The battery saver mode indicator light came on in my chrysler 300 while my wife was driving on a city street and then the engine started smoking. She had only been driving the car for about 15 minutes. She was able to pull into a parking lot and then the car completely shut down. The car continued smoking for at least 15 minutes. This is terrible and dangerous!! The dealer says the alternator and battery need to replaced. There is a recall on the chrysler 160 alternator for this problem. This car has a 180 alternator and chrysler has not recalled it even though it is the same problem!
2012 Chrysler 300 electrical complaints
Page 5 of 8: complaints 101 to 130 of 212, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chrysler 300. While driving 20 MPH, the battery safe mode warning indicator illuminated. The contact stated that there was an abnormal odor coming from the front of the vehicle. The contact turned off the vehicle and was unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the battery and alternator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 71,642.
On 12/22/16, I used my car for work and later christmas shopping with no problem. At 9:00 pm, my husband, granddaughter and I were on the freeway traveling about 60-65 MPH when the battery save mode light came on. I smelled smoke so my husband merged over to the far right, still traveling about 50-55 MPH. The car began to shut down, first the radio, then inside panel lights, headlights, airbag warning lights, brake lights, windshield wipers up, and car slammed into park while moving. Felt like we were rear ended. Very scary. Luckily, we were able to coast downhill off the side of the freeway, barely making it off, with the backend of the car in jeopardy of being hit. The three of us were stranded there on the side of the road until 1:30 am, in a not so lit area, until aaa arrived. None of us knew how to put the car in neutral so it had to be forced on and off the flat bed. The next day, I notified chrysler and found out there was a recall on the alternator for this same make, model and year. My care # is 30764006. However, I was told that my car was not covered because it had a 180 amp alternator instead of 160 amp. I was told by [xxx] to have my car towed to motor village la for an official diagnosis and that she (chrysler) would try to help me get it approved to be fixed under the recall. Motor village quoted me $1200 to fix and denied the recall claim. My family and I almost lost our lives that evening, and I wasted time with chrysler recall. I had to get the car towed elsewhere because I could not afford $1200 for repair. Furthermore, when I called back, I was not able to speak with [xxx] and of course, the story had changed. They no longer offered help, only apologies. As a result, I lost time off work and was without a car for a week. I am requesting reimbursement for my $130.00 diagnostic charge paid to motor village. Thank you. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
First sign was it kept saying low power mode activated. I took it in to dealership but they said everything was fine. A month later I was driving on the highway and everything electrical turned off (steering, ABS, battery, etc.) and the car started smoking heavily. My car stalled out in the middle of the highway and I had to push it to the side of the road. Very very scary to lose all control of your car all of a sudden when driving at high speeds. I pulled over and got car towed away only to find out that the alternator was messed up causing the battery and serpentine belt to go out as well. I asked if my 300 was covered part of the faulty alternators but apparently my VIN doesn't cover the recall so here I am hoping to cause awareness so I can get my $1500 bill covered especially since the car only has 80,000 miles on it. 2012 chrysler/dodge/jeep are known to have faulty alternators but my VIN is not part of the "bad batch" so please expand this recall.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chrysler 300. While driving 60 MPH, the vehicle lost all power. The vehicle was towed to a repair facility where it was diagnosed that the alternator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v634000 (electrical system), but the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,000.
I was on my way home from the grocery store with my son, I was stopped at a red light when the light turned green I pressed on the gas to go and the car would not move the ABS light came on. The end car finally started to move slowly, then all the lights started to flash and everything went black, no power! I tried to get as close as possible to home, at that point I had no power steering no nothing and all the while the dashboard kept flickering and it said service transmission, malfunction indicator was lit up. This all happened in rush hour traffic. Smh I was going about 25mph and miles on vehicle was 55,900
As I was driving on a city street, my alternator shut down causing everything electrical to stop functioning. I lost control of the vehicle and the brakes were not responding as well. The car kept rolling until I hit a curb.
Since purchasing this vehicle on memorial day weekend at chrysler, little falls nj of 2014, I have had nothing but issues. From electrical problems, to the airbag issues, to later spending over 1300 in repairing the alternator. Within the 1st few days of the purchase the air bag light came on in which I immediately brought the car in for repair and the mechanic stated that there were no issues found. Unfortunately, it was too late to cancel the purchase, per flo I had signed the contract and cannot cancel the deal. After becoming very frustrated with the continuous issues with the vehicle and lack of customer service, I contacted corporate chrysler, in which caitlin contacted me and scheduled an appointment with rt1 chrysler in lawrenceville nj around 7/2015, in which they stated that the air bag had spliced wires. A few days from taking the vehicle home the air bag light came back on. I contacted caitlin to report that the issue still exist in which she never called me back. I called her for several months. I then took the vehicle to the chrysler in cherry hill and the one in lumberton, all stated no issues found, even after bringing it in when the alternator went on it. I also brought it in to the chrysler in lumberton since the car had lost power/engine knocking and they stated nothing was wrong until I brought it back to cherry hill chrysler and they found that it was engine problems. Corporate chrysler and all these dealers have continued claiming that they cannot find any airbag issues or when they claim they find something, it has been repaired but yet the problem still exist. Bottom line, all these dealers and corporate chrysler have continued putting my life, my families life and others in danger. I fear for my life and my families. This car is nothing but a luxury lemon and corporate chrysler needs to replace the vehicle since they cannot fix it.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chrysler 300. While driving 5 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the alternator failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v634000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chrysler 300. While parked, there was a strong odor entering the vehicle. In addition, the contact stated the ABS and traction control warning indicators remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v634000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 103,600.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chrysler 300. While idling at a traffic light, the contact noticed smoke under the hood of the vehicle. The contact pulled over, raised up the hood, and noticed smoke rapidly exiting the alternator. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and repaired. The failure mileage was 46,042.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chrysler 300. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the battery saver mode warning indicator illuminated and the power seized. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the alternator and battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The VIN was not provided. The failure mileage was 49,000.
My 2012 chrysler 300 while driving power just died. In the middle of a busy intersection I see recall but was told it had to be VIN specific I have less than 60kmiles on the car and the average price range from 762.00 to $1100. I car stalled then loss power the dashboard began to flicker was not able to cut car off or put it in park. I had to wait till it died then that ruin the battery. Can not start the car at al. Took it to an dealership and it the alternator
This is the 2nd time I am sending a complaint about the 2012 chrysler 300's and the safety issues associated. My vehicle has some sort of electrical issue. This electrical issue used to sporadically affect my vehicle in various way, however lately the issues have become more frequent and aggressive. The frequent and aggressive activity are as follows: sometimes my bluetooth will not connect so I would turn off and restart the vehicle and the bluetooth would immediately connect. Sometimes the power seats will not heat. I would pull over turn off the car and restart the vehicle and it would start heating up. Sometimes the back-up camera flickers and has a severely distorted image. Sometime the image of the camera is perfectly crystal clear. The main concern is my power steering is electric and I do not have a power steering pump. When I am driving and making a turn out of no where the steering gets really tight and I almost have to force the car to turn. When I park the car and let it sit for a while then the steering is fine again. This is a major safety issue. I have had the vehicle serviced and everyone says that the battery alternator and starter are all perfect. They cannot find anything wrong. Clearly there is something wrong with my vehicle. This has been happening since 2013. The attached images show the backup camera flickering and distorted images. Exactly 2 minutes later I restarted the vehicle and the images were perfect. I also have videos to share if needed.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chrysler 300. While entering the driveway, the vehicle stalled without warning and gray smoke appeared from the hood. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the alternator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v634000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 95,000.
While driving on a city street all the lights started coming on. Started to smell something burning. Smoke started to come from the front of vehicle. Then vehicle just died in the middle of a four lane road. Luckily a police officer was coming from the opposite direction and saw what was going on and turned around to assist. Car was towed to aaa service center who diagnosed problem as failed alternator which also burnt wire harness in the sidewall. They also informed my wife that there was a recall on the alternator. Called chrysler customer service representative who stated that vehicle's VIN was not included in the recall. Having vehicle to dealer where it will be left approximate mileage 112,000 and I was ready to get another one won't happen unless they do the right thing recall# 14v634000
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chrysler 300. When the brake pedal was depressed at 30 MPH, the vehicle failed to respond and the steering wheel seized. The vehicle suddenly stalled, the instrument panel indicators illuminated, and the doors failed to unlock. The vehicle was restarted after the battery was charged; however, it only moved approximately ten feet. The vehicle stalled again and all the warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 46,000.
Was driving at about 70 MPH when the battery saver mode light came on. This was the first time.I had seen this light. Got home and shut the car off and restarted it few hours later and light went away. Began to drive again and light came on again while driving about 45mph on a busy street. The car began to shut the lights off and the windshield wipers began to turn on and I lost the ability to steer the car. I had to muscle the steering wheel to the around and head home with no headlights at night!!! I made it home but the car would not shut off it was stuck idling. The car started to over heat and began emptying coolant everywhere . The car overheated and shut off. I drive 25 miles to work everyday and take my kids to school via freeway. If this had happened on the free way myself and my kids could have been seriously hurt or killed. I read the fault codes and I got a bad alternator code.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chrysler 300. While driving 40 MPH, the vehicle began to decrease in speed while the accelerator pedal was depressed. In addition, the steering wheel seized, the vehicle stalled, and numerous warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the alternator failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v634000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.
Was driving down the road on a 90 plus degree day with my air on and radio and all of a sudden the radio shuts off the air shuts off and the heat comes on max all by its self.the winsheild wipers come on . I tried to turn them off but I couldnt. Try to roll the window down but it wouldnt work . Lost my power steering. Try to turn but I couldnt went to next drive way where it was wide enough and turned the car was trying to start while all this was going on. I finally got the car where I tried to stop it but it would not so I push the emerency brake and held the brake while I did that also tried to put the car in gear but it would not allow me to in the message area it read service shifter. Finally the car was dying down and all of a sudden it just shut down. I fear driving that car I am traumatized by this and fear my life in that car because I had no control of it and could not shut it off because the push to start was only like a dumbbie button .it would not do anything
Since 2013 I have been experiencing electrical issues with my car. First in 2013 it was very sporadic. The bluetooth and radio would not turn on approximately once every 2 to 4 months so I would turn off the car and restart it and it would connect. This year in january 2016 the fan was not blowing and there was not heat in the vehicle. I turn the car of and restarted it and the fan began to blow immediately. Last week my steering wheel felt like it was not going to complete my left turn and got really tight. Yesterday as I was driving my accelerator and brake began to feel very tight as if they were both getting stiff and the suspension started getting very tight then as I was backing into a parking space my backup camera started flickering like poltergeist. I took the vehicle to check it I needed a battery or a new alternator and they said nope. My battery, my alternator and started are all good. I have been two different places and they told me that I have an electrical issue that has just gone bad over time. I tried to have someone look into it in 2013, but anytime someone held onto the vehicle nothing happened. I just spoke to another mechanic and they said I may need a new PCM. I am not sure what the problem is but would like to get to the bottom of it.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chrysler 300. While driving at an unknown speed, the air bag warning indicator illuminated intermittently. The dealer diagnosed that the seat air bag wiring harness would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 13v118000 (air bags). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 66,096. Updated 11/01/16*lj updated 11/02/16.
While driving on the highway, battery saver mode appeared. The radio shut down, no control of the windows, ABS and traction control light illuminated. Kept driving due to being close to home. As I was pulling in the driveway the car completely shut down. Smelled a burning smell. It wouldn't let me put it in park and I couldn't unlock or open the doors to get my 5 year old out of it. He had to crawl out of a window. Issue turned out to be the alternator 180 amp and the battery. After searching online I see a recall for the same exact issues but only for cars with 160 amp alternators. I complained to chrysler and they are of no help either. Clearly the issue is exactly the same as the ones that were recalled, I have seen so many of the same complaints!!!! And most importantly, super dangerous being that my son and I were locked in the vehicle while the alternator is just smoking away!!!! Thankfully his back window was down and he crawled out!! We could have easily been in an accident if this were to have happened on the highway. Such bull crap coming from a multi million dollar company! Fix the problem before somebody who might not be so lucky, has a lawsuit against you!!!!!! Makes me sick that you have all of these complaints from so many people describing basically the same problems and you sit back and do nothing!!!!!
The vehicle in question, chrysler 300, year model 2012, shut down completely during normal driving conditions, while in motion, in traffic. There was no indication before hand that there was a problem. The car was towed to dealership which it was purchased from. The alternator was said to be the problem, which was a 180 amp.
While driving on the highway, the instrument panel suddenly lit up and the car shut off. The car was smoking and after raising the hood, I saw that it was the alternator, which sequentially destroyed the battery.
Driving on interstate, car stalled with no warning, unable to put car in gear, all electrical sytems completely shut down, had to coast to access road an have car towed for service..next seatbelt on passenger side will not come out..cant be used..airbag lights illuminated..
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chrysler 300. While pulling out of the driveway, smoke emitted from the interior vents and hood. The contact noticed a small fire under the hood and all the warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the alternator failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was excluded from the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v634000 (electrical system). The failure mileage was approximately 82,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chrysler 300. While driving at any speed, the information icon and battery lights illuminated. The following day, while starting the vehicle, the ABS and traction lights illuminated and a strange odor emitted from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was unable to start. The contact was informed that the battery needed to be replaced. The battery was replaced, but the failure persisted, the odor became stronger, and there was a noise emitted from the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The VIN was excluded from the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v634000 (electrical system); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chrysler 300. While driving approximately 15 MPH, the vehicle shut down completely without warning. The contact and her son pushed the vehicle to the side of the road. The vehicle was later towed to a local dealer where it was diagnosed that the alternator needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that there was no recall. The failure mileage was 92,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chrysler 300. While driving at unknown speeds, the vehicle stalled and the battery warning light illuminated. The dealer diagnosed that the alternator was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 67,000. Updated 08/17/16*lj the dealer also replaced the battery. Also, the air bag light was on. Updated 10/19/16.
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