2009 Dodge Caliber

The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Caliber. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the steering wheel started vibrating. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the failure was caused by a corroded K-frame on the vehicle. The dealer was not made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist as the vehicle was not included in the 10-year extended warranty due to the manufacture on date. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.

The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Caliber. The contact stated while coming to a stop, there was a loud banging sound heard. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the front passenger’s side wheel had detached due to a fractured lower control arm. The contact indicated that the failure was caused by severe rusting and corrosion of the subframe. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 109,000.

2009 Dodge Caliper developed a split sub-frame suspension component due to heavy rust and the rear sub-frame has developed a severe rust and is also in danger of failure. This vehicle has less than 62,000 miles and is currently not operable. This vehicle is available for inspection upon request. The vehicle was being driven at the time of failure and had to be towed to a nearby repair shop. Contacted dealer service manager who stated that vehicle has no recalls or extended warranty’s. This incident occurred without any warnings. Please advise!

DURING AN INSPECTION BY MY DEALER IT WAS NOTED THAT THE FRONT SUBFRAME WAS RUSTED THROUGH. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO A DIFFERENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE REAR SUBFRAME WAS ALSO RUSTED THROUGH. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THIS WAS AN ONGOING ISSUE THAT THE DEALERSHIP FAILED TO NOTE DURING PREVIOUS INSPECTIONS. ALLOWING THE FAILURE TO BE PUSHED OUT PAST THE TIME OF AN EXTENDED WARRANTY REPAIR. THE CORRODED SUBFRAMES ALLOWED MORE FLEXURE IN THE SUB FRAMES ADD STRESS TO THE BUSHINGS AND SUPPORT STRUCTURES CAUSES THE REPAIR COST TO MULTIPLY. THESE COMPONENT FAILURES COULD LEAD TO A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE CAR WHILE DRIVING AND SHOULD BE CORRECTED BY THE MANUFACTURER.

CAR ELECTRICAL HAS ISSUES FLICKERING INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHTS. ALSO HAS TRANSMISSION OVERHEATING ISSUES WITHOUT THE TRANSMISSION TEMPERATURE GAUGE GOING OVER THE MIDDLE LINE OF THE GAUGE. NO SIGH OF OVER HEATING BESIDES TRANSMISSION LIGHT TURNING ON AND GOING INTO LIMP MODE. CAN NOT DRIVE LONGER THEN AN HOUR WITHOUT IT GOING INTO LIMP MODE WITH TRANSMISSION LIGHT ON. STARTED WHEN IT WAS BARELY AT 10,000 MILES.