2008 Dodge Caliber

WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING, THE FRONT SUBFRAME CROSSMEMBER RUSTED THROUGH, CAUSING HER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR AND SHE COULD NOT SAFELY OPERATE IT WITHOUT REPAIR. I MANAGED TO GET IT TO A FIRESTONE FOR THEM TO LOOK AT AND THEY REFERRED ME TO A DEALER AND TOLD ME NOT TO DRIVE IT ANYMORE BECAUSE IT IS UNSAFE. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT DODGE KNEW ABOUT, BUT FAILED TO NOTIFY ME ABOUT. I ONLY FOUND OUT ABOUT THE PROBLEM FROM THE DEALERSHIP, WHO TOLD ME THAT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT COVERS THIS PROBLEM HAD EXPIRED IN 2018 AND THAT I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST OF ANY REPAIRS. I OWNED THE CAR DURING THAT TIME AND I DID NOT KNOW OF THIS PROBLEM, SO I COULD NOT ACT ON GETTING IT REPAIRED. THIS NEVER SHOULD HAVE BEEN AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL BECAUSE OF THE POTENTIAL TO KILL PEOPLE WHEN THE SUBFRAME RUSTS OUT. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING IN A PARKING LOT AT THE TIME AT A RELATIVELY LOW SPEED, BUT HAD THIS HAPPENED ON A HIGHWAY IT COULD HAVE KILLED HER AND MY SON, AS WELL AS OTHERS ON THE ROAD. NUMBER: 23-007-17 REV. B GROUP: BODY DATE: MARCH 10, 2017 *TR

LUCKILY, I WAS ON A CITY STREET. THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND SLOWED SIGNIFICANTLY, ALMOST STOPPING COMPLETELY AND BEGAN TO REBOOT AS IF IT WERE JUST BEING STARTED. I AM COMPLAINING BECAUSE I DO NOT FEEL IT TO BE SAFE FOR CONSUMERS ON ANY ROAD. I HAVE A 3 YEAR OLD SON AND I WOULD VERY MUCH LIKE DODGE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM BEFORE MY, OR ANYONE ELSE'S FAMILY, GETS WHIPLASH FROM A REAR COLLISION. I'M REACHING OUT TO NHTSA BECAUSE, I LACK THE TOOLS AND KNOWLEDGE TO FIX IT MYSELF, AND DON'T FIND IT FAIR THAT I PAY FOR A MISTAKE THAT DODGE MADE IN MAKING THE CAR. *TR

I PREVIOUSLY CALLED REGARDING ODI 11282835. THE FRONT AND REAR CROSS-MEMBERS WERE COMPLETELY RUSTED AWAY. THERE WAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AND THE ORIGINAL OWNER NEVER REPAIRED THE ISSUE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED 04/2018. CHRYSLER REFUSES TO FIX THE ISSUE. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE 09/2019 AND DISCOVERED THE ENTIRE SUSPENSION HAD ROTTED OUT. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. IT IS PURSUANT TO THIS BULLETIN. CHRYSLER IS REFUSING TO REPAIR IT. SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER: 23-012-14 GROUP: BODY DATE: MAY 19, 2014 THIS BULLETIN IS SUPPLIED AS TECHNICAL INFORMATION ONLY AND IS NOT AN AUTHORIZATION FOR REPAIR. NOTE: THIS ONLY APPLIES TO VEHICLES IN THE CANADIAN MARKET AND IN SALT BELT STATES WHICH INCLUDE CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WASHINGTON, D.C., WEST VIRGINIA AND WISCONSIN. SUBJECT: FRONT AND REAR CROSSMEMBER CORROSION (X58 10 YEARS UNLIMITED MILEAGE) OVERVIEW: THIS BULLETIN INVOLVES INSPECTING THE FRONT AND REAR CROSSMEMBERS FOR PERFORATION / RUST THROUGH AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE CROSSMEMBER(S). MODELS: 2007 PM CALIBER 2007 MK COMPASS, PATRIOT NOTE: THIS BULLETIN APPLIES TO VEHICLES BUILT ON OR AFTER AUGUST 26, 2005 (MDH 0826XX) AND ON OR BEFORE JULY 23, 2007 (MDH 0723XX). SYMPTOM/CONDITION: THE CUSTOMER MAY DESCRIBE A VIBRATION AT THE STEERING WHEEL OR MAY HAVE BEEN INFORMED BY A TECHNICIAN OR STATE VEHICLE INSPECTION THAT THE FRONT AND / OR REAR CROSS-MEMBER IS SEVERELY CORRODED. POLICY: WARRANTY PERIOD FOR CROSS-MEMBER PERFORATION / RUST THROUGH IS EXTENDED TO 10 YEARS. REIMBURSABLE WITHIN THE PROVISIONS OF THE WARRANTY.

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. 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.

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.

FIAT CHRYSLER AMERICA RELEASED 2 BULLETINS AND AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR AN INFERIOR MATERIAL CAUSING SEVERE RUST AND PERFORATION OF THE FRONT AND REAR CROSSMEMBER ON 2008-2012 DODGE CALIBER AND 2008-2012 JEEP COMPASS PATRIOT. THE CROSSMEMBER IS AN IMPORTANT STRUCTURAL COMPONENT OF ANY VEHICLE. IT SUPPORTS THE UNDERSIDE OF THE CAR AND CARRIES THE WEIGHT OF THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION. FCA CUSTOMER SERVICE IS CURRENTLY REFUSING TO REPLACE THESE PARTS EVEN THOUGH THE BULLETIN ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THE PART IS FAULTY. THE SEVERE RUST ON THIS PART WILL CAUSE MY VEHICLE TO NO LONGER PASS STATE INSPECTION. I HAVE OWNED MY 2008 DODGE CALIBER SINCE FEBRUARY 2017. THE FIRST BULLETIN RELEASED BY FCA REGARDING KNOWLEDGE OF THIS FAULTY PART WAS MARCH 2017, ONE MONTH AFTER I PURCHASED THE CAR. A SECOND BULLETIN REGARDING THE SAME ISSUE WAS RELEASED JULY 2017. THE EXTENDED WARRANTY EXPIRED ON AUGUST 2018. AFTER THE SECOND BULLETIN WAS ISSUED, THERE WAS A PERIOD OF 13 MONTHS BEFORE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED AND WHILE I OWNED THE CAR. I WAS NOT CONTACTED OR MADE AWARE BY FCA IN ANY WAY THAT THE VEHICLE I WAS DRIVING HAD A KNOWN ISSUE AND THAT I COULD HAVE IT ADDRESSED WITHIN EXTENDED WARRANTY. IT WAS NOT UNTIL OCTOBER 2019 THAT I WAS HAVING WORK DONE ON MY CAR AND THE MECHANIC BROUGHT IT TO MY ATTENTION BECAUSE THE RUST IS SO BAD IT WILL NOT PASS THE NEXT STATE INSPECTION. PHOTOGRAPHS ARE INCLUDED. I ENCOURAGE THE NHTSA TO RECALL THIS PART AS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE RUST WEAKENS THE METAL AND IF THIS PART WERE TO BREAK AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE RESULTS COULD BE DEADLY. FCA IS AWARE OF THE FAULTY PART AND IT IS CLEARLY DANGEROUS FOR FCA TO DENY ADDRESSING THIS KNOWN ISSUE. EVEN THOUGH THE WARRANTY PERIOD HAS PASSED, FCA HAS PRODUCED VEHICLES THAT ARE UNSAFE AND THE ISSUE SHOULD BE CORRECTED.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE AND A LOUD SOUND EMERGED FROM THE WHEELS. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TIRE SHOP WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE CROSSMEMBERS ON THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WERE SEVERELY RUSTED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KOLOSSO JEEP DODGE (2701 W COLLEGE AVE, APPLETON, WI 54914) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONTAL CROSSMEMBERS WERE ALSO RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,200.