2009 Dodge Caliber: harsh or hard shifting

Filed Apr 8, 2018 · Body, Steering · 91,000 miles · OH

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.

Filed Feb 22, 2018 · Steering, Suspension · 132,656 miles · MI

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.

Filed Jul 18, 2016 · Suspension · 183,000 miles · MI

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.

Filed Mar 6, 2015 · Engine, Suspension · 86,501 miles · MA

I bought my car used in june of 2014 and thought it was in pretty decent shape at the time, little did I know. I was driving my car (2009 dodge caliber) and hit a small pothole and heard some rattling afterwards. I assumed it was maybe a clamp on my exhaust and so wasn't real worried about it and figured I would have my mechanic check it out in a week of so. I got concerned after a couple days because the rattling turned into clunking. I sent it to my mechanic and he said there was major rot on the engine cradle which was rotted and broken and both front control arms were no good and sway bar bushings also needed replacing, two days before this noise I was on the highway traveling at speed limit, had this all fallen apart I could have been killed. The cost to repair all the parts which were, as far as my mechanic is concerned, faulty and should be recalled, was $1920.13 !!! This car is 6 years old with 86,000 miles on it and should not have the rot in these places as severe as it is. I know on the dodge caliber forums many owners have similar problems with the major front end parts rotting. This is a major problem and I wouldn't even have noticed had my mechanic not put it on a lift and looked at it and even then once he took off the engine cradle to replace it he noticed the rotted parts that were covered by the cradle, thank god I didn't lose control and get killed as I travel a lot on the highway, this problem needs to be brought to light and caliber owners need to have their mechanics check out their cars before someone's engine falls out and they get killed. When I purchased this car it was most likely rotted pretty bad and I didn't know that was a defect in them at the time. I see lots of these cars for sale still on lots, people need to have the front ends inspected thoroughly before they purchase one .

Filed Oct 21, 2013 · Transmission · 65,000 miles · MA

While driving my vehicle to work, the vehicle failed to go above 30 MPH while accelerating, and a loud clunking noise began under the hood. I brought vehicle to the nearest mechanic who indicated it was a transmission issue and to bring to a dealer. There is no dodge dealer near me that would tow the vehicle and the tow would have been at my expense, so I towed the vehicle for free to the dealer whom I purchased the vehicle and they diagnosed a major mechanical failure with the CVT transmission. Chrysler has been contacted, however they are being difficult to work with due to the vehicle not being at a dodge dealer. There is no repairing the transmission it can only be replaced at a cost of over $4000! The vehicle only has 65000 miles.