2010 Dodge Challenger: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Jun 11, 2024 · Electrical, Steering · CA

Was driving normally going 65 mph on the highway when white smoke was emitting from inside the steering wheel. Between the dashboard and steering wheel. Engine was fine and no warning lights came on. Everything ran great except for the white smoke. I don’t know what it could be. Luckily it didn’t catch on fire

Filed Sep 24, 2019 · Electrical · 154,000 miles · AR

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 dodge challenger. While driving 60 MPH, the battery warning indicator illuminated. The contact pulled the vehicle over and checked underneath the hood. The contact discovered smoke and a spark coming from the alternator. The contact disconnected the battery cable to prevent the vehicle from possibly catching on fire. The contact then reconnected the battery and drove to an independent auto shop. The mechanic replaced the alternator in the vehicle. Afterwards, the alternator and computer inside the vehicle failed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The alternator was repaired; however, the computer system was not. The failure mileage was approximately 154,000.

Filed Sep 23, 2018 · Electrical · 8,500 miles · MD · fire

Pulled my car out of the garage, started washing her. The wire above the drivers visor shorted and caught the interior on fire. Thank god I did not hop on the road but was washing the car. 3 months later, still do not have the car as dodge stops making headliners and we have been unable to find one at a junkyard.

Filed Jun 5, 2017 · Fuel system · 85,000 miles · VA

Car starting smelling strongly of gasoline after filling tank. The smell makes you very light headed and is dangerous to drive. I parked the car in my driveway and gas is dripping from 2 spots in front of the rear passenger tire. I am afraid to start it to drive it to a dealer thinking it will catch on fire. I have called a tow truck to come and take it to a dealer. I am trying to keep an eye on it so not one comes around it with a cigarette or other source of ignition. My house and 2 garages are in danger of the leaking gas until I can get the car towed away from my property.

Filed Feb 9, 2016 · Electrical · 65,000 miles · TX

My son was driving on a busy road in the city going strait ahead and noticed the battery light had come on, very quickly he then noticed smoke coming from the front of the car, under the hood. Fortunately he was able to quickly exit the roadway and get into a parking lot. He opened the hood and more smoke came out. He called me (his father) and explained the situation. I asked if it was on fire and cautioned him to get back and to let it cool down. He let it cool down and attempted to restart the car. The car had no electrical power at this time. Door locks and trunk latch would not function. After putting the key in the ignition and realizing the car was completely dead he attempted to remove the key from the ignition and the car would not release the key, therefore he was forced to leave the key in the car unattended and eventually towed for service. I have concerns about the safety of this situation given that if he would not have been able to exit quickly the car could have caught fire or completely lost power/control while he was stuck in the roadway. Apparently the car alternator got hot enough to destroy it and the battery. After searching the internet there are numerous reports of this same problem and subsequent recall of later year models of this exact same alternator with a slightly different engine model(the federal safety agency 14v‑634) recall number p-60 alternator. I have called dodge/chrysler and filed reports/complaints with them. I have attached repair invoice confirming the issue explained. I believe this vehicle should fall under the same recall as later year models due to unsafe and dangerous potential of mechanical failure. Thank you

Filed Jan 23, 2015 · Electrical · 33,200 miles · TX

I heard a terrible whine and then smoke came out of the hood and the engine light came on. Luckily, I was a block away from my house so I pulled it into the driveway and opened the hood and saw smoke coming from the alternator. The alternator windings were black and the car wouldn't start. Battery died from not being charged. I replaced the alternator from a local auto parts store and the car runs fine. I was also able to recharge the battery and it still is working. By the way, the car used to die once a month or so when I would be turning right into a parking lot. Since I have replaced the alternator, I do not have that problem anymore.

Filed Feb 5, 2014 · Body, Electrical · 40,000 miles · MD · fire

Vehicle was parked, with all power off, windows up, doors locked. Passenger rear quarter panel marker light shorted and caught fire, resulting in charred paint, melted light assembly, melted wiring, and melted rear bumper.

Filed Apr 10, 2013 · Electrical · 19,453 miles · NY · fire

My 2010 challenger rt burst into flames at an idol. The engine wire harness shorted and caught fire. Thankfully I am a firefighter and saved the vehicle. It has less than 20,000 miles on it. I am furious due to the fact that dodge will not cover it under warranty which it should be. It is a manufactures fault not mine. It was parked and idling when this happened. Thankfully there was no one around that could have been hurt. What if I was in grid lock traffic not a firefighter with out the proper extinguisher. A lot of people could have been hurt and their vehicles caught fire. I love dodge. Have all my life. I am baffled that they will deny coverage. It sickens me the lack of integrity and care shown. I have tried numerous times with the dealership (meadowland dodge of carmel ny) and corporate. Neither one could explain why my vehicle will not be covered. Nor did they help to find out why. Just a simple we are not covering you due to our faulty and extremely dangerous ticking fire ball time bomb. Horrible customer service and care. I will be contacting a lawyer. Its a $1200 part I will not be paying for this nor will my insurance and my copay to them. I don't care if I loose money in a lawsuit. It is the simple principle of the matter. This whole experience with dodge has left a very bitter taste. This is inexcusable. Its like dodge only cares about making money and not about their loyal customers and the public's safety or concern. I now have to pay for a rental out of my pocket. I have been with out my vehicle for over a month. Nothing has been done to it. Corporate took a month just to come look at it. Simply furious. I purchased this vehicle in full. Trusting the company saved up over 5 years including my combat deployment pay. I have been constantly let down by dodge and the dealership. I am also considering making this public (news, forums, facebook).