2009 Dodge Caliber Problems

My spouse and I owned this vehicle from day one. Front subframe assembly was rotting and was replaced by manufacturer under a recall but rear subframe assembly was not included. The rear subframe assembly is now rotted to the point where it needs to be replaced before vehicle becomes unsafe as it has for others. Vehicle barely has 72,000 miles on it and was garaged for the first 12 years of its life. Image of repaired front subframe assembly included for posterity.

Rear subframe rotted in half, causing rear driver side tire to sit sideways and loss of rear end

The problem initially occurred in early November of 2020 when the vehicle would unpredictably stall at a stop sign or traffic light and would not immediately start for a couple minutes. After this short wait of 1 to 3 minutes it was possible to restart the car and move forward normally and the car could be driven without stalling for 2 or 3 miles when it would stall again and the engine would not start again for 2 to 3 minutes. In traffic situations this was unsafe to not be able to move the vehicle to a safe distance from heavy traffic. Finally, the problem started to occur after the vehicle was supposedly repaired and not driven for 2 -3 days and when it an attempt to start the car it would idle for 3-5 seconds and sound like it was choking before dying, and this was happening 2 weeks after it had been "repaired" by the Dodge dealer. This problem has repeatedly occurred over the two years since the original incident and has been to a Dodge dealership for unsuccessful repairs 4 different times; 11/20; 04/22 &05/22 and it is still at the dealership being inoperable. Each time the car functioned for a few miles and then broke down again. The dealer informs us that the parts that would most likely repair the car are no longer made by Dodge and the car cannot be fixed. Interestingly enough this model vehicle has had a variety of recalls starting in 2007 but never for the particular control modules that are no longer available which are The Throttle control & Power Train Control modules, which the Dealer thinks might possibly be a fix but even that is not a sure thing. The Dodge dealer that worked on the vehicle presumably would have informed me about this situation at least before they had the vehicle in for now the 4th time in 3 years with the same problem with no solution. Up to the time of these breakdowns the vehicle was well maintained and taken care of and still has low mileage of just over 69,000 miles. Is the Dodge Corporation at least partially liable?

The engine stalls when I take off more times than none I'm stuck idling in traffic almost causing accident the frame that hold motor mounts are bad I've replaced motor mounts twice in a less than a year the car heats up after 70 miles an hour I have 5o pull over and let it cool off this happens 3 to 4 times a week with the engine stalling and overheating didn't find out til after I leased the car from AtoZ auto on gen McMullen and it's financed through car financial services I believe they knew the car was damaged I got scammed and have to pay 425 dollars a month on a car that can't be fixed I've spent a lot trying to fix the car

● Component failed: Front and Rear Subframe. ● Safety at risk: Rotting Subframe. The front subframe had a recall which expired a couple years ago, which I was never notified about. I have replaced this part because it could have fallen out of my car due to the rotting. Now, the rear subframe is now rotting and unstable/unfit to drive. I have 88,000 miles on it and keep in the garage when possible. ● The vehicle and component has been inspected by the manufactorer as well as Monro Auto Service, Jiffy Lube and L&M Motors in Upstate New york regularly. ● No.

It started as a popping noise while driving which evolved into a louder sound and I was able to feel it click with my feet as I was driving, and I couldn't pinpoint exactly what was causing the issue at first. After going to a mechanics and having them look at it the subframe of the car was absolutely covered in rust to the point where it was falling apart and I could see inside. The air conditioning unit was badly designed, and the residual water from that caused the entire thing to rust. They advised that it was only going to get worse and could lead to the front axle essentially just falling out and totaling the car anyways. I drive everyday to and from work so having this issue is severely affecting my daily life and quite possibly my safety if anything happens while driving it.

The problem initially occurred in early November of 2020 when the vehicle would unpredictably stall at a stop sign or traffic light and would not immediately start for a couple minutes. After this short wait of 1 to 3 minutes it was possible to restart the car and move forward normally and the car could be driven without stalling for 2 or 3 miles when it would stall again and the engine would not start again for 2 to 3 minutes. In traffic situations this was unsafe to not be able to move the vehicle to a safe distance from heavy traffic. Finally, the problem started to occur after the vehicle was supposedly repaired and not driven for 2 -3 days and when it an attempt to start the car it would idle for 3-5 seconds and sound like it was choking before dying, and this was happening 2 weeks after it had been "repaired" by the Dodge dealer. This problem has repeatedly occurred over the two years since the original incident and has been to a Dodge dealership for unsuccessful repairs 4 different times; 11/20; 04/22 &05/22 and it is still at the dealership being inoperable. Each time the car functioned for a few miles and then broke down again. The dealer informs us that the parts that would most likely repair the car are no longer made by Dodge and the car cannot be fixed. Interestingly enough this model vehicle has had a variety of recalls starting in 2007 but never for the particular control modules that are no longer available which are The Throttle control & Power Train Control modules, which the Dealer thinks might possibly be a fix but even that is not a sure thing. The Dodge dealer that worked on the vehicle presumably would have informed me about this situation at least before they had the vehicle in for now the 4th time in 3 years with the same problem with no solution. Up to the time of these breakdowns the vehicle was well maintained and taken care of and still has low mileage of just over 69,000 miles. Is the Dodge Corporation at least partially liable?

The engine stalls when I take off more times than none I'm stuck idling in traffic almost causing accident the frame that hold motor mounts are bad I've replaced motor mounts twice in a less than a year the car heats up after 70 miles an hour I have 5o pull over and let it cool off this happens 3 to 4 times a week with the engine stalling and overheating didn't find out til after I leased the car from AtoZ auto on gen McMullen and it's financed through car financial services I believe they knew the car was damaged I got scammed and have to pay 425 dollars a month on a car that can't be fixed I've spent a lot trying to fix the car

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.

EVERY NOW AND THEN WE WILL BE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL STOP WORKING. I CHECK ALL THE FUSES AND EVERYTHING SEEMS GOOD BUT THEY STOP. THE ONLY WAY TO GET THEM BACK WORKING IS TO REMOVE THE NEGATIVE BATTERY POST FROM THE BATTERY FOR 10 MINUTES. I DONE RESEARCH AND THEY WERE SAYING SOMETHING ABOUT THE TIPM MODULE. WE ARE CONCERNED FOR OUR SAFETY. ALL THIS HAPPENED IN BREVARD, NC PULLING INTO INGLES.

Air bags didn't not deploy during a single car accident which ended in a head on crash into side of mountain then rolled over onto the roof. Speed about 30-35 mph. When tow truck turned car back over the driver's seat wasn't connected. Also prior to this accident problems with alignment, esp rear.

MY CAR IS STUTTERING/JOLTING UPON PUTTING IT IN DRIVE & STOPPING & DRIVING (AFTER STOPPING @ TRAFFIC LIGHTS & STOP SIGNS). ALSO, IT TAKES A BIT FOR THE CAR TO INCREASE IN SPEED ONCE I'M STOPPED (@ TRAFFIC LIGHTS & STOP SIGNS) & HAVE TO START DRIVING AGAIN. THIS HAS BEEN NOTICEABLE FOR THE PAST MONTH NOW.

The car was in park on a hill, when I turned off the engine, it rolled down the steep hill and the brakes or emergency brake would not work. I crashed through a fence across the street and into a building. The car was totaled.

When the vehicle reaches 3,000 RPMs the temperature light comes on and the vehicle seems like it wants to go into neutral The engine light comes on the antilock brake system light comes on.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 75 MPH WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED A VALVE THAT WAS OUTSIDE OF THE TRANSMISSION. THIS FAILURE RECURRED ON MANY OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE HAS ENCOUNTERED NUMEROUS TRANSMISSIONS PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE FAILING TO ACCELERATE. THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SLIP AND CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO DECELERATE. AT TIMES, IT WAS DIFFICULT TO REACH A SAFE SPEED WHEN MERGING ONTO THE HIGHWAY. THE DECELERATION HAS NOW STARTED AT A MUCH LOWER SPEED. WHEN IT OCCURRED, THE TRANSMISSION LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONSUMER STATED EACH TIME SHE EXPERIENCED A FAILURE, SHE WOULD HAVE TO PULL OVER, TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND SIT FOR 15-45 MINUTES TO WAIT FOR THE TRANSMISSION TO COOL OFF. THE TRANSMISSION VALVE WAS REPLACED, BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. UPDATED 08/08/12 THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE. THE DEALER FOUND THE ALTERNATOR BEARINGS WERE CAUSING THE NOISE. THEY REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR. UPDATED 08/09/12

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE VEHICLE BECAME HESITANT TO ACCELERATION ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS WHERE THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND FILTER. THE FAILURE CONTINUED AFTER THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT ADDED TRANSMISSION FLUID TO THE VEHICLE BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE INCORRECT TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS USED BY THE CONTACT. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS NO WARNING LABEL ON THE VEHICLE STATING WHICH TYPE OR BRAND OF TRANSMISSION FLUID HAD TO BE USED IN THE VEHICLE, NOR WAS THERE A DIP STICK TO CHECK THE FLUID. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000. UPDATED 08/14/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED A CODE FOR THE TRANSMISSION, WHICH READ P0218 MEANT THE TRANSMISSION OVERHEATED. UPDATED 08/16/15

SUBFRAME ROTTED AWAY. CAUSING THE DRIVERS SIDE A-ARM TO RIP OUT. THE WHEEL WAS AT AN APPROXIMATE 90 DEGREE ANGLE FROM NORMAL POSITION. CAUSED THE DRIVESHAFT TO PULL OUT OF THE TRANSMISSION AND THE CAR TO IMMEDIATELY STOP.

I TOOK MY WIFE'S 2009 CALIBER TO OUR MECHANIC BECAUSE SHE HEARD CLUNKING NOISES FROM THE FRONT END. WE WERE INFORMED BY OUR MECHANIC THAT A PIECE OF FRAME STRETCHING ACROSS THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE IS SEVERELY RUSTED. THE STEERING RACK AND SWAY BARS ATTACH TO THIS FRAME WORK. ALSO FRONT END COMPONENTS. THE VEHICLE MAKES LOUD PLUNKING NOICES WHEN GOING OVER SMALL AND LARGE BUMPS AND MUCH WORSE WHEN HITTING POT HOLES. NO OTHER RUST IS APPARENT ON ANY FRAM WORK UNDER THE VEHICLE. THIS VEHICLE IS ONLY NINE YEARS OLD. I THINK THAT'S EXTREMELY ODD FOR SUCH A YOUNG VEHICLE. I FEEL THIS MAY BECOME A SAFETY ISSUE VERY SOON AND THINK THERE MAY HAVE BEEN A RECALL THAT I AM UNAWARE OF.

The problem initially occurred in early November of 2020 when the vehicle would unpredictably stall at a stop sign or traffic light and would not immediately start for a couple minutes. After this short wait of 1 to 3 minutes it was possible to restart the car and move forward normally and the car could be driven without stalling for 2 or 3 miles when it would stall again and the engine would not start again for 2 to 3 minutes. In traffic situations this was unsafe to not be able to move the vehicle to a safe distance from heavy traffic. Finally, the problem started to occur after the vehicle was supposedly repaired and not driven for 2 -3 days and when it an attempt to start the car it would idle for 3-5 seconds and sound like it was choking before dying, and this was happening 2 weeks after it had been "repaired" by the Dodge dealer. This problem has repeatedly occurred over the two years since the original incident and has been to a Dodge dealership for unsuccessful repairs 4 different times; 11/20; 04/22 &05/22 and it is still at the dealership being inoperable. Each time the car functioned for a few miles and then broke down again. The dealer informs us that the parts that would most likely repair the car are no longer made by Dodge and the car cannot be fixed. Interestingly enough this model vehicle has had a variety of recalls starting in 2007 but never for the particular control modules that are no longer available which are The Throttle control & Power Train Control modules, which the Dealer thinks might possibly be a fix but even that is not a sure thing. The Dodge dealer that worked on the vehicle presumably would have informed me about this situation at least before they had the vehicle in for now the 4th time in 3 years with the same problem with no solution. Up to the time of these breakdowns the vehicle was well maintained and taken care of and still has low mileage of just over 69,000 miles. Is the Dodge Corporation at least partially liable?

THE CAR WILL STALL AND NOT TAKE OFF AFTER BEING STOPPED AT A LIGHT FOR TOO LONG . WILL SHUT OFF AS WELL ALONG WITH THROTTLING AS IF IT WANTS TO SHUT OFF

TIRE TPMS VALVE STEM COMPLETELY SHATTERED. THE VEHICLE HAS HAD THESE REPLACED WITHIN THE PAST 6 MONTHS WITH NEW TIRES INSTALLED, YET THE ONE HAD SHATTERED WHILE ADDING AIR ALLOWING ALL AIR TO SPEW OUT OF TIRE. THIS COULD BE A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE IF THESE FRAGILE SENSORS/STEMS WERE TO SHATTER WHILE DRIVING. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ADDING AIR TO THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR TIRE, THE VALVE STEM BECAME FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS ADVISED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM AND VALVE STEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 56,000. .UPDATED 01-10-14 *BF

The car was in park on a hill, when I turned off the engine, it rolled down the steep hill and the brakes or emergency brake would not work. I crashed through a fence across the street and into a building. The car was totaled.

The engine stalls when I take off more times than none I'm stuck idling in traffic almost causing accident the frame that hold motor mounts are bad I've replaced motor mounts twice in a less than a year the car heats up after 70 miles an hour I have 5o pull over and let it cool off this happens 3 to 4 times a week with the engine stalling and overheating didn't find out til after I leased the car from AtoZ auto on gen McMullen and it's financed through car financial services I believe they knew the car was damaged I got scammed and have to pay 425 dollars a month on a car that can't be fixed I've spent a lot trying to fix the car

Car was involved in an accident that resulted in a total loss . Air bags did not deploy. Car is currently at a towing company and can be inspected. No warning lights were on.

Air bags didn't not deploy during a single car accident which ended in a head on crash into side of mountain then rolled over onto the roof. Speed about 30-35 mph. When tow truck turned car back over the driver's seat wasn't connected. Also prior to this accident problems with alignment, esp rear.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HIS DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING AT 40 MPH, AN UNKNOWN SUBARU CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR PANEL. THE DRIVER SEAT BELT DETACHED FROM VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THERE WERE NO REPORTED INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT CALLED BEMIDJI CHRYSLER CENTER (755 PAUL BUNYAN DR NW, BEMIDJI, MN 56601 (877) 289-6012) WHO REFERRED CONTACT TO MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED HOWEVER, NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS INOPERABLE AND A TOTAL LOSS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

SPECIFICALLY, IN MY MODEL SAFETY BELT DOES NOT HAVE TO BE SECURELY FASTENED (I.E., CLICKED IN BUCKLE) IN ORDER FOR CHIME TO STOP. THIS IS A NO-NO. IN FACT, IF I HOLD THE UNSECURED BELT IN MY LEFT HAND WHILE HOLDING THE WHEEL AT THE SAME TIME, THE CHIME WILL STOP. IF, HOWEVER, I LET IT RETRACT SLIGHTLY TOWARD THE WINDOW, THE CHIME WILL COME BACK ON. THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN. ONLY WHEN BELT IS FULLY BUCKLED SHOULD THE CHIME CEASE. WHILE THIS DOES NOT POSE A LIFE-THREATENING EMERGENCY, IT CERTAINLY IS A SAFETY HAZARD THAT NEEDS TO BE FURTHER INVESTIGATED.

UNKNOWN Passenger side headlight will not come on Not a bad bulb

I GO MY 09 LOVED IT BUT NOW I HAVE NO DASH LIGHTS, MY TURN SIGNALS IN THE REAR DON'T WORK, MY DRIVERSIDE HEAD LAMP DON'T WORK. I'VE READ EVERYTHING THERE IS ON THESE TYPES OF PROBLEMS. AN MOST OF THEM ARE IN WHOM EVER THE DESIGNERROR WAS OF THE COMPUTER BOARD IN THE DASH. AND THE TIPM FOR THE LIGHTS.

Air bags didn't not deploy during a single car accident which ended in a head on crash into side of mountain then rolled over onto the roof. Speed about 30-35 mph. When tow truck turned car back over the driver's seat wasn't connected. Also prior to this accident problems with alignment, esp rear.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CALIBER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE DOOR LATCH FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE AND FUEL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

EVERY NOW AND THEN WE WILL BE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL STOP WORKING. I CHECK ALL THE FUSES AND EVERYTHING SEEMS GOOD BUT THEY STOP. THE ONLY WAY TO GET THEM BACK WORKING IS TO REMOVE THE NEGATIVE BATTERY POST FROM THE BATTERY FOR 10 MINUTES. I DONE RESEARCH AND THEY WERE SAYING SOMETHING ABOUT THE TIPM MODULE. WE ARE CONCERNED FOR OUR SAFETY. ALL THIS HAPPENED IN BREVARD, NC PULLING INTO INGLES.

09 DODGE CALIBER. VIBRATION OF ENTIRE CAR IN WHAT MANUFACTURER CALLS WIND BUFFETING DEFECT. START OF VIBRATION AT 45 TO 50 MPR. BACK WINDOWS ROLLED DOWN AND FRONT WINDOW CRACKED. CAR VIBRATES CAUSING IT HARD TO CONTROL VEHICLE. SALESMAN AND SALESMANAGER STATED THIS WAS COMMON IN ALL SMALL SEDANS AND COMPACT CARS THAT THEY CARRY ON LOT. WAS TOLD TO DRIVE VEHICLE WITH WINDOWS UP!THEY HAD NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS IN ANY TEST DRIVE. THEY ONLY DROVE WITH ALL WINDOWS DOWN. TOOK ANOTHER 09 CALIBER OFF LOT TO SEE IF IT WOULD ALSO VIBRATE; IT DID THE SAME THING. IF NOTHING ELSE CAN BE DONE TELL MANUFACTURER TO MAKE BACK WINDOW THAT DON'T ROLL DOWN (FOR THE KIDS THAT RIDE IN BACK SEAT). *TR