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Dodge Caliber Transmission Problems

165 messages,  Last post on May 16, 2013 at 7:45 PM

You are in the Dodge Caliber Maintenance & Repair Forum.

What is this discussion about? Dodge Caliber, Transmission, Wagon

Messages Page 13 of 18

#113 of 165 2007 Caliber transmission by dkprzywuski

Feb 24, 2011 (8:59 am)

My car has 54,000 miles on it. I have the rxt awd model. At 33,000 i had my transmission replaced. This was in Nov 2008. 2 years later, i am having the same problems again. Currently at dealership waiting for a transmission control module.
I love the car, but after this, i may have to trade in for something else.

#114 of 165 solution to post 111 above on 2-16-11 by kerrybee

Feb 24, 2011 (6:13 pm)

Yes, this is me again. Problem solved. Traded my car.
 
The end. Thanks for reading.

#115 of 165 2007 Dodge Caliber w/ Transmission Issue by moosetracks28

Mar 11, 2011 (12:39 pm)

My 2007 Dodge Caliber has been having problems starting in the cold (-10F to 15F here in Anchorage, AK). The car has 68,500 miles. It doesn't act up when the engine block heater is plugged in. But sometimes after sitting outside all day at work, it chugs and clicks but doesn't like to turn over upon starting. We solved the problem by turning the key, letting the fuel injector click a few times and then starting it. The battery checks out as good, with voltage 12.9-13V. We also put in some fuel injector cleaner with each re-fuel.
 
Four days ago, the car was parked in the warm garage and did not start. There was clicking but no issues with the lights, stereo, etc. My husband checked the battery voltage (which appeared just fine) and borrowed a computer code reader from his work buddy. The error code message gave us 6 error codes stating there was an error with the transmission control module upon trying to start the engine. Upon research online, it appears a lot of CVT Calibers are having similar issues. So with no way to clear the computer code or to potentially repair the transmission control module, we did the only thing we could do: Call the dealership.
 
The car was towed and the dealership said that they couldn't get any error codes without installing an new battery. How did my husband get the error codes on the same battery, not more than 12 hrs before? The dealer said they couldn't read any codes without a new battery installed. So, we agreed to have the new battery installed.
 
Nevertheless, the dealership said that with the new battery installed, no error codes were coming up upon startup. It just sounds fishy.... Why would a bad battery give you transmission error codes? Why not "low voltage"?? I just have a gut feeling that they reset the computer, as there probably is a technical service bulletin out for this error, given all the complaints I've read online...

#116 of 165 Re: 2007 Dodge Caliber w/ Transmission Issue [moosetracks28] by kcram HOST

Mar 11, 2011 (4:14 pm)

Replying to: moosetracks28 (Mar 11, 2011 12:39 pm)
A weak battery can indeed cause transmission errors. Since the computer controls the powertrain, voltage fluctuations (even slight/quick ones) can prevent the car from operating properly.
 
A reading of 12.9 volts is actually on the low side of acceptable. A properly charged system should be in the low 14s. Readings below 13 mean the battery is starting to show difficulty holding a charge, and extreme cold like AK can accelerate failure with little or no warning.
 
If you've noticed that the car starts almost instantly with the new battery compared to some cranking with the old one, then the decision to change batteries was likely a good one.
 
kcram - Pickups/Wagons Host

#117 of 165 Re: Grinding scraping noise [bent109] by jlhart

Apr 26, 2011 (7:37 am)

Replying to: bent109 (Dec 30, 2009 3:12 pm)
Purchased a 2010 caliber last fall having same scraping noise. People are telling me they cant hear it ? That is nuts is loud especially happens at a slow roll or approaching a stop ( no brakes on) then after stop and I hit the gas... scraping? Have not brought it in to be looked at as I was thinking it was nothing but it is driving me nuts. Also car feels sometimes like it is going to stall.

#118 of 165 Re: CVT Problems? [holly88] by gizm0man

Apr 26, 2011 (11:03 am)

Replying to: holly88 (Dec 27, 2010 7:01 pm)
I had purchased an extended warranty when I got the car, so I was out of pocket only $100. My problem was after the replacement, I often have a hesitation on acceleration from a stop at about 2000 rpm. Dealer couldn't fix it so last Dec they decided it had to be a bad tranny and put another used one in. Better, but I still have the hesitation. Then, last month I had a leaking rear main seal. Again only $100 out of pocket.

#119 of 165 2007 dodge caliber transmission by notadodgefan

May 01, 2011 (7:14 am)

Just reached 80,000 on my caliber and the transmission started going. Headed to the chevy dealer and they gave me a deal I could not turn down.
 
Before this, in December I had to put a new front end in.
 
It also chewed up tires pretty bad. Was recommended to have my tires rotated on every oil change.
 
Lesson learned. 1st time ever buying a dodge, and my last. Ironically, my hubby had a dodge durango. Same problems with the tires and lots of front end problems.

#120 of 165 Caliber, Tanny by cartmanf

May 17, 2011 (11:57 am)

I agree with all of you. My wife was driving the caliber last evening, coming home from a meeting 110 km away. She called me about half way stating that the car will not change gears. She drove 60 km in 1st gear. Took it to a shop today and they say that the transmission is shot. This is just another issue I have had with my 2007 rxt Caliber. Driving me crazy. I bought this car for the fuel economy and to decrease repair costs but along with my payments I am averaging $800 per month with this beast. 2 more years of payments for this piece of crap. I will never buy another Dodge again. Lesson learned.

#121 of 165 Re: Caliber, Tanny [cartmanf] by simplysusan

May 30, 2011 (7:21 am)

Replying to: cartmanf (May 17, 2011 11:57 am)
I bought my 2008 Caliber new when my KIA Optima seemed to be impossible to fix. I bought the extended warranty because I was upside down on my trade in and was driving 106 miles a day to and from work. Back before 60,000 miles, while at the dealership for an oil change, I asked them about servicing the air conditioner and transmission since I had received coupons for both in the mail. I was told that my a.c. was good for five years, and that because I had the CVT transmission, I did not need to do anything to it until 100,000 miles. This is not what the book said, but I do believe I asked them to document that in their computer. Anyway, just the other day, I was returning home from my son's house when what I thought was the temperature gauge came on and the car started stalling.(It's the same symbol as what is by the engine temperature gauge.) I was about fifteen miles from my boyfriend's house, so I called him to see what I should do. Mind you, I was on the interstate with Memorial Day traffic around me. I drove on to his house, extremely loud and embarrassing whining noise and all, where I got out the book to see what that indicator light meant. Come to find out, when the car is driven for long periods of time in hot temperature, the light will come on and the transmission will slow down automatically. Now, I don't know where you all live, but 93 degrees, which was the temperature at the time, in the southwestern part of Georgia, is NOT hot! My drive was only about 80 miles, and about half of that was at 55-60 mph. I had hoped to make a trip to Texas this summer, but like I told my boyfriend, I'd be asking for trouble if the car were to do that between here and there, so I guess that's out. I have less than 85,000 miles on my car, and four more years of payments. I'm praying that the car will hold out that long! If there is any legal action being taken by anyone, I'd really like to know!

#122 of 165 Re: Caliber, Tanny [cartmanf] by honkeylips

Jun 07, 2011 (5:24 pm)

Replying to: cartmanf (May 17, 2011 11:57 am)
Just out of curiosity, do you recall what they said specifically was wrong with the tranny that it needed to be replaced?
 
Having some issues with my R/T, kinda scared about what this is gonna run me.
 
Thanks.

Messages Page 13 of 18

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