2012 Chrysler 300: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Aug 8, 2023 · Electrical · 158,000 miles · AZ

The contact owns a 2012 Chrysler 300. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, there was a burning odor inside the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over on the side of the road and examined under the hood of the vehicle and noticed there was smoke coming from the alternator. After the vehicle cooled down, the contact was able to drive the vehicle back to the residence. The dealer was contact and stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 17V435000 (Electrical System) and that the contact had to pay for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 158,000.

Filed Mar 19, 2020 · Electrical, Engine · 175,911 miles · SC · fire

It caught on fire an burned the alternator out an also the main harness to the vehicle

Filed Jan 30, 2018 · Electrical · 62,000 miles · HI

Re: experience recall t36: I was taking an exit off ramp from the highway when I could smell a burning smell. The ABS, battery and check engine light started blinking. My speedometer was moving up and down, my screen started blinking, windshield wipers went on on its own and my car just locked up and all lights completely went off. Steering and brakes was not operable. As I came down the hilled ramp I pulled over (steering wheel) was hard to steer, hoping and praying that I didn't hit the light pole that was approx. 10 ft away. Thank god the car came to a complete stop about 5 ft away from the light pole. I was not able to put the car in the park position. I called roadside assistance and the tow truck guy couldn't get the car into neutral in order to tow it! He had to open up something by the shifter to force it to go into neutral. Got to the dealership and they quoted me a $160 diagnostic fee. Found that the problem was the alternator which also killed my battery. My car went to the dealership at about 10:30am. The shuttle service brought me to work. By 3pm I didnt get any phone call regarding the status on my car, I called them to check. They said it was the t36 recall -the alternator is faulty that they will try to get the new alternator covered without me having to pay anything out of pocket. The car wouldn't be able to be repaired until the next day. Well today is the next day, they will replace the alternator free of charge but it'll still be a defective one because I will still have to come back to the dealer "when they get the right alternator" and replace it again! This means I will still be driving my "unsafe" car that could get me in an accident or burn until the new part comes out!!this is totally ridiculous! I called the dealer monthly prior to this happening to no avail. I feel like they should provide me a rental car until the "right part" comes in!

Filed Oct 30, 2017 · Electrical · 40,000 miles · AR · fire

Tl* the contact owned a 2012 chrysler 300. While driving at an unknown speed, the driver came in contact with an embankment. The vehicle was unable to be moved and the engine compartment caught fire without warning. The driver sustained fatal injuries due to smoke inhalation. The fire department filed a fire report. The vehicle was totaled and towed to a holding lot. The VIN was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 17v435000 (electrical system). The local dealer (mclarty daniel chrysler dodge jeep ram, 2201 se moberly lane, bentonville ar, 72712) was contacted, but did not provide any information regarding the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but had not returned any of the contact's phone calls. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000. ..updated 12/11/17 *bf

Filed Sep 28, 2017 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 60,000 miles · WA

I was parking in a parking garage and the car went into low battery mode and the ABS light came on. I could smell burning from the engine. I was able to make it safely to park as I was in a parking garage. I was able to inspect under the hood and while facing the engine their was smoke/burning smell to the left of the engine. The dealer did confirm it is part of the t36 recall and is stating I have to pay up front.

Filed Aug 13, 2017 · Electrical · 52,000 miles · CA

While driving 35 MPH, suddenly without warning lost power steering, brakes, could not shift, wipers blades went on and could not turn engine off. Had a electrical burning smell. Entire vehicle shut down.

Filed Jul 26, 2017 · Engine · 63,911 miles · TN

As leaving my home and going no more than 15 MPH because I was still in a residential neighborhood, I noticed that "battery saver mode" came on the dash. Within seconds, I noticed the radio turned off and the car was slowing down. I immediately turned around and as I was returning home (which would have taken about 60 seconds), the car completed stopped. I started to notice a burning smell, so I tried to put the car in park but it would not go. I tried to turn the car off, but no success. As I was smelling the burning smell, I decided to just open the car door to get out and it was at that time the car just turned off. I called the dealer and described what happened. They advised that it was something to do with alternator and would check for recall. They checked my VIN and advised I was not included in recall, but other 2012 chrysler 300s had been included. As I researched online, many consumers were complaining about this same problem and being told they were not in recall. I read the symptoms of the problem as the recall was noted and I experienced the same thing. In addition, I was afraid the car was going to catch on fire by the smell that was coming in the car. Hopefully, this problem can be addressed.

Filed Jul 19, 2017 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 66,000 miles · TX · fire

Limited edition 75th anniversary mopar. Continually blows the 25 amp fuse for the acc, anti-sway, & and systems. Alternator has caught fire on on one occassion. Chrysler either doesn't care or does not possess the expertise to resolve the problem. Battery & alternator replaced after fire. 4091 miles later I am experiencing the same blown fuse problem. Chrysler "independant" investigator from eaa (mike sobiecki) filed report to chrysler a few weeks ago. No call from chrysler to me regarding this issue (there is a chrysler case number on this). I need help. I work out of state and I-ve already broke down during interstate travel on I-10.

Filed Jul 14, 2017 · Electrical · 73,000 miles · AZ

Car had no issues. Was driving and all of a sudden out of no where everything in car was flickering on and off. Speedometer was going up and down and couldn't steer car. The smell was like something was on fire. Thought it was battery (even though there was no issues before) bought a new battery and the burning and smoke was worse. Couldn't even drive it home. This is a common problem w this vehicle yet this VIN isn't included in the recall.

Filed Jul 6, 2017 · Electrical · 76,000 miles · LA

My cars radio went out first then AC blowing warm air then all gauges going crazy and had a burning smell of plastic. Was on a city street came up to stop sign and car just died. This could of been very dangerous. Thank goodness I wasn't on highway. I am told it is my alternator and this should be included with other recalls of alternators. I see they do have recalls on 2012 chrysler 300 for alternator, but my VIN # isn't included in the recall, but should be included.

Filed Jun 22, 2017 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 98,000 miles · OK

My battery light came on when I was leaving the grocery store. About a mile away I stopped at stoplight at a busy intersection on the highway and dash lights started coming on and off, radio and AC coming on and off and then car dies and will not restart. After 5 or 10 minutes get it restarted and will barely move. Luckily there was an auto parts store just around the corner. When I pull in the parking lot, car will not shift out of drive, will not shut off, wind shield wipers come on and won't go off, gauges all going crazy and have to use emergency brake so my car won't run through the front of the store while I go into store to get help. The guy hooks up to diagnostic device and it gives a read error. (hooks up to another car and no error). Finally get car to shut off after about 20 minutes. He tests battery and comes back low. New $200 battery and starts up fine, everything working again. Pull out of parking lot and start smelling something burning, smoke coming through vents, weird sound. Pull over and same things happen - gauges going crazy, wipers on, won't shift out of drive, won't turn off. Get out of car and take key out with me and wipers come on. Have to take out fuse to get them to go off. Lights come on. Have to disconnect battery to get them off - all of this when the key is not even in the car! $60 to have car towed to shop and $600 to have alternator replaced. Why is the 180 amp alternator not part of the p60 recall when it is having the same exact issues as the 160 amp alternator that was recalled??? I keep seeing others saying they keep having the alternator go out again even after they replace it. I have had this car for 5 years and never and problems with it other than general maintenance stuff. I don't not feel safe driving it any longer.

Filed May 24, 2017 · Electrical · 76,000 miles · OH

While driving with my children, the cars warning lights lit up and alarms started beeping. The service engine light came on as well as the fcw off message, I smelled smoke and heard a whiring sound. After pulling in my driveway, I popped open the hood and found nothing out of the ordinary. 20 minutes later I started up the car and started driving, again without any issue. When coming back home (4 mile round trip), I heard a whiring sound again, smelled smoke and lights and alarms again. Fortunately, I was pulling into the driveway. At this point, I could see smoke coming from under the hood. I popped the hood and saw smoke billowing from the area of the alternator. After the smoke stopped I attempted to start the car to move it and roll up windows but could not, the car had no power. After researching the issue, I was glad to see that there was a recall on the alternator for my car. However, I was disappointed to learn that my VIN was not included in the recall. After further research, I determined that the recall was only for the 160 amp alternator, my car has the 180 amp. This alternator failed in the exact same way as the 160 amp alternators. I was very lucky that this happened while turning into my driveway and not a busy intersection. Since this was not part of the recall, I am now out $1000. I have read similar stories of the exact same issue with the 180 amp alternators. This is a safety issue, please help.