2013 Dodge Challenger: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Nov 17, 2025 · Body, Electrical · CA · fire

On Saturday 1:20am 11/15/25 DRIVING 27 MILES FROM DISTANCE VEHICLE STARTED TO MALFUNCTION ELECTRICALLY WITH INTERNAL LIGHTS QUICKLY POWER OUTAGES ON AND OFF INTERIOR LIGHTIN. dim headlights, or issues with electrical components. 11/15/25 A vehicle fire occurred, and preliminary investigations suggest a battery malfunction as the probable cause. The malfunction led to an uncontrolled thermal event within the battery system, rapidly escalating into a fire that engulfed the vehicle. Further analysis is underway to determine the specific nature of the battery failure and contributing factors.NO WARNING ADVISORY ON THE PRELIMINARY OCCURRENCE IT ESCALATED FROM FLASHING ON AND OFF LIGHTS AND STEREO TO A STIFF STEERING WHEEL AND VEHICLE COMPLETE SHUTDOWN AND RAPIDLY SMOKE COMING FROM THE INTERIOR OF THE TRUNK AND FIRE STARTED CONSUMING THE REAR END OF THE TRUNK AND VEHICLE. THIS WAS A VERY DEVASTATING AND OVERWHELMING TRAGEDY IT HAPPENED WITHIN 15 MINUTES TIMEFRAME AND FIREDEPARTMENT ARRIVED WITHIN FIVE MINUTES INTO THE CONCERNING FIRE IT ALSO TOOK AROUND AROUND A HOUR FOR THE FIREMAN TO PUT OUT THE FIRE FROM THE TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE.

Filed Nov 10, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · IL

* The ignition switch failed to release the key fob. I brought the car home after completing some repairs and sending the car through emissions testing to renew the plates. I made numerous attempts turning the car on and off and trying to get the key fob out of the ignition. The ignition off position would flash ACCESSORIES the same as the accessory position. I was concerned to leave the car as there maybe a short that would draw down the battery or worse ? I locked the doors and left the key fob in the ignition. * YES- available for inspection. * safety issue was is there an electrical issue that would start the car on fire ? * The diagnosis was done by my performance and high end mechanic's shop. The battery in the key bob was changed while being stuck in the ignition to see if a low powered battery was failing to send a signal. No changes. The shop did inform me later in the day that they forced the fob to the left and was able to extract it from the ignition switch. * YES, inspected and review by my trusted mechanics shop. * No signs prior to the attempted removal of the key bof at the finish of returning to my home.

Filed Aug 26, 2024 · Electrical · FL · fire

The vehicle is available for inspection. The issue caused a fire under my carport and within 30 feet of a neighbor's house. The car is immobile and still at the location of the incident, it has not been reproduced or inspected. there were no warning lamps at the time of the incident. The electrical system seemed to have several issues over the past years. The passenger side tail light would burn out at least twice a year. The driver's side window would go up and down when the car was off and ran out of battery. The vehicle would allow the key fob to be locked in the car. I took it to the dealer but they were unable to determine the cause. Most recently what a mechanic thought was the starter failed twice in less than six months. Last month, I went to start the car, and it started and then turned off. I heard a pop and crackling sound, and the trunk battery was on fire.

Filed Aug 12, 2018 · Body, Electrical · 20,000 miles · MI · fire

The vehicle suddenly started smoking, immediately followed by fire while I was stopped at a red light in the middle of town. My 2013 dodge challenger only had 20,000 miles on it, and all service was done as recommended by dodge, at a certified shop. I reported the issue to dodge, and they denied any manufacturing defect, despite the fact that there is a recall for my model, because of known issues regarding alternators overheating, or short circuiting, causing thermal diode fatigue. The car was consumed by flames within minutes, and was deemed a total loss by my insurance company. I have not yet received a settlement. *bf

Filed Jan 14, 2017 · Electrical, Engine · 23,500 miles · TX · fire

Car caught on fire as I was driving it this was 4 hours after I picked it up from the dealership for getting the tourque converter fixed. I think this is an electrical problem that caused it. I was driving in a parking lot only going 7-10 MPH. Dallas pd doesn't come out if it's on private property I am still waiting my fire report in the mail. I have unsure claim numbers from 3 different people. (chrystler. National general insurance. Harco national insurance.)

Filed Mar 5, 2015 · Electrical · 22,600 miles · CA

Several months ago I received a recall notice (p60/the federal safety agency 14v634) stating due to problems with the alternator the car could lose power while driving and/or catch on fire under the hood. Also stated there were no parts to correct the situation. On the night of feb 26 I started the car in the parking lot of a store close to home and heard an unusual sound from under the hood. Was already moving so I drove the half mile home pulled in garage and opened the hood. The alternator was smoking heavily. I pulled the car out of the garage turned it off, called the chrysler recall line and they set up towing to the nearest dealership for the next morning. It took 2 hours for the alternator to quit smoking. The next morning the electrical system was completely dead. No power anywhere for anything. I called service department of elk grove chrysler and talked to a service manager about the car coming in on a flat bed. Was advised that it sounded like the recall problem and they would take care of it and that I couldn't get a loaner because I hadn't taken out the extended coverage..?? He said the fix may only trake the one day anyway so no need for a loaner. The fix took 2 days. Picked the car up and seems ok. The only problem is that it was fixed with the same type of alternator that the recall is for. Still no alternators available that have the problems corrected so I' right back where I started or worse, this website now shows my car as being fixed and having no applicable recalls. I don't trust my car, not sure I trust chrysler at this point.

Filed Dec 15, 2014 · Electrical · 24,000 miles · LA · fire

Tl* the contact owned a 2013 dodge challenger. While driving approximately 20 MPH, the engine stalled and smoke began to come from the vents without warning. The vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that various unknown wires needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, who replaced the fuse box but the failure recurred. The contact stated that the engine stalled and flames appeared under the hood. The fire department extinguished the fire. Police and fire reports were filed and there were no injuries reported. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the VIN was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v634000 (electrical system). The approximate failure mileage was 24,000.

Filed Jan 31, 2014 · Electrical · 14,800 miles · TX · fire · 1 injury

My son was driving this car going back to college on the I 49. He noticed smoke coming out of the trunk. He stopped, opened the trunk and it was on fire. Luckily he had a bottle of water and put the fire out. In the process he burnt his hand (minor burn). He called the fire department who showed up and told him that the battery or wiring had shorted out and caused a battery meltdown and a fire in the trunk. His clothes and speakers were burnt. The car is now sitting at the dodge dealership in alexandria la. Dodge was contacted and so far has denied any manufacturing defect. This car is one year old. I know that there was a recall on this type vehicle last year. This may be related. I am afraid that even when repaired this may happen again. This is very unsafe and dodge should take responsibility for their vehicles.