NHTSA Complaint #11001614 — 2013 CHRYSLER 300

WAS 4 HOURS FROM HOME. WAS DRIVING ON SIDE ROAD BUT HAD JUST LEFT A HIGHWAY, WHEN IT SOUNDED LIKE I HAD HIT SOMETHING EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS CLEARLY NOTHING IN THE ROAD. LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING, WINDSHIELD WIPERS TURNED ON. I NO LONGER HAD ANY CONTROL OF THE CAR. STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. COULDN'T SWITCH GEARS TO PARK. HAD TO COAST TO A STOP. THEN CAR WOULDN'T TURN OFF AND FILLED WITH SMOKE SMELL. I EXPECTED IT TO CATCH FIRE ANY SECOND. AFTER 5 MINUTES I WAS ABLE TO APPROACH CAR AND GET TO TURN OFF (AFTER MANY ATTEMPTS). TURNED OUT TO BE THE ALTERNATOR. THERE IS A RECALL ON THE 160 VOLT ALTERNATOR AS THIS APPARENTLY HAPPENED OFTEN, HOWEVER MINE WAS A 180 VOLT ALTERNATOR SO WAS NOT COVERED. SAME ISSUE AS THE 160 BUT NOT COVERED. NOR WAS I AWARE THAT I HAD AN UNSAFE ALTERNATOR IN THE CAR I WAS DRIVING (WITH MY CHILD).