2007 Dodge Caliber AWD: ball joint or control arm failure

Filed May 4, 2016 · Acceleration, Suspension · 95,000 miles · MI

The cross member on the underside is badly corroded and should be replaced but is a little expensive. I have had to already replace both control arms, both ball joints and one had already been replaced by after market ball joint. The struts have had to be replaced as well. A car with these miles should not need all this front end work. I have seen this to be not just my situation. My cruise control worked when we bought this vehicle with 85,000 now does not work.

Filed Oct 27, 2015 · Suspension · 20,147 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 dodge caliber awd. While driving at various speeds, the front end of the vehicle made an abnormal noise. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the driver's side lower control arm needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the passenger side lower control arm needed to be replaced a year later due to the same failure. While driving at various speeds and attempting to turn right, the vehicle would shake. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the shaft axle assembly and driver side lower control arm needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however the failure recurred. The contact stated that shortly after the passenger side lower control arm needed to be replaced due to fracturing. While attempting to accelerate from a stop, there was an abnormal noise. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the serpentine belt, idler pulley, alternator, and tensioner pulley needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 20,147.

Filed Dec 29, 2014 · Suspension · 142,838 miles · ME

Front end felt like it would wobble and the drivers side tire started wearing badly. Brought it in to get the inner and outer tie rod and a arm with ball joint replaced mechanic told me to park it and don't drive it till I got it fixed.

Filed Jun 30, 2014 · Suspension · 86,000 miles · PA

I have owned this care for nearly 7 years and I am currently replacing the lower control arms for the third time. I have known multiple people with this same vehicle that have had the same issue. The first time it happened it was just out of warranty by 3000 miles, not it has happened less than 30000 miles each of the two other times. Please have dodge recall these vehicles as research shows this is a very common issue and something needs done to fix it so you can get normal wear.

Filed Jul 23, 2013 · Steering, Suspension · 38,000 miles · NJ

I purchase a used 2007 dodge caliber se 4 door sedan in october of 2008. The car had 14528 miles at time of purchase. The car always had a front end issue. In 2010, with less than 40,000 miles, I brought the car for tires because I was informed that the tires were worn on the inside tread, and it was dangerous to continue driving with them in that condition. I took the car to have the tires replaced at the cost of $600, but was informed that it was because of the design of the car that the tires wore the way they did. I took the car, with new tires to the shop for an alignment and was informed that the car was built to only be aligned in two directions and should have the ability to be aligned in three ways.the car always had a problem with steering when there was a seam in the pavement on the roadway; the front end would ?follow? The seam in the road and had to be forced to drive properly. In march of 2012, I still had a problem with the front end, but by now it sounded as if the front tires were going to go through the hood with the amount of clunking from the front end each time it hit bump in the road. He found that the left and right control arms were bad, and the bushings were broken through. This issue cost over $500 to repair. The front end issue was greatly diminished with this repair, but not gone. In february 2013, the front end started having more problems, I returned to the mechanic and he discovered this time it was the strut assembly, front struts and tie rods. I was informed that the car was so bad that he was amazed the front tire didn't fall off the car. This repair cost over $1100, but also mine and my passengers? Safety was greatly at risk while riding in the vehicle.

Filed Jan 5, 2012 · Suspension · 26,194 miles · TN

I own a 2007 dodge caliber awd and recently had the tires replaced and requested an alignment check. The tire company notified me that the lower ball joints/ control arms are bad and need to be replaced and said they have seen this problem in the caliber frequently. The vehicle has less than 30,000 miles, has never been in an accident that involved the front suspension and has only been driven on hard surfaced roads. These components should not have been defective with this low mileage. The fault was covered under warranty and repaired by the dealer, but if the part failed at highway speed, it could have been catastrophic.

Filed Oct 23, 2011 · Steering, Suspension · 17,000 miles · NH

2007 dodge caliber awd, tie rod ends had to be changed with only 17,000 miles on it. Back in sept. 2009. Now with only 29,000 miles on it . During a state inspection on 22, oct. 2011 now I am told both front lower control arms with ball joints are bad. Their should be no reason for this . The car drives only on well paved roads. What is dodge doing about this ? Dealership knows about this big problem. But can not do anything until a recall.! ! ( cost 800.00 dollars )

Filed Jul 6, 2011 · Suspension · 46,000 miles · IN

In february 2011, I had my 2007 dodge caliber r/t serviced and tired rotated, at this time firestone told me that I have bad ball joints and need them replaced, it only had 46,000 miles on it. I had it replaced and now I am having trouble with it again. Someone needs to investigate this and get it in for a recall before someone gets really hurt.

Filed Jun 24, 2011 · Suspension · 71,100 miles · NJ

2007 dodge caliber required ball joint replacement at 71,100. Vehicle was serviced regularly and was correctly aligned.

Filed Jun 24, 2011 · Engine · 71,100 miles · NJ

2007 dodge caliber awd suffered power loss, loss of braking resulting in flashing electronic throttle control light and traction control warning lights to activate. Vehicle became undrivable and had to be towed to dealer for repair. Dealer reported that replacement of throttle body was required at a cost of 500.00. Defective front ball joint was reported and replaced. A separate complaint for this has been submitted.

Filed Mar 18, 2011 · Suspension · 24,500 miles · PA

At approximately 23,700 miles, my 2007 dodge caliber rt had to have both front ball joints replaced (chrysler reimbursed for the ruined front tires that had been put on 9 months before due to this problem). Within a few weeks after the ball joints were replaced, I started hearing a noise like something lose in the front driver's side tire area. Upon having my annual inspection at the beginning of march, my mechanic told me I have a busted drivers' side strut. There is only a little over 25,000 miles on this car and this is two major problems with the suspension in less than 6 months! I keep reading of similar problems and am wondering if this is something that dodge/chrsyler is going to fix via recall (of course, the struts started making the noise within weeks of coming out of my basic 3 yr/36,000 mile coverage - I am now into extended coverage with a deductible).

Filed Dec 29, 2010 · Body, Brakes · 67,000 miles · VA · crash · 1 injury

I bought a 2007 dodge caliber and the following things have happened that resulted in a accident. 1.) the blower motor went out only 2 months after buying the car. 2.) the steering wheel controls for the volume and changing the channels have never worked. I have brought the car into the shop 14 times and the issue has never been fixed. 3.) first brake failure was about a year after buying the car and was due to the booster cylinder and master cylinder failing. Ourisman dodge put me into a rental car for about 10 days. 4.) cruise control has a mind of its own and could also be a reason why the car was in a accident 5.) transmission issue, the car has already had transmission issues where it was not able to upshift while driving and the automatic transmission was not able to be used. 6.) computer issues, when my battery died the entire computer went out and $300 later had to be reloaded and fixed 7.) the exhaust system has already failed on the car 8.) I have had the engine light go on 3 times with different sensors failing needing to be replaced. 9.) the control arm and suspension has currently failed and now has to be replaced for around $2000. 10.) everything leaks and retains water. The back lights fill with water and I have had it in the shop for this issue 3 times. The doors also fill gallons and gallons of water which will take 5 to 10 minutes to drain sometimes. The car has been brought in for that issue 2 times and never repaired. 11.) many seals have rotted in the car causing leaks and other issues to occur. 12.) second brake failure, this LED to a 3 car accident and the totaling of multiple cars. The brake pedal shook and then went straight to the floor. Cruise control was on during this braking attempt. The car hit another car going 51 MPH. Dodge has been contacted to investigate and they have not gotten back to me at this time. They were contacted on the date of the accident.