2008 Dodge Caliber

The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Caliber. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds in the rain, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the power steering became inoperable. The battery warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that an unstated computer needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but no additional assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000. The contact stated that the vehicle is unsafe to drive and the mechanics has not found a resolution to the problem yet.

I was informed at inspection that the main front cross member has a huge hole in the center of it and is rusting out badly. At 162,356 miles this car will not pass safety inspection. This car is not safe for me or my family. No warning lamps or messages. I was told that one bad bump could do us in. We were told to contact the dealership and found out about the extended warranty that had already passed during the previous owners time. This should have been a recall, but what else can you expect from dodge.

I WAS TURNING IN MY VEHICLE FOR A TRADE IN AND DURING THE APPRAISAL TEST DRIVE THE AXEL BROKE AND IT HAD TO BE TOWED. THE GENTLEMEN STATED THAT IS WAS DUE TO RUST BUILD UP. OVER THE YEARS, I HAVE COMPLAIN ABOUT THE POWER STEERING FEELING OFF, THE CAR NOT DRIVING RIGHT, ETC AND IT HAS BEEN IN THREE PLACES WHERE THE MAINTENANCE FOLKS SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. ACCORDING TO THE BULLETIN, THESE SAME ISSUES SHOULD HAVE BEEN CAUGHT SOMEWHERE TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING. I MAY HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED BUT I AM ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY AND MOVE EVERY TWO YEARS TO INCLUDE DEPLOYMENTS WHERE I EASILY COULD HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE NOTICE. MY CAR VALUE WAS 1500 DOLLARS BEFORE IT WAS WRECKED, BUT I SHOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR THE PREVIOUS MAINTENANCE TOTALS AND THE LOST DAYS OF NOT HAVING MY CAR THE OTHER TIMES IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN FIXED. BELOW, I WILL SHOW PICTURES OF THE RUST, INSPECTIONS THAT WAS DONE IN JUNE 2018 SHOWING THAT UNDERNEATH WAS GOOD, AND PREVIOUS WORK ON MY VEHICLE WHEN I COMPLAINT OF ISSUES WITH STEERING, TIRES, SUSPENSION. NUMBER: 23-007-17 REV. C GROUP: 23 - BODY DATE: JULY 13, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MOVE AND THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MUFFLER SHOP WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CROSS MEMBER BAR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,500. *DT THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED THE SAME DAY AT THE TUNE OF $1,100 AT OWNERS EXPENSE FOR A RECALLED PART. *TR *DT THE CONSUMER PROVIDED PHOTOS OF THE DEFECT. *TR *TR

LEFT LOWER CONTROL ARM AND UPPER CV SHAFT SEPARATED FROM TRANSMISSION WHILE ENTERING AN ON RAMP, CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING AND DRIVEABILITY. COULD HAVE BEEN DEADLY HAD THE SPEED BEEN FASTER AND ANY CLOSER TO THE OVERPASS BARRIER. I HAD TO BE TOWED FROM THE SIDE OF THE ON RAMP WITH THE POLICE WAIVING PEOPLE AROUND. I COULDN'T EVEN EXIT MY DRIVERS DOOR DUE TO NO TRAFFIC CLEARANCE. I WAS ESSENTIALLY A SITTING DUCK ON THE SHOULDER OF AN ON RAMP, JUST A FEW FEET SHY OF THE OVERPASS OF THE HIGHWAY I HAD JUST EXITED TO ENTER ANOTHER HIGHWAY.

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD EVERY TIME I SHIFTED GEARS THE FRONT END WOULD JUST GO LIKE WOBBLE WOBBLE SO I SLOW DOWN FROM 45 TO ABOUT 10 MILES AN HOUR IF THAT I MADE IT HOME WITH ZAGG GOT UNDERNEATH THERE AND THE SUB FRAME IS LITERALLY BUSTED THE WAY IT SITS IT LOOKS LIKE IT DOES NOT HAVE A MOTOR IN IT ANYMORE IF I WANT TO KNOW WHAT TO DO I WOULD'VE WRECKED IF I DO NOT GET AN ANSWER SOON I AM GOING TO CHANNEL 13 NEWS I HAVE PICTURES OF WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE AND I'M GOING TO THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU IT'S A 2008 THERE IS NO WAY THAT FRAME SHOULD'VE BUSTED LIKE IT DID NO WAY I WAS ON CITY ROADS

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE KNOWING OF RUST BUT WHEN I CLIMBED UNDER IT I SEEN THE SUBFRAME IS ALMOST RUSTED ALL THE WAY THROUGH THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE I'VE HEARD OF A FEW OTHER CALIBER OWNERS WHO'S WHOLE DRIVETRAIN FELL OUT OF ENGINE BAY DUE TO THIS, THIS COULD BE A DANGEROUS PROBLEM IF SOMEONE IS DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS DODGE NEEDS TO TAKE ACTION AND RECALL THIS PART AND PUT A BETTER COMPONENT ON THE VEHICLES THEY PRODUCE