2013 Dodge Durango: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Oct 24, 2024 · Electrical · CA

2012 Durango. While driving, Battery symbol appeared on dash. I immediately started to pull over , by the time i got to a safe area, there was smoke coming from under the hood. I opened it and saw smoke coming directly from the alternator. After the smoke dissipated, i tried to turn on the vehicle and it would not start. I towed the vehicle home, changed the alternator and the battery with new items from Autozone, and the vehicle still would not start. There were no codes popping up as well. Towed it to the dealership and it turned out that it fried the ECM. Why wouldnt there be a fuse or something to protect the computer from a surge off of the alternator. Well, the dealer changed out the computer and with intermittent issues afterwards, the car would not start all the time. thought the starter was going bad. Changed that and it was still having issues, not starting. took it back to the dealership. after the dealership replaced the starter (to verify that it wasnt the issue), it turns out the TIPM is partially burnt out. So the alternator broke both computers.

Filed Oct 22, 2024 · Electrical · CT · fire

While driving on the highway last night, my husband smelled smoke and then his eyes began to burn. As he was about to pull over, a flame fell from the passenger sun visor! There was more smoke and fire as he pulled over. The car became engulfed in flames fairly quickly. Thankfully he was alone without other family members (or our dog) and he was able to get out safely. He had to stand on the side of the highway waiting for responders. It was towed and we are in the process of speaking with insurance and figuring out what to do next. Today we researched Dodge Durango car fire and came across the recall from 2014 which SPECIFICALLY said passenger sun visor fire hazard! Clearly that is exactly what happened. We have proof that we brought the vehicle to the dealership in 2014 to complete this recall. However it appears based on internet searches that this was still an issue even after recalls were performed. There were no warnings/messages prior to the failure.

Filed Sep 20, 2024 · Electrical · NY

Red battery symbol lit up on the dashboard Noticed electrical burning smell. Stopped and turned car off. Checked around and under hood. Battery symbol went off so I drove short distance back home. Noticed loud whining noise, looked like the start of an electrical fire inside alternator and lots of smoke. Quickly turned car off. My alternator part number matches alternators that are part of a T36 recall involving defective alternators, but for some reason my VIN is not included in the “VIN range” even though my year make and model is. It is the same defective part, which failed, and could cause damage to other parts. The alternator and whatever parts that were damaged should be covered under the recall. This part almost caused my car to catch on fire. Luckily I was home. But what if I was on the road in traffic with my kids in the car.

Filed Jun 6, 2024 · Electrical · 140,000 miles · CO

The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Durango. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the instrument panel flickered. The Blind Spot Detection and several other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The display screen showed a distorted image while the radio malfunctioned. The contact then detected a burning odor and noticed smoke coming from the air vents and underneath the hood. The contact pulled over, and the vehicle inadvertently turned off. The vehicle was unable to restart and was towed to the residence. An independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle at the residence and replaced the alternator and battery. The vehicle was turned on, but the engine failed to start. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 17V435000 (Electrical System). The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

Filed Aug 22, 2023 · Electrical · TX · fire

This is on Chrysler: 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. 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. This happened 8/19/2023, the alternator caught on fire. My mechanic now says it fried my electrical system as well

Filed Jun 5, 2023 · Electrical · WA

Battery light came on on friday night. Started my car saturday morning to leave and started smelling an awful smell so shut my car off. I replaced my battery in the same spot my car sat (in my driveway). My hood was up still and the alternator was burning and smoking. I shut the car off. On sunday replaced the alternator. Thought all was well. Drove the car 5 miles down the road and the battery light came back on. I pulled over at the local store and my car would not start again. Took the new alternator out and took it down to where I bought it to have it tested. It tested good. I replaced it anyways. Put that alternator in. Started car. Battery still not charging with new alternator in. Lights, windshield wipers and all codes started going crazy in the car. Then car died again. Monday morning, replaced the brand new battery again. Not charging. Took car to shop for diagnosis. Ecm/PCM bad and needs replaced. Alternator fried the ECM/PCM. While doing research found recall t36. My VIN does not fall under this recall. My car is the same years and model but my VIN is not. My alternator almost started on fire ( which they do not smoke and short things out) typically unless they have issues which obviously the manifacture knows about. I believe that my car should fall under this recall and dodge and the recall company does not want to help or help me understand why it wouldnt. I understand they are just doing their job. Please help me get my VIN on this recall as my battery, alternator and ECM/PCM all have and need to be replaced due to the alternator shorting out and would have started on fire if my hood would not have been up and me walking in front of my car and seeing the smoke coming from the alternator. Dodge is waiting for the part to come in now to replace the ECM. Thanks for your time.

Filed Dec 16, 2022 · Electrical · 300,000 miles · SD · fire

The contact owned a 2013 Dodge Durango. The contact stated after his son had parked the vehicle in a parking lot and returned, the son had observed that the interior of the vehicle was obscured by smoke. The contact stated that when his son opened the driver's side door the vehicle ignited and blew the passenger side door open. The vehicle became engulfed in flames. The fire department and police were called to the scene. The contact stated that the fire had been extinguished with water. The contact said that the local fire chief had opened an investigation and the police had written a report. The vehicle was mounted onto a flatbed truck and taken to an impound lot. The contact stated that his insurance provider had declared the vehicle a total loss. The contact had attempted to notify the manufacturer of the failure, but could not get his phone call taken. The contact had researched online and related the failure to an open recall the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 19V813000 (Electrical System). The failure mileage was approximately 300,000.

Filed Sep 6, 2022 · Body, Electrical · 123,000 miles · FL · fire

The contact owned a 2013 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while the vehicle was in the driveway parked unattended, it caught fire without warning. The contact's husband noticed the vehicle was on fire while approaching the resident. The fire department was on the scene and stated it was due to an electrical fire in the vanity mirror. There were no reported injuries, air bag deployment or a police report filed. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but no additional assistance was provided. The insurance company deemed the vehicle a total loss. The failure mileage was approximately 123.000.

Filed May 27, 2021 · Engine · MO

Was out running errands and returned home. Pulled in garage and vehicle smelled hot, like on fire. Went to start vehicle back up and remove from garage incase of fire. The vehicle would NOT start. Took vehicle to local repairman. I was informed the alternator caught on fire. If this would of happened on the road, I could have been in a bad accident. Also because my vehicle was parked in the garage, there could of been the possibility of my house and vehicle catching on fire if it would have been worse. My Durango is currently at a independent auto repair shop. The new alternator has been ordered but there is concern that the computer might be destroyed also. The only person to inspect the vehicle would be my auto repairman. Unfortunately, there was absolutely NO warning lamps prior to the alternator burning up.

Filed Oct 30, 2020 · Electrical, Engine · 145,618 miles · ME · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 dodge durango. The contact stated that while driving, the battery warning light illuminated and the vehicle stalled. The contact then saw smoke that seeped into the cabin as he brought the vehicle to a stop in a parking lot. The contact also saw smoke coming for under the hood where the engine was located but did not see any flames. Aaa towed the vehicle to an independent mechanic where it was discovered that the battery depleted, alternator was defective, positive terminal was shorted directly to ground, total integrated module and power train control module were burned. The mechanic found a service bulletin but it did not apply to the vehicle. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted by the independent mechanic. The failure mileage was 145,618.

Filed Aug 28, 2020 · Engine · 95,000 miles · AR · fire

When I first started my car, I heard a whining noise that didn't sound normal, but was not overly loud. About 5 minutes later (maybe less), as I was traveling down a town road doing 30mph the car shut off. My electrical system still worked as the radio and air conditioning were on. I pulled into a driveway of a business (without power steering) and parked. I was going to check to see if everything looked normal and see if maybe the fuel pump relay had an issue. My fuel pump relay had previously been repaired in 2015 due to the federal safety agency recall # 15v‑115. However, in may 2019, the car stopped running when it was driving 70mph down an interstate. I was informed by dodge that the fuel pump relay would not be covered under the previous recall for a second time because it had expired after 2 years. In november 2019, I received another recall notification for the fuel pump relay (the federal safety agency recall # 19v‑813); however, it was incomplete because parts were not available. When I opened the door, I smelled burning rubber but did not observe any smoke. After I was able to pop the hood, I saw a small flame in the area of the alternator. I immediately got my two children (ages 3 and 6) out of the car and called 911. My husband arrived before the fire truck, but the 911 operator told us not to try to put out the fire with the fire extinguisher he brought. The car was a total loss by the time the fire was put out by firefighters. I'm just thankful, for one, that my children and I made it safely out of the car, and for another, that I did not make it the mile and a half left to home and get parked in my carport before my car caught fire. I was informed of the federal safety agency recall # 17v‑435 relating to alternator failure and can't help but wonder, due to the location of the flame, if my VIN should've been included in that recall, but was not.*dt*jb*dt*jb*dt*jb*dt*jb*dt

Filed Aug 19, 2020 · Transmission · 60,000 miles · PA · fire

Tl* the contact owned a 2013 dodge durango. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at kelly jeep chrysler dodge ram (501 state ave, emmaus, pa 18049) the vehicle had caught on fire while the mechanic was repairing the power control module. The fire department extinguished the fire. The contact mentioned that the fire department informed that the fire started under the hood by the control module. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000. The VIN was not provided. *bf failure occured once on august 2017, twice in july of 2019.