2007 Dodge Caliber Suspension Problems

I was at a gas station and attempted to leave the lot and the cradle and/or attached parts broke into, rendering the car undrivable.

NHTSA ID

11687762

Incident

Sep 8, 2025

My car is at 69739 miles and the control arms and the front and rear subframe is rotted out

NHTSA ID

11619600

Incident

Oct 14, 2024

This is a follow up to complaint #11459461 filed on 4/3/22 at 9:16:43am. I was not able to send documents at that time. Documents included relate to follow up on complaint #11591104. First pdf file: pages 1-4 Service bulletin from Chrysler - my model year not included; pages 5-7 service invoice and picture of missing engine cradle pan; page 8 original repair invoice; page 9 copy of original repair invoice with notations for Magna plant manager; page 10 notice of having received complaint; page 11 Defective lug nut issue; page 12 Complaint #11591104; page 13 Service invoice noting replacement of two defective lug nuts. Second pdf file: pages 1-2 Copy of original complaint #11459461; page 3 Copy of towing receipt due to defective lug nut. Third pdf file: Picture of three of four defective lug nut covers that I had to remove due to flat tires. First one not shown due to being damaged while attempting to remove beyond recognition. Upper left lug nut cover came off just in handling of removed lug nuts.

NHTSA ID

11619474

Incident

Oct 21, 2021

The contact owns a 2007 Dodge Caliber. The contact stated while pulling into a parking space, there was an abnormal sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact stated that upon inspecting the vehicle, he noticed that the subframe was severely rusted and there was a piece of metal hanging down in the rear of the vehicle. An independent mechanic inspected the vehicle and determined that the subframe needed to be replaced. The mechanic informed the contact that the vehicle was undrivable. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 175,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ID

11574312

Incident

Feb 25, 2024

Mileage

175,000 mi

Premature rust on rear subframe

NHTSA ID

11569701

Incident

Feb 3, 2024

Rusted Subframe!!

NHTSA ID

11553334

Incident

Oct 7, 2023

Rear suspension rusted and broke during operation; control arm, tie rod and/or wheel bearings rusted and broke during operation causing vehicle to lose control

NHTSA ID

11513652

Incident

Aug 12, 2022

I had my 2007 Dodge Caliber rear brakes replaced today, at 83,487 miles. The service professional noted on the receipt that the “rear subframe is rotting out.” He suggested that I contact Dodge, to find out if there has been a recall regarding this issue. Please advise as to how this problem may be resolved, with no additional, out-of-pocket cost to me, the consumer. Thank you.

NHTSA ID

11497082

Incident

Dec 12, 2022

Car has been garage kept entire time of owning. Sub Frame still rotted out causing so much damage to the car, the struts, the tire(s); etc, causing car to shake and tire to bow out. Car has been at a repair shop for over 7 months now trying to get a replacement part to repair it with no luck as of yet. This should NOT be the responsibility of the customer. This has been a known issue for many of these vehicles for years now with nothings done or any warnings sent out regarding this issue being a possible hazard.

NHTSA ID

11495890

Incident

Apr 4, 2022

Started hearing a loud banging noise whenever i would hit a bump or turn left coming from drivers side tire. after getting home, i checked and the entire subframe is rusted out.

NHTSA ID

11493580

Incident

Nov 15, 2022

Vehicle has less than 100,000 miles (strictly highway miles) and rear sub frame has completely rusted through causing back alignment to be drastically out, and fish tailing, which also causes hazardous steering control on dry and especially wet roads. Rapid wear and replacement of tires on rear end. I have researched and found this to be a consistent problem on multiple sites and forums.

NHTSA ID

11468503

Incident

Jun 9, 2022

Rear subframe is badly rusted making the vehicle unsafe to drive. Don’t know how long it been like this, just noticed it while doing brake work. I’ve owned the car since 2008 and was never notified of the extended warranty.

NHTSA ID

11461997

Incident

Apr 25, 2022

The contact owns a 2007 Dodge Caliber. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the front end of the vehicle emitted abnormal sounds and the vehicle was vibrating. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the front passenger's side and the front driver's side tires were wiggly and the front lower ball joints had failed. Additionally, the independent mechanic diagnosed that the front subframe was severely rusted and had a hole. The vehicle was then taken to another independent mechanic who diagnosed that the rear subframe was severely rusted as well. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 133,000.

NHTSA ID

11460204

Incident

Apr 1, 2022

Mileage

133,000 mi

Bought the car 04/21 had throttle issues the dealer replaced it kept noticing after that i was still having problems with car take it to tire shop entire buttom of car is rusted needs new sub frame sway bar lower arms was very dangerous deiving car want stay straight

NHTSA ID

11451185

Incident

Feb 1, 2022

Both front and rear subframes have been replaced due to excessive dangerous rust. Also rear trailing arms were replaced due to the same issue. Many other components were replaced as well due to bad bushings. Had to drive the vehicle on the highway to get it home and was lucky to make it. Vehicle did not move after that for almost 2 months until the parts could be replaced. Stalantis received a claim from me in regards to the issues however they were not willing to proceed any further with any actions. These claims need to be looked into because there are quite a few instances that are posted online with videos and or user blogs that are describing similar incidents with Dodge calibers. Someone is going to get hurt from this rust issue. Not everyone is mechanically inclined and it will only take one incident and someone will get hurt or maybe even kill not to mention other people that are on the road who are innocently driving and other vehicles. Chrysler new this wasn't issue and has failed to take care of it completely. I have spent quite a bit of money to replace these parts as to make my car safe for my child and myself and my girlfriend. There needs to be a final recall just like there was and still is on airbags. You have a dangerous problem that needs to be taken care of. Please Force stalantis to recall and or compensate all owners who have these vehicles. I have included three pictures of just the front subframe. I have kept the subframe in the front and the rear and the trailing arms. If pictures are needed please let me know.

NHTSA ID

11447874

Incident

Oct 28, 2021

The contact owns a 2007 Dodge Caliber. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the rear passenger side. The contact looked in the rearview mirror and saw sparks coming from the rear passenger side. The contact pulled over, and upon inspection, the contact noticed that the rear passenger's side tire was inward and the cross member was corroded. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact related the failure to TSB Number: 23-012-14 Front And Rear Crossmember Corrosion (X58 10 Years Unlimited Mileage). The failure mileage was unavailable.

NHTSA ID

11443924

Incident

Nov 22, 2021

The contact owns a 2007 Dodge Caliber. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, the contact stated that the front suspension detached from the vehicle. The contact called the police as he waited for a tow truck to assist because the vehicle was stopped in the middle of traffic. Once the tow truck arrived, the vehicle was towed to the contact's home. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was 160,000.

NHTSA ID

11439515

Incident

Nov 4, 2021

Mileage

160,000 mi

The issue involves front and rear subframes and trailing arms. Bought a used 2007 Dodge caliber with 127,000 mi on it. Upon further inspection found the front and the rear subframes to be rusted beyond safe operation. After inspecting those found out rear trailing arms are in the exact same condition unsafe for the road. Replaced the front suspension at my cost. Doing the same for the rear. If not done the car is unsafe. High costs involved. No recall was initiated by Chrysler at the time and still has not been done. This is an issue that looks like it has plagued many owners in the United States. if the parts break accidents and injuries can and will occur. Stellantis is ignoring my requests for a reply from the company to address the issues that I am addressing here today.

NHTSA ID

11439322

Incident

Oct 1, 2021

THE BOTTOM OF MY CAR IS COMPLETLY RUSTED MY TIRES LOOK SLANTED SIDEWAYS LIKE THEY ARE ABOUT TO FALL OFF THERE IS CRACKS IN THE FRAME AND I CANT DRIVE THIS CAR IT ISNT AT ALL SAFE I BOUGHT IT LESS THAN A MIONTH AGO AND JUST FOUND OUT THERE IS A RECALL ON THESE MAKE N MODELS IN MY AREA FOR RUSTED UNDERENATH AND TIRES ARE ABOUT TO FALL OFF ONLINE IT SAYS A 10 YEAR REPAIR RECALL WAS ISSUED IN 2014 FROM CRYSLER

NHTSA ID

11406802

Incident

Apr 6, 2021

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

NHTSA ID

11384247

Incident

Mar 10, 2020

Mileage

198,000 mi

PROBLEM WITH FRONT STRUTS THE STEERING WHEEL AS WELL . THE WHOLE FRONT END MOVES HORRIBLE

NHTSA ID

11383897

Incident

Mar 25, 2020

Mileage

199,674 mi

TL* THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER OWNS A 2007 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON HIS DAUGHTER TAKING THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE CRADLE HAD BEGAN TO RUST UNDERNEATH THE SUBFRAME. DUE TO THE FAILURE, SEVERAL HOLES WERE FORMED WITHIN THE ENGINE CRADLE. THE CONTACT THEN NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER ADDED TO THE MANUFACTURER RECALL LIST FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE DEALER HAD YET TO BE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD YET TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

NHTSA ID

11383891

Incident

Apr 1, 2020

Mileage

100,000 mi

THE VEHICLE HAD STEERING PROBLEMS FOR OVER A YEAR; IT WOULD GET LOOSER WITH ANY BUMP YOU HIT. MULTIPLE FRONT END PARTS WERE REPLACED ALMOST EVERY 3 MONTHS. I HAD JUST FINISHED PUTTING NEW TIE ROD ENDS, CV AXLES, WHEEL BEARINGS, BRAKE PADS, AND SWAY BAR LINKS IN THE FRONT END. ALSO HAD A FRONT END ALIGNMENT AND TIRE ROTATION DONE. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE DOWN THE ROAD 15 MINUTES AFTER BEING REPAIRED THE STEERING GAVE OUT AND THE FRONT LEFT DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL COLLAPSED AND BENT IN. THE CAR WAS TOWED HOME AND WAS NOTICED THE SUBFRAME HAD CRACKED AND RUSTED OUT. IT WAS A 2007 DODGE CALIBER SXT WITH 130,000 MILES ON IT. OWNED IT FOR 6 YEARS AND HAD NOTHING BUT FRONT END PROBLEMS AND THE SUSPENSION. I HAD OVER $5000 WORTH OF REPAIRS SUNK INTO IT WITHIN THOSE 6 YEARS.

NHTSA ID

11372766

Incident

Oct 18, 2020

Mileage

130,000 mi

IN THE MIDST OF ME DRIVING ACROSS THE INTERSECTION... MY CAR BEGAN TO SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY... I HAD TO GET OF THE ROAD BECAUSE MY WHEEL ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WAS DISCONNECTED FROM THEY ENTIRE CAR... DUE TO SEVER CORROSION, YU UNDER VEHICLE.. WHEN I SAW PHOTOS... I WAS TERRIFED!! MY LIFE WAS ON JEOPARDY.. THE FIRST DAY I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE... I AM SENDING PHOTOS TO HELP SUPPORT MY CLAIMS..

NHTSA ID

11365106

Incident

Oct 2, 2020

CAR SQUEAKS AND CLUNKS. REAR SUSPENSION COMPONENTS ARE EXTREMELY RUSTED. FEELS LIKE CAR IS FISH TAILING WHILE DRIVING. WAS DRIVING FROM WORK AND LOST ALL CONTROL OF THE CAR. SPEED WAS ABOUT 25MPH.

NHTSA ID

11364251

Incident

Oct 13, 2020

Mileage

175,000 mi