Car caught fire while parked in a parking garage. Car was off.
Dodge Charger fire or smoke problems
189 of the 5,741 owner complaints about the Dodge Charger describe fire, smoke or burning smell, most of them for the 2011 model year.
- owner complaints
- 189
- worst model year
- 2011
- typical repair cost reported
- $850
- typical mileage
- 67,283
Is there a fix? There are 10 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
ABS 32Stalling 25Loss of power 17Won't start 14Headlights 14Check engine light 14Whining noise 13Wipers 12
Trouble codes mentioned
P0208 1
What owners say
The car is a 2022 with only 17k miles it started by smelling like gas really bad in the car and outside of it and eventually leaking gas badly so i took it into the dealership and it turns out there is a defective weld on the fuel filler neck and it had been leaking for a while. It was a major fire hazard not just for myself, but others on the road. Filling my garage up with fuel vapors and it was 1 spark away from catching on fire. So I contacted Stellantis to see if they would make it right and they refused to and told me things like that happen. It doesn't sit right with me. There was no warning lamps , messages anything of that sort. The leak was directly next to the exhaust as well.
I had a accident about 5 days ago where I got in a accident and upon impact my airbags deployed a lot of smoke came out of the air bags I couldn’t c or breathe and I also got burn by the air bags there was a open recall on my dodge charger that they said they took care of how ever messege on dash kept saying service air bag and currently it’s at a body shop being checked
The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Charger. The contact purchased the vehicle, and the vehicle was taken for the Emissions Test; however, the vehicle failed the Emissions Test. The contact notified the dealer and was informed that some unknown sensors had been replaced, and to allow for a week for the vehicle to adjust. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact stopped by the dealer to pick up the vehicle. The vehicle was restarted, and the contact drove the vehicle to the residence. The contact stated that in the evening, the vehicle failed to restart. After several attempts, the vehicle restarted. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, while driving 40 MPH, there was white smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact stated that there was a plastic burning odor and an abnormal fuel odor entering the vehicle through the A/C vents. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The contact requested that the vehicle have a full inspection, and the dealer refused. The contact was informed that the spark plugs and fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle remained at the dealer unrepaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.
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.
The contact owns a 2019 Dodge Charger. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V198000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that there was smoke coming from underneath the front passenger's side seat. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing; however, the dealer was unable to diagnose the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The manufacturer sent a field investigator, who diagnosed the vehicle but withheld diagnostic information from the contact. The contact stated that upon driving to Turnersville Jeep Chrysler Dodge Ram (3100 NJ-42, Turnersville, NJ 08012), the dealer provided the field investigator diagnosis and the case updated information to the contact. The contact stated that the diagnosis information stated that the failure was related to the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2021 Dodge Charger. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle downshifted with the “Service Transmission” message displayed. The contact stated that the continue to drive and do not shift message was displayed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the contact noticed smoke coming from the vehicle and noticed that the transmission had overheated. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer where it was not diagnosed or repaired. An independent mechanic was contacted and informed the contact that the head gasket might have failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 42,000.
I was driving down the road, and without warning there were flames coming out of the dash and smoke and within minutes the car was fully engulfed. Luckily, my daughter and I got out, but I am now left with nothing.
The contact owned a 2020 Dodge Charger. The contact stated that while driving at 12 MPH and attempting to complete a right turn, the vehicle suddenly began to jerk left to right. As a result, the contact briefly lost control of the vehicle, coming to a complete stop after colliding with a pole that pierced through the vehicle and protruded out from the center console. Upon exiting the vehicle, the contact observed flames emanating from the engine compartment. Local fire services were not called, as the fire had dissipated on its own. The air bags did deploy, but the contact stated that the left curtain side air bag failed to fully deploy, resulting in injury. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and deemed a total loss by the contact's insurance provider. A fire report was not filed. A police report was filed, and injuries were reported. The contact transported himself to an area hospital and was treated for a minor concussion and a laceration to his left leg. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was unknown.
The transmission in my car completely failed. I was driving home from work. The check engine light came on. Then I noticed the transmission wasn't changing gears. I also noticed a burning smell as well. I towed the vehicle to the dealership. They discovered the transmission fluid was burned due to over heating. The transmission was locked into 2rd gear. That happened at the end of September with about 59,000 miles. The warranty company sent the dealership a used transmission to dealership. On Monday November 27 while driving home, the transmission failed again. I put about 2,000 miles on the vehicle. For my understanding, this is a known issue with Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep/RAM for the transmissions in their vehicles to fail. The manufacturer knows there's a problem. However, the manufacturer hasn't addressed the issue.
Related recalls
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: wiring
- 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: 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: 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
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers
- What is wrong
- Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2011 and 2012 300 and dodge charger vehicles. These vehicles may lose ABS/ESC system function due to an overheated power distribution center.
- Risk
- This could lead to loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will relocate the ABS/ESC system fuse, free of charge. The safety recall began on may 18, 2012. Owners may contact chrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.
Recall number 12V197000 · Recall details
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers
- What is wrong
- Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2011 and 2012 dodge charger police vehicles. The low beam headlamps of some vehicles could fail due to an overheated bulb harness connector. Other vehicles may lose ABS/ESC system function due to an overheated power distribution center.
- Risk
- This could lead to loss of visibility and/or braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Chrysler will notify owners and dealers will replace the headlamp jumper harnesses and relocate the ABS/ESC system fuse within the power distribution center, free of charge. The safety recall began on april 2, 2012. Owners may contact chrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.
Recall number 12V042000 · 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 Charger fire or smoke
Which Dodge Charger years have fire, smoke or burning smell problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2011 (52 complaints), 2012 (47 complaints) and 2013 (19 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix fire, smoke or burning smell on the Dodge Charger?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $850 (median of 23 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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