NHTSA Complaint #10619481 — 2011 DODGE CHARGER

WHILE DRIVING THE ABS/ESC LIGHTS CAME ON, THERE WAS A HIGH PITCHED WHINE, THE AC WENT OFF ALONG WITH THE RADIO. CAR WENT INTO BATTERY SAVE MODE. POWER STEERING WAS LOST. THE CAR WAS PUT INTO PARK AND THEN IT DIED. THERE WAS SMOKE AND A STRONG BURNING ELECTRICAL/WIRING SMELL. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED. THE ALTERNATOR WAS FRIED, ALONG WITH THE BATTERY. (THE ALTERNATOR SUPPLIES POWER FOR THE VEHICLE WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING, AND IT ALSO RECHARGES THE BATTERY). MAJOR OVERSIGHT BY DODGE OR SNEAKY RACKET (ALTERNATOR CAN ONLY BE PURCHASED THROUGH DODGE). THE 2011-2012 MODELS DO NOT HAVE AN ADEQUATE SIZE ALTERNATOR TO SUFFICIENTLY SUPPLY THE ELECTRICAL LOAD OF THE ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS THAT ARE IN THE VEHICLE, CAUSING THE ALTERNATOR TO CEASE PREMATURELY AND RUN OFF THE BATTERY (ALSO CEASING THE BATTERY) UNTIL THE CAR SLOWLY SHUTS DOWN. REPLACEMENT OF BOTH THE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY ARE NEEDED, ONLY TO GO OUT PREMATURELY AGAIN. (EXAMPLE: WHEN YOU UPGRADE YOUR CARS SOUND SYSTEM YOU ARE ADDING COMPONENTS THAT PULL ADDITIONAL POWER THAT IN TURN PUTS AN EXTRA TAX ON YOUR ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY TO WORK HARDER/MORE OFTEN TO KEEP UP). A RECALL IS DEFINITELY IN ORDER OR DODGE NEEDS TO MANUFACTURE AN UPGRADE KIT FOR REPLACEMENT OF PARTS. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND A FINANCIAL BURDEN ON OWNERS. THE AVERAGE COST FOR DODGE TO REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR WITH A RE-MANUFACTURED ALTERNATOR IS BETWEEN $750-$900 (LABOR INCLUDED) W/ 1YR WARRANTY. THIS FIX TYPICALLY LASTS FOR 1-2YRS IF YOU ARE LUCKY. *TR