The brake lights come on at will. The car can be parked for hours then suddenly the brake light comes on, draining the battery. I have replaced the brake light switch but the problem still exists. *js
2007 Dodge Caliber lighting problems
moderate 32 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $250 · see lighting across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
32
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$250
1crash
What stands out
Of the 5 model years of Dodge Caliber we track for lighting problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 32.
Owners have filed 32 lighting 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
Buyer takeaway: The 2007 Dodge Caliber has widespread electrical lighting issues—headlights, brake lights, and turn signals fail without warning, often traced to the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) or water-damaged fuse box. Repairs are expensive ($700–$1,600) and failures frequently recur, making this a serious safety and financial risk for used buyers.
Owners of 2007 Dodge Calibers report a pattern of lighting failures affecting headlights, brake lights, turn signals, and instrument clusters. The most common issue is single or dual headlight failure—usually the driver-side low beam—where bulb replacement does nothing. Diagnostics point to the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM), the vehicle's integrated fuse/relay box, or relay/wiring issues. Some owners report the TIPM fails twice, even after replacement.
Brake lights fail intermittently or stop working entirely; one owner was cited twice by police. Turn signals and hazard lights malfunction, blinking on the dashboard while the exterior light doesn't blink, or engaging randomly without driver input. Dashboard cluster lights flicker or black out when headlights are switched on, making gauges unreadable at night. Water intrusion into the TIPM (mounted under the bumper) and light assemblies occurs, particularly in northern climates with salt and snow. Repairs quoted by dealers range from $700 to $1,600 for TIPM replacement or relay/wiring work. Dealership resets provide temporary fixes; one dealer offered a computer reboot that briefly restored function. Owners report Chrysler denied assistance or offered only partial cost-sharing. Multiple forum posts indicate this is widespread, yet no formal recall has been issued despite safety concerns raised by owners.
Failure modes owners describe
Rear brake lights inoperative
Rear brake lights fail to illuminate while third brake light functions normally. Temporary fix via dealer reset; problem recurs.
When: 46,000 miles; also reported at other mileages
Symptoms owners cite: Rear brake lights do not illuminate; Third brake light works normally; Intermittent failure after dealer reset
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership performed software upgrade and reset; owner reports cost would be high; repair did not hold
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler offered to pay half of repair costs; no formal recall mentioned
Left/driver-side headlight failure—no power from TIPM
Driver-side headlight suddenly stops illuminating. Bulb replacement does not fix. Root cause identified as no power from Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM). Multiple failures over time even after TIPM replacement.
When: Around 27,000–69,500 miles; failures recur at higher mileage after repair
Symptoms owners cite: Left/driver-side headlight does not illuminate; Bulb replacement does not resolve issue; Only high beams function; Recurs after TIPM replacement
Repairs/costs cited: TIPM replacement quoted at $800–$1,600; some owners report no power reaching the headlight socket; one owner replaced TIPM in April 2015 only to have driver-side low beam and passenger-side high beam fail again
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Complaint to Chrysler showed no results; some dealers perform computer reboots to reset light module without addressing root cause
Passenger-side headlight failure—bulb or TIPM
Passenger-side headlight fails without warning. Bulb replacement does not resolve. TIPM identified as likely culprit at dealer diagnosis, though not always repaired.
When: 62,000–137,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger-side headlight does not illuminate; Bulb replacement does not fix; Both high and low beams may fail on one side
Repairs/costs cited: Bulb replacement attempted first; dealer diagnosis points to TIPM; one owner reports TIPM on back order
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified in some cases; no recalls issued
Both headlights inoperative—high beams only
Both low-beam headlights fail simultaneously or in quick succession. Only high beams function. Issue persists after bulb replacement.
When: 61,055–99,621 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Both low-beam headlights fail to illuminate; High beams only functional; Failure continues intermittently over months
Repairs/costs cited: TIPM replacement required; one owner replaced headlight bulbs without success; independent mechanic unable to diagnose in one case
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified; no action reported
Intermittent headlight illumination
Headlights illuminate intermittently or flicker on and off without predictable pattern. Occurs at various mileages and persists over time.
When: 53,000 miles and beyond
Symptoms owners cite: Headlights illuminate intermittently; Lights flicker on and off; Both high and low beams affected variably
Repairs/costs cited: One case noted water detected in light assembly by dealer
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer denied assistance with repairs in one case
Turn signal and hazard light malfunction
Turn signals and hazard lights fail to blink or function. Dashboard signal indicator may blink while exterior light does not. Lights may engage only when headlights are on.
When: Not specified; one case at ~20 mph during operation
Symptoms owners cite: Turn signal does not blink despite dashboard indicator blinking; Hazard lights do not blink; Turn signal light illuminates only when headlights are on; Hazard lights automatically engage and shut off without driver input
Repairs/costs cited: Independent mechanic unable to isolate cause
Instrument panel and radio lights inoperative
Instrument panel and radio lights fail to illuminate when headlights are turned on. Lights may flicker on and off initially, then stop working entirely.
When: Not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Instrument panel lights do not illuminate when headlights are on; Radio lights do not illuminate; Lights initially blink on and off, then stop
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner noted no recall found in NHTSA search
Daytime running lights failure
Daytime running lights stop functioning. Independent mechanic unable to diagnose.
When: 120,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Daytime running lights fail to illuminate
Repairs/costs cited: Not repaired; independent mechanic unable to diagnose
Fuse box/TIPM corrosion and water intrusion
Fuse box (TIPM) located under bumper develops corrosion from road salt, snow, and moisture. Leads to headlight and other electrical failures. Water accumulates in light assemblies.
When: Over time with age and seasonal exposure
Symptoms owners cite: Corrosion visible in fuse box; Water in brake light and headlight assemblies; Headlights fail after fuse box gets wet; Moisture building up inside brake lights
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reports fuse box corroded; moisture in brake lights noted by dealer in one case; manufacturer informed vehicle could not be repaired
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer stated vehicle could not be repaired in one moisture case
Brake lights draining battery—stuck on or continuous engagement
Brake lights come on continuously or intermittently while vehicle is parked, draining the battery. Brake light switch replacement does not resolve.
When: Not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Brake lights come on at will; Lights drain battery when parked; Brake lights engage without driver input
Repairs/costs cited: Brake light switch replaced; problem persists
High-beam-only operation
Only high-beam headlights function; low beams do not. Occurs on one or both sides. Bulb replacement does not fix. Related to TIPM or relay failures.
When: 69,500–139,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Low-beam headlights do not illuminate; Only high beams work; Bulb replacement ineffective; Single high-beam illumination reported
Repairs/costs cited: Integrated Power Module identified as defective in one case; relay failure mentioned in another ($700 repair quoted)
Cluster lights flickering
Dashboard instrument cluster lights flicker on and off or fail to illuminate entirely, making gauges unreadable at night. Related to headlight activation.
When: 96,000 miles noted; also reported with headlight failures
Symptoms owners cite: Cluster lights flicker when headlights are turned on; Cluster lights do not illuminate; Speedometer and gauges unreadable at night
Synthesized from 32 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Had lighting 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 lighting problem on the 2007 Dodge Caliber?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 32 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $250 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the lighting typically fail?
Across the 26 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most lighting failures cluster between 61,055 and 120,000 miles, with the median around 95,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 61,055; a quarter make it past 120,000. 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 $250 for lighting 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 lighting?
No active recalls currently cover lighting 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.