IllustrationTHE SUB FRAME IS RUSTED OUT
2007 Dodge Caliber
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Caliber years
Owner complaints for the 2007 Dodge Caliber are substantially higher than the model-year median of 165.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Caliber years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
820–25K
9925–50K
14450–75K
14575–100K
192100–150K
85150K+
747 reports with mileage · 137 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Suspension. Review the 255 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 197 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Structure. Review the 158 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
54 crash reports18 fire reports28 injury reports
Suspension complaints
255 reportsI HAVE OWNED THIS DODGE CALIBER FOR 6 YEARS NOW AND THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS ON THIS VEHICLE ARE A VERY POOR DESIGN. IN THE 6 YEARS THAT I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR I HAVE REPLACED THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS 3 TIMES. BOTH CONTROL ARMS WERE REPLACED EACH TIME BECAUSE THE BUSHINGS WERE BAD, CRACKED AND SPLIT. NOW FOR THE FOURTH TIME I WILL BE…
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I HAVE OWNED THIS DODGE CALIBER FOR 6 YEARS NOW AND THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS ON THIS VEHICLE ARE A VERY POOR DESIGN. IN THE 6 YEARS THAT I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR I HAVE REPLACED THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS 3 TIMES. BOTH CONTROL ARMS WERE REPLACED EACH TIME BECAUSE THE BUSHINGS WERE BAD, CRACKED AND SPLIT. NOW FOR THE FOURTH TIME I WILL BE REPLACING THESE CONTROL ARMS BECAUSE OF THIS SAME ISSUE.
I HAVE REPLACED BOTH FRONT STRUTS BOTH SWAY BAR LINKS PASSENGERS SIDE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM AND BUSHINGS (BALL JOINTS) STILL HERE SOMETHING HITTING AND WHILE DRIVING THE CAR GOES WHERE IT WANTS IN STEERING GOES INTO OTHER LANES TO ONCOMING VEHICLES HAVE TO PULL BACK ONTO MY LANE LIKE IT LOOSES STEERING
MY COLLAGE AGE DAUGHTERS CALIBER STARTED MAKING POPPING NOISES WHEN DRIVING. WE TOOK IT TO OUR GARAGE AND WAS TOLD THAT THE CROSSMEMBER WAS RUSTED OUT. I WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS PROBLEM AND HAVE SEEN HERE THAT IS THE CASE. I REALLY BELIEVE THAT CHRYSLER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS REPAIR. I JU…
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MY COLLAGE AGE DAUGHTERS CALIBER STARTED MAKING POPPING NOISES WHEN DRIVING. WE TOOK IT TO OUR GARAGE AND WAS TOLD THAT THE CROSSMEMBER WAS RUSTED OUT. I WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS PROBLEM AND HAVE SEEN HERE THAT IS THE CASE. I REALLY BELIEVE THAT CHRYSLER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS REPAIR. I JUST SPENT $1280.00 TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM NOT COUNTING THE DANGER IT PUT MY DAUGHTER IN. NOT A HAPPY DAD!!!!
FRONT END SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE CROSSMEMBER BECAME RUSTED AND THE SUSPENSION AREA MADE A CLUNKING NOISE. GOODWIN BROTHERS AUTOMOBILE CO. IN NEW CASTLE, INDIANA WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE CROSSMEMBER BECAME RUSTED AND THE SUSPENSION AREA MADE A CLUNKING NOISE. GOODWIN BROTHERS AUTOMOBILE CO. IN NEW CASTLE, INDIANA WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 213,000.
SUB FRAME RUST ON 42,000 MILE CAR, WILL NOT PASS PA STATE INSPECTION. STEERING RACK NOT SECURELY ATTACHED TO SUB FRAME. CAR STEERS ERRATICALLY
CONTROL ARM BROKE WHEEL DISCONNECTED CAR MOVING IN PARKING LOT UNABLE TO STEER. CAR HIT POLE 15 MPH. CONTROL ARM BROKE FROM CROSSMEMBER. FCA AWARE OF RUST FCA RECOMMENDED DIAGNOSTIC FROM DEALERSHIP. SERVICE MANAGER SAID TECHNICAL ISSUE. WOULD NOT REPAIR UNSAFE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF ACCIDENT. FCA CANNOT OFFER ANY HELP. CAR …
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CONTROL ARM BROKE WHEEL DISCONNECTED CAR MOVING IN PARKING LOT UNABLE TO STEER. CAR HIT POLE 15 MPH. CONTROL ARM BROKE FROM CROSSMEMBER. FCA AWARE OF RUST FCA RECOMMENDED DIAGNOSTIC FROM DEALERSHIP. SERVICE MANAGER SAID TECHNICAL ISSUE. WOULD NOT REPAIR UNSAFE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF ACCIDENT. FCA CANNOT OFFER ANY HELP. CAR HAS HAD SUSPENSION PROBLEM FROM THE BEGINNING. $2000. IN REPAIRS 2 PRIOR MONTHS. REAR CAN NO LONGER BE ALIGNED DUE TO RUST. REAR CROSSMEMBER NOT REPLACED 2 MONTH TIRE WARE. NO TOE ADJUSTMENT. STEEL BELTS SHOW INNER REAR TIRES. BLOW OUT UNEXPECTEDLY. TOTALLY UNSAFE. WELL MAINTAINED
GOT THE CAR AND BOUGHT IT USED THERE WERE REALLY BACK IN 2914 NOBODY NOTIFIED ME ON REALMS OR EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE UNDERBODY RUSTING OUT AND NEED IT ADDRESSED I SHOULD OF BEEN NOTIFIED AND THIS FIXED IT LOSE AND MAKES CLUNKING NOISES THE WHOLE TIME I HAD CAR I WANT THIS MATTER RESOLVED THERE SHOULD OF BEEN A NOTICED SENT TO…
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GOT THE CAR AND BOUGHT IT USED THERE WERE REALLY BACK IN 2914 NOBODY NOTIFIED ME ON REALMS OR EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE UNDERBODY RUSTING OUT AND NEED IT ADDRESSED I SHOULD OF BEEN NOTIFIED AND THIS FIXED IT LOSE AND MAKES CLUNKING NOISES THE WHOLE TIME I HAD CAR I WANT THIS MATTER RESOLVED THERE SHOULD OF BEEN A NOTICED SENT TO ME
VEHICLE WAS SLOWING DOWN FOR A RED LIGHT ON US-23 S NORTH OF COLUMBUS OH. ACCORDING TO MECHANIC, SUBFRAME SNAPPED DUE TO RUST THAT HAD NOT BEEN DETECTED ON PREVIOUS TRIPS TO SHOP. FRONT LEFT CROSS MEMBER DISENGAGED AND THAT CORNER OF THE CAR HIT THE PAVEMENT AT ~30 MPH. HAD WE BEEN TRAVELING AT FULL POSTED SPEED (55 MPH) WHEN SU…
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VEHICLE WAS SLOWING DOWN FOR A RED LIGHT ON US-23 S NORTH OF COLUMBUS OH. ACCORDING TO MECHANIC, SUBFRAME SNAPPED DUE TO RUST THAT HAD NOT BEEN DETECTED ON PREVIOUS TRIPS TO SHOP. FRONT LEFT CROSS MEMBER DISENGAGED AND THAT CORNER OF THE CAR HIT THE PAVEMENT AT ~30 MPH. HAD WE BEEN TRAVELING AT FULL POSTED SPEED (55 MPH) WHEN SUBFRAME SNAPPED THIS MIGHT HAVE BEEN A FATAL ACCIDENT. CHRYSLER'S RECORDS SAY EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THIS ISSUE UNDER TSB 23-012-14 ENDED EARLIER THIS YEAR. CHRYSLER ISSUED NO RECALL ON THIS ISSUE DESPITE OBVIOUS SAFETY IMPLICATIONS. CAR WAS PURCHASED USED IN 2012 SO OF COURSE NO NOTIFICATION WAS RECEIVED FROM CHRYSLER WHEN THIS TSB WAS ISSUED IN 2014. WE DEMAND THAT CHRYSLER OWN UP TO THE SEVERITY OF THIS PROBLEM AND PROPERLY COMPENSATE ALL AFFECTED OWNERS. NHTSA NEEDS TO PRESSURE CHRYSLER TO MAKE IT RIGHT IF THEY WANT TO AVOID A CLASS ACTION SUIT.
Official recalls
417V824000 · Equipment
Dec 21, 2017
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling various Dodge, Chrysler, and RAM vehicles equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. A list of the affected trailer models is available at: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17V824-0103.pdf. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a fire.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners instructing them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began February 14, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403 or Kidde customer service service toll-free at 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information. Chrysler's number for this recall is T82.
10V234000 · Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal
Jun 3, 2010
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007 DODGE CALIBER AND JEEP COMPASS PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 7 THROUGH MAY 19, 2006. THE PIVOT BUSHINGS IN VEHICLES WITH OVERSIZED ACCELERATOR PEDAL BEARING POCKETS MAY BECOME DISLODGED AND POTENTIALLY CAUSE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO BIND OR STICK.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: SHOULD THE PEDAL BIND OR BECOME STUCK, IT CAN BE OVERCOME BY SMART BRAKES WHICH OVERRIDE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IN CERTAIN CONDITIONS.
Remedy: CHRYSLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE ALL AFFECTED ACCELERATOR PEDAL ASSEMBLIES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 29, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-853-1403.
07V196000 · Wheels:hub
May 7, 2007
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH REAR DISC BRAKES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD (FMVSS) NO. 135, "LIGHT VEHICLE BRAKE SYSTEMS." THE LENGTH OF THE REAR WHEEL HUB MOUNTING BOLTS MAY PREVENT ACTUATION OF THE PARK BRAKE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD ALLOW UNINTENDED MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS AND CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR WHEEL HUB MOUNTING BOLTS AND REPAIR THE PARK BRAKE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 8, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
06V493000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module
Dec 29, 2006
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) CONTROL MODULE SOFTWARE MAY CAUSE THE REAR BRAKES TO LOCK UP DURING CERTAIN BRAKING CONDITIONS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ABS ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 19, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1PE10012 · Sticking Accelerator Pedal
Opened Apr 29, 2010 · Closed Aug 26, 2010
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal
In their Defect Information Report (DIR) of June 3, 2010, Chrysler Group, LLC (Chrysler) notified NHTSA that it will conduct a safety recall of approximately 25,265 model year 2007 Dodge Caliber vehicles and 71 model year 2007 Jeep Compass vehicles manufactured from March 7, 2006 through May 19, 2006.The recall will remedy a defect in the accelerator pedal assembly (accelerator pedal) of the Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) system that can cause the accelerator pedal to stick in an open position and not return to the idle position when released.As stated in the opening resume, the subject vehicles (Caliber) are equipped with an ETC accelerator pedal manufactured by the CTS Corporation, the same supplier of the ETC accelerator pedal used in the recently recalled Toyota vehicles.The ETC accelerator pedal used in Caliber and Compass vehicles is not the same as those used in the recalled Toyota vehicles.They are of a different design, were manufactured using different tooling, and fail in a different manner.According to Chrysler and CTS, oversized bearing pockets in the ETC accelerator pedal housing of the Caliber and Compass vehicles allows the accelerator pedal pivot shaft bearings to dislodge from the housing.If this occurs, the accelerator pedal can stick in an open position (i.e., fails to return to the closed position) or be slow to return.Chrysler's DIR notes that the subject vehicles are equipped with Smart Brake Technology and contends that the impact of a binding or sticking accelerator pedal can be negated by its Smart Brake system.In Chrysler's view, the system enables the brake pedal input to override the throttle control system and safely depower the vehicle and minimizes the potential for safety consequences resulting from the defect in the accelerator pedal.Further, Chrysler states, as a result of the presence of this technology, Chrysler Group LLC has concluded that the condition described in this report does not present an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety.ODI does not concur with Chrysler's position that the Smart Brake technology employed in the subject vehicles eliminates unreasonable risks to safety stemming from the ETC accelerator pedal defect.Aside from the fact that the technology is applicable only to situations where the brake pedal is activated, the Smart Brake system implemented in the subject vehicles will override a stuck throttle under a discrete set of conditions.Because driver behaviors (e.g., kicking at the accelerator pedal to dislodge it, or pumping the brake pedal instead of steady application) may delay or prevent activation of the Smart Brake system in the subject vehicles, ODI believes that this Smart Brake system does not totally eliminate unreasonable risks to safety posed by this defect or the necessity of a safety recall in this case.See Safety Recall file 10V-234 for recall details.