2007 Dodge Caliber Please help. Need some imput on motor m

Tiny
ZX14
  • MEMBER
  • 2007 DODGE CALIBER
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 32,000 MILES
This is a 2007 Dodge Caliber SXT 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl 5M)

At approximately 26 K, the car was struck in the front while in park when a car accelerated backwards striking the front of the bumper. The bumper did not sustain any major damage.

The impact was enough to tear my fiances rotator cuff in her shoulder. After the accident, I felt the car jerking on acceleration, so I took it to Firestone, thinking it was an alignment issue, had the tires rebalanced and had the same problems. I took the car back at 28K and they stated it was an inner transmission problem and to go to the dealer. The car was diagnosed by the dealer as having the following problems:

1) a cracked motor mount (picture is above)
2) a signficantly fatigued mount
3) a potential transmission problem

These are the front (front of car) and rear motor mounts that were affected.

The dealership states that the damage was caused by the impact.

My insurance company (Liberty Mutual) sent 2 adjustors out, had me in a rent a car for 14 days, to tell me that they saw the issue but it could not have been caused by the collision. They stated it was excessive wear and tear on the vehicle.

This vehicle is in great shape and it did not drive this way until after the accident. The vehicle only had 26K miles at the time of the accident.

I live in Florida and I wanted to find out if this is normal for a vehicle with 26K miles or could a collision cause this?

Thank you very much for your time and input.
Saturday, January 16th, 2010 AT 12:16 PM

1 Reply

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,650 POSTS
I feel very strongly that the accident could have caused the problem. The simple fact that the car was in park placed all the stress of the impact on the mounts. Also, it could have caused an internal problem in the trans. Most likely with the parking sprag.

Regardless, if she was hurt that bad, she was hit hard and, yes, I feel it could have damaged the mounts.

Also, this is not a common problem with the vehicle. Ask the dealer to talk with the adjuster.

Let me know if you have other questions.
Joe
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Saturday, March 20th, 2010 AT 11:14 PM

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