Acceleration complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
My Dodge Caliber 2012 sxt still under warranty had a failed manufacturer component, the 'shift interlock assembly' which controls drive, park, reverse, nuetral and all transmission settings. Vehicle was parked on blacktop area behind my house and rolled forward. It plunged headfirst down a steep hill hill crashing through back yard forest. Trees eventually stopped the vehicle. Neighbor's houses and a public road were at the base of hill. The vehicle was unoccupied. Tied car off to a tree to prevent roll over. Car is now at a Dodge dealership. Chrysler corporation is sending an 'independent' Chrysler inspector who then sends a damage report to Chrysler. Then a 'special investigation' will follow. No estimate on when Chrysler May respond. Ongoing lack of urgency in Chrysler corporation response cannot be penetrated. Car was in the woods for 2 days and now in shop for the 3rd day. …
Mt 2012 Dodge Caliber had a roll away incident on 9/6/2103 when parked in a driveway. It rolled and then dove down a very steep hill with trees which eventually stopped the car rolling down the hill. The manufacturer defect has been diagnosed as a failure of the shifter assembly. There are a number of late model cars under recall because of shifter assembly defects and potential for 'roll away'. The car remains at the dealership, not safe to drive, awaiting a new shifter assembly and cable on order. Chrysler was contacted about warranty defect and took two weeks to respond by letter and declines participation with any costs associated with this incident. Letter is a contradiction saying all sysrems were found to be operating properly but noted a problem with the ignition switch the dealer should repair. Roll away can have very serious consequences.
Driving to massachusetts from nh...3 hour ride...just outside of springfield, ma on a very busy highway, the car suddenly deaccelerated, lost power, and dash warning lights came on. The car went from approx 75/80 MPH down to 30mph and lower. I was in the middle of the third lane, and had to try to get over to the break down lane with a car full of kids. This is not safe, and several vehicles were swerving around me to avoid hitting me in the rear end. When trying to accelerate, I would put my foot to the floor on the gas pedal and nothing would happen. It was like it suddenly went into neutral. Very, very dangerous. Also, the shifting lever often shifts my car into manual operation instead of automatic without me even realizing it.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Dodge Caliber. While driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle experienced a loss of engine power and independently decelerated even after the accelerator pedal was depressed. Also, the check engine and traction control warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to beyer Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (200 ridgedale ave, morristown, new jersey) where it was diagnosed that the accelerator pedal assembly was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and did not assist. The failure mileage was 64,000.
When I start my car, it starts just fine and then about 1-2 minutes later the engine check sign will come on followed by a red lighting bold on the dashboard. Once the red lightning bolt comes on either parked or driving in a city street or highway, the car immediately starts making loud noises, shakes uncontrollably and speed reduces, sometimes to the point where it shuts off while I'm still driving on the highway or city street. It sort of starts forcing itself to move while in motion. While the light is still on, if I stop at a red light or stop sign and it's time for me to go or the light is green, when I push the gas paddle the car sort of tries to move with pushes, just as though someone was pushing it while parked and then all of a sudden moves with speed. …
Takata recall". I had a bad experience on the way home from visiting family about a hr from town I was driving had my air on cause it was extremely hot out side I drove going about 60 to 70 adverage then transmission temp light come on car start slowing down cant go any faster nothing seen gadges going all the way up and nothing foot was all the way down no power so I pull over scared wat the hell wrong with my transmission wat did I do I had no power shut off my car for 20 min point was I was driving on a major highway and for this to happend had no power to my car I could of got hit couldnt move or do nothing and no one can seem to find the problem to this sulution cause it dont happend all the time just when it wants and replacing parts after part and still not fixing the problem has to be a issue I just dont understand what the problem and y does it happend when they say everything …
The transmission continuously overheats causing the vehicle to lose power. The is no notification other than a light at the time it starts to slow down. At this point you have to maneuver cautiously through fast moving traffic to pull over for about 15 minutes each time. I have almost been in multiple accidents (and almost caused a few) because of the unannounced extreme loss of power. I've taken the car for multiple transmission flushes and filter changes. Nothing works and I'm repeatedly told that many calibers are having the same issue but the manufacturer has not created a solution. The vehicle has remained parked for the last 2 years. My daughter took it out for a drive today and was stuck on the freeway twice in a 30 mile trip due to the transmission. I cannot sell or use the vehicle for obvious safety reasons.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Dodge Caliber. When the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle would not accelerate more than 5 MPH and an unknown warning sensor illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the throttle body and throttle control failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and filed a case number. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
Related recalls (1)
Vehicle speed control › Accelerator pedal
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2007 Dodge caliber and Jeep compass passenger vehicles manufactured from March 7 through May 19, 2006. The pivot bushings in vehicles with oversized accelerator pedal bearing pockets May become dislodged and potentially cause the accelerator pedal to bind or stick.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners and dealers will inspect and replace all affected accelerator pedal assemblies free of charge. The safety recall began on June 29, 2010.
NHTSA investigations
Sticking Accelerator Pedal
In their Defect Information Report (DIR) of June 3, 2010, Chrysler Group, LLC (Chrysler) notified NHTSA that it will conduct a safety recall of approximately 25,265 model year 2007 Dodge Caliber vehicles and 71 model year 2007 Jeep Compass vehicles manufactured from March 7, 2006 through May 19, 2006.The recall will remedy a defect in the accelerator pedal assembly (accelerator pedal) of the Electronic Throttle…
Frequently asked questions
Which Dodge Caliber years have acceleration problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2007 (117), 2008 (28), 2011 (21), 2010 (18) and 2009 (10) model years. Acceleration complaints make up 12% of all complaints for the 2007.
Is there a recall for Dodge Caliber acceleration problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 10V-234 (accelerator pedal, Jun 3, 2010). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Dodge Caliber acceleration problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 74,000 miles; 28% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the accelerator pedal (11 mentions), followed by the cruise control (2).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.