10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
5 / 38
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
51,297 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 5 of 18)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #279

Jun 162016

Charger

  • 47,200 miles

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

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

problem #278

Apr 272016

Charger

  • 30,580 miles
Trunk latch stopped working and trunk light and trunk release button and no trunk ajar alarm lighting up on the dashboard. Stationary. The dealer stated the latch was fried and had to replace the whole unit and button.

- South Ozone Park, NY, USA

problem #277

May 062016

Charger

  • 95,000 miles
Had a strong smell of electrical fire followed by battery light and battery saver mode, then shortly after they whole car shut down all the electrical systems and engine while driving on a 4 lane divided highway with my daughter in the car. Upon checking found the alternator had burnt out and it was not charging the battery. Upon changing the alternator and had no issues. However I do not believe a five-year-old car shouldn't need an alternator! not to mention after I first bought it they changed every computer in the car and every module in the car due to an electrical issue! I'm scared to parkette in my garage because of all the electrical problems!

- Lynchburg, TN, USA

problem #276

May 032016

Charger

  • 68,000 miles

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

I was driving, with my son in the car, and my electrical system completely failed. My windows, steering, brakes, and etc. Stopped working while I was driving. Behind me was an log truck fully loaded. Thanks god there was just enough space for him to swurve around my car. This could have been a deadly accident. This all happen while my car was moving and I was able to get in a safe position before stopping the car. After it stopped, nothing worked in the vehicle.

- Bassfield, MS, USA

problem #275

May 022016

Charger

  • 38,000 miles
I have the V8 5.7L rt Charger that has a 160V alternator. This exact alternator was recalled in the V6 models but not for the V8"?? my alternator went out with first showing signs of electrical problems, radio, lights and etc. After doing some research I have learned that this problem is the same with all the 2011-2014 alternators in the Chargers. Some people are having to replace these not just once but twice before the car is even 10 years old. Can someone please look into these alternators"

- Arlington, TX, USA

problem #274

Apr 142016

Charger

  • 130,000 miles
My alternator has gone out, and it is barley 5 years old. The recall is for alternators with a 160 amp. The 180 amp is doing the same thing, so when will the recall take place for this alternator. There are hundreds of complaints for this but, still no recall. The same manufacture for the 160 is the same for the 180. People are being stranded both literally and financially. I was driving when smoke started coming from my car stopped at O'reilly's and was told it was my alternator. Battery safe mode was reading on the dash. I was driving on a city St heading to work.

- Arlington, TX, USA

problem #273

Apr 092016

Charger

  • miles

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

Vehicle radio keeps going back and forth from radio to auxiliary this happens whether the vehicle is stopped or in motion. I also get a systems upgrade warning when I try to synchronize the cell phone using the vehicle's blue tooth.

- Albuquerque, NM, USA

problem #272

Apr 092016

Charger

  • 61,000 miles
My vehicle at 61K miles experienced this nearly causing a massive accident. I was driving at 55mph when the car began to loss power, the car down shifted from od to first cause me to slide. I recovered fortunately. To then loss all power and steering. This all occurred with in 30-35 secs 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. If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall 14V634000 this is VIN specific to 2011-2014 my vehicle is not in that group but has the same alternator

- Chesapeake, VA, USA

problem #271

Aug 052015

Charger

  • 92,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Charger. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to the contacts residence and then an independent mechanic where the alternator was replaced but the failure recurred. The contact noticed that the battery save mode and the brake warning indicators flashed when the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where the alternator assembly was replaced a second occasion under a manufacturer recall. The contact stated that a week after the repair, the service engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic where it was informed that the thermostat was not properly closed and that a diagnosis needed to be performed. The vehicle was also included in NHTSA campaign number: 16V046000 (electrical system) but the part was not available. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 92,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #270

Oct 172015

Charger

  • 85,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Charger. The contact stated that while driving at 35 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the alternator failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V634000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 85,000.

- Simi Valley, CA, USA

problem #269

Mar 142016

Charger

  • 49,750 miles

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

While driving my 2011 rt AWD Dodge Charger on the freeway, at approximately 65 mph, all of the lights (including, the dash lights, the radio, the headlights, I am unsure if the rear running lights were involved) shut off momentarily (3-5 seconds). During that time I noticed a change in the steering, the wheel became stiff like the power steering was off. I let my foot off of the gas pedal but did not brake so I'm not sure if the power brakes were affected, but assume they were. It sounds a lot like the alternator failure recall involving the 6 cylinder models with the 160 amp alternator. (I believe this is the same alternator that was used in the R/T 5.7L hemi model) the power came back on and I drove the last 4-5 miles home without further incident. I am apprehensive about driving on the freeway now. Loosing the ability to steer and brake at freeway speed could end in an accident. As an added note, when I arrived home I checked to see if there was any smell (electrical) near the engine, there was not.

- Portland, OR, USA

problem #268

Mar 142016

Charger

  • 67,000 miles
My 2011 Dodge Charger has been back to the dealer several times for various recalls. The first recall was for a defective wiring harness that caused fused to trip. The repair corrected the problem for a short time but the fuses continue to trip. The latest recall is for an alternator problem. The vehicle was operating properly until the alternator light came on. The vehicle lost steering and then all power after the alternator light came on. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. Who is replacing the alternator. They claim the battery is "shorted" and must be replaced. They claim that battery is not included in the recall.

- East Orange, NJ, USA

problem #267

Feb 012016

Charger

  • 75,000 miles
My alternator went out around 45K miles in 2013/2014. I had it replaced; it has since been recalled, but Dodge refused to acknowledge the issue when it was brought in even though there was a strong smell of something electrical burning along with a loss in electrical power. In 2016, at around 75K miles, fuel started leaking from just in front of the rear passenger-side tire. The gasket between the tank and pump was replaced. After the next fill up, the leak became worse. I had the car towed to another shop. When the tow truck driver was driving it onto the truck, gas was spraying downward with a good amount of pressure. The second shop also suspected the gasket due to the design of the fuel system. They also replaced it, but the leak persisted. After further investigation, the fuel pump assembly had developed a crack. I don't appreciate the thought of driving something that could catch on fire or worse. Apparently, the fuel system was "redesigned" post 2011 models. Dodge refuses to acknowledge that a fuel system issue can result in a major hazard. An oil change shop even commented on the strong gas smell and warned of the danger.

- Saint Peters, MO, USA

problem #266

Jan 042016

Charger

  • 0 miles
I have the following issues with my 2011 Dodge Charger SE: 1 - the vehicle has "clicking" noise coming from the front passenger side when powering on the vehicle's heater. The noise lasts for about 25 seconds before it stops. This is a constant re-occurrence. The noise also occurs randomly, both when the vehicle is powered on and off. 2 - the trunk keeps popping open every time I start the vehicle. It also opens randomly throughout the day, even when the vehicle is locked and secured. The only method to open the trunk now is from the button inside the vehicle located on the dash. 3 - the braking system is sometimes hesitant when trying to stop the vehicle. I do not have official paperwork pertaining to these incidents as of current, however, I am finding that people who own this make and model in similar years are experiencing similar issues.

- Jerusalem, OH, USA

problem #265

Feb 212016

Charger

  • miles
The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Charger. While driving 30 mph, the headlamps and all the warning lights on the instrument cluster illuminated. In addition, the steering wheel became difficult to turn and the vehicle jerked. I had to apply force to the steering wheel. Car was taken to Dodge dealer ship I received a call and stated that the alternator and battery needed to be replaced. I replace both things and car still having same isue

- Santa Fe Springs, CA, USA

problem #264

Dec 252015

Charger

  • 99,000 miles
In October if 2014, the battery completely failed suddenly without warning, I had to replace it with a new one with more cranking amps! since that time the car has been hesitantly starting at times and would seem to lose power! the ABS light came on and the cruise control stopped working. Then on December 25,2015 the car began to lose power, the battery saver mode came on and the car completely stalled while driving on the highway at a speed of 45 mph! the alternator which is a 160amp and same model as those in the recall for the 3.6L engine failed completely! my car is a 5.7 L hemi!

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #263

Dec 072015

Charger

  • 53,000 miles
As I turned off a main street towards a residential area, I got a low battery indicator on my dash and all of a sudden my radio turned off by itself and my car began to make a winding type noise and then my traction indicator and other indicators lit up on my dashboard. The car stalled and began to smoke under the hood. I could not turn the car on, close the windows or open the truck or even get it in a gear that I could push the car, it was completely locked up and posed a real danger especially if I had been on the freeway! I had the car towed and was advised the alternator needed replacement. I noticed other complaints with almost identical issues as what I experienced with my car. I don't understand why my vehicle is not on the recall list but it needs to be. My car barely has 50,000 miles and is only 4 years old.

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #262

Nov 072015

Charger

  • 74,000 miles
As I turned to pull in my driveway, all at once the ABS light and stability control light illuminated on my dash, the powersteering quit working, all at the same time the vehicle had begun making a loud high pitched humming noise with smoke coming from under the hood that had a very intense burning, electrical type smell. Then the dash flashed that the car was in battery saver mode, subsequently dying altogether. Upon having towed the car to a Dodge dealership, the service department informed me that I needed to a) replace the alternator B) replace the belt and C) replace the battery because the alternator caused it to go bad. The total for all repairs will be $1224. I still don't have the vehicle back, but I've done extensive research online and learned that there is a recall (recall number P60) involving some 2011-2014 model year Dodge Chargers and their alternators. Seeing as my vehicle is a 2011, and I am having this exact issue, I need to know why my vehicle was not included in the original recall. Having alternator failure when my vehicle is only 4 years old is unacceptable, not to mention, it is incredibly unsafe to lose powersteering, ABS and ESC as the vehicle smolders for hours even after completely dying.

- Humble, TX, USA

problem #261

Nov 012015

Charger

  • 89,000 miles
I have a 2011 Dodge Charger, and I'm having problems with the trunk it just opens for no reason. Also the alternator went out, and they claim my car is not on the recall list but it has the exact alternator as the ones on the recall list. This is ridiculous.

- Westland, MI, USA

problem #260

Oct 242015

Charger

  • 80,000 miles
I have a 2011 Charger R/T AWD and had the battery saver mode come on yesterday, along with a winding noise and electrical burning odor. After this the car would not start no more and the battery drained. Just got a call from Dodge it is my altanator gone bad. They have a recall with this issue for other vehicles but not mines and its the same type altanator.

- Ellenwood, GA, USA

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