Altenator makes a whining noise while driving and then within 2 to 3 minutes the battery indicator light comes on then there is an immediate burning smell.
Dodge Charger whining noise problems
50 of the 5,741 owner complaints about the Dodge Charger describe whining or grinding noise, most of them for the 2011 model year.
- owner complaints
- 50
- worst model year
- 2011
- typical repair cost reported
- $850
- typical mileage
- 55,000
Is there a fix? There are 10 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
ABS 18Fire or smoke 13Won't start 5Warning lights 5Stalling 5Loss of power 4Wipers 2Power steering loss 2
What owners say
Wife was driving charger when the gauges, radio, AC went hay wire and a few seconds later the car just died in heavy traffic and would not start back. Had car was towed and very costly as she was far from home. From what I could find online it sounded like the battery or alternator, removed both and had them tested and both are in good working order. Charged battery up and car started right up so we test from it. While driving it only a few miles we noticed that there is a strange new whining noise coming from under there hood, esp/ tration control lights came on and car died again charged battery again and it started right up again however we are reluctant to drive it again due to this issue. Sounds like alot of people in online forums are having this same issue, but yet no recalls or fix's for whatever the issue is
Noise from the rear differential area. When going speeds of 65+ MPH there is a howling/whining noise that is constant. When I let off the gas it goes away. When I get back on the gas it comes back. I have had the rear diff replaced and have had it in multiple times for diagnostics/fluid changes with no fix in site. Fca told me, to bad, that is a normal noise and there is nothing else we can do to fix the issue. A brand new car with an old car noise? Unacceptable. I have videos, repair documentation showing the noise. *tt
As I was driving down the road today, the red battery light came on and I could hear a whining noise. I drove to repair shop about 3 miles away to get the battery checked. I and the personel noticed black smoke coming from the hood of my car. It was on fire.I was notified that there was an alternator factory defect recall. This was 6 months ago when I contacted my dealer ship musson patout in new iberia, la. I call every two weeks to see if you have sent the part to fix my car and there are no parts. I had to replace the battery today because the burnt alternator damaged cells in the battery. Th wrecker picked up my car and brought it to be repaired. At this time, I do not know how much damage was done to my car because of a manufacturer's defective part.the recall # is p60. My nerves are very bad now when I think how I or someone may have been hurt or died by this incident.
While driving the car the radio shut off, all of the lights on the dash came on, there was a whining noise from under the hood and it smelled like burning rubber. The car was then parked and when the hood was opened the alternator was smoking and there was residue around the area where the belt is on the alternator. This happened 3 times in 12 hours, all driving on city streets
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 dodge charger. While driving 10 MPH, the contact heard a whining noise and the ABS, traction, and battery saver indicators illuminated. The contact stated that he was able to drive the vehicle home at a slow rate of speed. While pulling into the driveway, the contact noticed smoke coming from the front of the vehicle. The contact parked, exited the vehicle, opened the hood, and saw smoke. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The contact called the dealer (larry h. Miller dodge ram havana, 2727 s havana st, denver, co 80014 (720) 907-1243) to inquire about an alternator recall because his previous dodge charger was included in a recall for the alternator. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 40,900.
While driving my car in a residential area it started making a whining noise, I immediately pulled over. I exited the vehicle noticing smoke rising from under my hood. It looked like my alternator is what was smoking and putting out a lot of heat. I waited a few minutes hoping it would cool down. I noticed the smoke was getting worst as well as the heat coming from the engine area. I then heard a cracking noise coming from the alternator. It sounded like electricity snapping. I then disconnected the battery and immediately the snapping stopped. After approximately 5 more mins the smoking stopped. I saw that there is a recall for the alternator in my make and year, but when I type in my VIN number it doesn't show the recall for my vehicle. Ive reached out to my dodge dealership, they told me my car doesn't have the recall for the alternator. Could they have made a mistake?
After parking the car into the garage I noticed an electrical burning smell. I checked everything in the garage including smelling the hood of the car. At the time I couldn't locate the source. Worrying about an electrical fire I checked in periodically. It wasn't until I drove the car again that I noticed the electrical burning smell with a whining noise. This year charger was part of a recall to replace the 160amp alternator which this car didn't have. Based on an internet search some of these alternators have caught fire. This failure happens just outside the warranty period.
Was driving dodge charger sxt on the highway going approximately 60 MPH and heard a whining noise. All of the lights on control panel went on and off and there was a smell of burning rubber. Car suddenly stopped with my pregnant wife and 1 year old in the car and almost cause a major incident. Car went completely dead in middle of highway and wouldn't even turn over, but luckily caused no incident. Dealer said it was a faulty alternator issue that completely drained battery as well. There is a recall p60 on alternators for the make, model, and year of the dodge challenger sxt, but our vehicle wasn't covered. This could have caused a major incident. It doesn't seem to be a coincidence and dodge needs to add additional vehicle coverage under this recall before a major incident happens.
1/16/17 - car was located in lot of my workplace, I activated remote start, got into car and battery saver mode came on. The engine was making a whining noise and I could not shift into gear. Abs, airbag, and traction control lights all came on. Everything flashed and then car was completely dead. Tried jumping the car with two different cars and two sets of cables. Both sets of cables started to melt. Car has been towed to a dealership. No repairs have been completed yet because there is not a recall. Estimated mileage 64,000.
Related recalls
Power train: manual transmission: column shift assembly
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2022 Dodge Charger and Durango vehicles. The shifter assembly was not properly heat-treated, which can prevent the shifter from properly engaging in the "drive" position.
- Risk
- An improperly engaged shifter assembly may slip out of the "drive" position, resulting in a sudden loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the shifter assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 17, 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall ZB3.
Recall number 22V866000 · Recall details
Power train: driveline: driveshaft
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Dodge Charger pursuit police vehicles equipped with all-wheel drive and V8 engines. The front driveshaft universal joint may seize or fracture causing the shaft to detach from the vehicle.
- Risk
- If the front driveshaft detaches from the vehicle it may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driveshaft, free of charge. The recall began June 27, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U37.
Recall number 18V281000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Dodge Charger, Durango and Challenger, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Wrangler, Chrysler 300, and RAM 1500 vehicles. An incorrect transmission park lock rod may have been installed in the transmission.
- Risk
- If the incorrect park lock rod is installed, the transmission may not shift into 'PARK' and keep the vehicle from moving, increasing the risk of unintended vehicle movement and the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install the correct park lock rod, free of charge. The recall began June 28, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U43.
Recall number 18V280000 · Recall details
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2017 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 vehicles equipped with all-wheel drive (AWD). The front driveshaft bolts may loosen and allow the front driveshaft to disconnect, potentially causing a loss of motive power.
- Risk
- A loss of motive power can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace all eight front driveshaft bolts, free of charge. The recall began April 7, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T03.
Recall number 17V097000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 vehicles manufactured February 15, 2011, to November 27, 2014, and 2014-2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured July 16, 2012, to December 22, 2015. The affected vehicles, equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission and a monostable gear selector, may not adequately warn the driver when driver's door is opened and the vehicle is not in PARK, allowing them to exit the vehicle while the vehicle is still in gear.
- Risk
- Drivers thinking that their vehicle's transmission is in the PARK position may be struck by the vehicle and injured if they attempt to get out of the vehicle while the engine is running and the parking brake is not engaged.
- Remedy
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle software to mitigate the risk of vehicle rollaway, free of charge. The recall began on June 24, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S27. Note: On October 19, 2016 Chrysler identified some previously repaired vehicles did not receive the complete software updates. Chrysler will renotify the affected owners, and dealers will update the software again.
Recall number 16V240000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2013 Chrysler 300 AWD, Dodge Charger AWD, and Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 vehicles equipped with ZF all wheel drive ("AWD") 8HP45 transmissions. In the affected vehicles, the transmission output shaft may fracture.
- Risk
- The transmission output shaft fracture could result in a loss of power, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, if the parking brake is not applied before exiting the vehicle, the vehicle may roll away despite the transmission being placed in 'Park'.
- Remedy
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the transmissions, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 31, 2014. Customers may contact Chrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's recall number is N65.
Recall number 13V610000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift
- What is wrong
- Chrysler is recalling 20,283 my 2006-2009 charger and magnum vehicles built with the police package and equipped with a column shifter. The gearshift cable may become disengaged from the steering column mounting bracket and cause an incorrect transmission gearshift position display.
- Risk
- This could allow the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction startling the driver, and cause a crash without warning.
- Remedy
- Dealers will add a redundant locking mechanism to the gearshift cable at the mounting bracket to ensure proper retention and shift linkage function. The recall began on november 10, 2008. Owners may contact chrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.
Recall number 08V583000 · Recall details
Power train: axle hubs
- What is wrong
- Chrysler is recalling 5,509 my 2008 300, dodge magnum, and charger vehicles. The torque retention crimp feature was missed during the manufacture of one lot of rear axle hub nuts. This could cause the nuts to loosen and allow the halfshaft to disengage from the wheel hub.
- Risk
- This could cause the vehicle to lose power and result in a crash without warning.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the rear axle hub nuts. The recall began on july 21, 2008. Owners may contact chrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.
Recall number 08V295000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- On certain passenger and sport utility vehicles and pickup trucks equipped with automatic transmissions, the software programmed into the powertrain control module can cause a momentary lock up of the drive wheels if the vehicle is traveling over 40 MPH and the operator shifts from drive to neutral and back to drive.
- Risk
- If the drive wheels locked up, loss of vehicle control could occur increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module free of charge. The recall began on october 2, 2006. Owners may contact daimlerchrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.
Recall number 06V341000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- On certain pickup trucks, sport utility and passenger vehicles equipped with 42rle automatic transmissions, the cup plug that retains the park pawl anchor shaft may be improperly installed. If the shaft moves out of position, the vehicle may not be able to achieve 'park' position.
- Risk
- If this occurs and the parking brake is not applied, the vehicle may roll away and cause a crash without warning.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the transmissions and install a bracket to ensure the park pawl anchor shaft is retained in the proper position. The recall began on november 28, 2005. Owners may contact daimlerchrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.
Recall number 05V460000 · Recall details
Questions about the Dodge Charger whining noise
Which Dodge Charger years have whining or grinding noise problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2011 (24 complaints), 2012 (11 complaints) and 2013 (8 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix whining or grinding noise on the Dodge Charger?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $850 (median of 10 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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