While driving on highway approx. 50mph, the "battery saver" message appeared on the dash display followed by multiple system failures such as: ABS, Skid control, Bat. The engine died and had total loss of all electrical systems. After engine died, had minimal steering & braking control. Barely made it to the side of the highway. After the vehicle was stopped, noticed a strong electrical smell coming from the engine compartment. Upon further investigation, the smell was coming from the alternator. Battery was totally dead. Could not lock/unlock doors or even put the vehicle in neutral so the tow truck could pull the vehicle on the truck bed. Looks like Dodge has issues with the alternators on these vehicles. I've seen multiple complaints online. If you've had this same issue, I recommend filing a complaint with the NHTSA so that they can contact Dodge. See link below. There is already an open investigation but we need to make sure all complaints get logged to help our cause.

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchSafetyIssues?prodType=E

At first I started seeing this battery save mode message appear. Then after awhile my radio would shut off after about a minute of starting the car. I was driving one day and exited the highway and all sort of lights started coming on the dash board. Luckily I made it to my first destination but then I got stuck.

The air cut off and the windshield wipers started moving. I knew it was not going to move and that it was due to the alternator but someone insisted on giving it a jump cause they thought it was the battery. They got it to start up but it would shut off quickly. Doors would lock on their on and you could not close or open the windows. They wanted to attempt to drive it to the dealer but I thought it was unsafe cause the abs light came on, the seat belt light and then the car started shaking. I knew it might possibly cause the steering to freeze up and I didn't want anyone getting hurt. I had to leave it where it was and get a rental that I had to pay for the weekend. I had my insurance company tow it to a Dodge dealer on the next business day they would be open. I even had to come out of pocket for that since it was a few miles over their limit.

Long story short my relatively new car broke down on me and many other people are having the same problem and we are having to pay the price especially if this is the only car we have. I'm glad it was not night time, I made it to a safe location, I did not have the kids in the car and no one got hurt. This is by far my most expensive, dangerous unreliable car ever. I will never buy another Dodge.

My 2011 Dodge Charger has 60,000 miles on it and while I was driving only 2 miles down the road with my children it just shut off while in full use. There was a strange smell and the ABS and tire lights came on as well as the battery saver mode. I got the car home and the engine started to smoke and smell much worse. It was a super scary time and a major accident waiting to happen. Now it is going to cost approx. $700 which should not be an issue with such a young car that is being maintained and cared for.

I had my car for 6 months when my car started acting up. I was driving with my radio shut off. Next thing my battery light turned on and by the next day my car had completely locked up and I could not even open my car or get in any way. Anyways, I spent 70 dollars towing my car to a mechanic because I refuse to go to the dealership (BTW, I was out of warranty). Next thing I knew I was paid $500+ for a new mopar alternator plus labor. Now, 8 months later, my ABS, BRAKE, AND TRACTION CONTROL lights have come on- waiting to get my car diagnosed tomorrow.

First time to own a Dodge. I love my car but it will be the last Dodge I ever own. I have had it in the shop for more recalls then any car I have ever owned ..I'm old, I have owned a lot of cars..lol driving to the shop for all the recalls is a inconvenience but at least I never had to pay before...I bought my Charger new, treat it like it's my child.

I bought the 7 year extended warranty and at 45300 miles the alternator goes out and it's not covered??? What the $#@!...

I call the customer care service and they admit there is a problem and there is an investigation at this time but they won't help cover the cost of the part...I was willing to pay for the labor but I have never owned a car where the alternator goes out after 3 and 1/2 years.....$707.00 later ....

I just want to say a big Thank You Dodge/Chrysler for cleaning out my savings account to fix a problem you are aware of and refuse to fix!!!!

Next time I'm going back to Chevy!

The car just started telling us that it was only running on battery. To get serviced immediately, then would not start and would start. Driving home from 3 hour trip during this time could not stop or turn car off, just needed to get home, called dealer was told car was just out of warranty and would not be covered! Then started to investigate and found numerous other 2011 charger owners were experiencing the same problem with no help from dodge. Had to pay for new alternator myself, and it was hard to find replacement alternator they were in short supply! Why. Because some many other people were having the same problem!

My car is a 2011 it has 25052 miles. I purchased brand new, my warranty just expired the last of May. I took it to the dealer hoping they would help me but the service manager told me just to buy a new battery, that he was sure that was the problem. well guess what it wasn't so $190 down the drain. I took it to auto zone they did a diagnostic test and was told that it is the alternator but it's only sold by the dealership. well yea price check that and it like $800 for parts and labor WOW I don't have money coming out my Ass I'M SOOOOOOOO PISSED OFF

Driving home from work I smelled a burning smell from my Charger while waiting at a light. I didn't think it was my car until after my radio shut down, and the different dash lights came on, then i pulled over saw smoke coming from the passenger side frt and a loud noise coming from the engine. Well after blocking traffic at rush hour, police towing my car off the road and being stuck, I was really ambarrassed standing outside my new charger and having people yell stuff at me and flipping me off! Can't blame them thou, they wanted to get home just like me after a hot day at work! Dodge needs to man up and take care of this problem because I can guess everyone that went by me was thinking I won't buy one of those cars!!!

2011 Dodge Charger ..3.6 engine, 53, 480 miles......Car was running fine...Hot day...90 degrees out...had a/c on ...only drove car for 30 minutes...picked up my kids...almost home, radio shut down, a/c shut off and blew out HOT air, ABS light on, BRAKE light on, ENGINE symbol on, other light on with car picture, ..Called a few auto parts stores and they can't get the part..IT is late ....Only had car for 14 months...already had to replace tires, brakes, rotors, front light assembly b/c they kept burning out every two weeks....and other things....this is ridiculous... Radio always going out...Npw this is going to cost a fortune....I am so disappointed in Dodge...sounds like a RECALL is in order..

Car is 2.5 years old with 69,000 miles. Otherwise been a great car but alternator should last a lot longer. Alternator failed suddenly with no warning, I'm surprised my whole engine didn't catch fire based on how bad of condition the failed alternator was in. Horrible burning smell and whining noise immediately after my car entered "battery saver mode".

Local Dodge dealership wanted $630 to replace the alternator. I called around town and nobody had this alternator in stock, except the Dodge dealership. Every parts store I called said the alternator was a special order item and would cost between $397-$522 just for the part itself. One parts store said I was the 4th person to call that day looking for this particular alternator. I was lucky to have a coworker that said he could change the alternator easily, so he took it out and I brought it to the Dodge dealership where I purchased a re-manned alternator for 309+tax after the $40 core. I bought the only alternator the Dodge dealership had for this car.

As a side note, my friend was easily able to replace the alternator through the top of the hood without removing anything else from the car, without going under the car. It's a tight fit to reach in and pull it out, but it is possible, it took him about 40 minutes total to remove and re-install it. So why would the Dodge dealership charge $300 for something so simple and quick? The cost and unavailability of this alternator along with the labor fee charged by Dodge is extremely disappointing.

Frankly I'm still in disbelief. My 2011 Charger, which has been a great car up until now, has an alternator go bad. I'm upset, but figure, hey, no way Dodge doesn't step up and fix it, it's only 3 years old for goodness sake. Well, sure enough, Dodge Customer Assistance very pleasantly informed me that I was out of coverage period and that there was nothing they could do to help. Calmly told me, this type of thing happens all the time! What? I SOOOO wanted to be part of an American automotive revival. Lesson learned I guess. #sosad

LONG STORY SHORT...I THINK ITS RIDICULOUS THAT MY 2 1/2 YEAR OLD CAR, WITH ONLY 48000 MILES, HAS HAD TO HAVE THE ALTERNATOR REPLACED. NOT ONLY COULD I NOT LOCATE THIS PART AT ANY NEIGHBORHOOD PARTS STORE SPENDING 492.00 AT THE DEALER FOR A 2011 YEAR MODEL CAR IS ABSURD. WHAT MADE THIS WORSE IS BEING TOLD BY THE DEALER PARTS DEPARTMENT, FROM 3 DIFFERENT DODGE DEALERS I MIGHT ADD, THAT (I QUOTE) "WOW, THIS SEEMS TO BE A POPULAR PART". REALLY? ARE YOU SERIOUS? YOU ARE GOING TO MAKE A COMMENT LIKE THAT TO THE CUSTOMER, YOU ARE PRETTY MUCH TELLING ME THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR BUT DODGE REALLY DOES NOT SEEM TO CARE TO GET IT CORRECTED. THEY PROBABLY JUST DID NOT WANT TO ADD IT TO THE MULTIPLE LIST OF RECALLS I HAVE HAD TO HAVE COMPLETED ON THIS CAR ALREADY. LETS SEE THREE RECALLS, A BAD ALTERNATOR AND THE DEFECTIVE WIRES THAT KEEP MAKING MY HEADLIGHT BURN OUT....ALL IN 2 1/2 YEARS.....WAY TO GO DODGE!!!! GREAT JOB ON THE CHARGER.