To whom it may concern, On [XXX] at around [XXX] PST, I was taking my car to get a car wash at Quick Quack Car Wash located in [XXX] . While waiting in line for the other cars to go in, all of sudden I see a huge fire flame shoot out from under the hood. My car was on full fire extremely rapidly, in front of the multiple cars and near the entrance of this car wash, while this car was in fire I ran inside and asked the personnel for a fire extinguisher, to consume the flames coming out of the hood, as I was extremely concerned about the safety and personnel of this location. As soon as I got the extinguisher, I ran towards the car and started spraying powder everywhere I saw flames coming out from top of the hood and under the car, as flames and melted material dropped down from under the car. When I saw the flames got contained, I saw a water hose near the entrance in which I went and turn on and ran to continue pouring water into the engine bay compartment in order to make sure the fire was fully contained. All I could say is that I was very scared and extremely worried that this car could explode in front of this business with all the people working there. As soon I put the fire out, my friend help me push it out of the way into the much larger empty parking lot in order for the business to continue to conduct their business. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
2011 Dodge Durango: fire, smoke or burning smell
77 of the 800 complaints about the 2011 Dodge Durango describe fire, smoke or burning smell.
- owner complaints
- 77
- of this car's complaints
- 10%
- typical repair cost reported
- $1,350
- typical mileage
- 84,000
- recalls
- 5
Fire, smoke or burning smell by model year
What owners say
The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while driving at 20 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact's wife detected an abnormally strong smoke odor inside the vehicle. The windshield wipers were inadvertently activated, and the instrument panel flickered. The battery warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over and noticed smoke coming from underneath the hood. The contact, his wife, and his mother-in-law were able to exit the vehicle safely. No injuries were sustained. The contact checked under the hood and saw flames coming from the alternator; however, the flames extinguished themselves before the firefighters arrived on the scene. A fire department report was filed. The vehicle was first towed to the contact's mother-in-law's residence, then to the dealer, where it was determined that the alternator had malfunctioned due to the age of the vehicle. The contact was informed that the alternator and battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 17V435000 (Electrical System); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 230,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Durango. The contact stated while driving at approximately 55 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled into a parking lot and stated that smoke was entering the cabin of the vehicle. The contact exited the vehicle and raised the hood. The contact stated that there was smoke coming from the alternator. The contact stated that the alternator had melted in some areas. The contact had the vehicle towed to the residence. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact had researched online and related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 17V435000 (Electrical System). The failure mileage was approximately 148,000.
The alternator suddenly failed with no warning lights or lamps indicating a problem. I was driving when the car suddenly stalled and I managed to get home . Heavy smoke was coming from under the hood and when I raised the hood heavy smoke was coming up out of the alternator and I could smell burning wires. I had it towed to Elder Dodge and they confirmed that the alternator was burnt out and it fried the PCM and other electrical components. The safety issue was it could've caught the whole engine on fire and it could have caused a wreck with traffic behind us. I contacted the FCA and sent all information that they requested for reimbursement but they refuse to reimburse me for a faulty alternator that short circuited and caught on fire. I am contacting you for help with this matter so they will reimburse me for damages done to my Durango.
The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in the driveway, the contact heard an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle and became aware there was smoke coming from under the hood. No warning light was illuminated. The contact opened the hood and saw that there were flames coming out of the alternator. The contact stated that her husband blew on the alternator and was able to extinguish the fire. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact was unaware if the vehicle was considered a total loss. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and determined that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 MPH the vehicle lost drive power. The contact stated that the vehicle then stalled and was not able to restart. The contact observed smoke emanating from the engine compartment. The contact stated that the fire was extinguished. The vehicle was restarted the vehicle caught fire. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the alternator, PCM, and battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 173,529. Dodge Dealership who stated that the alternator burned from the inside out and caused additional damage to the PCM. Causing $3,000.00 worth of damage due to the faulty alternator. The FCA refuses to reimburse the contact for damages caused by alternator.
There was a whirring noise associated with engine rpm. It appeared to be something driven by the serpentine belt. Within a few miles the battery charge light came on. I figured the noise was then the alternator. I stopped at a parts store to order one and when I came back out, smoke was billowing out of the hood. I opened the hood and it was coming from the alternator. It wasn't slowing down. I asked for some tools from the parts store to unhook the battery and then the smoke started subsiding. It appeared the alternator created a short and the battery was feeding the potential for fire. This all happen in the course of 4 miles. The day before I had parked this vehicle in a parking garage below a college building for a sporting event. This could have caught fire and potentially caused a lot of damage to other vehicles and building. I don't think I would have heard the issue at highway speeds either, and eventually the short caused the entire electrical system to fail (hooked battery up to put car in neutral to load onto tow truck). I currently have the alternator and ordered a replacement (with a core charge). The back of the alternator has some metal that had melted along with the back plastic housing. The bearings seem smooth. I noticed another recall with same vehicle and alternator but with electric hydraulic power steering with the alternator shorting to ground, but my vin is not affected by that.
The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the contact noticed smoke coming from above the driver’s side sun visor. The contact lowered the sun visor and saw red coals and black smoke coming from the headliner. The contact pulled into a parking lot to get water to extinguish the fire. Upon returning to the vehicle the contact saw flames coming from inside the vehicle. The emergency services were contacted and notified of the fire. The fire department arrived on the scene. When the fireman pulled down the headliner there were flames underneath the headliner. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire. A police and fire report was filed. There was an injury reported. The fire department determined that the fire was caused by an electrical fault. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. The insurance provider had not determined if the vehicle would be a total loss. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 181,000. The VIN was not available.
The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Durango. The contact stated while his wife was driving at 45-55 MPH in the rain, the instrument panel lights, the interior and exterior lights of the vehicle inadvertently turned off. The contact also stated the defroster failed to work and the windows were foggy. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated his wife was able to drive to their residence as it was 1 mile away. The dealer was made aware of the failure and advised that the contact would be responsible for the cost of repair. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer, however the contact replaced the TIPM himself. The contact stated while his wife was driving, she noticed a burning odor and the vehicle inadvertently lost power. The battery warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the battery had failed. The contact stated the battery was replaced, however the vehicle failed to restart and was making an abnormal clicking sound. The contact stated he smelled a burning odor and as he opened the hood of the vehicle, he noticed smoke coming from the alternator. The independent mechanic diagnosed that the alternator needed to be replaced. The contact stated the vehicle was repaired however, the vehicle would not charge normally. The independent mechanic diagnosed that the voltage regulator of the vehicle had failed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was open. The contact also stated the dealer informed that the vehicle was included in the recall for the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 19V813000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), however the parts for the recall repair were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
My stock alternator caught fire, and made my car completely lock up and shut down while I was driving. Upon further diagnosis my PCM was affected. There was a recall for that exact issue and in the year my vehicle was manufactured, yet my car VIN is not included! It’s the same issue from the recall
On august 22, 2020 while driving to and from a restaurant my car components notified me of a battery issue with the red light on. I then kept driving to park the car and while the car was parked it started to stall unusually but the engine car did not stop completely. Then there was heat coming in from the air condition vents with a rubbery smell then I had to turn the car off. I did not want to open the hood because there was smoke coming out of the engine. I was afraid opening the hood might have caused a fire feeding oxygen to the engine. I called usaa roadside assistance and provided me with a wrecker with assumed name sally's towing service. The wrecker was unable to jump start the car and movie it neutrally. He had to forcibly pull the car with the tires locked onto the flat bed. We took it to our mechanic at USA motors. Our mechanic inspected it and found a rare occurrence in which the alternator was overcharging the battery causing the battery and the power train control module to melt thus causing the smoke and foul odor and the car left with no power or control.
2011 dodge durango. Consumer writes in regards to fire under the hood of vehicle. *ld the consumer stated while driving all the lights flashed on the dashboard; the motor shut down, and smoke erupted from under the hood. The consumer was able to coast to the side at which point the smoke became flames, the vehicle was totaled. *js*dt
Service bulletins that may apply
- Speaker - none
- Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar Connector Repair...
- No Start Intermittently, Vehicle Requires Multiple Keyless Push To Start Attempts To Start Vehicle,...
- No Start Intermittently, Vehicle Requires Multiple Keyless Push To Start Attempts To Start Vehicle
- Failure Code Change
- Hands Free Module Prompts Begin Erroneously.
- Summary to be provided on a future date.
- Flash: Unresponsive Remote Entry Transmitter Integrated Key Frequency Operated Button (FOB)
Related recalls
Electrical system
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2011-2013 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with a 3.6, 5.7, or 6.4 liter engine and previously recalled under the federal safety agency Recall 14V530 or 15V115. The fuel pump relay inside the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM-7) may fail, causing the vehicle to stall without warning.
- Risk
- A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) will replace the affected fuel pump relay and related wire harness. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed beginning December 19, 2019. Vehicles that experience a fuel pump failure will receive an interim repair. Owners will receive a second notice when the final remedy becomes available. Owner notification letters were mailed on December 10, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V62.
Recall number 19V813000 · 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
- What is wrong
- Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured January 5, 2010, to July 20, 2011, and equipped with either a 3.6L or 5.7L engine. In the affected vehicles, the fuel pump relay inside the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM-7) may fail, causing the vehicle to stall without warning.
- Risk
- A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump relay with one external to the TIPM, free of charge. The recall began December 19, 2014. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P54. Note: This recall has been superseded by recall 19V813.
Recall number 14V530000 · Recall details
Electrical system: wiring
- What is wrong
- Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured January 5, 2010, through December 11, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the wiring for the vanity lamp in the sun visor may short circuit, after a service repair is performed.
- Risk
- If the vanity lamp wiring shorts, there is an increased risk of fire.
- Remedy
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and repair any damaged wiring, and install a new sun visor that properly routes the wire, free of charge. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P36.
Recall number 14V391000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2011 Dodge Durango fire or smoke
Is fire, smoke or burning smell a common problem on the 2011 Dodge Durango?
77 of 800 owner complaints about the 2011 Dodge Durango (10%) mention fire, smoke or burning smell. The model year with the most reports is 2011.
How much does it cost to fix fire, smoke or burning smell on the 2011 Dodge Durango?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $1,350 (median of 12 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2011 Dodge Durango?
There are 5 recalls and 25 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2011 Dodge Durango
Stalling 195Won't start 115Fuel pump 93Loss of power 66Wipers 44Check engine light 38Power steering loss 28Key fob 22Warning lights 21Airbag light 15Engine failure 15Headlights 15ABS 14Hesitation 14Jerking 11Misfire 10Overheating 10Battery drain 9Brake failure 9Whining noise 9Knocking 7Steering lock-up 6Collision warning 5Won't shift 5
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2011 Dodge Durango?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history