NHTSA Complaint #11459461 — 2007 DODGE CALIBER

I had brought my 2003 Stratus and 2007 Caliber in to the dealership for their 3000 mile oil change and check-up. When the Stratus was done, I switched it out with the Caliber. The receptionist came into the waiting room to inform me that my vehicle was dangerous to drive. The engine cradle had rotted out. The manager had asked her to tell me: "If you hit a big bump, your engine could fall out." She showed me a picture of the area in question. I asked what I was supposed to be looking for and was shown where the cradle was supposed to be. A post-it note was on the picture saying that the manager "will do some pricing". The invoice states: "We question the structural integrity of it being able to hold up much longer." When I did not hear anything for a few weeks, I called in and was told that it had not been done but the manager would get right on it. I had asked the manager how this could have been missed during all the years I had been bringing it in for any kind of maintenance and was told: "It probably looks worse that what it should because I poked it with a screwdriver a few times to see how bad it was." Invoice total: $1884.20. I have since spoken with a general manager for Magna Corporation who produced the cradle for the Caliber. They were aware of the design flaw of the cradle that did not allow for drainage of water/road chemicals from the cradle. A lawsuit was filed by Magna against Dodge which Magna won. The particulars of the lawsuit were not made known to me other than Magna charges $42 for the cradle, but I was billed $859. I have found numerous customer complaints online over the corrosion of the cradle in other Dodge model years as well. The 2007 Caliber seems to have more overall customer complaints that all othe model years combined.