2007 Dodge Caliber Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe rusted-through subframes and crossmembers, front-suspension and ball-joint wear, and electrical faults traced to the integrated power module (TIPM). Many reports come in at moderate mileage — often between roughly 70,000 and 160,000 miles — while a few subframe reports appear on well-kept cars at lower mileage. The rust is usually described as gradual and discovered during service or inspection, whereas electrical and throttle-related symptoms tend to appear suddenly while driving.

1. 1
   Body and structure

   Rusted-through front/rear subframe and crossmember

   • 217 complaints (25%)
   • median 110,500 mi at 10.3 yrs old (172 state mileage)
   • 7 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,200 (median of 21 quotes)
   • filed 2008–2025

   Owners describe holes, cracks or complete breaks in the front and rear crossmembers and engine cradle, often found during an inspection, alignment or routine service. Several say the car began making banging, clunking or ticking noises over bumps or when turning before the rust was discovered, and a few report the front axle or a wheel area failing as a result. Complaints describe dealers and the manufacturer telling owners the vehicle was not covered by an open recall; some mention being pointed to a crossmember corrosion program. Reported from roughly 65,000 to 185,000 miles, usually on cars several years old in rust-belt conditions, with some reports at lower mileage.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Have the car put on a lift and inspect both crossmembers and the engine cradle for perforation, flaking rust or cracks before buying. Ask whether any crossmember corrosion inspection or replacement has been done under the X58 program.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The vehicles subframe was all rotted and drivers side tire practically fell off while it was being driven. Contacted Dodge and they said because there wasn't an open recall there was nothing they could do about it. My question is was there a recall on my particular vehicle if so when/where was it fixed. We bought this used and have no prior information on it. If this vehicle wasn't included on previous recalls it should have been and they should fix it now.”

   NHTSA complaint #11331100, filed 2020-06, 50,000 miles

   “Have a 2007 Dodge Caliber with 90k miles. My wife recently went to get it inspected and come to find out the front and rear crossmembers and subframe components were terribly corroded. Needless to say it was not passed. It's started shaking while driving, alignment is off according to tire wear. I've read tons of complaints and see they issues not a recall but a 10 year extended warranty on this issue. Curious as to when this was issued and if my car falls into that”

   NHTSA complaint #11310886, filed 2020-02, 90,000 miles
2. 2
   Suspension

   Front suspension and ball joint wear

   • 176 complaints (20%)
   • median 59,050 mi at 5.5 yrs old (156 state mileage)
   • 8 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,000 (median of 30 quotes)
   • filed 2006–2024

   Owners report loose or noisy front ends: clunking and popping over bumps, shaking, uneven or rapid inner-edge tire wear, and repeated replacement of ball joints, control arms, tie rod ends, struts and sway bar links. Several say a shop warned the car should not be driven until the front-end parts were replaced, and some describe a wheel or suspension component collapsing or detaching. Complaints describe dealers confirming the worn parts and quoting repairs, with some owners noting the work fell outside warranty. Mostly reported between about 40,000 and 165,000 miles, frequently surfacing through tire wear or noises over bumps.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Check inner and outer tire wear, listen for clunks over bumps, and have a shop inspect ball joints, tie rod ends and strut mounts for play. Ask for service records showing whether front-end parts were already replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I I have changed multiple times the sway bar links and had to put on new struts twice. There was supposed to be a recall on the cross member bar and when I took it to be fixed the dealer would not honor the recall on the bar. It is now making once again a popping sound in the front drivers side and I am wanting to once again get the recall on the car that was supposed to be fixed before.”

   NHTSA complaint #11341003, filed 2020-07, 136,000 miles

   “Noticed that the front tires on the vehicle were worn down to the steel radial only on the inside edge, all the way to the steel radial, even though the tires were only a year old. Took it to the shop and found out the ball joint and front control arms needed to be replaced. Auto shop said we were fortunate that we noticed the problem, and suggested not driving any further until it was fixed. Also told us they had two other calibers this year with same problem. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10450766, filed 2012-03, 55,000 miles
3. 3
   Electrical system

   TIPM electrical faults (lights, gauges, stalling)

   • 180 complaints (20%)
   • median 90,000 mi at 7.5 yrs old (157 state mileage)
   • 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,000 (median of 38 quotes)
   • filed 2006–2026

   Owners describe gauge clusters flickering or dropping out, multiple warning lamps (air bag, ABS, check engine) lighting at once, one or both headlights failing even after bulb replacement, brake lights staying on, and the engine shutting down while driving. Complaints frequently say a dealer or shop diagnosed the integrated power module (TIPM) and quoted a repair, and several note the same part was recalled on other models but not this one. Reported from about 61,000 to 175,000 miles, with symptoms appearing intermittently while driving or at startup.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Cycle all lights, watch the dash for flickering or warning lamps, and ask whether the power module has ever been replaced or repaired. Note that the wiring-diagram bulletins here cover connector repairs, not a cure for module faults.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The drivers side headlight is out. The bulb was replaced and it still does not work. I was told that the tipm needed to be replaced. I was told that this is not a safety issue. It is a safety issue for only having one head light. I guess when I receive a citation for only one headlight then the citation will be mailed to Dodge for reimbursement.”

   NHTSA complaint #10620892, filed 2014-08, 145,827 miles

   “I was driving and the battery light came on. Later on when about 100 miles from home there are several other lights that come on and then while running approx 60mph the car just shuts down in the middle of the road. After replacing the alternator and battery the battery light continues to stay on. I take the car to a local garage to find out the tipm needs to be replaced which appears to cost over $1000 in which I do not have to spend.”

   NHTSA complaint #11342489, filed 2020-07, 173,000 miles
4. 4
   Vehicle speed control

   Electronic throttle control / loss of power

   • 105 complaints (12%)
   • median 79,389 mi at 6.0 yrs old (89 state mileage)
   • 8 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,000 (median of 10 quotes)
   • filed 2006–2026

   Owners describe a flashing throttle-control (lightning bolt) symbol, the car dropping to very low speed or refusing to accelerate beyond a crawl, and hesitation or surging when pressing the accelerator. Some say the brakes barely slowed the car during these events, and several report the vehicle stalling or losing all throttle response on the highway. Complaints mention dealers replacing the throttle body or accelerator pedal assembly, and a recall on some vehicles addressed a binding accelerator pedal. Reported from about 43,000 to 155,000 miles, often at highway speed or shortly after startup.

   Recall 10V234000

   What to check: Ask whether the accelerator pedal recall (10V234000) was performed for this vehicle, and check for stored throttle-body codes. A test drive should include steady highway acceleration to watch for the throttle warning lamp.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I recently purchased the vehicle from the original owner. The vehicle light flashes while driving. The mileage is currently 91k miles. Now the lightening bolt symbol will not turn off and the vehicle will not accelerate over 39 miles. I have not been able to drive the vehicle for over a week.”

   NHTSA complaint #11339212, filed 2020-07, 91,000 miles

   “The electronic throttle control went out on me as I was entering the freeway. The etc is basically the car losing all power but the vehicle does not shut off only the gas peddle loses all power. It was very scary when your litteraly carrying your entire family including your doggy.”

   NHTSA complaint #11374360, filed 2020-11, 150,000 miles
5. 5
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission overheating and limp mode

   • 50 complaints (6%)
   • median 76,000 mi at 6.4 yrs old (47 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,200 (median of 6 quotes)
   • filed 2006–2026

   Owners describe a transmission temperature warning lamp coming on during highway driving, after which the car slows sharply or drops into a limp condition and only returns to normal after cooling. Some report the vehicle stalling at speed, failing to shift into gear, or a shop diagnosing a failed transmission control module. Complaints describe the issue recurring on longer drives and dealers not always diagnosing it. Reported from about 76,000 to 240,000 miles, typically on extended highway drives.

   What to check: Ask about transmission fluid service history and any prior temperature warnings or control module work. A longer test drive at highway speed can reveal whether the temperature lamp appears.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The light of temperature for transmission went on and the car start running slowly I stopped for 15 minutes and the car start running fine but when I took the high for more the 30 minutes do the same every time.”

   NHTSA complaint #10702459, filed 2015-03, 109,513 miles

   “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. ... …”

   NHTSA complaint #11384247, filed 2020-12, 198,000 miles

Buying note. A pre-purchase inspection on a lift is the most important step for this model year: rust in the crossmembers and engine cradle, plus front-end joint wear, are the most frequently reported problems. Also confirm whether the accelerator pedal recall was completed and ask for records on power module and transmission service.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.