8.8

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$480
Average Mileage:
96,000 miles
Total Complaints:
8 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (4 reports)
  2. update computer module and replace throttle body (3 reports)
  3. repair fixed the problem (1 reports)
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problem #8

Dec 062015

Caliber RT 2.4L

  • CVT transmission
  • 138,765 miles

I own a 2007 Dodge Caliber R/T AWD, have replaced everything, front wheel bearings, brakes, battery, alternator, lights dimmer switch, now alternator and now the ETC (Electronic Throttle Control) warning light is on and is setting off all sensors on car. Will cost $800 brand new to replace not including mechanic fees, can't find one used at all. This car has so many problems one after the other. The whole car will be brand new soon.

- Shannon W., Southwold, ON, Canada

problem #7

Nov 212014

Caliber

  • Automatic transmission
  • 105,000 miles

My car started sputtering and would not reach speeds over 10mph. I put flashers on and drove to nearby mechanic. I looked up recalls and safety sites, for this was very unsafe. I found sites for accelerator pedal sticking, safety issues dealing with the throttle body. I am paying for repairs but also looking into why Dodge put me in this unsafe situation. I have a heart condition and was very afraid driving it while it was sputtering and shaking and not driving safe at all.

There are prior safety complaints... VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL Date Investigation Opened : April 29, 2010 Date Investigation Closed : August 26, 2010

Summary: In their Defect Information Report (DIR) of June 3, 2010, Chrysler Group, LLC (Chrysler) notified NHTSA that it will conduct a safety recall of approximately 25,265 model year 2007 Dodge Caliber vehicles and 71 model year 2007 Jeep Compass vehicles manufactured from March 7, 2006 through May 19, 2006. The recall will remedy a defect in the accelerator pedal assembly (accelerator pedal) of the Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) system that can cause the accelerator pedal to stick in an open position and not return to the idle position when released. As stated in the opening resume, the subject vehicles (Caliber) are equipped with an ETC accelerator pedal manufactured by the CTS Corporation, the same supplier of the ETC accelerator pedal used in the recently recalled Toyota vehicles. The ETC accelerator pedal used in Caliber

Report Receipt Date: JUN 03, 2010 NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V234000 Component(s): VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL All Products Associated with this Recall expand Details close 18 Associated Documents expand Manufacturer: CHRYSLER GROUP LLC SUMMARY: CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007 DODGE CALIBER AND JEEP COMPASS PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 7 THROUGH MAY 19, 2006. THE PIVOT BUSHINGS IN VEHICLES WITH OVER-SIZED ACCELERATOR PEDAL BEARING POCKETS MAY BECOME DISLODGED AND POTENTIALLY CAUSE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO BIND OR STICK. CONSEQUENCE: SHOULD THE PEDAL BIND OR BECOME STUCK, IT CAN BE OVERCOME BY SMART BRAKES WHICH OVERRIDE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IN CERTAIN CONDITIONS. REMEDY: CHRYSLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE ALL AFFECTED ACCELERATOR PEDAL ASSEMBLIES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 29, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-853-1403.

- kristeenlevin, Clarksville, TN, US

problem #6

Apr 122014

Caliber SXT

  • Automatic transmission
  • 140,000 miles

My car stalled while driving on the highway with a red lightening bolt on the dash. Turned the car off for about 5 minutes and it started up fine and the lightening bolt went away. Drove my car without issues for about a month when it happened again driving through town. Now, when the car is running, there is absolutely no power when you step on the gas.

My dad hooked a computer up to my car which read code P2119 -Throttle Actuator. So first thing, we did a complete oil change and used some sort of cleaner. When we started the car up...same thing. The next thing we did was replaced the gas peddle thinking it might be the sensor but nothing changed. The last thing we did was replace the actual throttle body which did the trick but cost me $350 out of pocket.

- darasontario, Keswick, Ontario, canada

problem #5

Aug 252014

Caliber SXT 2.0L

  • CVT transmission
  • 70,000 miles

Now, with all my other complaints about this "thorn in my side" (that I have a car payment on) The ETC light is coming on now? My husband has to drive this P.O.S. every day to work. If I have to NOW replace the Throttle Body Unit on top of all the other frickin' problems I am not going to be a happy camper. I WILL do most of the work MYSELF. I will NOT pay Dodge or use MOPAR parts. I will NEVER EVER own another Dodge/Chrysler product. I should have known better since the fiasco with my father's brand new 1979 Dodge Magnum that was a thorn in his side~

- Susan M., Glen Lyon, PA, US

problem #4

Oct 022013

Caliber SXT 2.0L

  • CVT transmission
  • 121,000 miles

Car stalled all the time, lost power, and hard to accelerate. Dodge charged me $600 to update 7 versions of computer module when that should be their problem since the car wouldn't even run properly! Apparently the RPMs were initially set too low at idle and that was fixed by one of the updates. Then they replaced the throttle body by suspicion. Dodge screwed me over major with this car and the mechanics there even agreed it is a bad model they shouldn't have made! Stay away from it!

- crankycaliber, Lenexa, KS, US

problem #3

Jul 082012

Caliber

  • Automatic transmission
  • 87,000 miles

First my car started to sound like a dryer full of ball bearings & the ball bearing The OEM ones in the alternator went out. There is no replacement pulley so the whole alternator had to be replaced $600+ (found out this is a common problem in 2007 dodge calibers glad I caught that before it caught fire)…

then while pulling out of the parking lot my tire fell off due to faulty/worn-out I ball joints and upper and lower control arms.. HAD TO REPLACE BOTH BALL JOINTS AND UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARMS ON THE CAR AND PRETTY MUCH THE ENTIRE FRONT END SUSPENSION $1400+! (This is a major complaint with these cars as I have found online. I have read over 200 different complaint statements it makes me sick)not to mention my ABS light was on and they had to change out my speed sensor 100 +..

Now what has been happening is my ck engine light came on 2 weeks after the entire front end suspension was replaced when I drove the car it would shake and acted like it was losing power and would not let me accelerate past 35 mph. I took it in it had several stored codes. one was then intake manifold was stuck and the other was the camshaft.. they cleared it out and only the manifold came back up so they said I had to replace that. we did (another $800 + down the drain) I picked it up and a day later it was doing the same thing now saying mult. Cylinder misfire and camshaft they cleared it and test drove it but it did not come back on so the Dodge tech. has no clue what to do to fix it and no clue on the cost (crazy thing.. this has also been a problem on 2007 Dodge Calibers) This has all happened with in the last 3 months and my car has about 86000 to 87000 mi on it (cant tell you the exact amount as its in the shop)! I’m fed up this car is falling apart and no car with this mi and age should. As I have read Dodge knows of these issues and has done nothing about it I have also called and made my complaint no call back yet..

if you know of any open lawsuits on this let me know as I’m in! I would even be happy if Dodge would reimburse me for these issues as obviously they are well documented known issues.. I have spent way to much on this car in 3 months and @ 7 months pregnant with a 6 year old I need a safe reliable car!

- Kally E., Conroe, TX, US

problem #2

Nov 052010

Caliber

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles

I brought my 2007 Caliber to our local Firestone to have them check out why my car kept stalling. The stalling would happen within 15 minutes of driving and the car would start right back up after I drifted over to park at the nearest safe spot. The 'electronic throttle control' warning light shows up on my dashboard so I explained to the Firestone mechanic that I'd like him to check it...I spent $100 to have the mechanic explain to me it would cost $500 to fix it. I decided to get a second opinion.

I called up the Dodge complaint/recall number and got a 'case manager' on the phone to explain the car's problems to. She told me to take the car to our local Dodge Dealer and have THEM run a diagnostic on it. So tomorrow I will drive this car (hopefully it won't stall on the way) to the dealer and see what they have to say. The case manager told me this was not a recall item. The car is not under warranty. I will find out tomorrow how much this problem is going to cost me. If I end up spending $500 I will be looking for another vehicle in 2012.

Update from Feb 5, 2011: Followup: Unfortunately, I was unable to drive my car safely to our Chrysler Dodge dealership so I had to shell out $50 for a tow truck. I ended up paying $791.05 for repairs on 12/17/10.. It was the Throttle Body replacement plus a tie rod replacement and a high beam bulb for my headlights that added up to that amount. I had been in touch with Chrysler and had complained about this situation so they refunded me $395.52 for the repair bill. I was pleased to get a remittance check on 12/22/10. As of today, 2/05/11, I have had no other mechanical issues with the Caliber.

- mojo11, Janesville, WI, US

problem #1

May 012010

Caliber

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,923 miles

My Caliber lost power one day while driving on a normal flat road surface. I'd put the gas peddle down completely but still no power, idled at 2000RPM, speed approx 20km. I took my car to MacIver Dodge but as usual they were totally useless so I took it to my regular garage but they couldn't get a reading on the diagnostic. I knew that it was a throttle issue as I had looked up the code in my manual and had a similar problem with another Dodge vehicle years prior. I asked to have service done on the throttle body and they discovered that it had completely carboned up. Problem solved? not yet. Had it cleaned again about 3 days later. Still not fixed. Took it to another shop (Chevalier in Aurora). We had to replace the throttle body and wiring twice. I am just afraid that this is going to happen again and then what's next? Perhaps the transmission will start slipping. I have spent almost $4000.00 in the past year on a car that is probably worth maybe $6000.00 (traded in) if I'm lucky.LOL The Caliber is a piece of junk.

- broke, Bradford, Ontario, Canada