEDS A FEW MORE DEATHS ON THEIR HANDS TO CONSIDER FIXING THESE ISSUES. HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES OVER LAST 2 MONTHS.
NHTSA complaint #10972282 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
JULY 03, 2014 THE INTERNAL ELECTRONIC THROTTLE WAS REPLACED, IT IS NOW DOING THE SAME THING AS THEN AS OF DECEMBER 01, 2016.. ETC LIGHT COMES ON, DECREASE IN ACCELERATION , STUMBLES IN TAKE OFF, HESITATES, HAVE TO PULL CAR OFF ROAD AND STOP, WAIT A FEW MINUTES TO RESET AND IT WILL CONTINUE LIKE NOTHING HAS HAPPENED. NEED TO CHECK THE MANUFACTORY WARRANTY ON THIS PART. DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THEY WARRANT THE PART FOR UP TO 2 YEARS BUT CHECK WITH THE MANUFACTORY. HOW DO I DO THAT AND KNOW WHAT THE MANUFACTORY IS?
NHTSA complaint #10929403 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE THROTTLE CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON AFTER PUMPING GAS, VEHICLE VIBRATED. LIGHT CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY ON TRIP HOME, WOULD SLOW SPEED DOWN AND IT WOULD GO OFF. EXITED INTERSTATE, CAME TO FULL STOP, ACCELERATED TO GO, AND CAR VIBRATED AND ALMOST STALLED AS PULLING OUT. DROVE VEHICLE FOR TWO MORE DAYS - LIGHT CAME ON AND WOULD VIBRATE - ALMOST STALLED IN 2 BUSY INTERSECTIONS. PREVIOUS RECALL ON 25K 2007 DODGE CALIBERS - MINE NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL. UNABLE TO GET AN APPT AT DODGE DEALER FOR A WEEK. DECIDED THIS WAS A SAFETY ISSUE AND DID NOT DRIVE. ISSUE HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING AND STATIONARY, ON HIGHWAY AT HIGH SPEEDS AND ON CITY STREET, TURNING. ISSUE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO NOT GO NORMAL SPEEDS - WAS UNABLE TO GO POSTED SPEED LIMIT. CONTACTED DODGE/CHRYSLER RECALL - THEY WILL NOT ADMIT THIS IS A WIDESPREAD ISSUE. NUMEROUS VEHICLE OWNERS ARE RUNNING INTO THIS AT 90-130K MILES. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE IF YOUR COMPUTER OR ELECTRONIC MALFUNCTIONS AS YOU ARE DRIVING 70 MPH OR THROUGH A BUSY INTERSECTION AND VEHICLE STOPS. WAS GOING VARIOUS SPEEDS AS I WAS 90 MILES AWAY FROM HOME 70 MPH, THEN TODAY COULD NOT GO HIGHER THAN 40 MPH.
NHTSA complaint #10928313 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE THROTTLE CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON AFTER PUMPING GAS, VEHICLE VIBRATED. LIGHT CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY ON TRIP HOME, WOULD SLOW SPEED DOWN AND IT WOULD GO OFF. EXITED INTERSTATE, CAME TO FULL STOP, ACCELERATED TO GO, AND CAR VIBRATED AND ALMOST STALLED AS PULLING OUT. DROVE VEHICLE FOR TWO MORE DAYS - LIGHT CAME ON AND WOULD VIBRATE - ALMOST STALLED IN 2 BUSY INTERSECTIONS. PREVIOUS RECALL ON 25K 2007 DODGE CALIBERS - MINE NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL. UNABLE TO GET AN APPT AT DODGE DEALER FOR A WEEK. DECIDED THIS WAS A SAFETY ISSUE AND DID NOT DRIVE. ISSUE HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING AND STATIONARY, ON HIGHWAY AT HIGH SPEEDS AND ON CITY STREET, TURNING. ISSUE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO NOT GO NORMAL SPEEDS - WAS UNABLE TO GO POSTED SPEED LIMIT. CONTACTED DODGE/CHRYSLER RECALL - THEY WILL NOT ADMIT THIS IS A WIDESPREAD ISSUE. NUMEROUS VEHICLE OWNERS ARE RUNNING INTO THIS AT 90-130K MILES. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE IF YOUR COMPUTER OR ELECTRONIC MALFUNCTIONS AS YOU ARE DRIVING 70 MPH OR THROUGH A BUSY INTERSECTION AND VEHICLE STOPS. WAS GOING VARIOUS SPEEDS AS I WAS 90 MILES AWAY FROM HOME 70 MPH, THEN TODAY COULD NOT GO HIGHER THAN 40 MPH.
NHTSA complaint #10928313 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THIS HAS HAPPENED A FEW DIFFERENT TIME, BUT WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE FROM 45MPH ONTO THE HIGHWAY FROM AN ON RAMP MY DODGE CALIBER 2010 STARTED TO JERK AND WOULDN'T LET ME GO ANY FASTER, WHICH MADE MY CAR ACTUALLY DECELERATE. ALSO THERE WERE TIMES WHEN I TRIED ACCELERATING TO PASS SOMEONE AND IT JUST WOULDN'T GO ANY FASTER, BUT THERE WERE NO JERKS.
NHTSA complaint #10928418 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WE PURCHASED VECHICLE 2012. HAVE HAD NUMBEROUS FUSES BLOWN; FRONT BLINKERS AND LIGHTS REAR BLINKERS AND BRAKE LIGHTS ALSO THE PLUG IN WHERE CIGGERATE LIGHTER. ANOTHER ISSUE IS WITH CAR RANDOMLY NOT STARTING. TURNING OVER FOR 5-10 SECS. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE ALTANATOR TWICE, NEWER BATTERY AND STARTER. AT ONE POINT IT DID WORK. THE CD PLAYER AND CONTROLS PANEL GOES BLACK WHEN INSERTING CD IT FLICKERS AND GOES BLACK.. TEMPERATURE GAGE ABOVE STEERING WHEEL LIGHTS CONSTANTLY FLICKERS..LAST ISSUE IS WITH DOOR LOCKS NOT UNLOCKING ITS A MENACE..NEEDLESS TO SAY ITS BEEN NOTHING BUT A HEADACHE.. RECENTLY RECIEVED RECALL NOTICE IN MAIL
NHTSA complaint #10926513 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BOUGHT CAR USED IN 2014. WITHIN A WEEK THE MANIVERTER NEEDED REPLACED. DASH LIGHTS RECENTLY STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. CANNOT SEE SPEEDOMETER OR OTHER GAUGES AT NIGHT. TRANSMISSION STOPS WORKING WHEN IT IS HOT OUT , TRANS TEMP LIGHT COMES ON AND TRANS SHUTS DOWN WHEN DRIVING ON HIGHWAYS WHICH HAS ALMOST CAUSED NUMEROUS ACCIDENTS. CAR STALLS SEVERAL TIMES AFTER FILLING WITH GAS CAUSING DANGEROUS SITUATIONS WHEN DRIVING ESPECIALLY PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC AFTER FILLING GAS TANK. CONTROL ARMS AND BALL JOINTS ON FRONT OF CAR REPLACED WITH PARTS FROM DODGE DEALER AND ARE BAD FOR A SECOND TIME . WE WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER DODGE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10885225 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.