Dodge Caliber won't start problems

Filed Aug 15, 2022 · Engine, Fuel system · WA

The problem initially occurred in early November of 2020 when the vehicle would unpredictably stall at a stop sign or traffic light and would not immediately start for a couple minutes. After this short wait of 1 to 3 minutes it was possible to restart the car and move forward normally and the car could be driven without stalling for 2 or 3 miles when it would stall again and the engine would not start again for 2 to 3 minutes. In traffic situations this was unsafe to not be able to move the vehicle to a safe distance from heavy traffic. Finally, the problem started to occur after the vehicle was supposedly repaired and not driven for 2 -3 days and when it an attempt to start the car it would idle for 3-5 seconds and sound like it was choking before dying, and this was happening 2 weeks after it had been "repaired" by the Dodge dealer. This problem has repeatedly occurred over the two years since the original incident and has been to a Dodge dealership for unsuccessful repairs 4 different times; 11/20; 04/22 &05/22 and it is still at the dealership being inoperable. Each time the car functioned for a few miles and then broke down again. The dealer informs us that the parts that would most likely repair the car are no longer made by Dodge and the car cannot be fixed. Interestingly enough this model vehicle has had a variety of recalls starting in 2007 but never for the particular control modules that are no longer available which are The Throttle control & Power Train Control modules, which the Dealer thinks might possibly be a fix but even that is not a sure thing. The Dodge dealer that worked on the vehicle presumably would have informed me about this situation at least before they had the vehicle in for now the 4th time in 3 years with the same problem with no solution. Up to the time of these breakdowns the vehicle was well maintained and taken care of and still has low mileage of just over 69,000 miles. Is the Dodge Corporation at least partially liable?

Filed Dec 24, 2020 · CA

My car just turned off while driving and hasn't started again I have a no bus error on the odometer and I changed the crankshaft sensor and crankshaft position sensor and still won't start but all the lights and locks still work

Filed Dec 20, 2020 · Steering, Suspension · 198,000 miles · TN

I have a 07 caliber bought off a individual cash price.wasn't aware of the concern issue with the front left broken struts,. No start or no crank due to theft system wireless control module. ... Water leak from sun roof drain tubes. ... Blown struts. ... Engine and transmission control modules may need to be updated at the same time. ... No start or no crank due to theft system issue. ... Excess drain on battery due to faulty radio.as well moan type noise from exhaust squeek noise from clutch pedal AC compressor and condensor replacment due to "slugging" condition noise from HVAC blower motor due to debirs swish sound from rear suspension software update for steering angle sensor fault whistle sound from left outside mirror assembly metallic rattle sound from liftgate driving around town

Filed Jul 7, 2020 · Driver assistance, Electrical · AZ

I have had this problem since the beginning of ownership. The car won't start, I have had so many batteries thinking this was the problem. The car won't start even with a new battery or the battery will have to be replaced within months. I plan to go somewhere and can't because it won't start...like right now. I haven't been able to start it in days. Sometimes by wiggling the wires I can start it but now it is so bad it won't start.

Filed Feb 15, 2019 · Electrical · 117,777 miles · MN

While driving vehicle during winter, heat shut off. After turning heat back on (moving knob to off position and then back on) there was an electrical smoke smell in the cabin. Once the vehicle was parked, a large amount of smoke appeared to be coming from the air conditioner blower control knob and the area above the knob was hot to the touch almost to the point where I was concerned that I may need to call the fire department to have them check for fire. When car was turned on again, the blower motor would not start.

Filed Feb 14, 2019 · Electrical · 107,000 miles · NY

Dodge put the relay box right behind the driver side wheel well and this causes the snow, water, ice and elements to get into the relay box and corrode the relays and the actual relay box, this is a problem with a lot of the calibers going back to 2007 that I know of. This will cause your car not to start out of the blue, and the wires get corroded going from the fuse box to the relay box as well. Not sure why they would put this type of electrical equipment in front of the wheel well where the elements can get inside and do damage to electrical equipment that can be very pricy. This happened to my car with no warning, no acting up or issues, just died and would not start, my battery is brand new, it's not the starter it's the corroded relays and relay box.

Filed Jan 16, 2019 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 160,000 miles · IN

Dash warning lights all come on, interior light comes on when using right turn signal, loses power only up to 40mph , sometimes won't start, odometer gauge flapping around, which are current problems,have replaced suspension three times, and replaced computer! Will never purchase a dodge again!

Filed Jan 3, 2019 · Electrical · 110,000 miles · OH

My left headlight went out. Changing the bulb did not fix it. I was told it was an electrical issue that would cost $1000. After several months, the car started to stall out and have trouble accelerating. When the car stalls out it won't start for several minutes. I would be driving down the road at 60 MPH and the car would just die. The worst situation is when I was driving up a hill and my car stalled. I had to stop in the middle of the road and turn it off for several minutes before it would start again. I was told this was related to the same electrical issue and the tipm needed to be replaced. After doing some research, I found that this is a very common problem for this car. It was a defect in manufacturing that causes a very high number of the tipm modules to eventually fail. This is not right and should be fixed by dodge.

Filed Nov 3, 2018 · Electrical, Steering · 190,000 miles · TX

Electrical throttle control light has popped up several times and I've noticed it's when it has rained. When this happens, the car slows down and causes forcefully pull over and shut the car off. It doesn't start after the first few tries and eventually does. The car began to overheat after driving it over 60mph for about 20mins. The car has given me the engine coolant temperature warning symbol when this happens, making an ugly almost screeching sound,slows down the car until I can't push the gas any longer causing me to pull over to turn off the car until it restarts again. The car is beginning to over heat after driving it for a long period of time over 20 mins this will began to happen. I've put coolant recently and not sure if there's a hole in the reservoir but I've done what I could to get this fixed. The car jolts after 3rd gear especially going up hill.

Filed Nov 26, 2017 · Electrical · 76,000 miles · UT

Car stopped while driving several times and then would t start at all. Replaced fuse and it ran for a little bit and then wouldn't accelerate over 40. After getting back home engine wouldn't start at all or it would take almost 30 minutes to try and it would sometimes fire up. Now it will not start at all. Starter is new and the only other thing we can think is maybe electrical. That and the lack of acceleration are major problems and it needs to be addressed!