Morning of the incident, heard a "whining" noise when car started. Drive short distance to work and home. While driving on highway in traffic going 25mph at 6pm, lost power to radio, power steering, ABS light flashed, brake light flashed, and strong electrical smell. When I finally got the car to the shoulder, itwas in battery saver mode and could not detect key for keyless entry. No electrical power. When I called dodge dealer where it was towed, they said it would be $700 for parts and labor.
2011 Dodge Charger electrical complaints
Page 11 of 14: complaints 281 to 310 of 395, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 dodge charger. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the ABS and the ESC warning lights illuminated. In addition, a chime sounded and the power steering failed. The vehicle was shifted into park and the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that there was smoke and an odor of burning wires coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the alternator and battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 42,000.
While driving the ABS/ESC lights came on, there was a high pitched whine, the AC went off along with the radio. Car went into battery save mode. Power steering was lost. The car was put into park and then it died. There was smoke and a strong burning electrical/wiring smell. The car had to be towed. The alternator was fried, along with the battery. (the alternator supplies power for the vehicle while the engine is running, and it also recharges the battery). Major oversight by dodge or sneaky racket (alternator can only be purchased through dodge). The 2011-2012 models do not have an adequate size alternator to sufficiently supply the electrical load of the electronic components that are in the vehicle, causing the alternator to cease prematurely and run off the battery (also ceasing the battery) until the car slowly shuts down. Replacement of both the alternator and battery are needed, only to go out prematurely again. (example: when you upgrade your cars sound system you are adding components that pull additional power that in turn puts an extra tax on your alternator and battery to work harder/more often to keep up). A recall is definitely in order or dodge needs to manufacture an upgrade kit for replacement of parts. This is a major safety issue and a financial burden on owners. The average cost for dodge to replace the alternator with a re-manufactured alternator is between $750-$900 (labor included) w/ 1yr warranty. This fix typically lasts for 1-2yrs if you are lucky.
My car started making a squeaky noise from the engine one morning, then as I drove it the radio went off and my battery said it was going into battery saving mode. My AC started to turn on and off, so I lowered my windows then my windows wouldn't go back up. I had numerous engine lights come. My windshield wipers where turning on and off. My power steering stopped working, so I pulled over. I turned my car off and it wouldn't turn on. I checked my battery the next morning to see if I needed a new one but it was fine. I jumped my car and drove it around a little and still had all the problems stated above with my headlights flashing on and off this time. I turned the car off and the lights inside where still flashing, so I unplugged the battery. My car is now at the dodge dealer and they are telling me it might be alternator. I don't understand how this happens to a 2011 vehicle.
I was driving home from the store going about 50mph when my radio and AC turned off. Followed by the battery save mode message popping on then everything else like ABS light, ignition system, and after flickering off and on the car suddenly lost power. It turned off in the middle of the road, if I don't get off and flag the car behind me I would of been involved in a terrible collision. This problem seems to be on going and quite hazardous to our safety. I also think that the alternator provided for the car is not strong enough, which is why it leads to it's failure.
When I turn on my turn signals the windshield wipers go on! This happens 2 to 3 times I put the turn signal on then does not do it next time and then again the next 3 times I use the turn signals. Mostly happening with left turn signal. The wipers do not stop until you turn off the turn signal. Something must be wrong with the electrical wiring or switch.
Audio went off,then AC went off,then car cut off ,wouldn't restart/buy new battery,car start to smoke from alternator.
I was driving and all of a sudden the car started smoking and then started to decelerate.I pulled over to the side to take a look under the hood and heard a buzzing/ringing noise from the engine.I slowly drove to auto zone to get a diagnostic and it read alternator.
I thankfully was driving in a parking lot when my radio, ABS, and traction control shut off. After that the car shut it self off. I got it to stop safely. I than tried to use jumper cables and could not get it to start. I than paid to have it towed ($85) to a dealership. They charged me ($100) to scan the computer and told me it was just a dead battery. Bought a new battery ($170) had them install it. Next day it does the same thing. Thankfully made it back to the same dealership and they gave me the run around. So I got it to somewhere that knows what they are doing. You would think a dealership would. I was told it would cost $480 just for the alternator which is crazy. No store carried it. Took me and them over 2 weeks to find one. So after parts and labor and towing a new alternator almost made me wreck and cost me almost $1000. Unacceptable!!!
Driving and the car started to make a humming sound from the engine. Then out of nowhere car started to blow hot air, the radio went off, "battery safe mode" was on the screen and I could start to smell smoke. I pulled over and tried to figure out what was going on. I was directed to go to either an auto store or the dealership to get a diagnostic ran. I cautiously drove the car (only going about 20 MPH tops) to an auto store. They ran a diagnostic and I was told the alternator was shot and that I was the 3rd person this week that had the same issue. I drove my car less than a mile home and the moment that I turned into my apartment complex the car just shut off and smoke was billowing from under the hood. The next day when I tried to turn the car on to get it on the tow truck, the automatic doors wouldn't unlock- the whole car was completely dead! From reading multiple post I'm not sure why dodge hasn't issued a recall for this. I clearly am not the only one experiencing this pricey issue for such a newer car. I'm just glad all this happened when I was on side streets and not going at a high rate of speed and my child was not in the car with me or else this could be a different story!
While driving a whining noise started coming from vehicle. I parked vehicle and smelled smoke...vehicle was taken to area dodge dealer who concluded alternator went bad. Alternator was replaced on july 28,2014 dodge 2011 charger has 60,000 miles.
I was traveling northbound on a highway at approximately 1730 and my radio screen completely went out, followed by everything else that uses power in the vehicle I started getting several warning lights for breaks, tire pressure, pretty much every warning, vehicle entered battery saver mode while driving. Steering wheel was almost impossible to manipulate maybe after a couple minutes my vehicle completely shut off in the middle of traffic without warning. I was unable to turn on hazards, or roll windows down or do anything with my vehicle, this was very unsafe and could have caused a major accident. The issue seems to stem from the alternator completely failing while driving. This was very stressful for me and everyone involved.
I was driving home with my 2 kids on the freeway. Battery saver mode message came on. The lights on the dash started flickering. The ABS light and electronic stability lights went on and off. As I was exciting freeway the rpms started jumping up and down. Ac started blowing hot. Radio shut off and the gas pedal barely worked. After that I lost power steering and had to muscle the car around a car in front of me and into a parking lot. The alternator died on me. I have read many other people having the same thing happen to them.
Was driving our 2011 dodge charger about 45 miles an hour on florida route 441/obt at 6:30pm on sunday june 1 when first the radio started turning off and on, then the odometer started moving wildly on the dial, followed by the AC system failing and finally the engine. It was a scary experience, had to put car in park in order to unlock the doors to get out, then car was locked in park so could not be pushed - jumped the car just enough to move it to neutral so it could be pushed into a parking space. Bought a new battery, after 20 minutes driving "very low" battery light came on. So knew it wasn't the battery. Then bought a new alternator, after it installed paid for a diagnostic at the dealership which identified 15 error messages in the electrical system. Since then not comfortable driving this car anywhere but quick close-by errands. Saw a news report that we are not alone dealing with this problem, so I decided we needed to be counted too and filed this report. Thank you for your attention to this problem.
I was driving on the highway on the way to work this morning. When approaching the gate to enter ft. Bliss, a burning smell was coming from the vents in the car. Within a minute or two of that smell, the cars message center displayed "battery saver mode" on the dashboard. Knowing a little bit about cars, I suspected electrical issues and shut everything off I could in an attempt to be able to limp to my destination. While enroute, the ABS, traction and a variety of other warning lights began appearing and disappearing. I got to my destination and the burning smell was extremely evident. I popped my truck because the battery is located there, but the smell was not coming from that. The battery terminals were hot to the touch. I popped the hood and there was a large amount of smoke coming from the engine. I did not seeing anything obviously wrong with it so I called a tow truck to pick it up. I had the dealer do diagnostics on it and it was proven to be the alternator. I googled 2011 dodge charger alternator and one of the first things was this on-going probe into the alternator issue. I have a 36k, 3yr warranty on it. I hit 3yrs in april and just went over the mileage. The dealer is wanting to charge me 842$ for the repairs but I feel it is wrong for them to do that. Nothing should fail at 37k besides manufacturer defect or damage caused from driving. The fact that so many people are having the same issues should lead to a recall in which the manufacturer is responsible for the repairs, not the consumer.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 dodge charger. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH, there was smoke emitting from under the hood. The contact discovered that the alternator was smoking. The vehicle was towed to the contact's home. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 59,400.
While at a stop light my car began to smoke from the right side of the hood, my air condition, radio and windows stop working and my battery light came on and then a message came on saying battery saver mode. It is so unfair to consumers that buy these cars, trusting that we have not bought a lemon. In my opinion anything that dodge sells is a lemon even it is bought new. And I think it is outrageous that and alternator is 500 dollars, for what to put another piece of junk in the car. My car is only 2 1/2 years old and it is obsurd to have to replace an alternator this soon. The whole car needs to be recalled!!!!! Dodge can not even give me a car!!!! You can believe though just as soon as I get it running I am turning it in to whomever wants it!!!!! And whomever controls the car makers should not allow dodge to make even a bicycle!!!!!!
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 dodge charger. While driving 35 MPH, the ABS and traction control indicators suddenly illuminated. Shortly afterwards, the vehicle decelerated on its own and stalled. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. An independent mechanic stated that the alternator needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 89,000.
My family had finished a 1 hour long drive on a very hot day (100 deg). We stopped at one place and were leaving. We were driving out of the parking lot approx. 20 MPH when the car started making a noise. Abs light came on, battery light came on, and car went into battery saving mode. My kids and I smelled an electrical and smoke smell. We stopped car immediately and opened hood. Smoke was pouring out of the alternator. I turned the car off and it continued to smoke for a few minutes. If the car was left running im sure it would have caught on fire completely. Car left my family and I stranded...im not very happy with dodge. Car only has 48000 miles. Dodge does not want to cover cost and im finding out their have been many complaints for this same problem. It is a dangerous and obviously a common problem that should be recalled.
Alternator is bad burnt out my battery. Car will not start even after several jump starts. Bad alternator car only has approx 120,000 miles.
While driving to work on 7/21/14 at approximately 6:50 am cst, I observed a message on my car's display that stated" battery saver mode". I drove the car directly to the dodge/chrysler dealer service department since I had recently experienced a dead battery within the past 60 days and had the battery replaced at autozone with a new battery. I informed the dealer of the message, and the dealer performed a battery & alternator check. I was informed that the battery and alternator were ok. The service advisor stated the battery was "charged" as a courtesy. On 7/24/2014 I again received the "battery saver mode" message. No other electrical issues were observed on this date. On 7/27/2014 I attempted to start my car after filling with gasoline. It initially did not start, but started once I shutoff all electrical accessories, such as radio and parking lights. The message "battery saver mode" was observed once the car was in motion.
3/9/13 - vehicle in for oil change. Battery saver mode message displayed on dash 2 miles down the road. Pulled over to check owner's manual which states immediate vehicle service required. To airpark dodge dealership approx 7 miles down the road and power steering failure and then engine stalls while making left turn through intersection. Had both my children ages 2 and 5 in the vehicle at the time and thankfully no on coming traffic during the turn. 3/12/13 - alternator and battery replaced at airpark dodge. 4/23/13 (35,690 miles) - vehicle back to airpark dodge for another battery saver mode message. Source could not be found, no repairs made. 7/25/14 (47,900 miles) - battery saver mode message, no dash lights, no A/C, no power steering, no headlights while doing 30 MPH. Vehicle to airpark dodge again on 7/29/14.
I have a 2011 dodge charger v6 se. Well the first thing that happened was that the car went dead on my wife and 2 small children. I took it to a dealership as requested by dodge representative. They told me I had a bad alternator however I could not pay for the alternator so I requested to just pick up my vehicle. Before leaving I got the mechanic to test my battery. Turns out I had a bad battery. Problem solved but he still told me I had a bad alternator.. This was 5 months ago. Well about a month ago my tire pressure sensor light came on, then my ABS and traction control lights came on and I cannot use cruise control. Was told I was eligible for a recall but I would have to pay for diagnosis and possibly repair if the problem was deemed not under recall. I am currently unemployed and cannot afford for the dealership to give me the run around again. Well yesterday my wife was driving our 2 small children around and everything started cutting off while she was going down the road. She pulled off the highway thankfully just as the car cut off. I jumped the car off and used a voltmeter to check the battery as the car was running. The battery voltage was steadily declining as the car ran indicating the alternator has gone bad. After talking to dodge representative again they said I may be eligible for a reduced bill from the dealership but I would have to take it to them for them to diagnose. This car has been nothing but trouble since I got it and it has left me and my family stranded numerous times. Very unhappy with dodge and the dealership. I see where you are investigating the alternator failures and I would really appreciate any help you can incur.
I was driving and noticed the radio shut off and dash lights were coming on, including battery saver mode. I pulled into a parking lot and stopped the car. When I tried to restart the car, it would not restart.
Sometimes when I'm driving the volume on the radio jumps up higher causing a distraction. Its been going on for two years.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 dodge charger. While driving 30 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the brake pedal was stiff. The vehicle was restarted and power returned; however, the engine did not crank. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who stated that the alternator and battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and the battery was replaced again. The failure did not return. The failure mileage was 63,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 dodge charger. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 MPH, the air conditioner failed and the windows and doors would not open. In addition, the speedometer malfunctioned and all of the warning lights illuminated. The failure occurred two occasions. The second time the failure occurred the vehicle would not restart. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing and the mechanic stated that the alternator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000. The VIN was not available.
On 95 south in middle of right hand lane auto just dies - first radio - then hot air blows and then completely shuts down leaving me no hazard lights - highway busy - called 911 and fhp after 45 minutes road ranger came out - because vehicle had locked itself down unable to get it into neutral so fhp had to drag the car into apex so that a flatbed truck could be brought in. I was on the side of the highway - car was completely dark - time was midnight so cars were speeding by. I am being told alternator and battery and tire rod damage. Also because road ranger had to move my car off highway for safety of all - there was damage to tire rod and dodge should pay for this as it is a system situation when alternator goes system shuts down. The situation was 10 times more serious due to the complete shutdown in the middle of the most dangerous and busiest highways in south florida. There was absolutely no time to pull over or get off the road.
Car went into battery saver mode, radio shut off, tried to make it home had to pull over and have towed, alternator was out. We just had to put another alternator on in may of year 2014, same thing, radio out, made it to auto repair shop, the part was on back order because there is such a high demand, we were told this is a common problem in this car.
I was driving approx. 35 MPH to grocery store and a 'battery saver mode' message came on. I made it to the store and when I came back out, car started fine. Within 1 minute the same message appeared, then the radio shut itself off, then the air went out. I started to look for a place to pull over and then I started to smell a burning smell. While trying to get out of the roadway, the car slowed down and I barely made it out of traffic. I turned the engine off, sat for about 10 minutes and tried to start it again --nothing. Had to get dealer to come tow it. When I made it to dealership they told me it was probably the alternator as that's a common problem with the chargers. I asked how many have they replaced and they said lots and lots. I was without my car for 2 days to get it repaired. This cost me not only hundreds of dollars to have it repaired, but also car rental for the 2 days. I bought this car brand new, only 18 miles on it and in 2 years I'm having this large of a repair? Since then I've read several complaints of the same thing happening to others, on various websites. How many more have to be replaced before a recall is issued???
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