Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2011 Dodge Challenger owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
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.
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).
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Dodge Challenger. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced a complete loss of power and there was a burning odor present. All the warning indicators illuminated. The contact did not observe smoke. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the alternator burned out and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 14V634000 (electrical system); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Dodge Challenger. While driving 35 MPH, the contact noticed smoke under the hood of the vehicle. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road and flames appeared from the alternator. The contact extinguished the fire and drove to don davis Dodge Jeep (1901 n collins st, arlington, tx 7601[phone]). The dealer diagnosed that the alternator was faulty. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 120,000.
Driving my 2011 Dodge Challenger r/t on the highway on the second lane switching lanes approaching my exit. As I turned to the right lane all the lights on my dashboard went on and without warning my car turned off causing the steering wheel to stiffen up. Luckily I was able to stop the car pull to the shoulder and realized my battery was dead. I jumpstarted my car and was able to get to my destination which was nearby and I parked and turned off my car. As soon as I tried turning it on my battery was dead again. I called my roadside assistance for a jump and was able to get my car going but as soon as I turned the steering wheel my car seemed to have a short which caused all the dashboard lights to go and my car to turn off and kill my battery. Reading how many other Dodge owners have gone through very similar problems and been fortunate to avoid getting hurt or hurting other drivers. …
Driving in rush hour traffic on a busy city street had an alternator issue on date listed above in my 2011 Dodge Challenger with only 34,500 miles. The ABS, trac control, battery saver, seat belt and other dashboard lights came on and off then the car shut down and would not restart. Battery is less than one week old. As I am out of warranty, and aware of a recall on alternators in certain 2011 Chrysler vehicles I called Chrysler and they took an incident report and conceded to me that although the alternator is the same manufacturer, voltage, model and part number they would not honor the open recall because my engine is the v8 5.7 liter and not the v6 model. I am worried the dealer will also fail to honor the recall and not repair my vehicle. …
My alternator stopped working aprox 8/3/14.there were no parts available from dealer or aftermarket suppliers at that time. My only option was to have alternator rebuilt. The rebuilder said the diodes failed and ruined the stator. The repair cost was about 645.00 dollars. In October I received a recall letter from Chrysler stating a possible diode failure in alternator.the letter also states if repairs were made to submit paperwork for reimbursement.I submitted paperwork but was declined reimbursement. The customer care person( [redacted]) could not give me a reason why and instructed me to ask local dealer why I was declined. I went to hunter Dodge and spoke to a service writer([redacted]). He says it should qualify. He tried to find out why I was declined but could not get an answer either.the cust. …
Driving at approximately 60mph, the ABS and traction lights came on at first. Attempting to get home with the vehicle when all the sudden everything started shutting down; first the radio then the different systems all the lights in the dash began to blink and then went out. The vehicle then completely died; when I noticed the issues I switched the transmission into neutral so I could get to the side of the road. I then had to have the vehicle towed to the nearest dealership. The dealer ship then took 5 days to repair said vehicle as the alternator needed was on "backorder". Due to the fact it is "a 3 hour repair" per the warranty a rental car was not covered and I was without a vehicle for 5 days. And though the vehicle had less than 50,000 miles on it, it was not covered by the manufacturer warranty; thank god I purchased the extended warranty.
Related recalls
Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator
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.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the alternator and depending on the part number, will replace the alternator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2018.
Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator
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.
Remedy: Chrysler has notified owners, and dealers will replace the alternator, free of charge. The recall began on February 27, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
Electrical complaints in other Challenger years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2011 Dodge Challenger?
NHTSA has 103 complaints about the electrical system of the 2011 Dodge Challenger, 53% of the model year's 193 complaints. The component named most often is alternator/generator/regulator (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2011 Dodge Challenger electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 17V-435 (alternator/generator/regulator, Jul 10, 2017); NHTSA recall 14V-634 (alternator/generator/regulator, Oct 8, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2011 Dodge Challenger electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 55,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 5 fires and 1 injury to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.