2007 Dodge Caliber electrical problems

The TIPM, located in the engine compartment where it is exposed to moisture and road debris, corrodes and fails. The failure cascades to multiple electrical systems including headlights, taillights, turn signals, wipers, ABS, brakes, horn, radio, and climate control. Owners report loss of power while driving and inability to restart. The part is housed with vents exposed to the elements and lacks adequate water sealing.

When: Typically 50,000 to 100,000+ miles; some failures occur within first years of ownership or shortly after battery replacement

Symptoms owners cite: Loss of all power while driving; Inability to accelerate; Intermittent headlight failures (one or both low beams); Loss of turn signals, hazard lights, wipers, brake lights; Loss of horn; Radio cutting in and out or failing completely; Dashboard warning lights flashing or illuminating erratically; Vehicle goes into limp mode (very low power)

Codes mentioned: U1110, U1120, U0416

Repairs/costs cited: TIPM replacement costs $467–$1,200 or more with labor. Multiple owners report parts on backorder. Used units available from auto yards. Some owners disconnected battery per dealer instruction with temporary effect.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dodge/Chrysler acknowledges the issue in some cases per owner reports but does not issue recall. Dealer may refuse to replace under warranty. Some owners report dealer reflashed TIPM as temporary fix. No recalls issued despite widespread complaints across years.

The engine enters limp mode (restricted to 10–35 MPH or below) triggered by throttle or sensor fault codes. The electronic throttle control light (lightning bolt symbol) illuminates or flashes. Vehicle loses power under acceleration and on hills. Occurs intermittently, sometimes repeatedly in single trip, sometimes after weeks of normal operation.

When: Variable; can occur early or after extended use; often happens within first 15 minutes of driving or at stops and during acceleration

Symptoms owners cite: Lightning bolt (ETC) warning light on or flashing; Loss of engine power, inability to exceed 10–35 MPH; Check engine light on; Car stalls at traffic lights or during turns; Jerky acceleration; Multiple power loss episodes in single drive

Codes mentioned: P2110, P2118

Repairs/costs cited: Owners report mechanic cleaning throttle body with no permanent fix. Replacing camshaft position sensors resolved one case. ECM (engine control module) replacement attempted in another case. No consistent factory fix identified; resets or computer reflash temporary. Root cause of ETC failures not confirmed in narratives.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler denies some claims. Vehicle covered under lifetime powertrain warranty in one case but throttle body excluded from coverage. No recalls issued for ETC limp mode despite multiple complaints.

Driver-side or passenger-side low beam headlight stops working despite bulb replacement. Bulbs test fine or appear new. High beams function normally. Failure often precedes broader TIPM electrical collapse. In some cases, both low beams fail simultaneously or in quick succession.

When: Can occur at any mileage; reported from 10,000 miles onward; some occur within months of ownership

Symptoms owners cite: Low beam does not illuminate despite bulb change; High beam works normally; Headlight flickers on and off before failing completely; Both low beams fail at same time or within days of each other

Repairs/costs cited: Bulb replacement does not fix problem. Mechanics diagnose as TIPM failure. One owner workaround: jump power from fog lights to restore headlights. No factory repair short of TIPM replacement.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall. Dealership diagnostic fee $95–$99 before acknowledging issue. Owners report ticket citations for headlight violations and legal consequences.

Alternator windings arc, copper wires melt, aluminum housing fails. One case documented sparks around alternator area. Another showed alternator completely burnt despite low mileage (60,000 miles). Premature failure is unusual and suggests overcharging or electrical fault upstream.

When: 60,000 to 85,000+ miles; one failure noted around 85,490 miles

Symptoms owners cite: Loud rattle in engine; Squeaking or whining noise; Alternator visibly burnt; Battery warning light illuminates; Erratic gauge needle movement; Rotten-egg sulfur odor (from overcharging)

Repairs/costs cited: Alternator replacement $406–$680. Owner noted alternator could have caught fire.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recalls for alternator failure. One owner reported recently replaced manufacturer original alternator had catastrophically failed.

Battery squirts boiling sulfuric acid, creating rotten-egg sulfur odor and risk of chemical exposure or explosion. Occurs in tandem with alternator failures, suggesting electrical system overcharging.

When: Related to alternator failures; one documented case at approximately 85,000 miles

Symptoms owners cite: Battery boiling and steaming; Sulfuric acid spray; Rotten-egg sulfur odor; Throat and lung irritation from fumes

Repairs/costs cited: Owner investigated but narratives do not describe repair cost or remedy. Photos and failed battery documented for investigation.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall. Cause unclear; may be related to alternator failure or TIPM-induced overcharging.

Starter fails repeatedly, often multiple times within short intervals (weeks to months apart). Vehicle loses all power, makes hissing noise, and will not restart. Requires towing and replacement. One owner documented six starter replacements over four years.

When: First failure around 67,877–103,000+ miles; recurrences over 2–4 year period

Symptoms owners cite: Hissing noise before power loss; Engine shuts off and will not restart; Loss of all electrical power; Acrid smell and smoke from electrical components; Vehicle must be towed

Repairs/costs cited: Starter replacement cost $179–$491 per replacement. Multiple replacements required; one case had starter replaced 6 times in 4 years. One replacement covered under warranty, others not.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One dealership blamed mouse nest under air filter despite no evidence of rodent intrusion. No acknowledgment of systemic starter failure. One owner found TIPM recalls on AllData but dealers claimed no recalls on their system.

Vehicle stalls without warning while driving, especially during acceleration, slowing, or turning. Once stalled, difficult to restart; may require 5+ minutes to restart or stay off for extended time. Occurs at highway speeds (55–70 MPH) and idle. One case involved complete fuel pump circuit burn-through.

When: Variable; one case reported stalling almost daily in first month; another had nearly 100 episodes over months

Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls at traffic lights or during turns; Loss of power during acceleration on flat roads and hills; Engine stalls at highway speeds without warning; Difficult or delayed restart; In school pickup line, stalls when gas pedal pressed

Codes mentioned: Electronic Throttle Control light (lightning bolt)

Repairs/costs cited: One owner noted fuel pump wire burnt through its housing with risk of gas tank explosion. Other repairs include computer module replacement, crankshaft sensor replacement, and transmission control module replacement ($600); full computer re-flash ($300). No permanent fix documented.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recalls. Manufacturer denies issue has been reported as a trend despite multiple complaints.

Instrument cluster gauges behave erratically, needles swing up and down without cause. Speedometer stops working (reads zero) while driving. Warning lights (ABS, brake, anti-skid, check engine) illuminate and flash on and off. Condition is intermittent and temporary (reset after engine restart).

When: One case at 88,000 miles; another at 154,000 miles

Symptoms owners cite: Gauge needles erratic motion; Speedometer reads zero while driving; ABS, brake, anti-skid, check engine lights flash on and off; Dome lights flashing; Radio shuts off intermittently; Cluster lights flashing rapidly

Codes mentioned: U1110, U1120, U0416

Repairs/costs cited: Condition temporary; resets after engine off-and-restart cycle. No permanent repair identified.

Vehicle accelerates out of control, sometimes at highway speeds, despite driver not depressing gas pedal. Engine RPMs spike to 8,000. Brakes fail or are ineffective. Smart braking (ABS) activates erratically and causes fish-tailing. Occurs in conjunction with electrical warning lights.

When: One case at 88,000 miles; another at 40–50 MPH during highway driving

Symptoms owners cite: Sudden unintended acceleration; Engine RPMs spike to 8,000; Vehicle loses power then suddenly accelerates; Brakes unresponsive or brake pedal feels odd; ABS activates and fish-tails vehicle; All dashboard lights illuminate; Loss of control

Repairs/costs cited: One vehicle not repaired; owner reported to manufacturer without remedy. Another involved computer/ECM diagnostics but repair outcome not described.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer denied assistance; vehicle not covered by recall (Campaign 10V234000). Warranty expired.

Radio loses sound when engine is running but functions normally on accessory power. Radio cuts in and out, fades out, or stops working entirely. Audio intermittently fails after electrical events.

When: While under warranty in one case; intermittent failures over years

Symptoms owners cite: Radio sound fades out with engine running; Radio cuts in and out; Radio stops working entirely; Radio intermittently fails after battery disconnect or electrical event

Repairs/costs cited: Dealer reflashed TIPM as fix; owner instructed to disconnect battery for 5 minutes if problem recurs. One owner has lived with failed radio for 2 years; rear wiper mysteriously began working again on its own.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer reflash offered. Warranty refused TIPM replacement initially.

Wipers stop working or work intermittently. Often occurs during heavy rain when most needed. Owner loses visibility. Wipers may restart without intervention or require battery disconnect.

When: Variable; one case during heavy downpour at interstate speeds

Symptoms owners cite: Wipers stop working; Wipers work intermittently; Wipers fail during rain or wet weather

Repairs/costs cited: Diagnosed as TIPM failure. No repair short of TIPM replacement documented.

Power windows and locks fail or operate intermittently. Driver-side window opens but will not close. Prevents rain from being kept out.

When: One case at 156,000 miles

Symptoms owners cite: Power windows inoperative or intermittent; Power locks inoperative or intermittent; Driver-side window opens but will not close; Rain enters vehicle

Repairs/costs cited: Not diagnosed or repaired in one case.

Brake lights do not illuminate despite individual components testing functional. Horn also fails in conjunction. Creates safety hazard for following traffic.

When: Unknown mileage; owner was unaware of failure until coworker warned

Symptoms owners cite: Brake lights do not work; Horn does not work; Individual brake light and horn components test fine

Repairs/costs cited: Diagnosed as TIPM failure. Repair cost approximately $820. Not covered by warranty (TIPM not considered part of engine).

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Not covered by warranty.

Turn signals (left and right) and hazard lights stop working. Often occurs in tandem with headlight failures and loss of other electrical systems. Creates significant safety hazard during lane changes and emergencies.

When: Variable; one case during city driving at 30 MPH

Symptoms owners cite: Left and right turn signals stop working; Hazard lights stop working; Fog lights inoperative

Repairs/costs cited: Diagnosed as TIPM failure in cascading electrical loss. No repair short of TIPM replacement.

Vehicle can be turned off by accidentally bumping the ignition key with knee while shifting in seat. Occurs more frequently in taller drivers. Causes immediate loss of power steering and power brakes on moving vehicle.

When: Unknown; three documented incidents on city street and interstate

Symptoms owners cite: Engine shuts off when ignition key is bumped; Loss of power steering; Loss of power brakes; Loss of all electrical power

Repairs/costs cited: Driver learned to avoid bumping key; no factory fix mentioned.

Crankshaft position sensor and camshaft position sensor fail, triggering check engine light and loss of power. Replacement often required multiple times. Not all failures resolve the underlying stall or limp-mode issue.

When: Variable; one case at unknown mileage requiring replacements on same visit

Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light on; Loss of power and inability to accelerate; Car jerks as if about to shut off; Stalls at traffic lights

Repairs/costs cited: Crankshaft position sensor replacement performed in multiple cases with temporary or no relief. One case required camshaft position sensor replacement as well. Sensors replaced but vehicle continued to die on subsequent trips.

Engine stalls or nearly stalls when vehicle comes to complete stop (traffic light, red light). Vehicle attempts to shut off despite driver not releasing accelerator. Jerking forward upon restart.

When: Reported from early ownership (within first 14 months in one case)

Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls at traffic lights; Engine jerks and tries to shut off at stop; Grinding type noise upon ignition; Engine constantly wants to stall upon slowdown or complete stops; Difficulty restarting

Repairs/costs cited: Power control module replaced in one case; problem recurred within 8 months despite dealer claiming repair.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers claim issue resolved but problem continues.