* 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.
Dodge Challenger key fob problems
33 of the 1,696 owner complaints about the Dodge Challenger describe key fob or push-button start problems, most of them for the 2010 model year.
- owner complaints
- 33
- worst model year
- 2010
- typical mileage
- 20,000
By model year
Often reported together
Stalling 8Won't start 3Jerking 3Fire or smoke 3Check engine light 3Loss of power 2Screen failure 2Door locks 2
What owners say
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.
The ABS system has failed on my 2014 Dodge Challenger SXT and has caused major electrical issues within the vehicle. The ABS part/computer module (part number 68210118AB) has been on back order for months with no estimate of when the part will be available from a Dodge/Chrysler/Ram/Jeep dealership. I have been without my vehicle for 4 months because nobody has this part available. This is a major issue affecting many vehicles under Dodge/Chrysler/Ram/Jeep. My safety was at risk because while I was driving the vehicle, every single light on my dashboard appeared and my brakes stopped working. Thankfully I was leaving my neighborhood and was only going 15MPH. The key fob is not detectable, the windows will not roll up, and the vehicle cannot hold a charge while in drive. There was an ABS warning lamp on prior to this all happening.
There is a tsb for all 392 and hellcats regarding the Radio Frequency Hub Module (RFHM) Update. This prevents thief’s from stealing your car and making a new key fob with their own programming tool. I was told today that my vehicle does not qualify because it’s a manual transmission. My car was stolen December 11 and if I had that update for the key fob it would have prevented them from stealing my car. I was able to recover the car and wanted to do have the Radio Frequency Hub Module (RFHM) Update. My car because it’s a manual now is a huge risk where the automatics have some what of a chance from them not taking the car. I feel that’s it’s completely unfair and doesn’t make sense why I wouldn’t not be able to have it done especially since this tsb came out a year ago.
2017 Dodge Challenger GT, very well maintained. About two months ago, I would hear chimes but no messages popping up. A few days after this started happening, I am driving on the parkway and then ACC MODE flashed on the message center behind the wheel, but then went away very quickly - I could not see what else the message was trying to indicate. This happened several times on the trip home from work. Otherwise, the car drove without an issue. A few days later, on a Sunday, I am driving and the check engine light comes on. I bring it to Auto Zone and get a reading of thermostat erratic. Bring it to the mechanic the next day on Monday, who gets the same reading. He calls me to say after replacing the part, it was "throwing really weird erratic codes" & asked if I would approve a temperature sensor, thinking that might fix the issue, which I did. Drove the car home and then to work the next day on Tuesday with no issue. Wednesday morning, I back out of the driveway because I am working home that day & my husband needs to get to work. Waiting in front of the house with my foot on the brake, as he leaves, I do not take my foot off the brake but instead lift off a little but still keep pressure on it to slowly turn the wheel and roll into the driveway. As this happens, with foot still on brake, I see ACC MODE flash on the screen, hear a loud winding noise like someone stomped on the gas, then the steering wheel, & brakes lock. The shifter also locks. The car launches forward, then, on its own, jerks violently to the right and I crash into the house. I try to turn off the car but it will not turn off. I then remember the key fob next to me on the seat and the only way to turn off the car is by the key fob. I find out later via Internet research that day that there was a recall on the V8's for issues with Adaptive Cruise Control activating on its own or not disengaging and my insurance asks me to call Dodge to open a case and the rep yells at me it's only V8 & hangs up.
The transmission/drive shaft thumps and the car "lurches" upon start-up. This is somehow related to the push button start. My car is also equipped with a factory remote start and no noise is heard, nor does the car lurch on start-up. Please refer to video link: https://youtu.be/SRQJcjpl4mA
Key Fob to start vehicle ran out of battery, I then replaced the battery from a nearby CVS Store and the Key Fob is still not working and my car will not start due to my key fob not being detected.
Challenger less than a week from the dealership and less than 1,000 miles. Catastrophic fuel pump failure while driving, unable to recover. Rear view back up camera freezes and stutters causing safety issues. Radio volume constantly changes while driving and leads to distraction safety issues. Door locks are consistently unreliable, roughly 25% chance of door lock failure. Key fob not detected and electronic security lock down issues. Uconnect freezing and stuttering causing delays in back up camera and other functions causing safety concerns.
Had a message pop up on my radio that the wireless module is bad...cannot unlock, lock, open the trunk or remote start the car with the key fob.
I bought this car for 11,000 in september of 2019, since having this vehicle I had and have many issues with this car. October my stero touch screen stop working and my gas tank needed to be replaced. I got it fix for over 500.00 the following month my key fob sensor went out and this was the in the month of november. The vehicle is a dodge challenger supposed to be an sxt on the car fax but in person the motor is not a sxt this vehicle has no original parts of dodge. The challenger has aftermarket wires, headlights from asia, and wires every by the motor where open wires should not supposed to be witch is unsafe to drive off the lot. The challenger airbags plus other mechanical mechanics issues was reported from brandon dodge dealership witch qld was aware of and did not resolve the issue before selling me the dodge charger even my seatbelts is unsafe. The month of january, 2020 I was driving my car on the interstate and my car just shut off I had to drive to autozone I got a new battery that same month I approached the manager of qld and informed him with everything that's going on with the vehicle the manager responded that's a personal matter and I was left on my on to care of this car that I can not afford to fix a and pay for monthly vehicle that is not reliable. March 27, 2020 I was driving from my apartment complex and my power steering pump fell out of the bottom of my vehicle I later on that day got the car lifted and to found out the power steering pump was zipped tied and not secured to a bracket. I feel that this company is just looking for a dollar and do not care about what type of dangerous unsafe hazardous vehicles they are selling to customers who are unaware of these issues.
Related recalls
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Dodge Challenger vehicles. The affected vehicles do not illuminate their safety system status indicators sufficiently in both daylight and nighttime driving conditions. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101, "Control and Displays."
- Risk
- Without visible safety system indicators, a driver may not receive information regarding vehicle safety, increasing the risk of injury or a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will re-program instrument clusters with the correct software version, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 5, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1-800-853-140. FCA US LLC's number for this recall is Y58.
Recall number 21V664000 · Recall details
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Dodge Challenger and Charger and Chrysler 300 vehicles. The instrument cluster may not properly illuminate driver warnings. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 101, "Control and Displays."
- Risk
- Failure of the instrument cluster to properly illuminate may prevent the driver from receiving warnings about the vehicle's systems, increasing the risk of crash.
- Remedy
- Chrysler has notified owners, and dealers will update the instrument cluster software, free of charge. The recall began April 8, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V32.
Recall number 19V203000 · Recall details
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Renegade, Compass and Grand Cherokee, RAM 1500 and Promaster, Fiat 500x, Dodge Journey, Challenger, Charger and Durango and Chrysler 300x vehicles, 2017-2018 Jeep Wrangler, Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country vehicles and 2018-2019 Jeep Cherokee and 2018 Chrysler Pacifica and Pacifica Hybrid vehicles. The powertrain control module may be equipped with a voltage regulator chip in the circuit board that may fail, causing a stall or a no start condition.
- Risk
- A vehicle stall can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began October 2, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U87.
Recall number 18V524000 · Recall details
Electrical system: software
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger and Durango, RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis (more than 10,000lb), 4500 Cab Chassis and 5500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300, 2014-2019 RAM 1500, 2015-2018 Dodge Challenger, 2015-2017 Chrysler 200, 2016-2018 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis (less than 10,000 lb), 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica and 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging. If, when using cruise control, there is a short circuit within the vehicle's wiring, the driver may not be able to shut off the cruise control either by depressing the brake pedal or manually turning the system off once it has been engaged, resulting in either the vehicle maintaining its current speed or possibly accelerating.
- Risk
- If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the software, and perform a software flash on the engine or powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Note: Owners are advised to stop using cruise control until the software update has been performed. In the event that cruise control cannot be disengaged while driving, owners should firmly and steadily apply the brakes and shift the transmission to neutral, placing the vehicle in park once it has stopped.
Recall number 18V332000 · Recall details
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014 Dodge Challenger, Charger, Durango, Chrysler 300, and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles 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 will notify owners, and dealers will replace the alternator, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T75.
Recall number 17V741000 · Recall details
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: instrument cluster/panel
- What is wrong
- Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2015 Dodge Challenger vehicles manufactured June 30, 2014, to October 8, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the instrument cluster may become inoperative. This could cause the gauges to oscillate at zero and the Vehicle Theft Alarm could remain illuminated. Thus, the affected vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 101, "Controls and displays."
- Risk
- If the instrument cluster becomes inoperative, it can increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
- Remedy
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install a software enhancement, free of charge. The recall began on December 15, 2014. Owners can contact Chrysler customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P74.
Recall number 14V749000 · 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
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood
- What is wrong
- Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2013 Dodge Challenger vehicles manufactured from December 3, 2012, through January 24, 2013 and equipped with a V6 engine. The battery positive cable at the starter motor may experience an electrical short circuit to ground.
- Risk
- A short circuit could lead to a vehicle fire.
- Remedy
- Chrysler has begun notifying owners and they are being advised to immediately refrain from driving their vehicles and to contact their dealers. Chrysler Group further advises affected owners not to park their vehicles in, or near, any structures. Dealers will replace the under hood starter cable assembly, free of charge. The recall notification began on March 22, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1‑800‑247‑9753.
Recall number 13V103000 · Recall details
Electrical system: ignition: module
- What is wrong
- Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2010 chrysler 300, dodge challenger, charger, jeep commander, grand cherokee and dodge ram vehicles. These vehicles may have been built with a wireless ignition node (win) module exhibiting a binding condition of the solenoid latch.
- Risk
- The result of the defect could lead to a condition where the key may be removed from the ignition switch (win module) prior to placing the shifter in park. This could result in the potential for unintended vehicle movement and could increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace the win module free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before august 23, 2010. Owners may contact chrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.
Recall number 10V200000 · Recall details
Questions about the Dodge Challenger key fob
Which Dodge Challenger years have key fob or push-button start problems problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2010 (6 complaints), 2013 (5 complaints) and 2014 (4 complaints).
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