2007 Dodge Caliber SXT 2.0L from North America

Summary:

I love my Caliber

Faults:

The front power locks went out.

Replaced under warranty.

General Comments:

I love my Caliber.

It handles very good.

I love the way it looks like a small SUV, but with small car mileage.

The interior is in need of an update, and Chrysler is in the process of fixing the interior issues.

I would buy another Dodge next time.

The craftsmanship is very good on the car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 5th June, 2008

24th Jul 2008, 23:04

I test drove several Calibers in late 2006 and really liked them. I was a little concerned about the CVT belt not holding up, but apparently that has not been an issue. I decided to wait until the summer of 2007 to buy another car, and at that time I found out that Dodge had dropped the beautiful yellow color choice, and since all the others were dull and boring, I bought another brand. I don't know why auto makers are going to such blah and uninspired colors.

25th Aug 2008, 18:51

To the above commentor. Yes, the yellow was very popular & many websiters stated they were highly disappointed with the removal of the yellow. Think Caliber lost hundreds, if not thousands of sales by dropping the yellow. My Caliber is wonderful, but I didn't end up with my color choice & Dodge screwed up lots of marketing details. Dodge boldness is pretty timid.

27th Aug 2008, 13:33

Dodge's trademark color used to be the brilliant red. I owned a 2001 Dakota in that color. Since then they have become very staid and stodgy, even in their sporty cars. They are like imports, just bland and colorless, even though they do offer a few exciting cars (such as the Caliber SRT). I buy based primarily on a car's looks, as I have to look at it as long as I own it. Chrysler just doesn't interest me anymore, although they do build extremely reliable vehicles.

2007 Dodge Caliber SE 1.8 from North America

Faults:

My caliber is junk with wheels, the last Dodge I will ever buy.

Talked to 6 other Caliber owners; all have same kinds of problems.

To start sounds it like a k car in the morning; knocking + tap tap. I'm not talking about fuel injection noise.

Manuel transmission was replaced because of a knock in the bell housing area. My new trans is doing the same thing.

I go on long trips, and when engine warms about half, it taps taps like it has broken pieces in there when going up hills.

My head lights dim, and the engine tries to stall when idling. I had it at two different dealers; they fixed power control module and transmission. One service manger said I hear those noises, but we can't do any more till more coeds come up.

Lemon law won me $2.500 dollars too. She said Chrysler is the worst to deal with; you're lucky to get that.

Changed oil four times with mobil synthetic oil. Is there anybody out there that can help me fix these problems? I can't trade it in as I'm upside down.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 9th April, 2008

17th Apr 2008, 22:05

Did you try using regular oil instead of synthetic? I've hear of people having the same knocking problem with other brands of vehicles. Good luck.

1st Oct 2009, 01:26

I've got a Caliber with 30,000 km's on it, it's been solid the entire time, no warranty work needed, no problems of any kind so far.

I love changing the oil at 10,000 km's instead of every 5,000km's, I love that it is rock solid on the highway, I love that it's quiet and comfortable at speed with plenty of headroom and legroom... it's a compact, so the elbow room is at a premium, but nothing else has it either.

My only noteworthy criticism is the interior, while reasonably well laid out and the chill zone is a fantastic idea, all round looks cheap.

If I hadn't gotten the car for the price I did, I'd consider complaining, but for all of the functionality for under $14,000, the choice was simply too easy.

P.s. my engine doesn't tick; it should given I routinely spin it to 5000 rpm between shifts (manual), and it's still singing along like the day I got it.

No bumps squeaks or rattles, and the stereo is fine even though it's a base model one... I'm really happy with the car.