2007 Dodge Caliber: headlights failing or too dim

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 Jan 29, 2022 · Electrical, Lights · IL

Passenger side headlight and driver's side tail light not working. Bulbs have been replaced and tested as to being good. Went on internet and found this to be a very common problem with Dodge and Chrysler vehicles, many times requiring replacement of the TPIM. Grounds have been checked as good. Dealer says repair requires replacement of the TIPM for $1,600.00!! Vehicle lighting are safety items covered by vehicle laws. These are safety issues and customers should not be held hostage for ransom for their poor design. Dodge and Chrysler should be replacing these TIPMs when they start failing without cost to customers.

Filed Jul 19, 2021 · Electrical, Lights · PA

I was driving at night time and my left side lowbeam headlight went out. Then briefly after the right side. I put my highbeams on to finish my trip home and then right before I made it home they both went out. Upon having the vehicle diagnosed it would be a $1000 part plus labor known as the TIPM. My friend has his own garage and he jumped power from my foglights. My headlights now work but he said he won't be long until other things start failing. Now my dash lights went out 2 weeks ago while I was on the interstate. I immediately pulled over and tried turning the car off and on and nothing. So I turned on my hazard flashers and drove 25 miles home with no dash lights. They will flicker on and off so rapidly I turned my dimmer switch the whole way down so it doesn't distract me while driving. Apparently the TIPM in these cars is a widely known issue after very little research I found over thousands of failed units in people's vehicles. Dodge should be liable for this mess!

Filed Aug 6, 2020 · Electrical, Lights · 43,000 miles · DE

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 dodge caliber. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the headlights failed to illuminate. Additionally, the brake lights remained illuminated while driving. The contact that the driver's and passenger's side ball joints and tie rods were replaced several times at brandywine chrysler jeep dodge ram (3807 kirkwood hwy, wilmington, de 19808). The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 43,000.

Filed Feb 18, 2020 · Electrical, Lights · 90,000 miles · CA

Only one headlight will illuminate, even after replacement. This is a commonly reported issue with defective totally integrated power module (tipm) units on this model. The exact same tipm units have been recalled on other models using the part, but not for the caliber. This is a safety issue since more than one headlight can fail at any time. The consumer should not have to pay for a defect like this.

Filed Jan 28, 2020 · Lights · 78,000 miles · LA

When the headlights are turned on, the instrument panel lights and the radio lights do not come on. At first the lights would blink on and off, now they do not come on at all. This can be dangerous when traveling at night. I did a google search and discovered that this is a common problem with some dodge vehilcles. I did a the federal safety agency search and did not find a recall for this problem. This problem occurs whether in motion or stationary, on a street or highway

Filed Jul 14, 2019 · Lights · 125,000 miles · IN

The low beam headlights are failing reportedly due to failures within the tipm according to the dealership. They are charging 1600 usd for this repair in order to have a safe operating condition on the vehicle at night!

Filed May 27, 2019 · Electrical, Lights · 90,000 miles · NC

There is a known issue with the tipm in these vehicles and they have been recalled in other models with the same tipm when this module fails the headlights stop working and there is no repair other then paying dodge to fix it and they want 1000$ they have recalled other models of chrysler jeeps and dodges which have this same module but not the caliber. I believe this should be addressed. My lights failed when I was driving at night. So this is a major issue.

Filed Apr 1, 2019 · Electrical, Lights · 120,000 miles · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 dodge caliber. The contact stated that the passenger side high beam lamp was inoperable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the fuse box and electrical harness failed and needed replacement. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000. The VIN was unavailable.

Filed Jan 3, 2019 · Electrical · 110,000 miles · OH

My left headlight went out. Changing the bulb did not fix it. I was told it was an electrical issue that would cost $1000. After several months, the car started to stall out and have trouble accelerating. When the car stalls out it won't start for several minutes. I would be driving down the road at 60 MPH and the car would just die. The worst situation is when I was driving up a hill and my car stalled. I had to stop in the middle of the road and turn it off for several minutes before it would start again. I was told this was related to the same electrical issue and the tipm needed to be replaced. After doing some research, I found that this is a very common problem for this car. It was a defect in manufacturing that causes a very high number of the tipm modules to eventually fail. This is not right and should be fixed by dodge.

Filed Dec 15, 2018 · Electrical, Lights · 70,000 miles · VA

Driver side seatbelt releases itself while I'm driving, front driver headlight does not turn on even though bulb has been changed several times to rule out damaged bulb, rear tag light won't turn on when vehicle is in motion, rearview mirror light will not turn on.

Filed Sep 8, 2018 · Acceleration, Electrical · 141,016 miles · ID

This is my third time that this car has not started. For no reason with a new battery it won't turn on and has no power at all. No power to the lights, locks, radio or dash. Now it has low power and when it's turned off with no key in the ignition it's making a ticking noise every 30 seconds. I have to wait again to get this jumped and I want out of this vehicle. I've replaced the battery twice in this car within 10 months and the fuse box doesn't work for the right headlight. I don't know how to get out of this car without the dealership coming after me.