2007 Dodge Caliber: grinding or squealing brakes

Filed Oct 14, 2020 · Steering, Suspension · 175,000 miles · AL

Car squeaks and clunks. Rear suspension components are extremely rusted. Feels like car is fish tailing while driving. Was driving from work and lost all control of the car. Speed was about 25mph.

Filed Jul 9, 2019 · Body · 120,000 miles · CT

While driving my son heard an abnormal noise (squeaking and clunking) was coming from under the car by the driver side wheel. Upon investigating when we grabbed the stabilizer arm on the right side it had significant movement. We grabbed the left side for comparison and it did not move. We followed the stabilizer bar and found that the point where the bushing attaches to the subframe had cracked off. While looking at the subframe closer it has significant corrosion/rust (a lot more than a vehicle with 120k miles should have). We contacted chrysler and they were willing to "warranty" (even though it is outside the warranty period) the front and back subframe however they would not cover any parts that attached to the subframe. We were told that if any bolts/parts that broke were our responsibility which could cost up to $2000 which is half the value of the car. So with chrysler covering the subframe pieces and labor (estimated $1000) technically the vehicle is totaled (combined total repair costs $3000 on a car worth $4000)....and now an 18 year old kid no longer has a car. The rest of the car is in great shape and should have easily gone another 80k miles at a minimum. Such a shame to scrap/part out a vehicle at 120k miles for a manufacturing/quality deficiency.

Filed Mar 31, 2017 · 146,000 miles · IL

Had a loud grinding sound coming from rear of car thought it was the breaks, put the car on jack took tire off off and noticed that subframe of the car was completely rotted out. Now when I rotated the tires before winter I noticed typical surface rust now there is a big hole and completely unsafe. I went on line to look it up and noticed a lot of people commenting on an extended warranty. I called dodge and was told to call corporate, corporate explained that as of august 2016 my extended warranty was expired. They told me to bring the car into dodge call them back and they would see if they could get an exception. Since 3/27/17 I've been waiting for a call back, I called 3/30/17 to find that they denied my claim when I asked for a manager they stated it would be another day before anyone would call me. Now I call them back and I keep being put on hold being told they cannot transfer me. This is a good car with a lot of life left and now dodge won't do anything for me when I've been a loyal customer. This is obviously a safety issue they know about and should grant some kind of good will assistance. Dealer ship wants over $1200 to do it. This is crazy. Any help I could get would be appreciated. I much like everyone else making the complaints cannot afford to do the work myself and can't afford to just go buy a new car.

Filed May 26, 2015 · Steering, Suspension · 79,000 miles · PA

My wife was driving my car heard a squealing noise and could not control the car. The steering seemed very lose. She was by a garage and stopped and left the car there. Today they looked at the car and send the undercarriage was shot and could not be fixed.. Can chrysler be notified of this and should we get a second opinion? Its a good thing this happened on a back road with no traffic or my wife could have been seriously injured.

Filed Apr 22, 2015 · Steering, Suspension · 92,000 miles · CT

Driving normally on a town road and I heard a thud. Steering wheel jerked and came back to center. Car swerved into the oncoming traffic lane. Drove home at a steady crawl with front end shaking and feeling real loose. Checked my front end and could see my spring binding over the strut and strut mounts were squeaking and making noise while turning the steering wheel. Strut rods were stuck and would not compress. Ordered new struts and mounts. Will be replacing as soon as they come in. Glad this didn't happen on the highway and there were no cars coming in the oncoming lane or there would have been a serious crash.

Filed Aug 27, 2014 · Steering, Suspension · 6,000 miles · NJ

I've had numerous issues with the vehicle suspension since I purchased this vehicle brand new (a 2007( around thanksgiving 2006. The first issue involved the steering and was told that both front struts, control arms and outer tie rod ends would require replacement - at 6k miles! This repair also involved replacing the rear brake shoes. The steering was making a grinding noise when parking or parallel parking at very low speeds. I had this repair performed using parts I purchased myself and a local mechanic I found on craigslist who was willing to do the labor for about $300 including the necessary 4 wheel alignment. The parts cost about $500 or so. Another issue that has been present since I brought the car home has been this rattle and clunk in the rear suspension. It seems that nobody has been able to pinpoint what the exact problem may be. I replaced the rear shocks myself thinking that might be the problem, but it still makes this annoying noise. The car has no rear sway bar. I was told it's not a control issue and have "lived with it" as annoying as it is all these years. It seems it has not affected the vehicle control, but it's a nuissance. I'm getting ready to fix this problem myself as it must be the rear control arms or toe links. This always occurs while driving over an uneven surface like a gravel driveway or a very bumpy road. It also seems that the front tie rods appear to be in need of replacement yet again as I inpsected these myself and noted theres no boot on them and getting some steering noises again, including a clunk while steering or braking at very low speeds. Might need another set of control arms (not sure yet) really feel as if dodge should address and acknowledge this as a defect and pay for these repairs - as I've been reading here and on plenty of caliber forums I'm definitely not the only one who's had these exact problems.

Filed Aug 21, 2014 · Suspension · 85,000 miles · KS

Every time I go over a bump it make a horrible squeaking/ jerking motion I've looked on there and it seems everyone is having the same issues, I replaced the struts thinking that was it and it seemed the sound got worse. I shouldn't be replacing all this that early, this car has nothing by highway miles. It literally sounds like my tires are gonna fly off. This really worries me because I have small children.

Filed Jan 6, 2014 · Transmission · 87,200 miles · VA

Car started making loud grinding noise under hood while accelerating during regular driving. Had independent mechanic diagnose noise. Was advised gear inside transmission 'broken' transmission will have to be replaced, cannot be fixed. Caliber has CVT transmission which had widespread/known issues. The transmission should at least last the life of a car loan when the car us purchased fairly new. Dodge refuses to take ownership of problem although it is documented all over internet including youtube . If other manufacturers are assisting in repairing/replacing these transmissions, why can't dodge. I am also interested to know of any class action suits to join based on other known issues, some I have fixed, some I hope I can get rid of the car before I encounter. Dodge marketed this car knowing of the faulty issues...isn't that criminal?

Filed Oct 24, 2013 · Steering, Suspension · 84,511 miles · OH

Started to hear squeaking and clanging noises in the front passenger side of my car. It would make the noises with every bump and especially could hear it going down hills. Then the steering wheel would wobble and it felt like I was driving on a flat tire, but tire pressure was fine. When it started to be all over the road, like I was constantly hydro-planning, I researched on line and found that this particular year and model of car has major problems with the control arms, ball bearings and tie rods. I made an appointment with my mechanic and told him I thought it was the passenger side control arm. He checked it out and it was both control arms with connected ball bearing, both tie rods and both sway bar end links needing replaced. He also discovered that the tires that had been put on not even 9 months ago where showing threads. Cost of repair not including the new tires and alignment was $887. Will be up over $1000.00 after tires are replaced and alignment is complete. I was afraid to drive on wet pavement, had very little control of the car. Was always correcting the steering while driving, it just pulled and when I hit a bump it would jerk to the side where the bump was.

Filed Oct 2, 2013 · Suspension · 104,000 miles · OH

Woke up to a flat tire. While placing on the spare I realized that all four tires were dangerously low on each of their inner tread. Alignment? Maybe however was aligned 7 months ago. Tire tread is within safe limits on the outer side. Have complained for years to the dealer that the suspension squeaks and was told need new wheel bearings, at approx. 35,000 miles. The suspension has been an issue about a year after we bought it. Of course while under warranty nothing was replaced or fixed. Now out of warranty we will have to have someone figure out the problem and fix for who knows how much money. My complaint steams from having suspension issues within the first two years of owning this car. How does this happen? I have seen many posts on online forums with the same problem but dodge doesn't care or willing to fix their mistake? While we have driven it to over 100,000 miles the suspension issues have been there for years and no dealer ever fixed anything? No recall? It now is unsafe to drive and will cost us an arm and leg to fix whatever dodge didn't care to put research into building properly the first time.

Filed Jul 27, 2013 · Steering · 30,000 miles · NH

Bought 2007 caliber brand new at about 30,000 miles heard grinding and thunk noise when making a right hand turn went to dealership they stated the right tie rod was bad and needed to be replaced. (of course warranty was expired.). I called chrysler and of course they did nothing and I filed a complaint with them at that time but had to pay out of pocket. Now it's three years later and my vehicle did not pass inspection due to the tie rod & wheel being loose. Why is there no recall for this problem? Never again chrysler!!

Filed Nov 6, 2012 · Suspension · 56,000 miles · SC

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 dodge caliber. The contact was driving 35 MPH and traveled over a road bump when the front of the vehicle exhibited an abnormal grinding noise. The contact stated that no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or a mechanic for inspection. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 56,000.