AFTER FIVE complaints regarding a sticky pedal problem in the Dodge Caliber from Chrysler, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has taken up a probe on the matter. The vehicle in question, the 2007 Dodge Caliber model from Chrysler, has not been recalled and though the NHTSA believes that 161,000 vehicles may be affected by the problem, Chrysels thinks that the issue may affect only about 10000 2007 models.

The sticky pedal problem probe for the Dodge Caliber arose after NHTSA stated that it had recieved five complaints from drivers with the 2007 model vehicles about the electronic throttle controls, which governs the speed of a vehichle after the gas pedal is pressed or released. The drivers reportedly complained that after stepping on the gas, their pedals were stuck and did not come back to the raised, idle position.

Four drivers complained to the NHTSA that they had found a small part of the pedal, the bushing, on the driver side floor. These bushing ensure that a pedal returns to its idle position and without them, it can be stuck.

A sticky pedal is what started the barrage of Toyota recalls last year and led to Toyota paying a hefty fine to the Senate Overseeing committee, which investigated the problem recently. In fact, it has been reported that Chrysler gas pedals, put into the Dodge Caliber are made by the same company, CTS Corp, which manufactured the Toyota pedals.

Though the NHTSA has put 161,000 vehicles under the scanner in this probe, Chrysler, based on the build dates of the Dodge Calibers which have been involved in the complaints, said it could be just 10000 vehicles, who may have the problem. They said that the problem seemed to be limited to a five week period in March and April 2006. The number that NHTSA will investigate, according to Chrysler spokesman Nick Cappa, is the total number of Calibers built during the 2007 model year.

Chrysler also believes that the problem may be mechanical one and not a design issue or an electrical one. They also clarified that the recall cause Toyota pedal was completely different from their gas pedals.

In the meantime, Dodge Caliber owners can come to any Dodge dealer for a free inspection. They can also check with their dealers about the entire issue, apart from calling the official helpline.