2012 Dodge Challenger: sudden loss of power

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 Aug 7, 2018 · Electrical, Engine · 10,000 miles · CA

I was driving on the freway and my challenger lost power and smelled like something was burning and my steering wheel locked up I had to have it towed 15 miles back to my apartment and now its just sitting I checked for recalls and low and behold there is a recall for an alternator and diods recall number t-36 so I called to dodge dealers and once again they are giving me the run around stevens creek dodge said a month and a half rediculouse and fremont dodge gives two months until they can replace it dodge service manager said they only get a few parts to work with I highly doubt that I recently got my passenger side airbag done and they broke the part im not even sure if it is actually working huge safety hazard I need my vehicle repaired asap someone needs to contact me asap I also had to use up my towing miles from my insurance company im requesting a rembersmant for that and if they can repair a seriouse issue with my dodge in a timely manner they need to supply a loaner so I cn get to work and if I cant get any results on this issue I will seek legal advice this is a very serious issue I was almost in a serious accident because of it I could not turn my wheel as the vehicle shut down I have it all on my dashcam I will be expecting a call or email on this asap

Filed Sep 11, 2017 · Electrical · 75,000 miles · HI

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 dodge challenger. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 17v435000 (electrical system). While driving approximately 15 MPH, the engine stalled and lost power. The contact mentioned that the steering wheel tightened and became difficult to maneuver. In addition, the ABS, traction control, and brake lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to cutter chrysler jeep dodge of pearl city (905 kamehameha hwy, pearl city, hi 96782 (808) 564-9640) where it was diagnosed that the alternator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer stated that the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The dealer stated that the contact would pay to have the vehicle repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000. Vin tool confirms parts not available/parts distribution disconnect.

Filed Jan 25, 2017 · Electrical · 82,797 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 dodge challenger. While driving 45 MPH, the contact noticed that the instrument panel lighting and the headlights began to dim. The vehicle lost power and stalled in the middle of the road without warning. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, but the cause of the failure was undetermined. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 82,797.

Filed Mar 3, 2016 · Electrical, Locks · 36,348 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 dodge challenger. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced a complete loss of power. In addition, the window independently operated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the door latch was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 36,348.

Filed Feb 2, 2016 · Brakes, Electrical · 50,300 miles · CA

Though there is a recall on the alterntors for entry models, my car lost all power while I was driving on the freeway. I could not steer and braking became difficult. I lost my headlights as well. The same exact thing happened to my vehicle as was described in other's reports on sudden failure while in motion. I was at about 65 MPH when this occurred. I have the challenger rt classic 5.7 liter hemi

Filed Mar 26, 2015 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · 60,600 miles · TX

About 2.5 miles from home, my car began to make a humming/whining sound when I would push on the accelerator. I began to panic and called my dad using the u-connect bluetooth hands free system. About 1 or 2 minutes into the call, I lost power to the radio. Then the ABS light and the stability control lights began flashing on and off. The odometer stopped reading my speed and all needles on the dash spiked then fell flat showing no readings at all. As I continued to roll down the hill, I started to smell melting/burning. I tried to roll down the window and hand no power. The car finally died when I pulled into my neighborhood to enter the gate code. My car then blocked the entire entrance to complex until I could get it towed. There was an alternator recall I was not made aware of, yet the dealership had it noted on my account. (thanks for telling me.) and then the battery was so corroded that I needed to replace the battery, positive cable, and rewire. The alternator costs were covered but I am out almost 1200$ on the rest.

Filed Feb 6, 2015 · Electrical, Engine · 42,242 miles · FL

Alternator failure (documented recall) caused the vehicle to stall and lose all power. Lucky this was at low speed on a surface street vs. Highway speed and interstate. Was able to coast vehicle to a side street however blocking one lane of travel. Vehicle would not start nor shift to neutral and the hazard lights would not function it was completely dead. Had vehicle towed to dealer for repair. Dealer installed a new alternator subject to the same recall and stated that the proper replacement is on back order as well refused to pay towing (cost incurred due to a failed component under recall) stated they were doing us a favor by not having to pay for the repair and providing a rental car. This is a serious issue that will cause a crash and or fatality if this happens at highway speed or on any busy thoroughfare. It is unacceptable to replace a failed part with another part subject to the same recall. Another solution needs to be available other than subjecting owners of these vehicles to continued serious safety risk while awaiting back ordered parts.there are alternate replacements that could be obtained by dodge vs. Having the oem of the alternator cover the entire recall cost. This is a dodge issue to its consumers however dodge pursues recouping its costs is its own issue. They are blatantly putting cost above safety and not accommodating owners to defer cost. Keeping a vehicle in operation with this serious of an issue will be disastrous at some point. Many owners have no alternative but to operate the vehicles with the issue given their financial situation. Impacted owners should have costs of mitigating the risk such as a long term rental car deferred by dodge while awaiting an appropriate repair/replacement of the recalled part given the seriousness of the safety risks involved. *tr updated 3/31/16

Filed Nov 18, 2014 · Electrical, Transmission · 53,210 miles · TX

While driving on a two lane road, the car began to lose power and steering control. It became very difficult to get the car to a safe location. It turned out to be the alternator. I saw on this website the older 2012 cars challengers were recalled with the same engine and alternator. I was very lucky not to have crashed my car.

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?

Filed Jun 25, 2014 · Electrical, Steering · 36,200 miles · TN

I was driving down the road and my instrument panel started going crazy, lights were coming on, the speedometer was jumping up and down, then my radio and air conditioner shut down, then I lost power steering, and about 30 seconds later the car died in traffic on a busy highway. It was towed to the dealership and the next day I was told that first I needed to authorize the purchase for a battery so they could get it to come on, which I did. They called back later and told me my problem was that my ignition switch was stuck in the on position which caused it to fry the ignition switch and my battery. I contacted dodge and they gave me a case # in which I followed up today and was told they were sorry there is nothing more they can do. They even told me that there have been similar issues and that dodge was looking into the problem, but for now they couldn't help me. Another thing that really bothered me other than my car flaking out 200 miles after the warranty expired is that I get a letter in the mail the same day from dodge about extending my warranty.

Filed Nov 24, 2013 · Electrical, Lights · 50,000 miles · TX

First, to happen was I pulled out of driveway when the "brakes' warning light came on. Continued travelling, and soon became nightime driving. Was going approx. 55 MPH, when the instrument panel began to flash numerous warning lights. Then, the radio and interior lights began turning off and on. I was not able to manually turn off the radio during this time. I continued to drive to try to make it to a gas station. Then I felt hot air coming thru the vents. It was like I had on the heater, but I didnt. (nor the AC was on.) the car lost all power. The steering wheel locked. I was stranded. I was not able to put the car in neutral to move out of dangerous roadside nor was I able to put on the hazard lights, they came on but were very dim and slow flashing. All power was lost, no horn, lights...nothing. Did notice a burn smell coming from under the hood, but not sure what the cause was. I had it towed to the dealership. They stated it was an alternator/battery issue. They replaced the alternator/battery, however the airbag warning light was now on and horn no longer working. I didnt understand why the dealership didn't repair the airbag warning light and the horn. They did acknowledge these issues on my invoice yet no repairs were made. I have almost had 2 collisions since this. I was not able to sound horn to warn opposing drivers, and I still have no horn to sound. Both the airbag and horn malfunctions are hazardous and I dont understand why they didn't repair them at the deaership. ? Thank you.