Caliber Stalling at Idle: Fuel Quality Troubleshooting

I had a very similar issue with my 2013 Dodge Dart last summer. As someone with moderate experience working on cars, I initially thought it was fuel contamination causing the stalling. After checking the fuel system thoroughly, my mechanic found the issue was actually a faulty wiring connection to the fuel pump sensor. The symptoms were nearly identical, rough idle, stalling, and inconsistent fuel mixture readings. The repair involved replacing some corroded wiring and a connector, which cost 95€ including diagnostic time. Before discovering the actual cause, I tried using fuel additives which didn't help at all. The real problem was electrical, not fuel quality related, despite the similar symptoms. To help diagnose your case more accurately, could you share: Current mileage on your Caliber, When was the last fuel system maintenance done, Does the stalling happen more when the engine is cold or warm, Any noticeable changes in fuel economy before this started, Are there any other warning lights besides the check engine light This additional information would help determine if your issue matches what I experienced or if it might be something else in the fuel delivery system.

Thanks for sharing your experience. At 124834 KM and regular maintenance, my issues seem different than yours. The fuel filter was replaced during the last service 4 months ago, but I still notice significant engine knock especially when accelerating. After reading your post, I checked the fuel pump connections but they seem fine. The stalling mostly happens when the engine is warm and the combustion chamber temperature is high. Fuel economy has dropped about 15% in the last month. My next step is having the fuel injectors cleaned and tested. Hoping this resolves the rough running issues without needing major repairs.

Based on those additional details about the engine knock and warm stalling, my Dodge Dart situation was indeed different from yours. The fuel economy drop combined with knocking during acceleration strongly points toward fuel delivery issues rather than the electrical problems I faced. The symptoms you describe align more with clogged fuel injectors affecting the fuel mixture. When I initially suspected wrong fuel in my case, I also considered injector cleaning, but since your problem persists after warm-up and shows clear fuel economy impacts, professional injector service seems like the right call. For proper diagnosis, make sure they check: Fuel pressure at idle and under load, Carbon buildup in the intake manifold, Injector spray patterns, Fuel rail pressure sensor readings A full injector cleaning service typically costs around 180€, but its much cheaper than replacing them if they get permanently clogged due to poor fuel quality. Consider using high-quality fuel and injector cleaner additives after the service to prevent future issues.

Thanks for the input. After getting all these details and comparing symptoms, Im going to proceed with the injector cleaning service this week. The engine knock and warm stalling definitely point to fuel delivery problems rather than electrical issues. I have found a reputable shop that will do pressure testing and full diagnostics before the cleaning. They quoted 175€ for complete fuel system service including injector cleaning and testing. Will also switch to higher grade fuel and use proper fuel additives going forward to prevent these issues from returning. The fuel economy drop and rough running when warm really suggest this is the right path forward. Better to fix it now before the injectors get permanently damaged. Will update once the service is done to let everyone know if this resolved the stalling and engine knock issues.