Dodge Caliber grinding brakes problems

Filed Jul 24, 2022 · Suspension · IL

Noticed the vehicle was making creaking and grinding sounds from the rear suspension. This forcing the car to struggle to reverse. Noticed a large portion of the rear suspension/subframe was rusted and was cracking.

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 Nov 29, 2019 · Suspension · 145,000 miles · IL

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge caliber. The contact took the vehicle to a tire store because she heard a grinding noise and thought there was a brake issue. The tire store representative determined that the front and rear cross members were severly corroded and needed replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and dealer were not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 145,000.

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 14, 2019 · Body, Electrical · 185,000 miles · OH

One headlight doesn't,work sub frame completely rusted, doors lock at different speeds shock and struts are horrible squeaks and makes really bad sounding noises at any speed even backing out

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 Oct 30, 2017 · Suspension · 83,000 miles · PA

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

Filed Apr 25, 2017 · Brakes, Transmission · 90,000 miles · TN

I've had the arm bar and ball joint replaced twice in a year's time, which causes a grinding noise. I've had the brakes replaced three times along with rattle clips, in the last year, with no prevail in changing the noise nor high speed-braking oscillating. A caliper has also been replaced. While sitting at stop lights, the car unpredictably stalls-- I've tried to reproduce the setting to have the issue happen when a technician tests it, but it appears to happen unpredictably. The car has leaked from some entry point to cause the floor boards to be wet, and in the last year, the sun roof seems to be leaking as I have water pouring onto me from the front dome lightt. The water is causing mold, which is not beneficial to the family I drive with. Based on the federal safety agency site and the thousands of youtube videos, these are pretty wildly known issues by dodge, despite the lack of complaints on these sites.

Filed Mar 31, 2017 · 146,000 miles · IL

Had a loud grinding sound coming from rear of car thought it was the breaks, put the car on jack took tire off off and noticed that subframe of the car was completely rotted out. Now when I rotated the tires before winter I noticed typical surface rust now there is a big hole and completely unsafe. I went on line to look it up and noticed a lot of people commenting on an extended warranty. I called dodge and was told to call corporate, corporate explained that as of august 2016 my extended warranty was expired. They told me to bring the car into dodge call them back and they would see if they could get an exception. Since 3/27/17 I've been waiting for a call back, I called 3/30/17 to find that they denied my claim when I asked for a manager they stated it would be another day before anyone would call me. Now I call them back and I keep being put on hold being told they cannot transfer me. This is a good car with a lot of life left and now dodge won't do anything for me when I've been a loyal customer. This is obviously a safety issue they know about and should grant some kind of good will assistance. Dealer ship wants over $1200 to do it. This is crazy. Any help I could get would be appreciated. I much like everyone else making the complaints cannot afford to do the work myself and can't afford to just go buy a new car.

Filed Feb 5, 2016 · Brakes, Transmission · 18,000 miles · PA

I was turning onto a state highway when my brakes made the most awful grinding noise and my ABS brake light came one. I immediately took my vehicle to the mechanic. I was told by my mechanic my brakes were bad and rotors needed to be replace and there was a sensor that had to be ordered before I could use the car after it was repaired. It had 11,000 miles!! I doubt my brakes were even bad at that point I think it was just a sensor after all. (after it cost me $480.00 plus I had to rent a car for 3 days. My transmission kept surging at the stop lights from the day I got it at 1,471 miles. So it was probably bad from day one. I should have taken it right back to where I bought it, at least it would have been under warranty. I had my transmission replaced at 30,000 miles at a cost of $6,000.