Dodge Caliber cvt failure problems

Filed Nov 5, 2020 · Steering, Suspension · 178,000 miles · MI

Ok so let me start by saving lives there is a serious problem with all these caliber the subframes are rotting in half I know because I have 3 other people who have this stupid car and they rusted in half on them also things to add to this car is there is no upper ball joint which cause the lower control arms to go bad is the shocks are bad I had to replace pretty much everything and also had to replace CVT 20k miles into this hunk of crap CVT is bad and the bands they use are cheap but also seems to be a cooling problem with there set up for transmission with cause them to heat up and burn fluids chrysler shouldn't be allowed to get away with this crap and honestly you will see alot more of these cars causing people to die seriously take a look online and see for yourselves it's pretty sicking to me and I feel like y'all ain't doing your job my 30 year old camaro subframe never rotted like this and sat and driven in all weather

Filed Mar 21, 2019 · Transmission · 116,000 miles · OH

My dodge caliber 2011 is junk. The CVT transmission is shot, little over 115000. They say the transmission cannot be worked on only replaced. Driving down the highway, my car quickly decelerated to a point I almost got rear ended. Then the car could not go above 3000 RPM. Read in many forums about people having the same issue yet dodge will not help at all. Funny the same transmission is put in nissan cars and they extended the warranty on the transmissions and is looking for a fix. I'll never buy another dodge product again. If I would have been hit, dodge would be getting a lawsuit

Filed Aug 27, 2018 · Transmission · 100,000 miles · MO

Transmission failure under 100,00 miles. Took it to 3 different transmission shops and was told that this type of transmission (CVT) , which dodge only uses for the caliber is basically junk. Precision said that he's seen so many of these cars for the same problem. They don't rebuild them because of how they are made. I could take a chance on buying a remanufactured one at a cost of 1500.00 plus 650.00 labor and a year or so later have the same problem. Or a brand new one at a cost of 3000-4000 dollars. This is ridiculous. I don't understand why there isn't a recall. After researching online this is common problem with these cars. Some stating failure at only 36,000 miles. And they put these transmissions in both , 2.0 and 2.4 motors . There needs to be a recall on these CVT transmissions as they are junk and they know it. It gave me no warning. Went to work one day, tried to go to qwik trip on lunch. Car started making this loud noise when I accelerated, RPM's shot way up and then the check engine light came on. So drove it back to my job and more I accelerated the more noise it made. Had to get it towed from my job to my aunts house because it was closer than my house which is :35 minutes drive.

Filed Feb 6, 2018 · Transmission · 135,000 miles · AL

The CVT transmission keeps failing. To date, I've had it replaced under the lifetime powertrain warranty four times. Once at 17000 miles, again at 92000 miles, again at 117000 miles, and now at 135000 miles. No root cause has been identified, yet each time the same failure mode happens - warm temperature, limp mode, and eventually a screaming sound with no engagement.

Filed Jul 6, 2017 · Transmission · 81,000 miles · AZ

We bought the car new in 2011, since then every summer when we travel more than 30 miles on the hwy when its over 110 degrees out the transmission light goes on and car goes into limp mode (CVT transmission). I have been to dealer multiple times for this and advised that dodge knows and that I am to pull over and let it cool down. We live in lake havasu city, az where its over 110 degree's 3 or more months of the year. My wife was coming back from road trip on I-40 on june 21 and car went into limp mode and wouldn't go 10mph. She had to sit on side road for 30min for trans to cool before would let her resume. This is a safety issue leaving motorists stuck in 110+ degree weather on side of the road. I am still under factory warranty took it back into dodge and they did full check on trans said its fine. I even had trans flushed before the trip. I understand nissan has same issues with the CVT transmission and yet both company's continue to use these transmissions knowing the problem.

Filed Mar 4, 2016 · Transmission · WI

The CVT transmission is junk. Constantly down shifting itself, even when the cruise is set, and being drove short low speed distances. I'm not the only one complaining. Several people I have talked to that own them have the same problems. Already returned one caliber to the dealer, even after replacing the transmission it did no good. A week later it was right back in the garage

Filed Aug 28, 2015 · Transmission · 123,427 miles · NY

Highway driving at 55 MPH, tachometer suddenly went up to 4000 RPM and vehicle started to slow down and stop. No reaction from the gear selector. No more movement front or back. Call aaa and tow to garage. Informed that CVT transmission was the problem and no repair was possible. Only option was a used transmission. Car is now awaiting that repair. Also seems to be a gas pedal issue. Not sure at this point as vehicle is unopperable.

Filed Jul 31, 2015 · Acceleration, Electrical · 89,000 miles · PA · fire

The total integrated power control module (tipm) is the latest diagnosis made (7/31/15) for my 2007 dodge caliber. History: beginning in 2010 I began to notice an intermittent terrible whining noises and loss of power, which I attributed to (incorrectly) to the dodge CVT automatic transmission. The events would occur then o go away only to return again. Then beginning in 2011 the events were followed shortly thereafter by electrical component failures all of which caused me to make emergency shoulder pull offs due to significant power loss and the acrid odor and smoke of smoldering plumes of smoke. The acrid smell and smoke would stop when I shut down the vehicle; however the vehicle would not restart and had to be towed to a mechanic in each of the following documented incidents: 1/3/11 (mileage 67,877) tow and replace starter - $429.00 1/7/12 (mileage 73,943) tow and replace warranted starter - $179.00 2/14/13 (mileage 85,490) tow and replace warranted starter- $189.00 3/7/14 (mileage 97,383) tow and replacement starter - $324.03 2/15/15 (mileage unknown) replace alternator $406.00 5/20/15 (mileage 102,660) replacement starter $491.27 7/17/15 (mileage 103, 320) replacement starter $ (no charge) 7/17/15 (mileage 103, 325) unable to diagnose electrical problem 7/31/15 (mileage 103, 325) replacement (tipm) $ 1242.00 (estimate) come on dodge/daimler chrysler/fiat make this right or forever forego future product purchase

Filed Aug 14, 2014 · Electrical, Transmission · 69,900 miles · NY

I am writing to discuss a possible danger in the design of the fuse box. The fuse box under the hood of the dodge caliber appears to allow too much moisture beyond the upper seal. Every 10,15, and 20 amp mini fuse develops excessive oxidation on the contacts. The oxidation may cause malfunctions in two ways. The first is phantom error codes and check engine lights. The second is the CVT transmission may slip out of gear while driving causing sudden loss of drive power and lead to collisions. Another issue that concerns me is the potential for circuits to overheat resulting in electrical fires under the dash and under the hood of the caliber.

Filed Jan 6, 2014 · Transmission · 87,200 miles · VA

Car started making loud grinding noise under hood while accelerating during regular driving. Had independent mechanic diagnose noise. Was advised gear inside transmission 'broken' transmission will have to be replaced, cannot be fixed. Caliber has CVT transmission which had widespread/known issues. The transmission should at least last the life of a car loan when the car us purchased fairly new. Dodge refuses to take ownership of problem although it is documented all over internet including youtube . If other manufacturers are assisting in repairing/replacing these transmissions, why can't dodge. I am also interested to know of any class action suits to join based on other known issues, some I have fixed, some I hope I can get rid of the car before I encounter. Dodge marketed this car knowing of the faulty issues...isn't that criminal?