Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Dodge caliber. The contact stated that the engine rpms increased as soon as the vehicle was started. In addition, the throttle control sensor warning lamp was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 81,000.
2007 Dodge Caliber cruise control problems
severe 62 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $600 · see cruise control across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
62
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$600
5crashes
5injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 62 cruise control complaints filed for the 2007 Dodge Caliber, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 5 model years of Dodge Caliber we track for cruise control problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 62.
Owners have filed 62 cruise control complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2007 Dodge Caliber has a persistent throttle system problem that spans mechanical and electronic failures. Most critical: the accelerator pedal sticks or gets caught in the open position, causing unintended acceleration from 15 to over 90 mph that brakes cannot reliably stop. Owners report the pedal becoming stuck to the floor, fracturing under normal use, or jamming momentarily when half-depressed. Several describe finding copper or bronze bushing fragments on the floorboard, evidence of internal wear in the pedal linkage. One owner's fractured pedal wedged under the brake, making braking impossible.
The electronic throttle control (ETC) system also fails, triggering a warning light and cutting engine power unexpectedly. Vehicle enters "limp mode," losing acceleration mid-highway, on hills, or during turns. Owners report needing only 30 feet to pull over before complete power loss. Diagnostics point to intake manifold runner, PCM, and transmission sensor faults, but repairs—including fuel pump, throttle body, and computer reprogramming—often do not resolve the problem.
Cruise control unreliably disengages at or above 70 mph, especially under load. One owner notes this happens on every unit in Caliber forums.
Dodge issued recall 10V234000 for accelerator pedal issues in 2010, but many owners' VINs were excluded despite identical symptoms. Even after dealer replacement of the pedal assembly (cost around $282), failures recurred. Dealers sometimes blamed unrelated causes or claimed the vehicle operated as designed.
Same Dodge Caliber cruise control reports on nearby years: 2008
Failure modes owners describe
Accelerator pedal sticks at open throttle / unintended acceleration
The accelerator pedal becomes stuck in the open position or remains depressed, causing unintended acceleration that brakes cannot reliably stop. Owners report the vehicle accelerating from 15–90+ mph without driver input, sometimes requiring neutral/ignition shutdown or manual pedal lifting to regain control. Multiple complaints describe fractured pedal assemblies, worn bushings, and mechanical failures of the throttle linkage.
When: Occurs at various speeds (5 mph to 80+ mph), sometimes triggered by turns, accelerating onto highways, or parking lot maneuvers. Mileage range spans 12,000 to 95,000 miles, with recurring incidents in some cases.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle accelerates uncontrollably despite foot off gas or brakes applied; Pedal physically stuck to floor or will not return to idle; RPMs spike (to 4,000–5,000) while driving at steady speed; Brakes fail to slow vehicle or only slow it slightly; Copper or bronze bushing fragments found on floorboard; Pedal feels stuck momentarily when half-depressed, releases after tapping
Codes mentioned: NHTSA Campaign 10V234000 (Vehicle Speed Control: Accelerator Pedal)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer replaced accelerator pedal assembly (cost cited: $282). Pedal replacement sometimes ineffective; failures recurred after repair in multiple cases. Some owners paid $75–$400 for independent repairs before dealer intervention. Fracture damage required complete throttle assembly replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 10V234000 issued for affected VINs; however, many owners' VINs excluded from recall despite experiencing identical failures. Dealer service advisors sometimes denied relation to recall even when symptoms matched. Manufacturer initially denied problems existed (2007 inquiry); later stated unable to assist unless failure occurred three additional times. Reprogramming or computer replacement attempted but did not resolve recurrent issues.
Electronic throttle control light illumination with loss of power / limp mode
The electronic throttle control (ETC) warning light activates and the engine enters limp mode or safe mode, causing sudden loss of acceleration and power. Vehicle becomes unresponsive to throttle input, limiting speed to near-idle or preventing acceleration on hills or merges. Light may illuminate sporadically or persist, and power may or may not return after shutdown and restart.
When: Occurs at various speeds (15–70 mph) and driving conditions (highway, city streets, hills, turning). Mileage range 17,000 to 100,000 miles. Intermittent pattern; some cases resolve after vehicle restart, others persist.
Symptoms owners cite: Electronic throttle control warning light illuminates on dashboard; Sudden loss of acceleration or power while driving; Vehicle enters limp mode or safe mode, limiting speed; Engine rpms increase but vehicle remains still or moves very slowly; Loss of braking effectiveness or inability to depress brake pedal; Engine stalls or shakes; rough idling; Vehicle hesitates or resists acceleration on hills or during turns; Warning light flickers on/off or stays on intermittently
Codes mentioned: P2006 (Intake Manifold Runner Stuck Closed), P1607 (Powertrain Control Module Internal Shutdown), P0722 (Output Shaft Speed Sensor), P0717 (Turbine Input Shaft Speed Sensor)
Repairs/costs cited: Repairs attempted include: fuel pump replacement, throttle control replacement, computer/PCM reprogramming, intake manifold runner replacement, spark plug replacement, engine flush, throttle body assembly replacement (cost cited: $75–$400+). Multiple repairs on same vehicle often ineffective; problems recurred after dealer service. One owner replaced throttle body three years apart and faced recurring issue again.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer recalls or TSBs cited for this failure mode. Manufacturer offered no assistance in several cases. Independent mechanics unable to replicate failure during diagnostic scans. Dealers unable to determine cause in multiple instances.
Cruise control disengages or fails to set at highway speeds
Cruise control turns off unexpectedly at or above 75 mph, or fails to engage and stay engaged above 70 mph when vehicle is under load (hills). Control becomes unreliable during highway driving, leaving driver uncertain whether system will remain active or disengage without warning.
When: Occurs at speeds at or above 70–75 mph, particularly under load (going uphill). Issue present from purchase on one vehicle; behavior matches across Dodge Caliber forums per owner report.
Symptoms owners cite: Cruise control will not engage at speeds 75+ mph; Cruise control disengages unexpectedly while driving; Cruise control fails to stay on above 70 mph under load; Unpredictable engagement/disengagement behavior
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented in these narratives. Dealership tested vehicle against lot unit and could not replicate failure on comparison vehicle, stating problem vehicle operating as designed despite demonstrated malfunction.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership and Chrysler declined to repair, stating vehicle operating as designed. No recall or TSB issued for this failure mode.
Idle speed surge or rough idle with electrical system faults
Vehicle surges forward slightly at stops or idles roughly without driver input on gas pedal. In some cases, hazard lights, gauges, and warning lights flash simultaneously while vehicle dings. Issues may be related to throttle control or broader electrical/computer malfunction.
When: Occurs at idle or low speeds (coming to stop, at gas station exits). One case involved frequent surging every ~100 miles. Electrical symptoms occurred over time.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle surges forward slightly when stopped with foot off gas; Surge occurs periodically (approximately every 100 miles); Engine RPMs increase abnormally when parked or at idle; Rough idling or shaking at idle; Hazard lights, gauges (except fuel gauge), and warning lights flash simultaneously; Audible dinging accompanies electrical faults
Repairs/costs cited: One owner described $400+ spent on repairs at multiple shops (oil change, plug replacement, motor flush, computer update) without resolution. One case involved electrical issue after recall repair; dealer claimed unrelated to recall despite timing.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer claimed high-idle issue unrelated to accelerator recall despite temporal proximity to recall repair.
Accelerator pedal structural failure / detachment
The pedal physically fractures, snaps, or becomes detached from its mounting, making the vehicle inoperable or unsafe. Plastic pedal breaks under normal use; in one case, fractured pedal wedged under brake pedal, preventing brake operation.
When: Occurred at highway speeds (40–80 mph) and during normal driving. Mileage range 36,000–80,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Accelerator pedal fractures or snaps; Pedal separates from vehicle or mounting; Broken pedal wedges under brake pedal, preventing brake depression; Vehicle unable to accelerate or becomes immobilized
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer replaced plastic pedal with another plastic pedal (no material upgrade documented). One replacement pedal noted as fractured piece of pedal assembly. Vehicle towed in both cases.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer action documented. Dealer provided replacement without stated root-cause analysis or material improvement.
Synthesized from 62 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Had cruise control trouble with your 2007 Dodge Caliber?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the cruise control problem on the 2007 Dodge Caliber?
It's a meaningful issue. 62 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $600.
At what mileage does the cruise control typically fail?
Across the 49 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most cruise control failures cluster between 45,000 and 82,000 miles, with the median around 67,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 45,000; a quarter make it past 82,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $600 for cruise control repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to cruise control?
No active recalls currently cover cruise control issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2007/Dodge/Caliber.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.