Problems · by component

2011 Dodge Challenger electrical system problems

103 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2011 Dodge Challenger cite electrical system, 53% of all 193 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 2 recalls on this component.

Complaints
103
53% of all complaints
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
5
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the electrical system

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Challenger. The contact stated that while driving at 80 MPH, the vehicle shut off unexpectedly. The vehicle was jump-started. The battery was replaced. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact was concerned about driving the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an unknown local dealer to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V435000 (Electrical System) in 2000. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was contacted and filed a claim, but no additional assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 168,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 16, 2026Electrical system, EngineODI 11724660
“I replaced the factory alternator about 2 years back and have had to replace it twice since then. The replacement alternator were not from the manufacturer but were brand new. The battery warning light comes on when it starts to fail and the hot wire leading to the alternator gets extremely hot. Didn't experience this until I had the aftermarket alternator installed.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 26, 2025Electrical systemODI 11650683
“their is a common problem with the dash light panels going out making it unsafe ,unable to see speedomiter at night ,the repair is to have the whole gauge cluster replaced that also fails”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 3, 2022Electrical systemODI 11487566
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE CHALLENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE SMOKE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND THE BATTERY POWER WAS DRAINED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALER DICK POE DODGE (1363 AIRWAY BOULEVARD EL PASO, TX 79925-2213) WHO DIAGNOSED THE ALTERNATOR WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 17V435000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 14, 2020Electrical systemFire reportedODI 11349223
“THE CAR WAS STARTING TO SMOKE SO MY SON PULLED OVER I CHECK OUT I OPEN UP THE HOOD AND SMOKING WAS COMING OUT OF THE ALTERNATOR I WAS ON MY STREET BLOCK. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 2, 2020Electrical systemODI 11326946
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE CHALLENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SMART GLASS WINDOW SWITCH FAILED, AND CAUSED THE DRIVER'S DOOR TO FAIL TO OPEN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SEVERAL UNKNOWN MECHANICS. THE CONTACT ALSO REPLACED THE SMART SWITCH HIMSELF HOWEVER, THE REPAIRS DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE SMART GLASS SWITCH FAILURE CAUSED THE VEHICLE BATTERY TO DRAIN AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO OPEN THE DOORS, THE TRUNK, AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVEN SINCE MARCH OF 2017. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACTED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE SMART GLASS SWITCH MANUFACTURER RECALL: M24. THE CONTACT ALSO WANTED TO ADD THAT THE SMART GLASS SWITCH WAS PURCHASE FROM A CHRYSLER DEALER THE PART NUMBER WAS 68064403AF. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,742.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 21, 2020Electrical systemODI 11300757

Showing 6 of 103 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

2 recalls on this component

Electrical system: alternator

Free remedy

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger, Chrysler 300, Dodge Durango, and 2012-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles. The affected vehicles have electro-hydraulic power steering (EHPS) and are equipped with a 5.7L or a 3.6L engine and a 160, 180 or 220 amp alternator. In the affected vehicles, the alternator may suddenly fail.

Electrical systemReported Jul 10, 2017NHTSA 17V435000

Electrical system: alternator

Free remedy

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.

Electrical systemReported Oct 8, 2014NHTSA 14V634000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 30, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Other 2011 Challenger problem areas