Had the lightning built come on flashing yesterday. The car then started to sputter. So I pulled over and called for a tow. I tried to start it a few times while waiting and the red lightning bolt was still on flashing and the car was still sputtering, and the accelerator didn't seem to respond correctly. It's been hot here for the last week or so 100-104. I felt like lately that the car was a little sluggish but I thought noting of it cause it's so hot. I automatically thought I had a throttle body issue and I'd be replacing that. So after the tow truck dropped of the car at home I went and checked on it, couldn't get it to start. Battery was dead, out of juice. Being 4 1/2 years old I figured I'd start there. Went to my local auto parts store and swapped it out. Thinking that a bad battery couldn't of caused this many problems? But maybe? So I got home and threw it in, started it up lightning bolt came on, engine sputtered as it did yesterday then it stopped, and started running smooth. I revved it a bit and let it sit running for about 20 minutes. All seemed good ,back to normal. And no lights on the dash. I checked and pulled a P1607 code. Also my coolant is pretty low, I need to fill it up. Anyone had something similar to this? Could this really be caused by a failing battery? Oh also I had the alternator replaced at the dealer almost 2 years ago and only have about 8-9,000 mi on it. Odometer is sitting at 88,200.

Update:

I drove it around a little more and it seems pretty much back to normal. Still seems a little sluggish/slow. May be the heat. It's still doing a little jerking jumping during acceleration at times, but that's noting new. I'm still trying to pinpoint that issue. L think it's the TB, but I don't want to possibly waste $2-300 for a TB and still have the issue. I knew the battery was old but I've been checking on it and it seemed fine.

I know this post is a little while back but let me tell you, I Have an 2011 dodge caliber also.. about a year after i bought it it started acting up the lightening bolt light along with the traction light would come on then when i would restart my car it would all go away and run smooth again... Not to long after the first time noticing the light The caliber left me and my daughter stranded on the side of the highway in the middle of the night (same lights came on) but only this time it was no restarting it... I had bumper to bumper warranty and they replaced the throttle body.. it ran good for about a week then all of the sudden same thing happened again and i was fit to be tied i took it back to the dealership where i purchased it.. They then fixed in yet a second time (throttle body number 2 within months) < they made me purchase another throttle body because they believe the garage who put the last one on may have put a used one on and it may have been a bad one..(i wasnt buying his assumption, but what do i know) so after the dealership fixed it the second time 3 months later it happend yet the 3rd time!!!!!! The dealership was out of options so they sent me to DODGE and dodge said they were going to replace the throttle body yet a 3rd time but only this time they werent going to put a factory throttle body on it. (mind you i had to pay out of pocket this time over 1,000.00 ) i wasnt happy... SO now here i am two years later and guess what??? THIS IS THE 4th timeeeee same lights and all now the car is staying in safe mode and will not go over 2 RPMS I am so dissapointed and of course now noone will help since the warranty is up.. funny. I hope yours does not do what mine did.