Tl* the contact owns a 2011 dodge challenger. While driving 35 MPH, the contact noticed smoke under the hood of the vehicle. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road and flames appeared from the alternator. The contact extinguished the fire and drove to don davis dodge jeep (1901 n collins st, arlington, tx 76011 (877) 376-9083). The dealer diagnosed that the alternator was faulty. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 120,000.
2011 Dodge Challenger: fire, smoke or burning smell
5 of the 193 complaints about the 2011 Dodge Challenger describe fire, smoke or burning smell.
- owner complaints
- 5
- of this car's complaints
- 3%
- typical mileage
- 59,000
- recalls
- 2
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls and 25 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Fire, smoke or burning smell by model year
What owners say
While driving my 2011 dodge challenger r/t all of a sudden all of the interior lights just lite up like a christmas tree. I was able to slow down and stop the car and then I proceeded to turn off the car. As I was trying to determine what happened I then opened the hood and saw the alternator smoking like it had just caught fire or over heated. The smoke cleared and I tried starting the car but it would not crank. I had to have the car towed. This happened without warning.
Wife was driving into town from her sisters house and noticed ABS, traction control light and other lights begin to come on while she was driving. She began to notice a burning smell at around 40 MPH just before getting into town. When she parked the car at walmart she noticed all the lights flashing like a casino and the car would not start. She called me to come get her while she was in the store so I went and got her keys, gave her my truck to drive back to her sisters, and went to her vehicle which started up when I attempted to turn it on. As I was driving the car home I noticed a winding noise coming from the engine but that was the only thing I experienced while I was driving it. The next day I had my father come by so we could take his truck with us in case it malfunctioned again. As my father was driving the car into town to an auto part store the casino light show started up and the vehicle completely died while driving at 40 MPH so he had to coast it dangerously into a gas station parking lot, thankfully this didn't happen on the interstate going 70 with 18 wheelers around. I called a tow truck and had it towed to dodge dealership down the road and they said this was a common problem and the battery and alternator needed replaced which is going to cost around $900. This has angered me all day that they knew this was a common problem and no recalls have been issued on this. This could potentially injure or kill someone because it shuts down completely while driving and not everyone can control the steering wheel when the power steering goes out. This happened around 59,000 miles. We wont be buying anything from chrysler or dodge from this day forward.
The first time my 11 dodge challenger messed up was january 2014. Went to start it and it wouldn't. Got towed to dealership-was told the door handled shorted out. 2nd time was in april 2014 I smelt burning rubber turned my car off and then it would not start and windows rolled down. Got towed- was told bad battery. Now the 3rd time june 2014 I was driving about 40 MPH the inside of my car looked like a casino slot machine with all the lights and sounds going off! Every light on my dash flashed over and over! My seatbelt light said I didn't have my seat belt on when I did! Then my seat warmer came on and was hot as fire, then I did have to unbuckle so I did not get burned! Radio was flashing on and off. Hot air came pouring in through my vents. I literally thought my car was on fire! My gas needle kept jumping from full to empty! Car stalled 2 times before my steering wheel locked up and I had to run up into my parents neighbors yard!! After car died my gas needled stayed at f as if it were on, and my temp needle stayed between cold/hot as if the car were running. I could not open my trunk. My trunk light on tail end was flashing on and off. Of course towed again and now they say it is the alternator! It has been 6 days and I still have not gotten my car back! Says it should be in tomorrow and it is no biggie to putting it on. But yet when I was there 5 days ago he says challengers go through alternators a lot that's why auto zone and dodge stock up on them, but yet I am having to wait for one to come in?? Bs as of today my car has 32,200 miles on it!
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 dodge challenger. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle caught on fire from under the rear driver's side. The fire department was contacted and no injuries were reported. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was contact who sent an engineer to further inspect the vehicle. The vehicle was declared totaled. The failure and the current mileage was 500. Updated 03/06/12*lj updated 03/16/12
Service bulletins that may apply
- Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar Connector Repair...
- No Start Intermittently, Vehicle Requires Multiple Keyless Push To Start Attempts To Start Vehicle,...
- No Start Intermittently, Vehicle Requires Multiple Keyless Push To Start Attempts To Start Vehicle
- Speed Control Operates Intermittently
- Failure Code Change
- Hands Free Module Prompts Begin Erroneously.
- Summary to be provided on a future date.
- Flash: PCM Software Enhancements
Related recalls
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger, Chrysler 300, Dodge Durango, and 2012-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles. The affected vehicles have electro-hydraulic power steering (EHPS) and are equipped with a 5.7L or a 3.6L engine and a 160, 180 or 220 amp alternator. In the affected vehicles, the alternator may suddenly fail.
- Risk
- If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash. There is also the possibility that the alternator may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the alternator and depending on the part number, will replace the alternator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T36.
Recall number 17V435000 · Recall details
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator
- What is wrong
- Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, Challenger, and Durango; and 2012-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured April 22, 2010, to January 2, 2014, and equipped with a 3.6L engine and a 160 amp alternator. In the affected vehicles, the alternator may suddenly fail.
- Risk
- If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Chrysler has notified owners, and dealers will replace the alternator, free of charge. The recall began on February 27, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P60.
Recall number 14V634000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2011 Dodge Challenger fire or smoke
Is fire, smoke or burning smell a common problem on the 2011 Dodge Challenger?
5 of 193 owner complaints about the 2011 Dodge Challenger (3%) mention fire, smoke or burning smell. The model year with the most reports is 2010.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2011 Dodge Challenger?
There are 2 recalls and 25 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2011 Dodge Challenger
Stalling 28ABS 23Warning lights 16Airbag light 15Loss of power 14Won't start 12Fuel leak 10Battery drain 8Power steering loss 7Fuel pump 6Fuel smell 5Steering lock-up 5
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