I bought a 2011 charger in 2012. Dec 11 2013 my son was stranded in the cold with a dead alternator. It cost a fortune for tow, new alternator, labor ($865.00) . That is unacceptable for a 2 year old car and owners should be compensated.
2011 Dodge Charger electrical complaints
Page 10 of 14: complaints 251 to 280 of 395, newest first, as owners wrote them.
At first my car started making a whining type of sound it seemed to be driving a little bit off. Then after driving down the street I noticed that the ABS light and the traction light was on, and a burnt electrical wire smell was coming through the vents. So I pulled over and parked and turned the vehicle off. I opened the hood and the smell of burnt wire was really bad. I decided to leave the vehicle where I had parked it, but wanted to roll up the windows. When I went to turn the car back on the car was completely dead. So long story short my relatively new car broke down on me. And this is not the first time this has happened to me. I previously owned a 2008 dodge charger that had the same issues. Its really a disappointment because the whole reason I traded in my old charger for a new one was because I needed a reliable vehicle that I could depend on. And that is obviously not a dodge.
Car went into battery saver mode while driving. Took to dealership said nothing wrong. Drove next day where all lights and wipers going off. Radio cut off and ABS, traction control and e-brake lights came on. Then car began having smoky smell. Completely shut off in intersection with no recharge or ability to start up. Could not even lock doors or open trunk.
I have replaced my car's alternator twice within 16 months due to total failure (car won't turn on) and impending failure (low charging while on). This resulted in my battery needing to be replaced. Additionally, I have replaced all 4 wheel speed sensors twice within the last 24 months because they are failing and the ABS / ESC light comes on. Very disappointing in a car that's only 3 years old. Dealership tells me both repairs are typical of these cars, even the new ones. Lastly, both of my headlights have blown out due to a known recall.
I was driving towards work in the morning, when all of a sudden, the battery light goes on. A few minutes later, the ABS light goes on and then the traction light goes on. Then, there was the smell of burnt wire and a whining type of sound, so I parked the car and smoke came out from under the hood. Later in the afternoon, I had my husband take a look under the hood and he stated that there seemed to be sparks coming out from the alternator, so we attempted to drive it to the dealership. After 3 miles of driving in traffic on a 40 MPH road, the radio shuts off, the lights go off, the air conditioning turns off, the dashboard screen/navigation system turned off, the windshield wipers went out, and the engine stops running. Nothing in the vehicle worked or was running, even the windows didn't work. A burnt electrical wire smell came through the vents. I couldn't even turn on the hazard lights or unlock the trunk. So my husband pushed the car over to a parking lot while I struggled to maneuver the vehicle because the power steering and the power brakes also went out. We tried to jump start the car; however, we stopped because there was more smoke coming from the engine, so we called for a tow truck driver. The next day, we went back to the service department at the dodge dealership and they told us that it was the alternator; however, we probably need a battery as well. We also will have to pay for towing. This vehicle is only 3 years old and shouldn't be having these types of engine problems. It's a safety hazard when your car totally shuts down in the middle of traffic, leaving you without a way to turn on the hazard lights or provide you with a safe way to steer and brake.
I was driving my vehicle when all of a sudden my radio turns off, then my ABS and tread light come on along with a light that says "brake now." I come to a stop and then everything shuts off. I can not push the brake to start the car back up and a burning electrical smell is coming from the hood. I have to manually lock my doors as the alarm does not work, then my windshield wipers start going off. Based off of research a lot of people are having these issues and saying it is the alternator. That is unacceptable for a 2011.
Driving to get on highway and got a message on my car dashboard saying im in battery save mode. So got my speed up to about 70 and my car light and power steering and windshield wiper came on. My power steering locked up on the highway think god I was on the highway simi by myself. But I just brought the car and the dodge company is charge everyone who has this problem with this particular car 800 dollars to fix even through these are horrible alternators and they know it. Reading online where cars are burning up because of this problem and the dodge company tells you everything is fine and its not but this car really need to be investigated about their horrible alternators and the consequences when this problem occurs. For some is it not pretty and its unsafe when you see battery save mode because you don't know hole long before your car burn up and not trying to get to that point. This is really make me regret a dodge product after this thanks.
My son was driving his 2011 dodge charger back to campus when the battery saver mode came on and there was an electrical fire smell. He parked it and the next morning when the tow truck came to tow it, he had to manually unlock the doors as the whole system shut down, the dealership confirmed it was an alternator problem and it would be $800.00 to replace it.
I got the "battery saver mode" warning on my car. I looked it up on the internet and a lot of people were complaining about dodge chargers and there alternators. The next morning I called the dealer ship to see what they think it is and if I can get in so they can look at the car, they also said it could be the alternator but could not get me in until the next morning but said it should be safe to drive. They look up my warranty and it was out of warranty for the alternator...I only have 38,600 miles on my car!! I should not be dealing with thing like this on a 3 year old car! Luckily I bought a portfolio warranty that covers it but with $100 deductible but the catch is I have to go to the dealer where I bought it from! When there is a dealer 2 miles from where I am and the one I bought it from is about 25 minutes away. So I make the appointment and go to work, by the time I get to work my radio stopped working and ABS light turned on. I parked and smoke was coming from the alternator! I called the dealer back and told them what happen, they said I can bring it in now and leave it there and they will look at it the next day. So I have to leave work to take the car there and the car completely dies on the way there! I had to call a tow truck and get it towed all the way to the dealer. They were able to replace the alternator by the middle of the next day. But I have now had the car for 2 whole days and the battery saver mode just turned on again!!!!! So now in the morning I'm going to have to call the dealer again and see what to do now! Replace another alternator!?!?!?!? This has to be a recall!! There should not be any of these problems on a car that is 3 years old and has less then 40,000 miles!!! This is ridiculous and I'm seriously looking at other cars to trade in for now! I am never buying dodge again!! Oh and the dealer wouldn't give me a loaner car for free!
Drove up to a transmountain rest stop to enjoy the view, start smelling an electrical burning smell other cars were there so I didn't think it would be a car I have only had for a year (3 year old car)..hour later I go back to my car to leave and when I press the button to start, all I hear is a click then silence, nothing is on so I try again and once again nothing..got out and popped my hood open and there I saw my alternator all fried up and smoking, no longer covered in warranty so it cost me $700 to replace the alternator and the battery it killed when it fried.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 dodge charger. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 MPH, there was a burning smell coming from the front of the vehicle. In addition, the vehicle ABS warning light illuminated and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the alternator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 45,000.
Battery saver mode code message came on. Radio shut off. Abs light flashed. Steering became rigid. Took to shop, alternator and battery needed replaced.
I was driving from my home to work at approximately 40 miles per hour and my car completely shut down. I lost power steering, power brakes, and the engine died. I took the car to the local dodge dealer and they said that the alternator had gone bad and had also caused the battery to fail. I googled the issue and found hundreds of complaints concerning alternators failing while driving dodge chargers.
On 8/30/2014 the 2011 dodge charger was traveling at approximately 65-75 MPH when the cars radio turned itself off, shortly after the radio turned off the ABS, tcs and brake lights illuminated on the dash. Once these lights came on I 2011 dodge charger the vehicle and started to pull off to the side of the road, it was an uphill section and the engine has a loss of power. I put the 2011 dodge charger in park and turned the 2011 dodge charger turned itself off at which point no electronics not even the hazards would work. This was on the freeway that the vehicle died in the early morning. I opened the hood to check all the fuses and the compartment had a burnt electrical smell to it. All the fuses on the 2011 dodge charger were in working order so there was no way to diagnose the issue without the proper tools. The dealership confirmed that the alternator had shorted out and may have caused more damage than is know at this time. They are still currently working on the car. The battery is expected to be damaged also at this time.
While driving on highway at approx. 50 MPH, the "batter saver" message appeared on the dash display followed by multiple systems shutting down along with multiple fault lights including brakes, ABS, bat. The engine stopped running and there was minimal control of the vehicle. Steering & braking were almost non existent. After pulling to the side of the highway, there was a strong electrical smell coming from the engine compartment. Upon further investigation, the smell was coming from the alternator. No electrical power was available to lock/unlock doors, turn on hazard lights, or place the car in neutral in order to pull the vehicle on to a tow truck.
While driving the battery saver mode came on, after that the ABS warning light came on. Then power to the radio was cut out and the AC fan speed started jumping sporadically until shutting down as well. Then the speedometer fell to 0 even though I was traveling at a constant rate. Once stopped in a parking lot the car went completely dead and I was unable to restart the vehicle and had to have it towed. There was a burning smell coming from under the hood and also a whining noise could be heard from inside the cabin prior to the failure. The alternator did have to be replaced.
When I started the car there was a small whining coming from the engine and a slight electrical smell coming from the engine. I started driving it to work and the battery saver mode came on. Slowly the radio shut off, the air conditioning switched to blowing out heat and wouldn't shut off, the ABS and brake light came on, the power steering light came on and the power steering went out, and the car stalled. I had it towed to the dealership and they called me this morning and let me know that the alternator would need replaced and that it would cost approximately $855. It will cost more if they determine that the battery needs to be replaced.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 dodge charger. The contact stated that it was difficult to unlatch the buckle of the driver side seat belt. In addition, the horn failed and was no longer operable. The contact also heard a loud screeching sound when the brake pedal was depressed. The dealer stated that the lower control arm, tie rod end, and wheel bearing needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failures recurred. The failure mileage was 53,000.
At the red light the car shut off, did not have any power, and would not start. After jump starting the car it drove for about 30 minutes more, then all of a sudden the car started malfunctioning. The radio turned off, indicator lights started blinking, steering wheel begin to lock up, and the car began jerking uncontrollably. I then called a tow truck to jumpstart the car and proceeded to go home, the car never stopped jerking and was in power saver mode. I purchased a new battery the next day. Soon after the car begin to do all the same things, jerking, indicator lights, etc. My car has absolutely no power after completely charging the battery. It cannot get towed because I am unable to place the car in neutral due to no power. This has to be a manufacturers problem with the electrical system.
I was driving my 2011 dodge charger with my children when it just completely stalled while driving approx. 50 MPH. There was a odd high pitched noise and all my lights came on as well as the battery saver mode and a horrid smell came into the car. When I got the car home I opened the hood and it was smoking from the alternator. This is going to cost about $700 and it is such a young car that is well maintained so it is very frustrating and a little suspect. This was extremely scary and a major accident waiting to happen. I am just glad I was able to get to the side of the road when the engine shut down.
Just as everyone else has written, my 2011 dodge charger at only 51,000 miles alternator went out. I was driving down the road when all of the gauges started flashing, my radio cut off, and then my whole car died and wouldn't come back on. Luckily, I pulled over in enough time because the steering wheel was impossible to turn and I couldn't even push my break in. I would hate to have been going faster and the whole car shut down and be stuck in a metal death trap. I had to have my car towed from another town. The next day we put a new battery in the car because of course it was fried. After resetting the cars computer because the throttle sensor was off, I was able to drive the car again for a total of 10 minutes before it started disintegrating by serpentine belt and unraveling into the car. Replaced that, started it again for it only to say that my car was in battery saver mode again with a brand new battery. Took it to o'reillys for them to test the alternator while my car was still able to run, because with this particular car the alternator has to be tested on the car, and well it was not running the previous day. Needless to say the alternator froze up there diagnostic computer. Long story short my dodge charger is sitting until I can save up enough money to buy the $700 alternator! I will never buy a dodge again! You would think that if this many people were having the same exact problem they would do something about it.
While driving through kentucky and into illinois, I noticed that the radio suddenly turned off and then about 10 miles later the vehicle lost all power and function. I managed to pull onto the side of the highway to call a tow truck. The car was sent to the nearest dodge dealer/service center. After they looked over the car they said it was the battery shorted out and they were going to replace the battery. After the battery was in they noticed that the battery was being overcharged by the alternator and that will also need to be replaced. I'm currently waiting on the car to be finished and will see if that is all it is.
Without warning while driving at highway speeds I began to smell a plastic melting smell. Almost immediately the radio shut off and I got a "battery saver mode" message. Within seconds the car's engine quit. When the engine stopped so did all power to the controls including steering and brakes. When got the car to the side of the road I could see visible blue smoke coming from the front of the passenger's side engine compartment. Popped the hood and identified that the smoke was coming from the alternator. Car would not start again. Had towed to shop and alternator is shot. Apparently there is a 2 to 3 week back order due to high demand related to failed alternators. I could have been killed or killed others easily when I lost power at highway speed.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 dodge charger. The contact stated that while attempting to park, the vehicle stalled and the steering wheel became hard to turn. The contact also mentioned that the ABS deactivated and the battery save mode light illuminated. The contact determined that the alternator failed, causing the problem to recur multiple times after the battery was recharged. The alternator was replaced but failed to remedy the problem. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 79,000.
When I started my car it made a loud whining noise for a second but then it went away, I started driving to work while I was driving on the highway doing 55 MPH my car radio shut off and my lights shut off the ABS light and the anti swerve light started flashing on and off and I got a message on my screen it was in battery saving mode. I was able to drive to work and then drive straight to the dealer ship after for analysis and found out on monday that the alternator went out while I was driving..
The car radio stopped and powered itself off. The ABS and traction control light flashed on the dashboard. I stopped at an intersection and powered the car off to hopefully reset the system. The car would not start. I had to have it towed. No power to the battery and therefore the hazard lights would not work either. The mechanic identified the issue as the alternator. I see an open investigation into my model car. Please include my vehicle in as one of the failures.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 dodge charger. The contact heard a high pitched noise underneath the hood of the vehicle. While driving 30 MPH, the battery saver mode, traction control, and ABS sensors illuminated. The dealer stated that the alternator needed to be replaced. The authorized dealer did not state why the three sensors illuminated or why the codes were displayed in the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 112,801.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 dodge charger. While driving 35 MPH, the vehicle went into the battery saver mode. Additionally, the ABS and traction control warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was restarted and resumed normal operation; however, the vehicle stalled and failed to restart. The failure occurred on two separate occasions. The dealer stated that the alternator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 42,350.
Alternator problem. Drove car around corner leaving my house and starting running bad. Dash lit up with "running on backup battery". Drove back into driveway. Car wont start.
The alternator had a complete failure. Waited 2&1/2 hrs for wrecker to tow to dealership only to be told the dealership had a locked gate and the tow company could not drop car there. Had towed to the house instead and the next day began the process for repairs. 36 month warranty expired in may 2014 and this occurred july 31, 2014. Car only has 26,138 miles of usage. Alternator is not available at any parts house, only at dodge dealership (if it can be found there, I had to drive 230 miles roundtrip to get one). Replace it myself because dodge customer assistance center told me they would help me with 'part' of the labor fee if I paid an additional tow fee to get the car to their dealership. I believe the amperage rating for this alternator is too low to support the electronics in the 2011 dodge charger. Total estimated expenses to fix this problem is $927.85.
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