Takata recall. My car keeps on blowing the rear tire about every 6-8 months.my steering wheel also shakes/vibrates when driving over 55 MPH. The tires are wearing uneven. I have discovered that there is a rear cross member recall for my car which would explain this. I will be taking my car in to be aligned however I would like to know how to get the recall honored before doing so
2010 Dodge Caliber steering problems
moderate 12 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Complaints
12
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
What stands out
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 7 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: Expect severe subframe rust on used 2010 Dodge Calibers, which can lead to wheel detachment and loss of steering control. Verify the front crossmember and subframe condition with a lift inspection, and check for any recall or notification history before buying.
Owners report two major steering and suspension issues on 2010 Dodge Calibers. The primary complaint centers on corroded subframes and front crossmembers, with multiple owners describing severe rust that compromises structural integrity. One owner's front wheel detached during a left turn at 105,000 miles due to a corroded front crossmember; another reported the subframe broke while driving, causing the car to pull left and nearly causing a head-on collision. Repair estimates exceed $7,000 for subframe replacement, strut replacement, bushing repairs, and suspension stabilizer work. A recall (referenced as expired in 2018 and a "Customer Satisfaction Notification X69") reportedly exists but owners claim they never received notice.
Secondary steering complaints include pulling to the left during turns and braking, steering wheel shimmy at highway speeds, and a clicking noise when turning. One owner describes severe pulling left that felt like driving on ice despite dry conditions. Owners also note rear tire blowouts every 6–8 months and uneven tire wear, which they attribute to suspension geometry issues from the corroded subframe. One unrelated complaint mentions a broken internal shifter causing the vehicle to remain in drive when parked.
Same Dodge Caliber steering reports on nearby years: 2007 · 2008 · 2009
Failure modes owners describe
Subframe and front crossmember corrosion
Front and rear subframes, front crossmembers, and rear bumper support structures develop severe rust that compromises structural integrity and suspension geometry. Corrosion progresses to the point where components fracture or fail completely during normal driving.
When: 105,000 miles reported; owners describe the issue as common on 2007–2012 model years; one owner notes Dodge had a recall that expired in 2018
Symptoms owners cite: Visible severe rust on front crossmember and subframe; Vehicle no longer safe to drive per mechanic assessment; Front wheel detachment during turning; Subframe fracture while driving; Vehicle pulling to the left unexpectedly
Repairs/costs cited: Subframe replacement, front crossmember repair, alignment, strut replacement, bushing replacement, and suspension stabilizer bar replacement reported. Repair estimates exceed $7,000. One owner paid for repairs outside authorized dealer and was denied reimbursement by manufacturer.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dodge issued a recall (referenced as expired 2018) and a Customer Satisfaction Notification X69; owners report not receiving these notices. One owner received an airbag recall notice in spring 2018 but was never informed of the crossmember issue at that time. Manufacturer denied reimbursement for out-of-warranty repairs completed at non-authorized shop.
Steering pull to the left
Vehicle pulls sharply to the left during turning, braking, or crossing bridge expansion joints on the highway. Owners describe the pull as severe enough to require active stabilization and compare the sensation to driving on ice or wet roads.
When: Early in ownership for some; timing unclear for others
Symptoms owners cite: Steering pulls to the left during turns; Vehicle hops or lurches to the left when turning wheel; Pull to left during braking; Requires constant correction to maintain lane position; Sensation similar to driving on wet or icy pavement despite dry conditions
Repairs/costs cited: Owner reports mechanic identified the issue but did not perform documented repairs; dealership quoted $400 diagnostic/repair charge despite vehicle being under warranty
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership demanded $400 fee or financing option to address the issue despite warranty coverage; no recall or TSB cited by owner
Steering wheel shimmy and vibration
Steering wheel vibrates, shakes, or shimmers while driving, particularly at highway speeds above 55 mph. One owner describes the steering column as shimmying.
When: Occurs during highway driving; no specific mileage reported
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel shakes and vibrates at speeds over 55 mph; Steering column shimmies while driving; Uneven tire wear; Rear tire blowouts every 6–8 months
Repairs/costs cited: One owner notes a rear crossmember recall exists that would explain this symptom; no repairs documented in narratives
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Rear crossmember recall referenced by owner; owner states intent to seek recall before alignment
Steering wheel and steering column noise
Steering wheel produces a clicking or clunking noise when turned, suggesting wear in tie rod ends, ball joints, or steering gear components.
When: No specific timing or mileage provided
Symptoms owners cite: Clicking sound when turning steering wheel; Slight noise during turns
Synthesized from 12 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
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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 steering problem on the 2010 Dodge Caliber?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 12 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $700 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Based on the 12 complaints filed, steering issues most often appear around 104,097 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering 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 steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering 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/2010/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.