The car just quit well driving out of town on a weekend for our anniversary. Had it towed to dodge dealer in Reno NV thinking we still had warranty (6 year 100000 mi). But no time was up before miles. After getting a rental car and driving home they called us and said it was going to be $749.00 to take the front of the motor apart to see what happen. I told them to go ahead. They called back and said the timing chain broke and needed a new motor at $9000 +. I told them no and went back and hauled it home myself. After looking over it only needed the chain kit which I will replace myself for $240. Just pisses me off that Dodge can't make it right after giving them $30000 +. Don't know if this problem happens a lot or not, but makes you wonder.

In 2006 I bought the Charger 5.7 Hemi R/T brand new and I absolutely loved it and honestly, there haven't been any major issues. But when I look back and really think about it, there was a warning sign that I all too eagerly over looked because at the time it just didn't seem like anything major. Every once in awhile I'd turn the ignition and the engine wouldn't "turn over" UNLESS I hit the gas pedal and then "VROOM!" it'd start up and that was it. ( I suspect this was the throttle body going out.)

Once, I brought it to the dealership about this issue but because the car had thrown no codes, like a check engine light etc. and the fact that it was so random and intermitent they couldn't hone in on the problem. So, I learned to live with it because again, the Charger did this so rarely.

Then, on May 10th 2013 while accelerating up to highway speeds with moderate morning traffic and a semi-truck behind me the Charger lost all power. The semi-truck nearly smashed into me because he's accelerating up to highway speeds and the last thing this guy is expecting is the for car directly in front of him to suddenly die.

The dash lights remained on and the Charger went into limp mode. But I gotta say, limp mode just doesn't cut it when a HUGE semi-truck is coming up on you fast. Thankfully, I was able to pull over to the side of the highway and the truck driver realized something was wrong and veered over just enough to miss me. But in doing so forced various cars on his passenger side to scoot over or get hit.

This could've been a horrendous scenario and again, thankfully, no one was hurt or even hit, in particular me and my kid who I was taking to school.

It took a moment for me to pull myself together because the near miss was that close. In fact, if I was wearing a diaper, I'd of needed a change. I'm kinda joking about this now...but if I dwell on this too long I get furious.

So again, after I pulled my head together I noticed two things; the Charger was idling really rough/choppy and the check engine light was on in conjunction with a red lightning bolt symbol I'd never seen. I turned it off and got ready to make some calls then I thought, "Let me turn it on and see if it still idles rough." Turn the key and "Presto!" car starts like nothing happened.

RELUCTANTLY I drove it off the highway and made it back home. I was stressed out that at any moment it was gonna die on me again. I was shaken up pretty badly by the whole truck incident.

The Charger threw two codes: PO61A and PO62C. I pulled them myself using the ignition. Turn the ignition to the ACC spot three times (don't start the car) and codes will show up on the center console where the mileage is.

Turns out the PCM (Brain of the car) and the throttle body were malfunctioning. The PCM is covered by an EPA smog law 8 yrs or 80K miles so Dodge replaced it for free. However, I had to pay for the throttle body. The bill totaled $632. But just the fact that I have to replace a throttle body on a car with 59K miles is irritating.

So there you have it. The car runs great now and actually got a boost in MPG. They installed the latest updates and things are good.

Anyway, if your car dies then try and pull the codes, if they're similar to the ones I pulled then you know what needs to be done.

And Dodge, let me just say, "Your customers, the ones who provide a pay check for your company are in danger when a vehicle suddenly dies due to defective parts. It's only a matter of time before someone is killed or seriously injured. Do something, give American consumers a reason to buy American and feel good about supporting you."

I bought my Dodge Charger off the showroom floor in 2006. Serviced my engine on ALL the regular schedualed maintences. Ironicly I stopped by a friends house to put oil in her car because her oil light was on. I put the oil in her car and got in my charger to leave. Started it up and heard a loud clanging sound. The engine shut itself off and I had it towed to the dealer(who always works on my car) 24 hrs later I get a call that my engine is shot! They told me the that the valve housing broke off and fell into the cylinder and causing the piston to strike it and kiling my engine! $8600.00 WTF!! How could this happen with no warning signs. These engines have a defect and Dodge knew it! I love my car, but this is the first American car I've owned and its definatly the last. My Honda and Mitsubishi did me well and they both were bought used and sold with way more miles and no problems There has to be somthing we can do about this!