2007 Dodge Caliber: NHTSA looking into sticking pedal complaints

Consumer Reports News: May 03, 2010 05:35 PM

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is looking into five reports related to the 2007 Dodge Caliber that accelerator pedals became stuck while driving. In the reports, drivers complained that the pedal did not return to the idle position when released. In four of the cases, drivers found one or two bushings on the driver's side floor. Normally, the bushings act as a bearing for the pivot shaft for the pedal arm, according to NHTSA's investigation summary. But the pedal arm can become misaligned without them, preventing the pedal from returning to the idle position.

Coincidentally the pedal assemblies were built by the CTS Corporation, which is the same supplier that built the pedals in eight Toyota models that were recalled for sticky accelerator pedals in January. The throttle assemblies are electronically controlled, but failing bushings would indicate that the problem is mechanical.

In an article in Automotive News, Chrysler said that consumer complaints are limited to about 10,000 Calibers built in March and April 2006.

See our special section on unintended acceleration and related issues.

—Rik Paul