NHTSA Complaint #11130243 — 2011 DODGE CHALLENGER

2011 CHALLENGER WITH LESS THAN 3000 MILES. STORED IN GARAGE (ATTACHED TO HOUSE), NEVER OUT IN WINTER OR IN RAIN. WENT TO START THE VEHICLE TO TAKE IN FOR A RECALL WHEN THE ELECTRONICS STARTED TO FLASH AND CLICK RANDOMLY. UNABLE TO CLEAR OR STOP THE MALFUNCTION. TRUNK WOULD NOT RELEASE ELECTRICALLY, HAD TO CRAWL THROUGH THE BACK SEAT TO GET TO THE MANUAL RELEASE. DISCONNECTED AND REPLACED ORIGINAL BATTERY (IN TRUNK). UPON CONNECTING NEGATIVE TERMINAL, LARGE DRAW ON BATTERY, TERMINAL BECAME HOT IMMEDIATELY. DISCONNECTED TERMINAL WITHIN 10 SECONDS. SMOKE APPEARED FROM UNDER HOOD. OPENED HOOD AND FOUND SMALL FIRE NEAR ALTERNATOR. FIRE EXTINGUISHED WITH ABOUT 1 LITER OF WATER. FOUND BURNED OUT WIRING HARNESS NEAR ALTERNATOR. FLAT BED TOWED INTO DEALER FOR INVESTIGATION AND SERVICE (PENDING).