2011 Dodge Charger Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe electrical trouble, especially alternator failures that put the car into battery-saver mode and can leave it without power, along with low-beam headlights that cut out because a connector overheats. A second frequent theme is a fuel smell and leak around the rear passenger-side fuel pump area after filling the tank, and air bag warning lights. Reports cluster in the 40,000-90,000 mile range, though some alternator and headlight complaints came in well under 40,000 miles.

1. 1
   Electrical system

   Alternator fails, car drops to battery-saver mode

   • 275 complaints (40%)
   • median 59,000 mi at 4.0 yrs old (254 state mileage)
   • 37 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $800 (median of 36 quotes)
   • filed 2012–2026

   Complaints describe the radio and climate control shutting off, a battery-saver message on the dash, warning lights flashing and steering becoming hard before the car loses all power and stalls. Several owners say the vehicle was diagnosed with a failed alternator and had it replaced, in some cases paying for it themselves; a few mention smoke or fire at the alternator. Some say the repair was done under a recall but the symptoms later returned. Mostly reported between about 30,000 and 90,000 miles, often with no warning before the failure.

   Recall 17V435000Recall 14V6340001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether the alternator has been replaced or a recall repair performed, and check for a battery-saver message on a test drive. Have the charging system and battery tested before buying.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My vehicle was parked and I used my remote starter, and once I got in the car the battery saver mode was illuminated on the dash and I smelled a burning odor inside the cabin. I was able to drive home with no noticeable effects but I only lived 2.5 miles away from where I was.”

   NHTSA complaint #11005934, filed 2017-07, 5 miles

   “On tuesday (10/7/14)night I was driving the car and the radio stop working and then I got the message of battery save mode, next day car broke down it didn't wanna start good thing I was not driving so, now im stuck with a $750 dollar bill thanks Dodge”

   NHTSA complaint #10645067, filed 2014-10, 53,000 miles
2. 2
   Exterior lighting

   Low-beam headlights cut out or flicker

   • 352 complaints (51%)
   • median 56,000 mi at 4.0 yrs old (309 state mileage)
   • 45 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $800 (median of 29 quotes)
   • filed 2011–2026

   Owners describe one or both low beams going dark while driving or flickering on and off, sometimes restored briefly by toggling the switch. Several found a melted or charred bulb connector or harness, and dealers in some cases quoted replacement of the whole wiring harness. Complaints note that the headlight recall applied to some cars but not their VIN. Reported from roughly 14,000 to over 120,000 miles, with many around 40,000-70,000 miles.

   Recall 14V101000Recall 12V0420002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Run the headlights at night and watch for flicker or dropouts, and inspect the bulb connectors and harness for discoloration or melting. Ask whether the headlight recall was completed for this VIN.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “One or both low-beam headlights cut off while operating vehicle. The manufacturer has released a safety recall that applies to my vehicle, however, it is not registered to my VIN at the moment. The recall number is p08 / NHTSA 14v-101. This has been a recurring issue.”

   NHTSA complaint #11299350, filed 2020-01, 99,000 miles

   “The passenger side low beam headlight went out the other day and when I went to change it the connector that attaches to the bulb was melted. Two week later the drivers side low beam light did the same thing. The bulbs that were in there at the time the connectors melted were oem rated bulbs. I contacted the dealer and they said the only thing available at the time was to buy the entire wiring harness and that would run close to $800.”

   NHTSA complaint #10567414, filed 2014-03, 50,000 miles
3. 3
   Fuel system

   Fuel smell and leak near rear passenger-side fuel pump

   • 94 complaints (14%)
   • median 70,342 mi at 5.6 yrs old (80 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $950 (median of 8 quotes)
   • filed 2011–2026

   After filling the tank, owners report a strong gasoline odor inside and outside the car and, in several cases, a puddle of fuel on top of the tank or under the rear passenger side. Some say the leak stops once the tank drops to about half; a few had a pump O-ring replaced without the problem going away. Complaints describe dealers saying no recall applied. Mostly reported between about 60,000 and 140,000 miles, typically right after a fill-up.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Fill the tank during the test drive and then check under the rear passenger side and beneath the back seat for a fuel smell or dampness. Ask whether the fuel pump or its seals have been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Noticed gas smell immediately after filling gas tank completely up. A couple days later I had a very strong gas smell inside vehicle and while driving. Started noticing that there was a moderate size puddle under vehicle where the rear seat is. I've seen many reports of this happening and it disturbs me that there hasn't been a recall.”

   NHTSA complaint #11181471, filed 2019-02, 110,000 miles

   “When my tank is full to around half full it leaks gas and there is a very strong smell on the back passenger side outside of the car. Inside of the car is intolerable. You have to drive with the windows down. I've read this is a common and very dangerous Charger problem but yet there is no recall.”

   NHTSA complaint #11320133, filed 2020-04, 150,000 miles

Buying note. Ask for documentation of the alternator, headlight and air bag recall repairs, and check the car's records for fuel pump work. A night test drive with the headlights on and a full tank of fuel afterwards will surface the two most commonly reported problems.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.