Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2011 Dodge Charger owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Charger. The contact stated while driving, the driver-side headlight failed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the headlight was replaced however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the same independent mechanic but the vehicle had not been diagnosed. The dealer or the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Charger. The contact stated that the front headlamps failed to provide adequate illumination while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who replaced the front headlamp bulbs and ballasts; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
Front headlights go out randomly as the vehicle warms up. Appears to be related to the 2011/2012 headlamp recall 12V-042 but my vehicle is not coming up on the notification list. Loss of headlights decreases ability to see and increases the risk of an accident. No dash messages, no computer messages. Lamps work when initially turned on so vehicle hasn't failed any safety inspections. All obvious checks provide no possible reason for this issue.
The low beam left front headlight keeps going out every few months. It burns out and when I replace the bulb the harness looks hot and frayed. I keep loosing visibility while driving at night. Dodge stated I need a new headlamp harness. There are no warning lights present.
My vehicle has the symptoms listed in NHSTA 12V-042. The dealership would not complete the recall due to my VIN number not being included or my manufacture date not matching the dates. They directed me to email the NHSTA to get this resolved
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Dodge Charger. The contact stated that the headlights failed to illuminate while driving at night. The contact also noticed an abnormal burning odor inside the vehicle. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to classic Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (1102 walton dr, texarkana, tx 75503, [phone]) where the contact was informed that the power distribution center fuse needed to be replaced to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred because the incorrect fuse was installed and other electrical shorts occurred in the vehicle. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer for further repairs. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 108,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Dodge Charger. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the passenger side headlight went out without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the wiring harness melted and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure was not remedied. The failure mileage was 68,224.
While driving on smooth or rough roads, highways, city streets or even parked with low beams on every time one light will start to flicker and go out completely and will not come back on until light switch is turned off and back on. First was driver side for a week or two, but now stays on. But as soon as the driver quit flickering now the passenger side does it all the time not a day for the last 4 months has it not turned off. Doesn't matter if lights on auto or manually turned on this happens. The amount of time it takes to happens ranges from few seconds to 20 min. Dealer acts as if they don't know what I'm talking about never heard of such a problem and can't duplicate problem so can't get fixed. …
While driving my 2011 rt AWD Dodge Charger on the freeway, at approximately 65 MPH, all of the lights (including, the dash lights, the radio, the headlights, I am unsure if the rear running lights were involved) shut off momentarily (3-5 seconds). During that time I noticed a change in the steering, the wheel became stiff like the power steering was off. I let my foot off of the gas pedal but did not brake so I'm not sure if the power brakes were affected, but assume they were. It sounds a lot like the alternator failure recall involving the 6 cylinder models with the 160 amp alternator. (I believe this is the same alternator that was used in the r/t 5.7l Hemi model) the power came back on and I drove the last 4-5 miles home without further incident. I am apprehensive about driving on the freeway now. Loosing the ability to steer and brake at freeway speed could end in an accident. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Dodge Charger. While the vehicle was stationary, the interior lighting dimmed and the contact noticed that the headlights were not illuminated. While driving various speeds at night, the headlights did not work at all. There was a complete loss of headlight functionality, which prompted the contact to have the vehicle inspected at pep boys in edgewater park, new jersey. The contact stated that the low beam headlight bulbs were removed and reinserted because they were not the source of the failure. In addition, the fuses were inspected but the failure could not be determined directly. Pep boys located NHTSA campaign number: 14V101000 (exterior lighting) and referred the contact to the dealer. An unknown Dodge dealer in lumberton, new jersey was made aware of the failure and stated that there was no recall on the contact's VIN. …
Related recalls
Exterior lighting › Headlights
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Dodge Charger vehicles manufactured May 20, 2010, through November 8, 2011, and equipped with halogen headlamps. In the affected vehicles, a sub-harness for the headlights may overheat and cause the low beam headlights to go out.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the headlamp jumper harnesses and bulbs, or the headlamp assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 2, 2014.
Headlight complaints in other Charger years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2011 Dodge Charger?
NHTSA has 158 complaints about the lights of the 2011 Dodge Charger, 23% of the model year's 695 complaints. The component named most often is headlights (18 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2011 Dodge Charger headlight problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 14V-101 (headlights, Mar 4, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2011 Dodge Charger headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 55,000 miles, and 3% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 20 fires and 1 injury to lights 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.