Tl* the contact owns a 2009 dodge caliber. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the contact heard an abnormal noise. In addition, the vehicle was pulling to the left. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the subframe was rusted and about to detach from the vehicle. The contact called the manufacturer's recall center hotline and was informed that the failure was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and dealer were not notified. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.
2009 Dodge Caliber body complaints
Page 2 of 3: complaints 11 to 40 of 49, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Heard a clunking noise when turning and stopping, got home thinking the strut was broken and found that the sub-frame for engine, sway bar and tire assembly completely rotted and cracked on the drivers side ready to break in two. Car is unsafe to drive. Mileage 91k.
When driving the vehicle started to make unusual sounds coming from the front of the vehicle. Took the vehicle to a dodge dealer for inspection. Told that the front cross-member was severely corroded and the vehicle is unsafe to drive. Customer was informed by the dealer that this was covered under an extended warranty from chrysler. Was then told by the dealer that they could not work on the vehicle until the district service manager authorized it. The reason given was that there was additional rust found that would not be covered by the warranty. Informed that this decision could be expected in 2 to 3 weeks. Was then informed that the dealer could not offer and transportation while they waited for a decision. Still waiting.
Rusted through subframe
Subframe rotten/rusty!!!! I was driving today and my car start making weird cranking noise and it's pulling me to the right. Even though I had the wheel straight it's clearly showing it halfway to the right. It's dragging the front passenger tires and it's hard to control. Took it to an independent mechanic because there's no way I can make it home without endangering myself and others. The mechanic showed me that underneath the subframe is all rotten/rusty and falling apart. My car is 2009, it's only 8 yrs old. There's should have been a recall on this. I was surprised to see how bad it gotten. I have no choice but to have it fix.
The engine cradle is rusted through.
The k frame is completely rotted from rust.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 dodge caliber. The contact stated that there was severe corrosion to the engine cradle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine cradle and the supporting sub-structure needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 57,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 dodge caliber. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic because the ball joints had to be replaced three times in the past two years. While the vehicle was on the lift, the mechanic noticed the subframe cradle was rotted severely, front and back. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 136,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 dodge caliber. While driving 15 MPH and attempting to make a right turn, an abnormal sound emitted from the vehicle. The passenger side of the vehicle fractured and dropped to the ground. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the subframe was corroded, severely rusted, and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the extended warranty offer. The failure mileage was 111,000.
Attempted to get a wheel alignment on 12/19/2016 and was informed that the frame/subframe is extremely rusted/corroded and needs repair.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 dodge caliber. The contact stated that the cross members under the vehicle were corroded. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the cross members needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 87,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 dodge caliber. While the vehicle was at the dealer for routine inspection, the technician noticed that the subframe was rusted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 66,150.
My 2009 dodge caliber started emitting some terrible sounds while being driven in the city yesterday (10/20/2016). This occurred when turning and driving over anything but smooth road. Steering and braking were negatively affected. After stopping I lifted it up to determine the cause of this and found that the driver's side strut tower stabilizer bar had separated from the subframe. The bolts hadn't simply come loose; the section of the subframe to which the stabilizer bar attaches had torn away. There is very little rust on any other part of the car yet I can basically poke holes through the subframe with my finger.
While making a left hand turn the vehicle right front collapsed forcing me off the road. Fortunately because I was traveling at a very low speed I was able to stop on the shoulder. Had I been traveling on a multiple lane highway, passing another car or at a higher rate of speed there would have been a serious accident. Upon inspection I found that the front frame had rusted completely through and collapsed the suspension. It is quite apparent that the frame is poorly designed or constructed. Possibly both. At any rate this is a very dangerous condition that should be addressed. I notified chrysler in july and other than an acknowledgement have not heard from them. Kindly advise me if there is any action that your organization can take. Sincerely, [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 dodge caliber. A year ago, the lower control arms failed and were replaced by the dealer. The vehicle was taken to the dealer a week ago and a mechanic diagnosed that the front cross member was prematurely rusted extensively and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure more than three times, but provided no remedy. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000. ..updated 11/21/16 *bf
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 dodge caliber. While the vehicle was stationary, it was discovered that the vehicle had premature corrosion on the cross member. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 77,800.
Heard a loud noise that sounded like a broken spring on my car and took it to my mechanic, where I found out my engine cradle is completely rotted and broken in several places. I drive 30 miles to work on a major freeway, doing 70 - 80 MPH 5-7 days a week. If this engine cradle had broke completely during my commute, I would have crashed or flipped my car!! This is beyond a safety concern. I recently got rid of a 1998 vehicle that didnt have even 1/10th this amound of rust on its frame. I undercarriage flush-carwash my car every week minimum during the winter months to avoid longterm salt exposure. And my car is garage parked all the time at home. I transport my small children in this car, and am seriously considering finding a lawyer for a class action suit on this matter. There are a ton of complaints online regarding this issue. A 6 year old car should not be this rotted!!!! I
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 dodge caliber. The contact stated that while parked and servicing the vehicle, there was severe corrosion noticed on the front and rear sub frame. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the front and rear sub frame was rusted through and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 154,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 dodge caliber. While the vehicle was undergoing a routine oil change, the cross members were rotted and the engine could fall out of the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the cross members were rotted and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the failure was not common. The approximate failure mileage was 102,000. ....updated 07/05/16
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 dodge caliber. When the vehicle was taken to a local dealer for service, the technician noticed that the entire frame was rusted and needed to be replaced. There was no warning indicator. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and offered to cover the cost of the part only. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 85,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 dodge caliber. While driving 15 MPH, the vehicle made a creaking sound. A mechanic diagnosed that the main cross member was corroded. The contact notified the manufacturer. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 84,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 dodge caliber. While driving 20 MPH and making a turn, the front passenger wheel detached. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the knocker failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 125,000.
My name is [xxx] & my wife was driving down the road at about 55 miles per hour & the steering wheel lost control pulling the vehicle to on coming traffic! She nearly miss the vehicle and got control of the vehicle. She was near the place where we take our vehicles to get repaired,so she had it towed there. ) the mechanic checked it out and said the engine cradle rusted out on the driver side and broke thru. The tires were chopped up on both sides from cutting in to the front end also. The vehicle is only a 2009 .I called chrysler complaint dept.and she said that they couldn't do any thing about it because there was no recall for the dodge caliber 2009 models(only on the 2005 caliber models) she also said that she bought the same type of (used )caliper and her dad looked at it and said the engine cradle was rusting out . So she sold it.! My wife could of gotten in a head on accident because of this! We take a lot of pride in our vehicles & keep up on the regular maintenance.we also have all the records on everything that we had done with the vehicle. A person called to ask us about the complaint and we could talk to her at that time because my wife was working at that time so the person said they would call back but we haven't heard from them in about a week. Please call us about this at . [xxx] the car is repaired and we have the bill and the rusted out engine cradle if you need a picture of it. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 dodge caliber. While driving 20 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormal noise and stalled. The failure occurred without warning. Upon inspection, the rear tire deatached. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. Upon further inspection, there was severe corrosion on the crossmember which caused the axle to fracture. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 dodge caliber. When attempting to drive above approximately 20 MPH, the transmission failed and the vehicle was not able to move from first gear. The check engine light illuminated. The contact stated that the k- frame was rusted. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who advised that the contact needed to locate a dealer to have the vehicle repaired. The certified mechanic cleared all the codes for the transmission; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 171,180.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 dodge caliber. While driving at 60 MPH, the contact temporarily lost control of the vehicle. Upon inspection, the contact noticed that a part of the suspension had detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that there was extreme corrosion underneath the vehicle and that the subframe needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000. .....updated 04/15/16 *bf
Took my 2009 dodge caliber in for inspection. Front sub-frame / cross member is rotting away and almost rusted. Rest of the car has very little rust. Called chrysler customer care. Dodge is aware of the problem and extended the warranty for the 07 but not the 09 knowing the issue was not resolved. Have an appointment at the dealership (who are awesome) to inspect the problem further.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 dodge caliber. The contact stated that an independent mechanic noticed that the subframe of the vehicle was corroded. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 91,000.
Took my 2009 dodge caliber in for annual state inspection, failed because of a cracked k member (sub frame) on the left side and loose left tie rod. Shop does not do repairs. Took to another repair shop in vermont for a second look. He found that the k member corroded with holes near the mounting bolt on the k member and corrosion on the lower control arms. He ordered parts to replace the k member and lower control arms. He also replaced the outer tie rod which I had purchased after the failed inspection. Steering quicker to left than to the right before taking the car in for the failed inspection
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