2011 Dodge Charger: windshield wiper failure

Filed Jan 20, 2017 · Brakes, Electrical · 10 miles · OR

3 separate vehicle shutdowns while accelerating to pass another vehicle and to override cruise control. Esc and ABS light came on along with "acc/fcw unavailable vehicle system error" in the evic at 30mph. Seconds later all warning lights shut off, the turned back on a few seconds later and repeated constantly. Power steering was 100% lost while turning, almost causing me to go into a ditch. At about 25mph, again at 35mph, and again at 40mph, my car had briefly applied the ebrake by itself, even though the ebrake was fully disengaged, and a clicking sound could be heard coming from the shifter. The speedometer drops to zero, then warning lights turn off again and speedometer goes back to normal function. Brake pedal became very stiff, making it difficult to stop. When I came to a full stop at an intersection, the ebrake prevented me from accelerating, then I was able to accelerate after a couple of seconds and then my power steering went out. Then the airbag light came on. After the intersection, the brake light remained on, speedometer stayed at 0, airbag light stayed on. Dinging constantly, as cars normally do when you first start them ( about 1 ding a second). Radio and most interior lighting shut off, headlights shut off, then came back on and started flickering, accompanied by a "battery saver mode" message on the evic. Windshield wipers started moving, but very slowly. Engine sounded windy, like a siren from a fire truck and engine was noticeably less powerful. Burning smell from engine. Once stopped, car would not restart, and almost no power to any area of the car. Replaced battery, which fixed nothing. Window was stuck down, so we pulled the battery and put it on a charger to see if it was charged, and put it back in the car. The battery was connected about 45 seconds, with the engine off but the car in acc mode, and alternator started smoking. 20 cel codes.

Filed Oct 16, 2016 · Electrical · 69,000 miles · TN

My dodge charger last night would not start. I got it jumped and it started, I left the cables hooked up for a while then unhooked them. After unhooking the cables the car still would run but lights started popping up on the dash, I put the car in drive and the wiper blades came on, radio turned off, battery power saver came on and all the ABS lights check engine light etc came on and the car just cut off. I did a little research and comes to find out that is the alternator and this is a common issue in the 2011 to 2014 dodge chargers.

Filed Sep 12, 2016 · Electrical · 118,000 miles · NJ

Car died at intersection with almost no warning. Lost all power with in 1 min of stall. Alternator is fried. Came to a stop and within 30 seconds a battery light came on and said "battery saver mode". Bells started to ding and the wipers turned on. Tried to pull over and car stalled in middle of the road. Turned hazards on and 1 minute later there was no power at all. When we tried to jump the car in order to close the windows and sunroof, the connectors started to smoke where the jumpers were connected. For a high performance car there is no alternator warning or gauge to determine if it is starting to fail. That only shows that this is a known problem and they do not want customers to see what is happening. Car was running perfectly fine until that point.

Filed Oct 8, 2015 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 75,000 miles · IA

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 dodge charger. While driving approximately 60 MPH, the save battery, traction control, and the ABS warning light illuminated. In addition, the contact mentioned that the front headlights became inoperable and the windshield wipers operated independently. The contact also stated that the vehicle stalled and failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 75,000.

Filed Sep 11, 2015 · Electrical · 62,000 miles · AR

I was on my way home from the dealer from getting the free detail they promised me 3 days after my purchase when all of a sudden the battery saver mode comes on I make it home to grab another shirt for work I get back into the car and the radio cuts off and the air too started to blow hot and the windshield wipers went up and the traction control light comes on followed by ABS light then power steering light comes on the wheel wouldn't work and the brakes went out but I didn't crash I was able to get stopped. The dealer gives me the run around so we talked to the vice president he sent a loner and picked the car up but I haven't heard anything in a week. I need this matter to be solved and I don't think I should have to pay out of pocket I believe it to be a recall. Thanks

Filed Aug 15, 2015 · Electrical · 80,750 miles · PA

Brought vehicle into dealership due to a "battery saver mode" message in my evic, along with a slight winding noise heard in the engine compartment and a slight electrical burning odor. Dealer was unable to replicate issue and sent me home. Next day, the same message appeared in my evic and a very strong electrical burning odor could be smelt coming through my vents in the passenger compartment. Took vehicle back to dealership and they observed both the message and strong odor. Popped vehicles hood and a very strong electrical burning odor was observed and the outside of the alternator was black and hot. They indicated that there was no recall for the v-8, but there was for the v-6 alternators (the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v634000) and even though my vehicle was manufactured during the affected build dates, there was nothing they could do about it. When I went out to move my vehicle from where I had parked, the ABS, traction control, and emergency brake (was not engaged) lights were on. When vehicle was shifted into drive, windshield wipers turned on and vehicle stalled out. Currently waiting to see if warranty company will cover the alternator.

Filed Jul 28, 2015 · Electrical, Engine · 102,300 miles · AL

First the ABS and ESC lights came on then the message battery saver mode then the radio turned off and the AC stopped blowing cold air then the battery light came on. I turned off the car and tried to start it but it would not start but the windshield wipers did come on for 1 pass and the speedometer and tac also did 1 pass left to right and back slowly. Checked the internet and seen others with same problem cause by the alternator and their is a current recall on the v6 but I have the hemi v8. Had the car towed to the dodge dealer.

Filed Feb 15, 2015 · Electrical, Engine · 51,000 miles · GA

Bought 2011 charger in july, 2014. On october 22nd, I noticed a funny smell, but could not locate. On october 24, my car started making a whining sound that got louder over next 3 miles. I pulled over to a parking lot, notice smoke coming from under hood. I lift hood and see oil leaking out of timing chain cover onto alternator. My car shut off, won't start, and battery saver mode light flashing, gauges acting weird, and lights dimming. After about 15 minutes, I started car to get home with it, drove maybe 2 miles and car started to melt down including wipers coming on, radio on and off, door buzzers coming on, instrument panel light on and off, lights flashing, air bag warnings, etc. This continued for next couple miles until a complete shut down right at the railroad tracks! I barely got out of lane. After about 10 minutes, I got car to start and made it over the tracks to a parking lot. My husband came, called dodge dealership, they sent tow truck that took it to dealership. Service manager called us 5 days later, said it was alternator and they would fix for $850. My husband said no, we're not paying because of recall issued on october 8th, that they needed to repair for free with better quality parts, and that I needed a rental until my car was fixed, or they could by my car back because we don't feel safe in it. Service manager denied recall, said it was media hype, and that he would have sales manager call us. We did not hear back from dodge service department until february 10, 2015, when they informed rental company they were not paying bill for my rental for last 4 months, even though my car still not fixed and in same parking space at dealership it's been in since oct. 24. I called and made report to chrysler corp. And now is a case under special investigations, which was supposed to be settled in 2 business days. Still waiting! Shameful!

Filed Jan 27, 2015 · Electrical · 64,000 miles · NY

Tl*the contact owns a 2011 dodge charger. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, the wipers activated and the radio turned off independently as the safer battery mode warning indicator illuminated. The steering wheel became difficult to turn and the contact had to apply excessive force in order to turn the vehicle as all the warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact turned the vehicle off and failed to restart. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v634000 (electrical system) however, the part needed to repair the vehicle was unavailable. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 64,000.

Filed Oct 20, 2014 · Brakes, Electrical · 46,000 miles · LA

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 dodge charger. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the battery power saver and electronic stability control warning light illuminated as the radio failed. Also, the windshield wipers came on independently, the headlights shut off, the dashboard lights flashed on and off, and the brakes hesitated to stop the vehicle. The vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to a dealer for diagnostic testing. The alternator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 46,000.

Filed Oct 4, 2014 · Electrical, Engine · 70,049 miles · MD

Driving home at approximately 45mph, the message screen indicated "battery saver mode". At this time, the radio shut itself off, the air conditioning switched to full-blast heat, the speedometer stopped working, all lights shut off, the windshield wipers came on for a few swipes and then stopped, and the throttle response to the accelerator pedal would only allow me to reach around 30mph (on a 50mph highway). I managed to get the car into my neighborhood, but it died before I could park it. I had to put it in neutral and push it into a parking space.

Filed Oct 3, 2014 · Electrical, Steering · 66,000 miles · CA

I was pulling into the residential area that I live in at approximately 17 MPH and my stereo shut off, and I noticed on the dashboard a warning message that read "power saving mode" then the ABS light and the stability control light came on along with the lightning bolt came on, then the air shut off and it felt like the heater was turned on, the dashboard show the temperature being 105 and there was a weird smell that came through the AC vents. I was able to push the vehicle into my driveway and upon opening the hood of the vehicle you could feel the heat immediately and when attempting to jump start the car the car would turn on but then when the jumper cables where removed the vehicle's wipers began to wipe and the same issues as before began occurring. I called one of my friends that is a dodge technician and he said that based on the information I told him he was 95% sure that it was a bad alternator. This is a 2011 dodge charger with 66,000 miles. This should be recalled immediately to help those that have had this problem and to avoid any more owners have this problem.