Transmission Kit with Torque Converter 1. All Promaster (VF) 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles. If the transmission bracket to the transmission case fasteners are removed during servicing, the fasteners (Part Number 06511385A$) are one-time usage. Vehicles built prior to 10/23/2015 requires Service Kit PN 68461214AA; includes Transmission Isolator PN 68264483AA, and Adaptation Bracket 68264479AA and Fastener Service Kit PN 68329056AA Vehicles built after on or after 10/23/2015 will require only the Fastener Service Kit PN 68329056AA. 2. All 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles. If the vehicle you are repairing has a crack in the flex plate or failed pump bushing inspect and confirm that both (2) dowel pins
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2007 Dodge Caliber powertrain problems
moderate 68 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
68
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
1crash
What stands out
Of the 6 model years of Dodge Caliber we track for powertrain problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 68.
Owners have filed 68 powertrain 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.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2007 Dodge Calibers report a cluster of severe powertrain failures that pose genuine safety hazards. The electronic throttle control system malfunctions without warning, cutting power to 10–35 MPH while on the highway—at least one owner narrowly avoided a rear-end collision when this happened at 70 MPH. The lightning-bolt warning light illuminates, and the only fix is to pull over, shut down the engine, wait several minutes, and restart; some cars require five or more restart attempts before normal operation returns.
The CVT transmission is a chronic failure point. Owners report transmission oil temperature warnings during warm-weather driving, especially on extended highway trips, followed by limp mode and a drop to 10–15 MPH. Dealers often suggest cooling the vehicle for 30 minutes as a temporary workaround, not a fix. Internal grinding sounds indicate broken gears inside the sealed transmission unit—a $4,000–$6,000 replacement when out of warranty. Multiple owners describe situations where dealers cannot pinpoint the problem despite repeated visits, then suggest expensive parts replacement with no guarantee of success.
Dashboard electrical failures occur unexpectedly: instruments go blank, lights flicker, headlights and wipers lose power. The electronic control module corrodes, and frame components rust to the point of structural danger—dealers have warned owners that a fractured rear suspension support could cause loss of rear wheels.
Dealerships frequently cannot replicate the failures or diagnose the cause, even when diagnostic codes are present. Repair attempts address symptoms rather than root causes, and problems recur within weeks or months. Many owners report being told by dealers that Chrysler is aware of these issues but has not issued recalls.
Same Dodge Caliber powertrain reports on nearby years: 2008 · 2009 · 2010
Failure modes owners describe
Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) limp mode / loss of power
Vehicle enters severe power loss mode, limiting speed to 10–35 MPH with no warning. Electronic throttle control light (lightning bolt symbol) illuminates. Occurs during highway driving, after braking, or on hills. Requires shutdown and restart to restore normal operation, sometimes taking multiple restart attempts.
When: Various mileages and durations of ownership; reports from early ownership through higher mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of power limiting speed to 10–35 MPH; Lightning bolt (ETC) warning light on dashboard; Engine jerking and hesitation during acceleration; RPMs spike but speed does not increase; Requires shutdown and 5+ minute wait or multiple restarts to regain normal function
Codes mentioned: P2110, P0708
Repairs/costs cited: Throttle body replacement ($600–$800), throttle body assembly, PCM reprogramming or replacement ($700–$1150). Some owners report repairs do not resolve the issue; problem recurs within weeks or months.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler aware of issue; TSB issued. Some owners mention recall exists but their VIN not included. Dealers unable to replicate problem or provide permanent fix.
Transmission overheating and limp mode (CVT)
Transmission oil temperature light illuminates during highway driving or extended trips in warm weather. Vehicle loses power and enters limp mode, limiting speed to 10–15 MPH. Owners report cooling vehicle for 30 minutes allows temporary resumption of normal operation.
When: Various mileages; reported at 37,000–240,000 miles; occurs in warm/hot weather, long highway trips over 30 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission overheating warning light illuminates; Loss of power during highway driving; Vehicle slows to 10–15 MPH in limp mode; Temporary recovery after cooling vehicle 30+ minutes; Recurrent episodes despite dealer service
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission fluid replacement, transaxle replacement (multiple instances), transmission coolant line cleaning. Repairs often temporary; problem recurs. One owner paid $6,000 for transmission replacement out of warranty.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Lifetime powertrain warranty honored in some cases for transmission replacement. No recall issued despite owner reports of widespread problem affecting multiple manufacturers using same CVT.
Transmission stalling on road (CVT)
Vehicle unexpectedly stalls or shifts into neutral while driving, losing power and propulsion. Occurs without warning on highways and city streets at various speeds. Vehicle must cool or be restarted to resume operation.
When: Reported within first months of ownership through higher mileage; 2007–2011 timeframe; one instance at 107,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls without warning during highway or city driving; Transmission shifts into neutral unexpectedly; Complete loss of propulsion; Check engine or transmission light may illuminate; Vehicle must cool or be restarted to resume operation
Repairs/costs cited: Throttle body replacement, PCM flashing/reprogramming attempted. No permanent fix identified; problem recurs in multiple cases. One owner reports dealer unable to determine cause and advised pulling over to cool for 30 minutes before resuming.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers unable to diagnose or repair. Chrysler customer service unable to pinpoint cause. One dealer advised owner to 'pull over and let cool for 30 min' as ongoing workaround.
CVT transmission internal mechanical failure (grinding noise)
Loud grinding, scraping, or vibrating noise originates from transmission during acceleration, deceleration, or when vehicle is in gear. Internal gears reported broken or damaged. Transmission sealed and non-repairable; must be replaced.
When: Reported at 16,000–89,000 miles; some occurrences early in ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Loud grinding, scraping, or vibrating noise from transmission; Noise worse during acceleration or at higher speeds; Noise present when vehicle is put in gear; Vehicle fails to accelerate or move forward
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission replacement required (sealed unit cannot be repaired). Repair cost $4,000–$6,000 out of warranty. One owner paid for two-week rental car during repair despite dealer lifetime powertrain warranty covering the repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Lifetime powertrain warranty covers replacement in some cases. Dodge refuses responsibility despite documented widespread problem.
Dashboard and instrument panel electrical failure
Dashboard lights go blank or flicker; instruments drop to zero and reset. Electrical systems fail without warning, affecting speedometer, tachometer, odometer, headlights, wipers, and critical lighting. Loss of electrical power to safety systems.
When: Reported early in ownership; one instance at 88,000 miles; ongoing electrical issues across multiple years
Symptoms owners cite: Dashboard lights go completely blank; Speedometer, tachometer, odometer drop to zero then reset; Headlights and emergency lights fail; Wipers and other electrical systems lose power; Red electrical bolt warning light flashes; Air bag light flashes and beeps
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement of instrument cluster ($800+), alternator replacement (twice in one case), battery replacement, electronic control module replacement. Repairs address symptoms but underlying electrical issue not resolved.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Warranty does not cover electrical systems in some cases. No recall issued.
Transmission control module (TCM) and power control module (PCM) failure
Transmission control module loses communication with engine and powertrain control modules. Output shaft speed sensor disconnects. Vehicle enters limp mode or loses all power without warning.
When: Reported at 42,000 miles, 89,000 miles, 178,000 miles; some instances within weeks of repair
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle enters limp mode without warning; Loss of all power on highway; Transmission temperature light illuminates; Check engine light on; Dealer diagnostics show module communication loss
Codes mentioned: P2006, P1607, P0722, P0717
Repairs/costs cited: PCM replacement ($299–$1,150). One owner replaced sensors ($300) to no avail; PCM reprogramming needed but unavailable locally. One vehicle parked since March 2016 due to inability to afford or access PCM replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler technicians available in some cases; not consistently accessible. No recall; no manufacturer assistance reported.
Engine and transmission shifting problems (manual transmission)
Manual transmission vehicle stalls during slow-speed driving and low-speed turns. Stalling occurs while releasing clutch during normal driving maneuvers.
When: Early in ownership; three instances reported within weeks to months of purchase
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle stalls during slow-speed traffic; Stalling during left turns; Stalling while gently releasing clutch at low speed; Loss of steering and braking power during stall
Repairs/costs cited: No repair noted; owner able to restart vehicle and regain power.
Corroded electronic components and frame rust
Electronic control module corroded and full of corrosion requiring replacement. Frame components rust to the point of structural failure. Engine pan support rusted; critical frame components rusted and fractured, creating safety hazard.
When: Reported at 18 years of age (2007 model); one instance at 88,000 miles electrical failure
Symptoms owners cite: Engine pan support corroded and broken; Critical frame component (rear suspension support) rusted and fractured; Electronic control module filled with corrosion; Risk of engine falling out or losing rear wheels; Air bag light constantly on
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement of corroded electronic control module, engine pan support, and frame component required. Dealer warned of life safety risk ('could lose your back wheels'). Difficult to source replacement parts.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler aware of corrosion issue via corporate service bulletin. No recall issued despite life safety implications.
Synthesized from 68 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had powertrain 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 powertrain problem on the 2007 Dodge Caliber?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 68 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 61 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 50,000 and 119,738 miles, with the median around 81,908. A quarter of owners report trouble before 50,000; a quarter make it past 119,738. 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 $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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.