2012 Dodge Challenger: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Oct 6, 2025 · Airbags, Electrical · 140,000 miles · MI

The contact leased a 2012 Dodge Challenger. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with melted wiring. Additionally, the contact noticed smoke coming from underneath the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was later towed to the residence. Additionally, the contact was aware that the VIN was included in the federal safety agency Campaign Numbers: 19V018000 (Air Bags) and 17V435000 (Electrical System); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The dealer was contacted for the recall repair, but no assistance was provided. The used car dealer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

Filed Jan 27, 2020 · Electrical · 200,000 miles · CA · fire · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns 2012 dodge challenger. The contact stated while driving at approximately 10 MPH the vehicle started to emit smoke out of the cigarette lighter with a dime lodged in the hole. The contact was able to pull the vehicle over safely to attempt to extinguish the fire. Within a few minutes the vehicle engulfed in flames, the contact attempted to pour soda on the flames along with a fire extinguisher to no avail. However the fire department was able to put out the flames. A fire report was not taken. The vehicle was towed to the contacts home the vehicle was not taken to a dealer or local mechanic for diagnosis or repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of this incident. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000 *tp

Filed Aug 21, 2019 · Engine · 141,000 miles · VA · fire

Tl* the contact owned a 2012 dodge challenger. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled and would not accelerate with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact mentioned that smoke was detected coming from under the hood. The vehicle was pulled over and flames were detected coming from under the hood. A police report was not filed but a fire report was filed. The fire department extinguished the fire. There were no injuries sustained. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for a diagnostic test or repairs. The vehicle was towed to a recovery tow lot waiting to be diagnosed by the vehicles insurance company. The vehicle was considered a total loss. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 141,000.

Filed Mar 12, 2019 · Electrical, Steering · 113,000 miles · TX

Battery was replaced because it went dead. Lost power steering. Windows going up and down on their own running down new battery. Found fuse that runs side mirrors and power steering to be good but is showing the fuse box to be grounding out when fuse is removed. I have heard of alot of issues with the windows on this car. Nobody can seem to locate the problem. The car was sitting still and engine not turned on. If I leave windows open, weather damage is done. Dangerous to drive without power steering. Afraid it might catch on fire due to the grounding out. There are no recalls referring to this issue. Why and what can I do about getting this resolved when mechanics can't find the problem?

Filed Dec 31, 2014 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 89,000 miles · AL

Driving to work. Car starts to make a whining noise then the ABS and stability control lights come on, I drive the car up the road a little more and the radio turns off and the gauges start to move erratically and then the car just died, completely in the middle of the road, when the hood was raised you could clearly smell something burning. Car taken to the dealership where I am told that the "parts to provide a permanent remedy for this condition are not currently available". I was told by the dealership that the alternator would be replaced with a new one but it would fall into the same category as the recall. I got the car home and while reading the repair paperwork realize that the alternator was not replaced just "repaired and replaced". Very upset and scared to drive this vehicle! Not to even mention how upset about being lied to by the dealership. Could go on and on about this bad experience!!

Filed Jul 8, 2014 · Electrical · 53,980 miles · TX

As I have seen here in this complaints board my alternator also had fail while I was driving with my wife and friend in the vehicle when the high pitch sound came through speakers and the ABS & traction control light came on with a constant beeping chiming, then all of a sudden the all the cluster lights flashing and one of the cluster needle began to move erratically, I quickly moved to the shoulder and as I came to a stop the vehicle died and lost all power. We notice a burning smell coming from engine compartment and when I lifted the hood my friend notice the smell was stronger and as I looked to see what was burning I then saw the alternator smoking. I hurried to the back seat and laid down the seat to crawl to manual release cable to access the battery where I had to break the positive terminal to battery so the car would not catch fire. Called dealerships to warranty this but none would they directed me to chrysler where I spoke with three persons there and they stated the same thing due to mileage its not covered. Very dangerous situation when all power is lost and if quick thinking and reaction on my part this could have ended differently. There are no notice's, recall's or safety warnings for this how can this be?