10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 16
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
40,361 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.

2013 Dodge Charger electrical problems

electrical problem

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2013 Dodge Charger Owner Comments (Page 5 of 8)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #73

Mar 092017

Charger 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Charger. The contact stated that while existing a parking lot, the ABS warning light illuminated. In addition, while driving at 20 mph, a message on the instrument panel illuminated that the battery critical low level and then all the lights on the instrument panel illuminated. The contact stated that there was a burning odor emitting into the vehicle, while driving. The contact stated the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the alternator failed causing the battery to fail and it needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V634000 (electrical system). The approximate failure mileage was 80,000. Updated 07/21/17

- Brandon, FL, USA

problem #72

Feb 272017

Charger

  • 52,000 miles
Was driving Dodge Charger SXT on the highway going approximately 60 mph and heard a whining noise. All of the lights on control panel went on and off and there was a smell of burning rubber. Car suddenly stopped with my pregnant wife and 1 year old in the car and almost cause a major incident. Car went completely dead in middle of highway and wouldn't even turn over, but luckily caused no incident. Dealer said it was a faulty alternator issue that completely drained battery as well. There is a recall P60 on alternators for the make, model, and year of the Dodge challenger SXT, but our vehicle wasn't covered. This could have caused a major incident. It doesn't seem to be a coincidence and Dodge needs to add additional vehicle coverage under this recall before a major incident happens.

- Rutherford, NJ, USA

problem #71

Jan 282017

Charger

  • 56,000 miles
Electrical system failure. Entire car shut down. Given 8 speed electronic gear shift, car locked into park while in operation. It was just determined the alternator failure was the cause of this total system failure. No support available at this time.

- Collinsville, TX, USA

problem #70

Jan 252017

Charger

  • 67,300 miles

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

Lost steering and acceleration while traveling on the highway. This occurred within minutes after the vehicle entered "battery saver mode" and displayed the "battery" icon on the evic screen. This was the first and only indication of a problem, other than the radio not working that day. After pulling over, was able to restart the car, exit the highway, and pull into a service station. While attempting to park, the car would not shift out of drive into park, nor would the car shut down, until the push-button ignition switch was held down for several seconds. An electrical test revealed that the alternator had failed, and the battery tested good. Both the alternator and the battery are the original factory-installed parts.

- Collegeville, PA, USA

problem #69

Jan 172017

Charger

  • 70,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Charger. The contact stated that while driving at 55 mph, the battery saver mode light illuminated and several axillary functions like the radio and headlights shut off. The vehicle was seen by an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the alternator needed to be replaced and was not part of NHTSA campaign number: 14V634000 (electrical system) but not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.

- Midland, TX, USA

problem #68

Dec 172016

Charger

  • 100,000 miles
The vehicle began to make a whining noise and smelt like burning fumes. The battery saver mode light came on and the car began to stall. The car completely shut off. The alternator failed with no issues prior to this. There was a recall for the same issue for the same year, make and model of my vehicle but only applied to alternators with 160amp, mines it's a 180amp.

- Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #67

Nov 282016

Charger 6-cyl

  • 63,520 miles

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

I was driving normally on side street at 35 - 40 mph. I approached and was entering an interstate on-ramp and as I started to accelerate the radio and ac turned off, ABS light and anti-skid icon appeared on dash, exterior lights acted erratically dimming and then coming back on, message envelope appeared, bells were ringing, car lost substantial power on ramp as I was trying to accelerate onto interstate and then "battery saver mode" message appeared. I could hear a high pitched whining noise that started out of nowhere but seemed to subside after a few minutes but the car seemed to shake or shudder some but not horribly. Almost like a rough idle but as I was driving. I was able to drive appx 5 miles to get off the interstate and park. Once I stopped and turned off the car, I did restart it to see what would happen and it started normally but after about 2 minutes, "power saver mode" came back on so I took car to dealership the next day and they said it was a faulty alternator. Alternator is model 4801778-ai, 180 amp model. Similar symptoms to recall P60 on 160 amp alternator. Having this happen while I was trying to accelerate onto the interstate almost caused me to get rear-ended!

- Pensacola, FL, USA

problem #66

Nov 252016

Charger 8-cyl

  • miles
Was driving and my battery save mode came on. Then the car's dash lights went out then the navigation system went out and the car completely stalled. In the road. Lifted the hood and there was a burning smell. Let it sit for a while it started. Got it to autozone and they said it was the alternator. The dealership said its not covered under warranty cost would be about $772. Called Dodge and they said my year wasn't under recall for this problem but other years were.

- Flint, MI, USA

problem #65

Sep 202016

Charger

  • 45,515 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Charger. While attempting to start the vehicle, the battery saver power mode engaged. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the alternator and battery failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 45,515.

- Albuquerque, NM, USA

problem #64

Oct 282016

Charger 6-cyl

  • miles
While driving down a state highway all warning lights came on, windshields wipers, the heat full blast and then the car just died. Had nothing no steering no brakes no power.

- Deltona, FL, USA

problem #63

Oct 152016

Charger 8-cyl

  • 27,000 miles

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

"altenator recall", while driving down the road, battery saver mode came on then the battery light in my R/T daytona edition. The car only has 27000 miles on it.

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

problem #62

Oct 032016

Charger

  • 102,000 miles
My trunk opens up for no reason.

- Westland, MI, USA

problem #61

Sep 152016

Charger

  • 22,000 miles
This started with a burning smell and radio not working. I tried to get car into Dodge dealer in tallahassee but due to hurricane they were backed up. I drove car home from work and in seconds a terrible smell and black smoke filled up the car and out from hood into car. I had aaa and emergency service, car was towed to tallahassee car care center. I am just past my warranty with mopar Dodge but this is not typical and should not happen with only 22K miles. This was dangerous and scary and could have caused a crash on the road.

- Delray Beach, FL, USA

problem #60

Oct 152014

Charger

  • 48,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Charger. While driving at any speed, the sunroof, hands free module, and cruise control failed without warning. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 48,000.

- Newport News, VA, USA

problem #59

Aug 202016

Charger

  • 66,000 miles
Vehicle had a multi-system failure while driving away from a parking lot. Engine did not stall at first. Initially the steering became hard from power steering loss, "service AWD" light came on, "service power steering" light was next, followed by brake system failure. Car was still a little driveable and then it stalled as I was stopping. This vehicle is very dangerous. Vehicle would not restart even though the button start system was telling me to step on the brake and push start. Waited 3 hours for a capable tow truck (due to the AWD). During the wait, the car's instrument panel would come alive, the panel gauges would swipe one time and various noises could be heard as if the car was starting but nothing was going on. This car is extremely dangerous.

- Swoyersville, PA, USA

problem #58

Jul 292016

Charger

  • 60,000 miles
Was driving down the highway and smelled an odor similar to electrical burning. Indicators appeared for low battery/save battery mode in the dash. Took car to advanced auto and while testing battery, white smoke was billowing from near engine. Mechanic repaired bad alternator which was the problem. Called Chrysler dealership after seeing recall on 2013 Dodge Chargers but my specific car was not included on the recall. Car had approximately 60,000 miles at time of incident.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #57

Aug 032016

Charger

  • 1 miles
As I pulled out of the parking lot of my job, I got a message on my dashboard saying "battery saver mode" and the symbols of ABS and the electrical stability control icons lit up. I then heard a strange noise as if the car was in the wrong gear. I tried to make a call with my bluetooth hands free and then it stopped working. After driving a mile, I pulled over to a gas station and called the dealership service dept. I explained the symbols that were on and the noises. I was assured the warnings lights were just a caution and I wouldn't have to worry about my car breaking down if I wanted to bring my car to the service dept. After ending my call, my ac went out and then my car shut off. I had no power and had to call a towing company to haul my car to the dealer. I was only able to drop it off as they were closing for the day but I noticed there was a recall describing the same thing that just happened to me. After researching recalls for my vehicle, I noticed the same problem as the recalled 160 amp alternator (P60 recall). This issue is still occurring with more than just what Chrysler is reporting. My vehicle is an 180 amp alternator and meets the same risks listed for a recall.

- Hot Springs, AR, USA

problem #56

Jul 272016

Charger

  • 28,000 miles
Vehicle will state "battery saver mode" and start a high pitched whirring nose. At this point the alternator will either get stuck or short and will begin to overheat followed by a drained batter and stalling of the car. In my instance I had been driving the car on a city street when the message stating "battery saver mode" turned on then started turning off and on the radio, signaling low battery, ABS active with them turning on an off before the high pitched sound began from the engine. I drove 2 blocks to my job parked and smoke billowed from under the hood directly from the alternator. I turned off the car and allowed it the smoking to stop. Once it was off I noticed all power in the car was drained and it would not turn on in any way or even open the trunk. It was towed to a mechanic who confirmed an issue with the alternator and had to replace it with a 180amp alternator to solve the issue.

- Santa Ana, CA, USA

problem #55

Jul 152016

Charger

  • 40,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Charger. While driving 40 mph, the battery mode warning light illuminated and the vehicle stalled. The contact was not able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000.

- Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #54

Jul 102016

Charger

  • 0 miles
When driving all of a sudden the battery light came on.all the other lights start flashing and loosing power.was able to park in a parking lot.the car shut down.I was told at the part store the battery was good but low probably because the alternator or left lights on in car.I charge battery and drove home about 3 mins away.smoke was comming from under the hood.it was comming from my alternater.a day ealier it smell like acid and it was skipping a little bit.I thought it was time for a tune up.

- Newnan, GA, USA

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