10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
5 / 38
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
51,440 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2011 Dodge Charger electrical problems

electrical problem

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2011 Dodge Charger Owner Comments (Page 4 of 18)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #298

Oct 192016

Charger

  • 57,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My vehicle started making a whining noise and I started smelling something burning, the battery saver mode came on and the ABS and I turned the vehicle off and popped the hood and my alternator is fried less than 60,000 miles on the vehicle and it won't start or I can't jump it. I was sitting in a parking lot and my car is still in that parking lot right now

- Schofield Barracks, HI, USA

problem #297

Jul 202015

Charger

  • miles
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Charger. The contact stated that there was a random electrical failure with the vehicle. The low beam headlights randomly shorted out. The vehicle was taken to the dealer more than three times, but they could not replicate or diagnose the failure. The bulbs were replaced several times, but the failure progressed. The dealer repaired the vehicle per NHTSA campaign number: 14V101000 (exterior lighting), but the failure recurred. The contact later received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V352000 (air bags). The dealer was uncertain of when the manufacturer would supply the parts. The failure mileage was not available. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Brewton, AL, USA

problem #296

Oct 152016

Charger

  • 69,000 miles
My Dodge Charger last night would not start. I got it jumped and it started, I left the cables hooked up for a while then unhooked them. After unhooking the cables the car still would run but lights started popping up on the dash, I put the car in drive and the wiper blades came on, radio turned off, battery power saver came on and all the ABS lights check engine light etc came on and the car just cut off. I did a little research and comes to find out that is the alternator and this is a common issue in the 2011 to 2014 Dodge Chargers.

- Antioch, TN, USA

problem #295

Aug 092016

Charger 8-cyl

  • 30 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

In August my car out of nowhere warned and activated itself for battery saver mode and not long after that same day the car lost all power causing me to loose total control of brakes and steering as well as unable to unlock my car to get out. Imagine the fear I had especially having my fiance and daughter in the car with me. Thankfully no collision occurred but what if" the battery died because the alternator needed power to perform itself. Why" Dodge Charger R/T mopar 5.7 hemi. Autozone charged my battery and checked it for free and diagnosed it as a healthy battery. When installing the battery back I turned on my car to diagnose it with the sensor reader the engine was shaking and the belt began to smoke up and whistling loudly right away turned it off but not before getting the code P60 but my car doesn't qualify for that recall cuz its a V8.. so if I would of died then would my car been eligible cuz U guys would actually listen that all Dodge with alternator 160 amp are faulty. I don't got $$ to be throwing I fixed it once and the same dashboard light keeps warning me and before it kills my alternator I charge the battery doing this every time I have to drive my car cant imagine a girl seems to know much more than the dealership mechanics or whoever decides what car qualifies for recall.

- Lancaster, CA, USA

problem #294

Jun 152015

Charger

  • miles
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Charger. While driving at any speed, the check engine warning indicator flashed randomly, and the air conditioning and heating functions failed to work. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The actuator, compressor, and thermostat were replaced, but the failure continued. The service engine indicator continued to illuminate and the vehicle drove roughly. The contact also received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V352000 (air bags). The dealer was unable to confirm when the parts would become available because they were on a national backorder. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was not available. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Manvel, TX, USA

problem #293

May 012016

Charger

  • miles
There is a recall for 2011 Dodge Chargers concerning a wiring harness that effects the low beam headlights. For some reason, only certain models were included in the recall. My model (R/T) is not included in the recall but I'm having the exact same problem that is listed in the recall. The recall number is PO8

- Jeffersonville, IN, USA

problem #292

Sep 122016

Charger

  • 87,928 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Yesterday car was fine, no issues. This morning, I started my car and the touchscreen would not turn on, the radio will not work, but the ac was set to full blast, which I did not do. I could not turn the ac down or off. I tried turning the car off and back on, but the issue was still there. I also tried driving it a little, parking it back in my driveway, and turning it off and back on. 5 hours later I tried it all again, no radio, the ac is still blowing full blast and the touchscreen is still black and not operable, and now the evic is suddenly speaking in german and the evic steering wheel controls will not work. I am afraid to drive the car anywhere since I am not sure what else is not operating properly.

- Norfolk, VA, USA

problem #291

Sep 112016

Charger

  • 118,000 miles
Car died at intersection with almost no warning. Lost all power with in 1 min of stall. Alternator is fried. Came to a stop and within 30 seconds a battery light came on and said "battery saver mode". bells started to ding and the wipers turned on. Tried to pull over and car stalled in middle of the road. Turned hazards on and 1 minute later there was no power at all. When we tried to jump the car in order to close the windows and sunroof, the connectors started to smoke where the jumpers were connected. For a high performance car there is no alternator warning or gauge to determine if it is starting to fail. That only shows that this is a known problem and they do not want customers to see what is happening. Car was running perfectly fine until that point.

- Toms River, NJ, USA

problem #290

Aug 312016

Charger

  • 72,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Charger. The contact stated that the battery warning indicator illuminated. The contact replaced the battery. In addition, while driving the vehicle, an abnormal odor entered the interior. It was determined that the alternator assembly was on fire. The fire extinguished on its own. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic for further inspection and diagnostic testing. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V634000 (electrical system), which addresses the 160 amp. The contact had an 180 amp and experienced the failure. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 72,000.

- Clearfield, UT, USA

problem #289

Aug 152016

Charger

  • 79,000 miles
When leaving my house one day my radio cut off within 1 minute of the car being started. I pulled over, turned the car off and then turned the car back on and all sound went out again within 1 minute. I rode my whole trip with no sound. Upon arriving to my destination I noticed my car was in battery saver mode (a mode that I have never seen). My battery has been bad before and I never received this message. Within a week my car would not even start and had no electrical power. I attempted to do research on the battery saver mode and found out that this issue with my Charger is actually a common issue and was a recall for the V6 Chargers but not the V8S. The issue is the alternator and I am truly upset that the manufacturer has not created a recall to fix this issue. I have had several Honda's and Toyota's and never had an alternator issue. This is pathetic and goes to show how Dodge/Chrysler values their customers. I can honestly say that this will probably be my last Dodge vehicle if the manufacturer does not solve this issue.

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #288

Jun 112016

Charger

  • 36,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I was driving on a two lane street and my car suddenly died while I was driving 30 mph. Smoke was coming from my hood most likely from a small fire. The alternator died on me and my car died while I was driving. I almost got in an accident but I was able to control the car with no power luckily. The alternator also killed my fuses and destroyed the batter so all of that was repaced.

- Damascus, MD, USA

problem #287

Aug 162016

Charger

  • 80,000 miles
As I was driving I smelled a burning odor and also noticed my vehicle going into a battery protect mode...radio, air conditioner shut off. I immediately pulled off the road and looked under the hood and smoke was coming from the alternator. I entered my vehicle and the vehicle had no power at all to start it to move it or get it out of gear.

- Clermont, FL, USA

problem #286

Aug 022016

Charger

  • 96,504 miles
I have a 2011 Dodge Charger rt. The alternator failed without warning as I was driving. I lost control of the car because the power steering was gone. There was no power in the car. There was a small electrical fire under the hood. All of these things are covered under recall P60/NHTSA 14V-634 for 2011 through 2014 model year Dodge durango, Chrysler 300, Dodge challenger, Dodge Charger and 2012 through 2014 model year jeepgrand Cherokee vehicles equipped with a 3.6L engine and a 160 amp alternator. The same behavior exists in my vehicle, which has a 5.7-liter engine. I believe this is an oversight by the manufacturer. If you perform a google search you will find that many people with the 'hemi' model Charger for that year range have the same problem. I could have been killed if I was driving on the freeway. Please look into this.

- Smyrna, GA, USA

problem #285

Aug 052016

Charger

  • 56,000 miles
Alternator died out of no where at 56K miles and they don't want to take responsibility. I was driving on a busy street and all the lights went off and power steering went out, then power and rolled into a parking lot. Almost got killed driving and car went crazy with all lights and now is dead.

- Boca Raton, FL, USA

problem #284

Aug 012016

Charger

  • miles
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Charger. The contact stated that there was a loss of power, the instrument cluster flickered, and the lights shorted out when the vehicle experienced an electrical failure. The failure recurred more than two times. The contact replaced the battery twice, but the failure continued. The contact stated there was a progressing burning odor during the failure. The VIN was excluded from NHTSA campaign number: 14V634000 (electrical system). While pulling out to drive on the road, the vehicle had a sudden loss of power and was pushed to a repair shop. The mechanic diagnosed that the alternator assembly was extremely hot and may need to be replaced. The contact was not notified of NHTSA campaign numbers: 16V043000 (structure) and 16V352000 (air bags). The contact was to check with the manufacturer to determine if they may provide a dealer to diagnose the failure and to schedule the two recall repairs. The failure mileage was not available. Parts distribution disconnect. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Cape Coral, FL, USA

problem #283

Jul 172016

Charger

  • 67,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Charger. While driving 25 mph, the vehicle went into battery saver mode without warning. The contact stated that the forward collision warning system, anti-lock braking system, and electronic stability control became disengaged. The contact stated that there was also an abnormal smoke odor coming from the front of the vehicle. The contact stopped the vehicle, opened the hood, and noticed that the alternator was on fire. The contact was able to extinguish the fire. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 67,000.

- Freedom, PA, USA

problem #282

Jul 072016

Charger

  • 127,000 miles
While driving on interstate doing 65 mph (and once while doing 25 mph) my lights, stereo and speedometer went out and car speed decreased. All lights on the dash light up/flash then after a few seconds everything go back to normal. Have happened several times while driving. And on two occasions the power steering fuses had to be replaced because they keep getting blown out. Have had alternator exchanged at last recall. Fearful that vehicle may stop in the line of traffic on the highway! have video of incident as it was happening. No pictures

- Hayti, MO, USA

problem #281

Mar 012016

Charger

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Charger. While parked, the air bag and tire pressure warning lights illuminated. The failure recurred whenever the vehicle was operated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.

- College Park, MD, USA

problem #280

Jun 212016

Charger

  • 125,000 miles
Alternator smoking. Electronic stability control light came on first, then a whining noise during the following week. Then dead battery. When battery replaced, alternator started smoking.

- Broken Arrow, OK, USA

problem #279

Jun 162016

Charger

  • 47,200 miles
Driving home from work 65mph, all lights on dash went out, radio went dark, A/C blew super hot air and blinded me and engine died and wouldn't restart. I had to carefully get off road on the hottest day of the ear to find smoke coming from 5.7L engine. Small fire from alternator! almost hit 5 cars and almost got hit by 3. this is the same alternator from the previous P60 recall, but isn't covered because recall only affects 3.6L engines. Why would the recall cover one but not the other?

- Jefferson City, MO, USA

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