2008 Dodge Caliber: ball joint or control arm failure

Filed Dec 11, 2022 · Suspension · PA

Rear subframe rusted right through control rods snapped rear end of car dropped down. Upon researching they know that this is bad and unsafe even gave a 10 year extended warranty for front and rear subframe so how long will and how many complaints before this is an actual recall. I see here in your complaints that there is a large number of complaints on this issue. How are they getting away with this and nothing being done. I will have photos also police had said if this happened while it was on interstate would have crashed and could have been fatal. The tire would have ripped right off. So not only was my safety but the safety of the others being jeopardized cause everyone just keeps looking away at this issue. I would love to know how many of these subframes have had to be replaced I bet if you do research there is not one of them out there that either should be replaced have been replaced or will need to be replaced. Stop allowing these car companies to use sub standard parts. I am sure this will fall to the wayside along with the other 100 complaints. I will try my hardest to make sure everyone knows this is a problem that the car company is fully aware of and nobody has done anything about and keep researching on how many more this has happened to and try to get everyone to file a complaint. There was NO WARNING SIGN just broke loose passenger side of car was practically on the ground the broken control arm is what held everything up. Please can we really check into this if there is a recall at least people will know the problem exist.

Filed Apr 7, 2021 · Body, Suspension · 99,999 miles · NJ

2008 dodge caliber sub frame/k-frame front end crossmember completely rusted thru causing the driver side lower control arm to rip free from frame (seperating part of frame, with lower control arm) from rest of frame. This left driver with no control of affected wheel which turning it 90 degrees out from normal operating position. Left operator with no ability to steer while driving on main primary (35 MPH speed limit) two lane road. Car slid to halt in middle of road. Car needed to be towed. Dodge/chrysler apparently knew of this problem and never notified owner. Please see attached notice. Front and rear crossmember corrosion (x69 warranty extension) - 2008-2012 dodge caliber & jeep compass/patriot oemdtc july 17, 2017 15 comments the federal safety agency id number: 10140027 manufacturer communication number: 23-007-17 rev. B summary front and rear crossmember corrosion (x69 warranty extension) the driver of this car could have been killed or seriously hurt. It is unfathomable that dodge chrysler was allowed to get away with not notifying potential crash victims

Filed Sep 20, 2020 · Suspension · FL

I have had my 2008 dodge caliber since 2009. Since then I have replaced both tie rods 4 times. I just had them done again about 1 1/2 years ago and they are broken again. I have changed the ball joints as well.. This is ridiculous and should have been recalled I read a lot of forums and everybody complains about the same thing.

Filed Jun 30, 2020 · Body, Suspension · 190,000 miles · OH

Recently purchased a 2008 dodge caliber(ohio). On initial drive returning with vehicle I noticed a vibration coming through steering wheel. Upon inspection, was informed the tie rod ends and control arms both could use replacement, but could have been caused by the more important bad front and rear crossmembers as well as front and rear crash bars, both have severe rust development with metal deterioration which could impose a safety concern down the road. Was advise to look into replacement. Reached out to one of the local dealerships and was informed it was a bulletin, had an extended warranty, but am outside of 10 year period. Rust from crossmember is now in process of transferring to actual frame and coming through as holes in rockers now as well. Dealership offering no help after stating the enhanced safety concern. Hard to believe an 08 can deteriorate so fast. You would think with the complaints and t.s.b. As well as safety concerns, seeing still original parts that have been warrantied to replace but have not on this VIN, gets no help at all.

Filed Nov 24, 2019 · Suspension, Transmission · 22,000 miles · PA

Left and right a post much too wide hindering ability to see where the curb is in relation to the car. It also hinders the ability to see if a small animal is in the affected view. In relation to the transmission, my transmission had to be replaced right after the warranty expired. I've had to have 2 tie rods replaced. An engine mount replaced, and a strut replaced, I am also on my second battery. This car has cost me a lot of money so far. I know it's 11 years old but I've never had this many mechanical issues with any car I've owned so far. The newest problem is a grinding noise that sounds like the wheel is going to fall off before I get home safely. There is a new noise as well that almost sounds like a radial tire with an issue but my tires are all fine. I am taking it to a good mechanic tomorrow....again!! At one point while driving at about 35 MPH and starting to turn there was a grinding noise in the front end and it sounded like something fell off, I was turning left at the time. My ABS brake light came on. I slowly went to the auto dealer, and they said there was a connector that broke and also a sensor they had to order. That cost over $400 plus I needed to rent a car to get home. Not a fan of the caliber at all. I do love the style it's sporty and easy to drive, when it's not in the shop that is.

Filed Aug 19, 2019 · Steering, Transmission · 154,000 miles · CA

Left lower control arm and upper cv shaft separated from transmission while entering an on ramp, causing loss of steering and driveability. Could have been deadly had the speed been faster and any closer to the overpass barrier. I had to be towed from the side of the on ramp with the police waiving people around. I couldn't even exit my drivers door due to no traffic clearance. I was essentially a sitting duck on the shoulder of an on ramp, just a few feet shy of the overpass of the highway I had just exited to enter another highway.

Filed Jun 8, 2019 · Body, Suspension · 170,000 miles · IL

Let me start by saying that I love driving my 2008 dodge caliber and wish that it was worth repairing all of the issues that I am researching are common problems among fellow owners of this year, make and model of vehicle. As a person who pays close attention to my vehicle, repair costs have been adding up over the past couple of years. Starting with a complete repair related to the suspension including the control arms/ bushings, sway bar, ball joints, and tie rods, which has caused my 4 new tires to experience a shortened lifespan due to uneven wearing. Recently, I had my car in the shop to address a loud noise I was hearing while the vehicle was in motion. The mechanic diagnosed a long list of issues, including rusting/corrosion to the engine cradle and further problems with the suspension that in their professional opinion determined the vehicle unsafe to operate. At this point, the mechanic informed me that there had been recalls and an extended warranty implemented to address the rusting/corrosion of the sub frame, as I was unaware and did not receive any notices for any of the listed recalls. Today, I find myself researching the list of problems that the mechanic indicated with the suspension and rotting engine cradle and will unfortunately not be worth putting thousands of dollars into to make it safe, an issue that should be honoured by the manufacturer. I would like to take the proper steps to address this extreme safety concern that has been an obvious issue for many owners like myself. I wonder how many others did not receive the recall notice for the rotting engine cradle and have spent thousands in repairs on that and/or suspension malfunctions? These problems are not minor and need to be addressed, as I am sure there are many owners who have not been made aware of the recall and safety concerns this poses to operators or others in the vehicle presence.

Filed Jun 6, 2019 · Steering, Suspension · 80,000 miles · NY

This car has had nothing but problems had to replace all 4 control arms, ball joints bushings springs tie rods have spent more then $2000 between parts and labor and wore out tires do to control arms and other parts never a dodge again got fixed back had be refixed 2 weeks later after control arm rebroke

Filed Oct 23, 2018 · Body, Suspension · 130,000 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge caliber. While driving various speeds, a dragging noise was heard coming from under the front driver's side of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer (wilmington auto, 1780 rombach ave, wilmington, oh) where it was diagnosed that the front driver's side control arm was fractured due to severe rusting and corrosion of the subframe. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 130,000.

Filed Aug 5, 2018 · Body, Suspension · 147,000 miles · IL

I took car in to have ball joints replacedplus the steering and struts looked at. Mechanic showed that the frame is totally rusted through. No other work can be done on the car with this huge issue.

Filed May 24, 2017 · Brakes, Engine · 100,000 miles · TX

There are currently 0 recalls on the 2008 dodge caliber 2.0. However, a simple youtube search will bring up common issues with the lower ball joints, which cause extreme tire wear and even severe pulling to the left and right with very little control. The anti-lock breaking system as well as the throttle body are huge issues as well. However, it wasn't a youtube search that brought this to my attention but instead driving one and looking into it. To my surprise there are zero recalls on this vehicle.

Filed Apr 24, 2017 · Suspension · 38,560 miles · NY

Premature failure (38560 miles) of left lower control arm found during annual state inspection. Cost $349 to replace lower control arm and $80 for front end alignment.