Tl* the contact owns a 2009 dodge caliber. The contact stated that she heard an abnormal sound while turning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was informed that the struts needed to be replaced. The mechanic informed the contact that the undercarriage including the engine cradle was severely rusted through. The contact to the vehicle home and experienced the failure while turning. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic who found more damages to the vehicle. The contact was advised that the vehicle should not be driven until the undercarriage was repaired or replaced. Minot automotive center (3615 s broadway, minot, nd 58701, (701) 401-1019) was contacted and stated that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 64,005. *ln
2009 Dodge Caliber suspension complaints
Page 2 of 3: complaints 11 to 40 of 61, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Front subframe severely rusted and broken
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 dodge caliber. While the vehicle was being serviced by an independent mechanic, the contact was informed that the rear suspension crossmember was cracked. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 100,795.
Subframe rotted away. Causing the drivers side a-arm to rip out. The wheel was at an approximate 90 degree angle from normal position. Caused the driveshaft to pull out of the transmission and the car to immediately stop.
Transmission over heating on highway.. Front steering and suspension keep needs repaired. Noise in front when turning to the right.
Transmission overheats quickly and car loses power. Aamco has replaced it numerous times. Added external transmission cooler. Problem persists. Suspension is insufficient for this car.
Got oil change & was told my frame was rusting bad. Took to my mechanic to put up on racks and I looked at it. He said it was getting very rusted, had holes, including the "arms" that connected to wheels.
Subframe rusted cracks very dangerous frequent noises!
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.
The car is difficult to keep on the road while driving at any speed. A loss of control and loud noise felt and heard while driving over small bumps or while turning . After doing my own under vehicle inspection I noticed that the subframe where the lower control arm mounts was completely rusted through. This was my friends son's car and I recommend to him not to drive it because it was very unsafe and that he could loose complete control of the car.
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.
I took my wife's 2009 caliber to our mechanic because she heard clunking noises from the front end. We were informed by our mechanic that a piece of frame stretching across the front of the vehicle is severely rusted. The steering rack and sway bars attach to this frame work. Also front end components. The vehicle makes loud plunking noices when going over small and large bumps and much worse when hitting pot holes. No other rust is apparent on any fram work under the vehicle. This vehicle is only nine years old. I think that's extremely odd for such a young vehicle. I feel this may become a safety issue very soon and think there may have been a recall that I am unaware of.
Entire sub frame in front is rotted to the point vehicle is not driveable, do other ruset is visible in front. Vehicle began to squeal when driving and front left tire close to fell off
My husband filed a complaint this morning on our 2009 dodge caliber and he also went to talk to people at bob swope ford in elizabethtown, kentucky and they informed him there was nothing they could do about the rusting of the sub frame on our car we have only owned this car for years and we still are in debt on it ubiquitous frame is so rusty it is about to bust open and it is to dangerous for us to drive him & I both are on disability and we cannot afford to fix this problem I have talked to several people about this problem an we are all in agreement that there is no way this could have rusted that bad in 2 years so there for it had to be like this when we purchased the vehicle. I am not one to complain about anything but I just feel that this is their responsibility go take care of this problem there is no way other wise that we can drive this car and it is my only transportation back ; forth to the dr. And I am also on home oxygen so I need this vehicle to get to and fro I can't trade this one in because we owe to much on it thank you [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
We had to have a control arm and lower ball joints put in our car and our mechanic informs us that the subframe has rusted out pretty bad and we have only had this car for 2 years and it's only 8 yrs old I don't think it's our place to replace the sub frame I don't have that kind of money neither we got the car at bob swope ford in elizabethtown kentucky we have complained to them but they do not respond could you please help us get this problem solved it was checked by swope on or around the first of october and they didn't say a word about this problem
The k frame is completely rotted from rust.
The subframe is completely rusted and I have ordered a new one to replace the old one.
Two days ago I realized while driving my car, if I turned right my steering wheel felt as though I had no power steering. Rotating the steering wheel either way, was causing a loud cracking sound. When taken to my mechanic, we came to find the entire rack sub frame was corroded/rusted. They told me I should not be driving the car, because it could break at any minute. The 07 caliber has a recall for the exact same problem. At any moment it could have broke, and caused serious damage/injury. I'm also pregnant so cannot fear my car isn't safer
My 2009 dodge caliber has the same issue as the 2007 and 2008 calibers in that the main crossmember in the front steering/suspension has rotted through. The rest of the car is rust free but both the front and rear members have rotted out. This car was in colorado springs for the first 4 years of its life where they do not use salt and moved to vermont after that. At 59k miles dodge will not cover them even though they have replaced them on 2007 models extensively. There are stories of accidents and injuries but dodge is still not being held responsible for the poor quality and premature failure of the inferior steel parts. I have been a tech in the auto and truck industry for 40 years and am disgusted that there are thousands of stories online about these and millions of cars in the 2007-2009 years that are failing. Can we ask that the federal safety agency call them out on this before there are more accidents. I am afraid that I and thousands of others will have to pay out of pocket for safety issues that is clearly a failure on dodge that they are so far sucessfuly hiding from. Issues also include 2007 jeeps and stx vehicles.
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.
This car attempted to kill me twice. First the subframe rotted out due to bad design. We noticed this as the struts were being replaced - also because of bad design. This was noticed in 2014 (on a 2009 vehicle!) cost me over $1,000 to fix - dodge offered no help at all. Later in 2014 - the front drivers side arm separated from wheel, causing wheel to pop off. If I was going any faster than the 10 MPH I was going (headed to highway!), I could have been killed. Again contacted dodge and no assistance. They recalled the 2007 but not this model year for these problems. Pictures attached. I hope someone holds this company accountable! Cars should not cost thousands of dollars to repair in year 5!!!
The cross member/cradle/module front suspension was completely rusted through in one section and severe rust/corrosion on most of part. The vehicle was stationary and in for routine repair when informed vehicle was unsafe to drive and should be repaired immediately. This issue is a recall for the 2007 dodge caliber.
Customer brought vehicle in for pa state inspection. And front cross-member is rusted out and will not pass inspection. There is 101,000 miles on it, and no other rust on the vehicle. Customer thinks the extended warranty should cover 2007 - 2009 vehicles, because it's the same problem on all these models. It is unsafe to drive.
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
Summary: the vehicle was taken to the mechanic thinking there was an issue with the transmission. Mechanic states the the fluid nededed changed and found a front crossmember of the subframe completely rusted apart next to the sway bar. The 2007 model has an extended warranty that was given to extend it 10 years with unlimited mileage for the replacement of the crossmember, but they have yet to do this with the 2009 model. Obviously, the issue has continued with subsequent model years and is absolutely unreasonable to think a vehicle that is 7 years old with no other rust, should have such a serious issue.
My son was driving this car to work noticed a severe change to the steering. It cause him to veer into the other lane and luckily there was no other oncoming traffic. He was able to drive it onto work and called me to let me know of the problem. After driving just 10 feet it was obvious that it was un-drivable and unsafe. After calling the towing service they suggested that I call dodge to see if there was a recall since they had already towed other dodges of similar years with a rusted/ broken sub frames. Call local dealer with the VIN and ask to if there was any recalls for a broken sub frame. They stated that there was not a recall and did not offer to make a repair even at my cost. I took it to a local service center who had seen the same problem before on other dodges and was familiar with the repair. After $600 for the part and $600 for labor the repair was made on a car with 89,000 miles. While the car was getting repaired I was able to tell a co-worker about the recall for the exact same issue on her 2007 caliber which I discovered while researching. She was able to get hers repaired with no charge. Contacted dodge and since there is no recall they are not willing to pay for the repair at this point. They know that there is problem so I guess that means dodge stands for dodge responsibility at the cost of the consumer. I not be purchasing any mopar products in the future.
The vehicle was taken to the mechanic thinking there was a brake issue as there was a clunking and shaking while braking and turning. Mechanic states the brakes are fine and found a front crossmember of the subframe completely rusted apart next to the sway bar. The 2007 model has an extended warranty that was given to extend it 10 years with unlimited mileage for the replacement of the crossmember, but they have yet to do this with the 2009 model. Obviously, the issue has continued with subsequent model years and is absolutely unreasonable to think a vehicle that is 7 years old with no other rust, should have such a serious issue.
Rusted front subframe resulting in steering vibration and tire rubbing while driving. Vehicle was pulling hard to one side while driving on interstate. Unstable ride due to premature rusting of subframe
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.
Upon inspection of my 2009 dodge caliber I was informed that the cross member is almost completely corroded out.while driving at speeds greater than 55 MPH there is vibration in the steering wheel. My car will not pass inspection because this car is unsafe to drive. My husband contacted chrysler customer service and we were informed that this year is not recalled so basically there's nothing they're willing to do. If the 2007 was recalled and the warranty was extended for the same problem, why is my 2009 cross member rusted out? Because the same parts were used and dealerships never warned customers that this was a huge and expensive problem on these vehicles. What happened to satisfied customers??? I'm livid about this. 8 months ago before my vehicle had 50x miles on it, the transmission was replaced. And this car isn't a piece of crap right? Made in china?? I can't believe the horrible customer service that chrysler utilizes. So are they waiting for a catastrophic accident that kills somebody before they are wiling to fix this problem. We were told when we called that "there's not enough complaints about this issue that would warrant a recall." really???? So what's going to happen here is I'm going to contact my attorney and contact the local news. I am definitely not the 1st person with this same issue and safety defect. Chrysler when are you going to step up to the plate and fix your problem with these vehicles before they take the life of innocent people??? I'm disgusted beyond belief!! Can you tell???
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