2007 Dodge Caliber: sudden unintended acceleration

Filed Jan 26, 2026 · Brakes, Electrical · 154,000 miles · CA · crash

The contact owns a 2007 Dodge Caliber. The contact stated that the ECU had been hacked. While driving on the highway at 70 MPH, the brakes applied without application, but I was able to move to the right lane. The vehicle was able to pull over safely, and it stalled. While parking with the foot on the brakes, the vehicle suddenly accelerated and crashed into a small pole. There was no reported fire, airbag deployment, police report filed, or injuries. While in neutral, the vehicle suddenly accelerated. The driver was able to shift to neutral. The vehicle was making an abnormal growling sound. There was no light inside. While using the headlights, the windshield wipers turned on for five minutes. After locking the vehicle, the headlights remain on. While using the turn signal, the windshield wipers engaged without application. While driving in the rain, the vehicle hydroplaned. The contact stated that someone stole the key fob, made copies, hacked into the vehicle, and was controlling the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing, which confirmed the vehicle was working as designed. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was approximately 154,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Oct 25, 2019 · Acceleration, Airbags · 163,000 miles · GA · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 dodge caliber. While exiting a parking lot, the vehicle accelerated without warning into a busy street, crossed over train tracks, and crashed into a train. The passenger side of the vehicle went under the train. The air bags failed to deploy. There were no injuries and a police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 163,000. *dt*dt *tr *dt

Filed Feb 2, 2015 · Acceleration, Body · 55,000 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 dodge caliber. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the accelerator pedal became stuck causing an unintended acceleration. The contact also stated that the front driver side door handle and locking mechanism fractured and the door could not be secured. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the door hinge needed to be replaced. No further information was available on the conditions of the vehicle. The initial failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 55,000.

Filed Jun 20, 2013 · Engine · 65,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 dodge caliber. The contact stated while driving 25, MPH the vehicle lunged forward violently then stalled after the check engine light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnosis and the contact was notified that the PCM would need to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The contact also mentioned that the failure recurred and was taken to the dealer several times. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 65,000.

Filed Mar 23, 2012 · Acceleration · 81,800 miles · IL

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 dodge caliber. The contact was driving 35 MPH when the brakes were depressed and the vehicle lunged forward abnormally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but the manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 81,800 and the current mileage was 82,600.

Filed Aug 16, 2011 · Acceleration, Electrical · 88,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 dodge caliber. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 to 50 MPH, all of the lights on the instrumental panel illuminated and the engine began to lose power before there was an increase in the engine rpms to 8,000. The vehicle then began to suddenly accelerate and when the brakes were engaged, the smart braking system activated. As a result, the vehicle fish tailed. The contact lost control of the vehicle, but was able to maneuver to the side of the road. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but offered no assistance because the vehicle was not included in the recall associated with the federal safety agency campaign id number 10v234000 (vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal) and the warranty expired. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 88,000. The consumer stated around 30,000 he began to experience major electrical problem. The lights, car alarm, power windows and power locks were all affected. The radio, horn and LED panels were having minor issues. The vehicle was still under warranty, so therefore the dealer fixed the vehicle in a timely fashion. The vehicle performed as designed up until 50,000 miles when the problems returned. However, only the power locks and car alarm were affected. The vehicle was no longer warranty and since they were minor, the consumer learned to just live with. However, on august 4, 2011 as the consumer was driving, the vehicle suddenly went haywire. The instrument panel was blinking on and off, the dome lights were flashing, the radio shut off and the brakes stopped functioning. The vehicle the accelerated out of control and the consumer lost control of the vehicle. The ABS light illuminated and the vehicle started braking itself to compensate for the acceleration. The vehicle then fish tailed as the consumer was trying to make a left turn. Updated 09/29/11. Jb

Filed Aug 9, 2011 · Electrical · 88,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 dodge caliber. The contact was driving 30 MPH when all of the lights on the instrument panel illuminated and the vehicle suddenly accelerated. The contact also mentioned that after the ABS lamp illuminated, the system engaged which caused him to temporarily lose control of the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was out of warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 88,000.

Filed Feb 9, 2011 · Acceleration · 43,000 miles · NM

Tl*the contact owns a 2007 dodge caliber. The contact stated that when he depressed the accelerator pedal, there would be a slight delay in acceleration and then it would suddenly accelerate quickly. The brakes only slowed the vehicle down slightly. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who stated that there was an issue with the accelerator pedal but was unsure of exactly what was wrong. The failure mileage was 43,000 and the current mileage was 55,000.

Filed Dec 2, 2010 · Acceleration · 67,000 miles · CO

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 dodge caliber. The contact stated while traveling 50 MPH, the accelerator pedal became stuck in the open throttle position and the vehicle independently accelerated to 80 MPH. The contact was unable to stop the unintended acceleration by applying the brakes. The contact repeatedly tapped on the accelerator pedal until it released. The contact had not experienced the failure before incident. The dealer advised that the failure was caused by a fractured piece of the accelerator pedal assembly. The contact believed that failure to be the same as the federal safety agency campaign id number: 10v234000 (vehicle speed control:accelerator pedal) which the vehicle was included in the recall but not yet repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage and current mileages was 67,000.

Filed May 27, 2010 · Acceleration · 30,000 miles · CA · crash

I was driving my 2007 dodge caliber in the parking garage at work. I was turning into a parking spot and had just taken my foot off the accelerator and was applying the brake when the car surged forward suddenly, went over the tire stop and struck the wall causing damage to my vehicle.

Filed May 5, 2010 · Acceleration · 35,000 miles · CA

In jan 2009 I purchased a 2007 dodge caliber. Immediately - I noticed the car surge forward (very slightly) even when my foot was off the gas pedal (coming to a stop). It was so slight that at first I thought it was my imagination. This problem has continued (to date). I am a confident driver, and this slight surge happening periodically (seems about every 100 miles or so) - did not feel like it posed a risk to me. I do warn people wanting to borrow my car to be careful and what to expect if it happens and how I handle it. I am reporting it now because I read in our local paper (in a very small ap story) that there is a probe and only 5 people reported have filed complaints. Although I feel, as an experience and confident driver I find the "problem" to be manageable too me. I would never let a "new" or "inexperienced" or "not skillful" or "elderly" driver behind the wheel of my car. I would be afraid that the surge may panic the driver and potentially cause them or others harm.

Filed May 4, 2010 · Acceleration · 60,000 miles · MO

Tl*the contact owns a 2007 dodge caliber. While driving approximately 50 MPH, the accelerator pedal stuck to the floor. The vehicle surged forward until the contact applied pressure to the pedal in order to release it. The failure occurred three times. The contact took the vehicle to an authorized dealer where it was repaired for the failure. The failure had not occurred since the vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000. The current mileage was approximately 85,000.