2007 Dodge Caliber: harsh or hard shifting

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 Dec 17, 2019 · Suspension · 151,000 miles · IL

Vehicle rusted front and rear sub frame with perforation, while driving car, a clunking sound started to occur from underneath. The car began to feel unstable to drive and is especially bad when turning corners or hitting a bump. After taking it to a shop the mechanics informed me that the k frames or sub frames were completely rusted and would need replaced, vehicle front sub frame rusted through with holes and excessive rusted components in rear suspension components. Cause. Excessive corrosion due to normal exposure to environment and normal driving conditions. My vehicle was excluded from a recall. The vehicle was built with the same parts as the vehicles that got covered by the existing recall. And has identical corrosion failures as the vehicles included in the recall

Filed Oct 21, 2019 · Body · 170,000 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 dodge caliber. While driving at low speeds, the contact heard knocking and clunking noises from underneath the vehicle when driving over bumps in the road. The contact took the vehicle to tate chrysler jeep dodge frederick (5629 buckeystown pike, frederick, md 21704, (301) 663-6126) where it was diagnosed that the inner and outer tie rods needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure continued. The manufacturer was not notified. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.

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 Apr 20, 2019 · Suspension · 119,000 miles · IN

While driving car, in my extremely busy city, a clunking sound started to occur from underneath. The car began to feel unstable to drive and is especially bad when turning corners or hitting a bump. After taking it to get a power steering line leak repaired, the mechanics informed me that the k frames or sub frames were completely rusted and would need replaced. I bought this car used in hopes of giving it to my teenage daughter when she gets her driver's licence next month. After looking for recalls, I see that the extended warranty ended just last year. I need to get back and forth to work and I cannot afford the repair. At only 119,000 miles this should be on the recall list. This appears to be a common issue among dodge calibers and is very unsafe!

Filed Feb 1, 2018 · Suspension · 213,000 miles · IN

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 dodge caliber. While the vehicle was stationary, the crossmember became rusted and the suspension area made a clunking noise. Goodwin brothers automobile co. In new castle, indiana was made aware of the failure and stated that the extended warranty had expired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 213,000.

Filed Dec 6, 2017 · Body, Suspension · OH

Got the car and bought it used there were really back in 2914 nobody notified me on realms or extended warranty on the underbody rusting out and need it addressed I should of been notified and this fixed it lose and makes clunking noises the whole time I had car I want this matter resolved there should of been a noticed sent to me

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 Jul 10, 2014 · Suspension · 125,000 miles · OH

While turning left, I started to notice an occasional clunk which seemed to be coming from the front driver's side. Within a day, it turned into a constant clunking as I was driving, even while going straight. It was obviously not safe and we took it to the shop. As others have discovered, my entire under carriage is rusting away. I also had to replace ball joints and lower control arms at around 50,000 miles. They say this needs to be done again. The fuel pump had to be replaced a couple months ago. The tires need more frequent replacement as well due to the control arm issues. Serious problems with this vehicle and there should be more recalls than just the recent one. Specifically, with the control arms, the mechanic said he's seen them fail at under 25,000 miles. Absolutely ridiculous!

Filed May 9, 2014 · Body, Suspension · 64,000 miles · MI

I noticed a periodic clunking sound coming from underneath. Upon inspection by the dealer, the k-bar or k-frame, which is the part that holds the front suspension together, was found to have completely rusted through. It is completely rotten. Chrysler was contacted and will not help with thus $1400 repair. The vehicle has only 64000 miles on it. I have never had to replace this part in any vehicle I have ever owned. This is a serious safety issue.

Filed Mar 18, 2012 · Suspension · 48,000 miles · IA

May 2011 heard a clunking noise. 48000 miles on 2007 dodge caliber. Had it checked out and ball joint and control arm needed replaced and 4 new tires that were worn from the vehicle alignment caused from these issues. Now march 2012, we had issues with squeaking noise on left side and had it checked out. Hot burning smell noticed and had broken coil spring and strut that we're causing wear on tire. We will never by a dodge again!

Filed Nov 29, 2011 · Suspension · 45,000 miles · CA

My 2007 dodge caliber recently started making a clunking noise on the front when going over speed bumps and things like that. I took it to a shop and am being told the ball joints are bad and I have to replace control arms along with ball joints because they are attached to each other. I only have 45000 miles on the car this is outrageous. I hope my extended warranty will cover the repair. I am just glad that my wife was not in the car with our baby when the ball joints failed and got them into a serious wreck. It is too bad that things like that have to happen hundreds or thousands of times before a recall is done. This requires a recall! Manufacturer defect!