My car was leaking gas from the fuel pump and I guess my car from the backseat almost caught fire cause I seen smoke coming from the back seat behind the driver. I went to two Dodge dealerships to let them know about this incident that reason why my fuel pump caught on fire because Dodge put the negative and the positive wire close to each other on the fuel pump, which could cause a fire or your car to explode. I let Dodge know about this incident and let them know that my car almost caught on fire smoke came out and I could’ve died. They totally brushed me off and brushed off my incident. I told him hey this is a recall that you guys need to take serious before someone really gets hurt from Now. I am carless with no vehicle to drive. No way to pick up my daughter from school. I need you guys help ASAP so I could be able to father my child and be able to go to work to provide for my child. Thank you.
2008 Dodge Charger: fire, smoke or burning smell
16 of the 609 complaints about the 2008 Dodge Charger describe fire, smoke or burning smell.
- owner complaints
- 16
- of this car's complaints
- 3%
- typical mileage
- 133,000
- recalls
- 1
Fire, smoke or burning smell by model year
What owners say
Car was purchased 06/28/2019; odo 109,640. Car was purchased with a gwc warranty service contract (90 day, 4,500 miles) and at asking price from a dealership. (state license #[xxx]) car was purchased as advertised that it was it was in good working order. On the freeway the car started showing signs of something wrong with wheels and that the steering wheel rattled aggressively. The car was taken in on 07/01/19 (odo 110,120) to big johns in santa clarita; it would cost $1,624.68 to replace because the wheels were found to be bent and to big for the car. This repair was not covered under the service contract but was a huge safety hazard. On 07/11/19 the car was brought into ricks automotive in granada hills (odo 111,493). Ricks was a recommended repair shop from the service contract purchased. There were 11 things reported on the repair order 8 of which were safety and engine concerns. (1.) the passenger headlight didn't work (2.) the emergency/parking break was not holding. (3.) the turn signal switch does not stay on. (4.) the speedometer sometimes operates erratically. (5.) the engine shut off while reversing. (6.) the transmission shifted hard and bangs hard. (7.) there was blueish/white smoke coming from the exhaust. (8.) cylinder head gasket may be blown. It was found the the head gasket had bent valves and timing chain needed replacement. These were the only things that were fixed. $5,031.35 was owed. We paid $1,359.03. Gwc paid remainder. The car was picked up on 08/13/2019 at 4:30pm (odometer 111,510). At 7:30pm same day the engine was reported sized (odo 111,539) and was towed back to ricks automotive. The dealership falsely advertised the car as it was in good working order when it wasn't. In a matter of 1,852 miles and 13 days the car showed a total of 10 signs of safety hazard to not just me but the thousands of other drivers I came across. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge charger. While driving there was a loud noise coming from the engine compartment with evidence of smoke the vehicle had to be towed the cause was damage from a melted radiator the contact stated that while driving at a slow speed, there was an abnormal noise coming from the engine compartment of the vehicle and there was smoke coming through the air condition vents. The contact stated that the hood was raised and the contact became aware that antifreeze was pouring out of the back of the radiator. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the radiator fan melted and punctured the radiator. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the radiator fan and the radiator had been previously replaced due to the same failure. Airport chrysler dodge jeep ram located at 5751 eagle vail drive, orlando, fl 32822, was contacted by phone at (407) 541-6200 and notified of the failure. The manufacturer was also contacted and notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 157,000. Piir=y. Ah
I was driving on a city street when I smelled a burning smell. I thought it was the car in front of me and I kept driving. When I turned the corner I saw smoke coming from the front drivers side vehicle hood. I pulled over, turned off the car jumped out and saw flames coming in the same spot I saw the smoke. I called 911 and the fire department put out the fire. The firefighters thought it may be an electrical fire because of the smell. Still waiting on insurance and manufacturer to finish investigation.
My wife was driving on the freeway and all of a sudden her gauge cluster was acting erratically and all the car odometer lights all came on and the vehicle shut off on the freeway and everything locked up, she couldn't move the wheel or the gear shifter and she smelled a burning smell with smoke coming from the engine . Luckily her parents were behind her in another vehicle and was able to help out but this is very dangerous and I have seen numerous reports of dodge charger having this same issue.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge charger. The contact noticed smoke coming from the driver side headlamp. The contact opened the headlamp and noticed flames. The contact extinguished the fire. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the front bumper, bumper cover, support bracket, passenger side headlamp assembly, upper tie bar, panel, and wiring harness needed to be replaced. In addition, the front driver side area by the headlamp needed to be painted. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 158,093.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge charger. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v567000 (electrical system) and the dealer indicated that the parts were not available to schedule the recall repair for several months. The contact was unable to determine when the vehicle would be repaired. The contact later experienced the key not turning to start the vehicle. In addition, the vehicle stalled numerous times and the contact had to make several attempts to restart. In addition, the contact was driving at 45 MPH when a fire erupted in the front and the rear of the vehicle. The fire department was able to extinguish the flames and indicated that the fire initiated under the hood at the fuse box near the relay for the wireless ignition system and in the rear trunk area by the battery. A fire report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge charger. While parking the vehicle in a driveway, the contact noticed flames coming from under the hood. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire. A police and a fire report were filed. The vehicle was included in the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 14v567000 (electrical system) and 15v313000 (air bags). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed that a investigator would be assigned to inspect the vehicle. The failure mileage was not available.
All the electrical from the car went out including lights, radio, odometer lights, headlights turn off, electrical windows were not working. Then made the car go as far as 100 ft. When it shut down completly. I got off the car and popped the hood and the fuse box was on fire I called the fire department and they took fire out from the hood and the trunk and deterimined that the there was a shortage in the battery and there was battery acid all in back of the trunk.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge charger. While driving at 5 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle failed to restart. In addition, there was smoke coming from the trunk of the vehicle. The contact discovered that there were wires that appeared burned. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 133,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 2008 dodge charger. The contact stated that while making a left turn, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that there was smoke and the vehicle caught on fire. A police/fire report was filed and no injuries were sustained. The conditions of the vehicle was unknown. The contact received the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v567000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 105,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 2008 dodge charger. The contact stated that the key was difficult to turn and the vehicle stalled with no warning. The contact stated that previously, the fan and radiator failed to work due to an electrical short and the components caught on fire. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who replaced the radiator and the fan. The contact indicated that months later, the failure recurred. In addition, the contact stated that burning fumes emitted into the vehicle. After inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that the wires, starter and ignition switch were on fire. The contact was able to merge the vehicle over and it was towed to a dealer. The technician replaced the ignition switch and the failure recurred intermittently. The contact was included but was not notified of the federal safety agency campaign id number: 14v567000 (electrical system). However, the part needed was not available. The vehicle was not. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was not available. Updated 03/24/15*lj the consumer stated the vehicle would jerk. When the vehicle was purchased the dash was not attached completely. The 2 back tires had a slow leak. Updated 10/19/2015
Service bulletins that may apply
Related recalls
Electrical system: ignition
- What is wrong
- Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2008 Chrysler 300 vehicles manufactured May 31, 2007, to May 12, 2008, Dodge Magnum vehicles manufactured May 23, 2007, to May 12, 2008, Dodge Charger vehicles manufactured May 24, 2007, to May 12, 2008, Jeep Commander vehicles manufactured April 3, 2007, to May 12, 2008, and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured March 21, 2007, to May 12, 2008. In the affected vehicles, the ignition key (FOBIK) may not return to the "ON" position after being rotated to the "START" position, instead sticking between the two positions. Potentially, while the vehicle is being driven, the ignition may inadvertently move through the "RUN" position to the "ACCESSORY" or "OFF" ignition position, turning off the engine.
- Risk
- If the ignition stays between "START" and "ON" positions it could cause loss of certain electrical functions. If the ignition key inadvertently moves into the "OFF" or "ACCESSORY" position, the engine will turn off, which will then depower various key safety systems including but not limited to air bags, power steering, and power braking. Loss of functionality of these systems may increase the risk of crash and/or increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
- Remedy
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch and key FOBs, free of charge. The recall began August 19, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P57.
Recall number 14V567000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2008 Dodge Charger fire or smoke
Is fire, smoke or burning smell a common problem on the 2008 Dodge Charger?
16 of 609 owner complaints about the 2008 Dodge Charger (3%) mention fire, smoke or burning smell. The model year with the most reports is 2011.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2008 Dodge Charger?
There is 1 recall and 5 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2008 Dodge Charger
Stalling 108Won't start 52Check engine light 27Loss of power 22Key fob 17No deployment 12Engine failure 12Overheating 11Wipers 9Airbag light 8ABS 6Headlights 6Power steering loss 6Brake failure 5Knocking 5Fuel pump 5Jerking 5
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