REAR WIPER ARM MIGHT COME LOOSE AFTER USE. INSTALLING A NEW NUT ON THE REAR WIPER ARM SHOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2007 Dodge Caliber visibility problems
severe Owners of the 2007 Dodge Caliber have filed 10 NHTSA complaints about the visibility, typically surfacing around 80,000 miles at roughly $350 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See visibility across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
10
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$350
| Model year | visibility complaints |
|---|---|
| 2007 Caliber (this page) | 10 |
| 2008 Caliber | 4 |
1fire
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering visibility 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.
CRACKED WINDSHIELD DUE TO BEING HIT BY A FOREIGN OBJECT LIKE A STONE.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2007 Caliber has consistent visibility issues owners describe as safety hazards. Windshield wipers fail during rain at mileages between 48,500 and 120,000 miles—some fail completely, others slow dramatically. Multiple owners cite the TIPM (Total Integrated Power Module) as the culprit; one owner had to manually hold the wiper arm down to keep wipers working during rush-hour traffic. Dealers acknowledge the TIPM needs replacement, but part availability has been a barrier.
Dashboard deterioration coats the windshield with oily residue that owners clean repeatedly with no lasting fix. This poor visibility gets worse in summer heat and during night driving or sun glare.
Power windows stick or freeze in cold weather, forcing owners to beat on them or wait over an hour for the cabin to warm. One owner's power window motor caught fire at 80,000 miles—the fire department confirmed the motor was the source, and the manufacturer claimed no similar reports.
Water leaks into the cabin through doors and sunroof during rain. One rear window spontaneously exploded while the car was parked with all windows closed; a glass repair company reported servicing 19,000 2007 Caliber windows for the same issue. A heater core failed at just 1,000 miles, leaking scalding water onto the driver.
Failure modes owners describe
Windshield wipers fail or operate intermittently
Wipers malfunction during rain, often requiring driver to manually hold the wiper control arm to keep them working. Multiple complaints point to TIPM (Total Integrated Power Module) or wiper motor failure. This failure directly impairs visibility in wet conditions.
When: 48,500 miles to 120,000 miles; occurs during or after heavy rain events
Symptoms owners cite: Wipers fail to operate in continuous (slow or fast) mode; Wipers operate very slowly despite high setting; Wipers stop working mid-operation during rain; Driver must manually hold wiper control arm to maintain operation
Repairs/costs cited: TIPM replacement required (part availability was a known issue); possible wiper motor replacement
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer noted no recall applied; manufacturer made aware of defect but did not provide coverage
Dashboard deterioration causes oily windshield film
Dashboard material breaks down and releases oil that coats the windshield, creating a persistent haze and reducing visibility, especially in sun and night driving. Owners report cleaning multiple times daily with oil returning within hours.
When: Present since vehicle purchase; worsens during summer months
Symptoms owners cite: Oily residue continuously accumulates on windshield; Poor visibility in sunlight and night driving; Oil returns within hours of cleaning; Problem worse in hot weather
Power windows malfunction in cold or wet conditions
Power windows freeze or fail to operate when temperatures drop or precipitation is present. Some owners report needing to beat on windows, wait over an hour for warmup, or use deicer spray to operate windows.
When: During cold weather with precipitation
Symptoms owners cite: Windows will not roll down in cold weather; Windows freeze or jam when precipitation present
Repairs/costs cited: Owners report using mechanical force (beating) or waiting for warmup; deicer spray mentioned as potential workaround
Power window motor failure causes fire hazard
Driver-side door panel caught fire, confirmed by fire department as caused by power window motor failure. Vehicle no longer under warranty and manufacturer declined to assist despite defect.
When: Approximately 80,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Driver-side door panel caught fire; Fire originated from power window motor area
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle required extinguishing with water; fire department confirmed cause
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer stated no similar complaints received and declined assistance; vehicle out of warranty
Water intrusion from sunroof and doors
Water enters vehicle interior during rain through both sunroof and door seals, creating wet conditions and triggering airbag warning light. No diagnostic work performed.
When: Approximately 70,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Water entering during rain; Airbag warning light illuminated
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall coverage; manufacturer referred owner to NHTSA
Heater core failure with scalding water leak
Heater core failed early, leaking cold water initially then extremely hot water into cabin from dashboard. Dealer repaired the failed core.
When: 1,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Cold water dripping from dashboard; Water temperature turned extremely hot
Repairs/costs cited: Heater core replacement performed
Rear window spontaneous breakage
Backseat window exploded inward while parked with all windows closed and no impact. Glass repair company reported having serviced approximately 19,000 2007 Dodge Caliber windows for the same complaint.
When: While parked; ambient temperature 80°F, all windows closed
Symptoms owners cite: Rear window exploded from inside without impact; No external cause apparent
Repairs/costs cited: Glass replacement performed by Safelite
Synthesized from 10 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had visibility 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 visibility problem on the 2007 Dodge Caliber?
It's a meaningful issue. 10 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $350.
At what mileage does the visibility typically fail?
Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most visibility failures cluster between 70,000 and 110,100 miles, with the median around 80,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 70,000; a quarter make it past 110,100. 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 $350 for visibility 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 visibility?
No active recalls currently cover visibility 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.