2008 Dodge Caliber

360 complaints on file, page 1 of 18.

1. Filed Aug 2, 2023Failure Jul 10, 2023Xenia, OHEngine, Steering, Wheels

   My vehicle has created a rotten subframe that holds my engine

   NHTSA complaint 11535980
2. Filed Jan 18, 2023Failure Feb 1, 2019120,000 milesGrass Valley, CAEngine, Steering

   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
3. Filed Jan 16, 2023Failure Jan 6, 2023Grass Valley, CAUnknown or other

   My car shuts down while driving These cars recalled July10 2008 Mine was made April18 2008 but has the same issue It could cost lives

   NHTSA complaint 11501990
4. Filed Dec 11, 2022Failure Dec 1, 2022Hanover Township, PASuspension

   Rear subframe rusted right through control rods snapped rear end of car dropped down. Upon researching they know that this is bad and unsafe even gave a 10 year extended warranty for front and rear subframe so how long will and how many complaints before this is an actual recall. I see here in your complaints that there is a large number of complaints on this issue. How are they getting away with this and nothing being done. I will have photos also police had said if this happened while it was on interstate would have crashed and could have been fatal. The tire would have ripped right off. So not only was my safety but the safety of the others being jeopardized cause everyone just keeps looking away at this issue. I would love to know how many of these subframes have had to be replaced I bet if you do research there is not one of them out there that either should be replaced have been replaced or will need to be replaced. Stop allowing these car companies to use sub standard parts. I am sure this will fall to the wayside along with the other 100 complaints. I will try my hardest to make sure everyone knows this is a problem that the car company is fully aware of and nobody has done anything about and keep researching on how many more this has happened to and try to get everyone to file a complaint. There was NO WARNING SIGN just broke loose passenger side of car was practically on the ground the broken control arm is what held everything up. Please can we really check into this if there is a recall at least people will know the problem exist.

   NHTSA complaint 11496934
5. Filed Dec 8, 2022Failure Dec 8, 2022Akron, OHEngine, Suspension, 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
6. Filed Nov 24, 2022Failure Oct 24, 2022Marion, NCElectrical system, Body, Suspension

   The entire underneath of my car is rusted out. I was driving to work one day when someone pulled out in front of me and I had to hit the brakes. That resulted in the subframe and front drivers axel to break as I’m driving! The sunroof leaks when it rains and half the time the electricity doesn’t work on the sunroof button. My doors have completely stopped auto locking and my hazards will randomly start flashing without pushing the button. Steering is absolutely terrible, it feels like you’re skidding on ice or hydroplaning the entire drive.

   NHTSA complaint 11494825
7. Filed Nov 12, 2022Failure Nov 11, 2022Dubuque, IASuspension

   Rear crossmember/ subframe rusted thru and broke. Replaced front several years ago. Car has always been garaged.

   NHTSA complaint 11493282
8. Filed Jul 7, 2022Failure Sep 15, 2021Sturgeon Lake, MNUnknown or other

   2008 Dodge Caliber with approx. 135,000 miles on it. Rotted subframe and rusted crossbar. Vehicle started swerving as if driving on ice (in the summertime!). Took it to a reputable mechanic and he wouldn't even put it on a lift. He said it was too much of a risk. I understand this is common on this vehicle, it's dangerous and should be recalled! NO more Dodge vehicles for me, ever!

   NHTSA complaint 11472731
9. Filed Apr 15, 2022Failure Apr 14, 2022Morganville, NJBody, Unknown or other

   Subframe rusted front and rear Was driving tire axel/rod broke entire underneath rusted rotted

   NHTSA complaint 11460835
10. Filed Jan 12, 2022Failure Dec 27, 2021Jefferson City, MOSteering, Suspension, Unknown or other

    I was informed at inspection that the main front cross member has a huge hole in the center of it and is rusting out badly. At 162,356 miles this car will not pass safety inspection. This car is not safe for me or my family. No warning lamps or messages. I was told that one bad bump could do us in. We were told to contact the dealership and found out about the extended warranty that had already passed during the previous owners time. This should have been a recall, but what else can you expect from dodge.

    NHTSA complaint 11447209
11. Filed Sep 23, 2021Failure Sep 23, 2021159,000 milesDerry, NHUnderbody shields

    The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Caliber. The contact stated while taking the vehicle into a local state inspection, he was notified that the vehicle did not pass inspection due to the K-frame of the undercarriage was fractured due to corrosion and rust. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 159,000.

    NHTSA complaint 11434129
12. Filed Apr 7, 2021Failure Apr 1, 202199,999 milesSuccasunna, NJBody, Suspension

    2008 DODGE CALIBER SUB FRAME/K-FRAME FRONT END CROSSMEMBER COMPLETELY RUSTED THRU CAUSING THE DRIVER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM TO RIP FREE FROM FRAME (SEPERATING PART OF FRAME, WITH LOWER CONTROL ARM) FROM REST OF FRAME. THIS LEFT DRIVER WITH NO CONTROL OF AFFECTED WHEEL WHICH TURNING IT 90 DEGREES OUT FROM NORMAL OPERATING POSITION. LEFT OPERATOR WITH NO ABILITY TO STEER WHILE DRIVING ON MAIN PRIMARY (35 MPH SPEED LIMIT) TWO LANE ROAD. CAR SLID TO HALT IN MIDDLE OF ROAD. CAR NEEDED TO BE TOWED. DODGE/CHRYSLER APPARENTLY KNEW OF THIS PROBLEM AND NEVER NOTIFIED OWNER. PLEASE SEE ATTACHED NOTICE. FRONT AND REAR CROSSMEMBER CORROSION (X69 WARRANTY EXTENSION) - 2008-2012 DODGE CALIBER & JEEP COMPASS/PATRIOT OEMDTC JULY 17, 2017 15 COMMENTS NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10140027 MANUFACTURER COMMUNICATION NUMBER: 23-007-17 REV. B SUMMARY FRONT AND REAR CROSSMEMBER CORROSION (X69 WARRANTY EXTENSION) THE DRIVER OF THIS CAR COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED OR SERIOUSLY HURT. IT IS UNFATHOMABLE THAT DODGE CHRYSLER WAS ALLOWED TO GET AWAY WITH NOT NOTIFYING POTENTIAL CRASH VICTIMS

    NHTSA complaint 11406812
13. Filed Jan 2, 2021Failure Oct 15, 2020283,000 milesDaleville, ALElectrical system, Service brakes, Wheels

    THE FRONT CALIPERS WILL NOT ENGAGE WHEN BRAKE PEDAL IS PRESSED. THE BRAKE PEDAL SINKS TO THE FLOOR AND HAS NO STOPPING POWER. THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED AND CALIPERS ARE NEW REPLACEMENTS. AFTER REPLACING THESE PARTS IT NOW SMELL OF BURNT BRAKE FLUID BUT THERE IS NO LEAK AND THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO WORSEN. THE FIRST TIME I WAS DOING 45-50 ON A COUNTY RD WHEN A ANOTHER CAR PULLED OUT 20 FEET AWAY AND I WAS TRYING TO SLOW DOWN WHEN I LOST THE FRONT BRAKES AS PISHED IN ON THE PUSHED IN ON THE BRAKES THE PEDAL SANK AND THEY DIDN'T ENGAGE. I THEN BOUGHT THE NEW CALIPERS AND IT WAS FINE FOR ABOUT A MONTH. THE SECOND TIME I WAS STUCK IN TRAFFIC ON A BUSY CITY STREET WHEN THE ABS BRAKES FAILED RESULTING IN ME RUNNING A RED LIGHT AND ALMOST GETTING HIT. IT HAS CORRODED AND TOOK HUNKS OFF ALUMINUM FROM MY FRONT DRIVER RIM. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM AND KEEP REPLACING PARTS FOR IT TO TEAR UP NEW ONES

    NHTSA complaint 11386118
14. Filed Jan 1, 2021Failure Dec 28, 2020Hockessin, DEUnknown or other

    TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR MAINTENANCE, TECHNICIAN TOLD US THE FRONT CROSSMEMBER IS RUSTED THROUGHOUT AND NEEDS REPLACEMENT. TECHNICIAN ADVISED IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE AND THIS MODEL WAS GIVEN EXTENDED WARRANTY UNDER X69 NOTICE, HOWEVER WARRANTY MAY HAVE ALREADY EXPIRED. I CONTACTED CHRYSLER REPRESENTATIVE AND THEY ADVISED THE VEHICLE WAS PART OF THE X69 NOTICE BUT WAS BEYOND THE EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT EXPIRED IN JUNE 2018. I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF VEHICLE BAND NEVER RECEIVED NOTICE OF THE ISSUE FROM CHRYSLER/DODGE. THE CROSSMEMBER RUST ISSUE APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL. I AM REQUESTING AN INVESTIGATION AND RECALL FOR THIS PART.

    NHTSA complaint 11385989
15. Filed Sep 20, 2020Failure Sep 1, 2015100,000 milesBoca Raton, FLPower train

    AFTER REACHING 100K MILES, I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION FLUSHED. SINCE THEN MY TRANSMISSION OVER HEATS WHEN I DRIVE 65 OR MORE MPH. I BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE SAME DEALER ABOUT A YEAR LATER AND THEY WANTED TO CHARGE ME $1500. I WALKED OUT! I DRIVE 64 MPH TO KEEP IT FROM OVER HEATING.

    NHTSA complaint 11360104
16. Filed Sep 20, 2020Failure Sep 20, 2020Boca Raton, FLSuspension

    I HAVE HAD MY 2008 DODGE CALIBER SINCE 2009. SINCE THEN I HAVE REPLACED BOTH TIE RODS 4 TIMES. I JUST HAD THEM DONE AGAIN ABOUT 1 1/2 YEARS AGO AND THEY ARE BROKEN AGAIN. I HAVE CHANGED THE BALL JOINTS AS WELL.. THIS IS RIDICULOUS AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED I READ A LOT OF FORUMS AND EVERYBODY COMPLAINS ABOUT THE SAME THING.

    NHTSA complaint 11360103
17. Filed Jul 18, 2020Failure Jul 16, 2020133,687 milesMilwaukee, WISuspension

    MY 2008 DODGE CALIBER CROSS-MEMBER BROKEN IN THE MIDST OF ME DRIVING

    NHTSA complaint 11340093
18. Filed Jun 30, 2020Failure Jun 26, 2020190,000 milesMassillon, OHBody, Suspension

    RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2008 DODGE CALIBER(OHIO). ON INITIAL DRIVE RETURNING WITH VEHICLE I NOTICED A VIBRATION COMING THROUGH STEERING WHEEL. UPON INSPECTION, WAS INFORMED THE TIE ROD ENDS AND CONTROL ARMS BOTH COULD USE REPLACEMENT, BUT COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THE MORE IMPORTANT BAD FRONT AND REAR CROSSMEMBERS AS WELL AS FRONT AND REAR CRASH BARS, BOTH HAVE SEVERE RUST DEVELOPMENT WITH METAL DETERIORATION WHICH COULD IMPOSE A SAFETY CONCERN DOWN THE ROAD. WAS ADVISE TO LOOK INTO REPLACEMENT. REACHED OUT TO ONE OF THE LOCAL DEALERSHIPS AND WAS INFORMED IT WAS A BULLETIN, HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, BUT AM OUTSIDE OF 10 YEAR PERIOD. RUST FROM CROSSMEMBER IS NOW IN PROCESS OF TRANSFERRING TO ACTUAL FRAME AND COMING THROUGH AS HOLES IN ROCKERS NOW AS WELL. DEALERSHIP OFFERING NO HELP AFTER STATING THE ENHANCED SAFETY CONCERN. HARD TO BELIEVE AN 08 CAN DETERIORATE SO FAST. YOU WOULD THINK WITH THE COMPLAINTS AND T.S.B. AS WELL AS SAFETY CONCERNS, SEEING STILL ORIGINAL PARTS THAT HAVE BEEN WARRANTIED TO REPLACE BUT HAVE NOT ON THIS VIN, GETS NO HELP AT ALL. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 11331646
19. Filed Jun 26, 2020Failure Jun 5, 202048,000 milesAkron, OHSteering, Suspension

    MAKING NOISE GOING AROUND BEND 06052020. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 11331022
20. Filed May 31, 2020Failure May 25, 2020240,000 milesWillmar, MNElectrical system, Electronic stability control (esc), Power train

    WHILE DRIVING MY CAR SPEED LOWERED AND THE TRANS TEMP LIGHT AND ESP LIGHT AND TRACTION CONTROL AND ETB MODULE LIGHT CAME CAR WON'T GO OVER 40 AND REMAINS IN LIMP MODE EVEN AFTER TAKING IT TO THE SHOP

    NHTSA complaint 11326698