Dodge Caliber AWD ball joint problems

Filed Dec 5, 2018 · 47,500 miles · PA

My 2008 dodge caliber would not pass inspection 2 weeks ago. The rear cross member is rotted out, the front control arms are also in need of replacement. There was a k frame recall on 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011 & 2012, but not 2008. The car was unsafe to drive and it has ruined my new tires. I drove the car back to my house and parked it. It is going to cost me $2000 for repairs. My extended warranty expired january of 2018.

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 I have had to already replace both control arms, both ball joints and one had already been replaced by after market ball joint.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 Sep 26, 2013 · Suspension · 40,000 miles · NY

Found both lower control arm's worn to a point where the tires had to be replaced also. And the vehicle would not pass nys inspection because of worn ball joints.

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 Nov 6, 2012 · Suspension · 38,000 miles · PA

Front tires prematurely worn out due to both lower control arms and both lower ball joints failing completely. Car has 38k miles and is garage kept. Had to buy 4 new tires at a cost of $650.00 and now both control arms and ball joints at a cost of $580.00. Vehicle is not road worthy. This should not happen with these low miles. The mechanic said the front wheels were very close to falling off of the car. Can you help?

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 )