This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
Driving from philly to NJ at 2am on Sunday right before I entered the bridge lost power steering, ABS, radio and battery saver light came on I had my wife and 3 kids with me after a minute or so started losing the headlights. I just wanted to get to jersey side and stop somewhere and call for help. I was very lucky because got to rt.73 highway and mt.laurel police spotted me and helped me a lot by taking us home safe. I had my car towed to the nearest garage and they told me the alternator died so I called the Dodge dealership they said that no Dodge Chargers had that problem reported before I was "first". they were so rude on the phone and said just suck it up and pay $790. Well I got it fixed not at the dealership but at the gas station mechanic. I also paid $150 for towing and now I'm afraid that its going to fail again soon. I called the corporate right after I heard about the recall and they told me that my VIN it is not recalled. They still investigating for more VIN numbers.
While driving, "battery saver mode" message came up. From here, I could smell something coming from under the hood. Then the ABS light and traction control light came on. Was able to get it home, before trying to drive it again later after jumping it and it was completely dead. Was able to finally jump it long enough to get out of my driveway and into the street so it could be towed. Brought it to my dealership and they said it was a bad alternator. It is only a 2011 and has over 50K miles.
This is the third day in a row of getting battery saver mode message in ivic. First day it came on while I was driving at approx. 50 mph and experienced power loss (radio shutting off, lights on dash illuminating, loss of steering, etc.) within 5 minutes. Pulled alternator (replaced both battery and alternator in may after same issue) and shop said it tested fine. Battery also tested fine. Put alternator and battery back in and car started up and drove for over an hour with no issues. Next day while sitting in traffic car again went into battery saver mode and I experienced same power loss within a few minutes. Called dealership after I parked at work and was told to bring it in right away. Went back outside to see if car would start and there were no issues. Car ran fine and drove fine for over an hour straight and the rest of the day. This morning I got the battery saver mode message while at a stop sign! I turned the car off and back on and car is still fine so far. I am afraid that something serious will happen while I have my kids in the car.
My 2011 Dodge Charger had a smell of a burnt altenator. Car ABS light came on and my radio turned off and there was a whining noise in the engine compartment. The car has electrical problems, the battery is in a power save mode I have not gone to the dealer yet. Its my 3rd incident with the car. Headlights and brakes. I will have to get it towed, I don't trust to drive it. It running on the battery only. It needs to be recalled
Started driving my vehicle from work. When all of a sudden my whole dashboard lite up with the "ABS light, power saver mode, and the traction control light. While attempting to pull over the vehicle my radio power off and the vehicle began making a "whining" noise. The engine shut off by itself. I pop the hood and while raising the hood white smoke appeared and I could smell something burning. My sister was present the whole time she was tailgating me in her vehicle. Let the car cool down and tried to restart it and the whining noise grew louder and upon starting it seem as if it did not want to start up but the dashboard was not lite up only the message on the dash about being in "power save mode". this was a scary situation for me and I do not feel comfortable driving my only means of transportation for me and my children. My sister gave me a ride home. I have contact the dealership and have an appointment for them to service the vehicle.
- Little Rock, AR, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
"battery save mode" I don't know what happen my car didn't want to start? I have had this car for about 1yr 1/2. checked battery levels they are fine. Then started drove the car for 2 days then died when I parked the car and tried to drive it again. But will not turn over.when traveling under the speed of 30mph the car becomes very hard to steer and feels like its going to shut off. I don't know what is wrong with it. I can't drive it anywhere to get a diagnosis on it.
At 10 P.M. 9/15. I was driving to the store. Information message popped up on display. Battery saver mode. The radio shut off and the car began to shake. There was also a whining noise heard from the engine compartment. The ABS brake light and electronic skid control lights were also on. I was already near the store. I pulled into the parking lot and parked the car. I opened the hood and could see smoke and smell smoke coming from the alternator. I tried to restart the car to get my windows up but it was dead. I couldn't start it even with jumper cables to get it back home. I had to call for a tow. I finally made it home a 1:00 am after waiting for tow. I couldn't imagine the lack of control had this happened on the freeway or during rush hour traffic. I need to purchase an alternator and battery today. Not looking forward to the bill. Sounds like bad designed parts. Hopefully something becomes of the investigation.
My 2011 Dodge Charger battery saving mode light is blinking on and off as well as my ABS/skid control then all of the sudden my vehicle starts slowing down on the highway while going the speed of 60 mph causing the car to lock up. My wife is 8 months pregnant and I feel like that not only put her in danger but my unborn child as well. This situation I feel needs to be recalled and fix asap before someone looses a loved one over a malfunction with these vehicles. I had to get my vehicle towed to the Dodge dealer who told me that my alternator went out and completely drained my battery in my car causing me to have to come out of pocket for both. I really don't drive my vehicle a lot for all these things to be happening I hope that the 2015 Dodge Charger is better...
Car went into battery saver mode while driving. Took to dealership said nothing wrong. Drove next day where all lights and wipers going off. Radio cut off and ABS, traction control and E-brake lights came on. Then car began having smoky smell. Completely shut off in intersection with no recharge or ability to start up. Could not even lock doors or open trunk.
I have replaced my car's alternator twice within 16 months due to total failure (car won't turn on) and impending failure (low charging while on). This resulted in my battery needing to be replaced. Additionally, I have replaced all 4 wheel speed sensors twice within the last 24 months because they are failing and the ABS / ESC light comes on. Very disappointing in a car that's only 3 years old. Dealership tells me both repairs are typical of these cars, even the new ones. Lastly, both of my headlights have blown out due to a known recall.
Battery saver mode code message came on. Radio shut off. ABS light flashed. Steering became rigid. Took to shop, alternator and battery needed replaced.
While driving the battery saver mode came on, after that the ABS warning light came on. Then power to the radio was cut out and the ac fan speed started jumping sporadically until shutting down as well. Then the speedometer fell to 0 even though I was traveling at a constant rate. Once stopped in a parking lot the car went completely dead and I was unable to restart the vehicle and had to have it towed. There was a burning smell coming from under the hood and also a whining noise could be heard from inside the cabin prior to the failure. The alternator did have to be replaced.
I was driving on the H-3 honolulu-bound and on my way, the battery indicator light illuminated in the dash display panel, then the ABS and traction lights lit up. Immediately after that, the car lost acceleration and there was no power steering. I knew I had to pull over to avoid an accident and when I attempted to do so, I had a difficult time maneuvering the car. To top it off, the anti-brake system was not working. My wife and I were not physically injured, but there could have been a fatality with cars traveling at 60 mph. I had the vehicle towed to the dealer's service area as after "google"-ing, it seemed like this is a known problem and the comments shared that the dealer is the only one who carries the necessary part. Total paid: $957.26 not a happy Dodge owner.
I have a 2011 Dodge Charger V6 SE. Well the first thing that happened was that the car went dead on my wife and 2 small children. I took it to a dealership as requested by Dodge representative. They told me I had a bad alternator however I could not pay for the alternator so I requested to just pick up my vehicle. Before leaving I got the mechanic to test my battery. Turns out I had a bad battery. Problem solved but he still told me I had a bad alternator.. this was 5 months ago. Well about a month ago my tire pressure sensor light came on, then my ABS and traction control lights came on and I cannot use cruise control. Was told I was eligible for a recall but I would have to pay for diagnosis and possibly repair if the problem was deemed not under recall. I am currently unemployed and cannot afford for the dealership to give me the run around again. Well yesterday my wife was driving our 2 small children around and everything started cutting off while she was going down the road. She pulled off the highway thankfully just as the car cut off. I jumped the car off and used a voltmeter to check the battery as the car was running. The battery voltage was steadily declining as the car ran indicating the alternator has gone bad. After talking to Dodge representative again they said I may be eligible for a reduced bill from the dealership but I would have to take it to them for them to diagnose. This car has been nothing but trouble since I got it and it has left me and my family stranded numerous times. Very unhappy with Dodge and the dealership. I see where you are investigating the alternator failures and I would really appreciate any help you can incur.
While driving on Sunday evening around 8:30 pm about 2 miles from my home going to get some cold medicines my car all of a sudden the radio stop working and it started stalling and my ABS brakes light and traction control lights came on and was about to cut off and everything just stop working was able to get it off the road. Remember smelling something that was burning no smoke or fire have done research on the internet and there are several complaints about people having the same problem with the same amount of mileage as my car or lesser. Did call Dodge and they had no complaints they claim of this problem but it could have happen due to a recent recall they call a M10. No other assistance from the maker of this car but it needs to be investigated period.if it is the alternator and battery it is costing over $1000 to get the repairs done and this is bad when the warranty just went out on it. Not including car note and car insurance.
Within one month of purchasing my vehicle the passenger air bag light stays on and after bringing the vehicle into the dealer 3 times it has still not been repaired. Then my emergency brake light and my ABS light randomly started coming on. I brought it into the dealer again and they said they had to order a part. They "think it is electrical" and would call me when the part came in. Two months later...no phone call from the dealer. My car would not start two times since the last visit to the dealership. I walked into the dealer to show them that this large light with an electrical sign and battery flashed on and my vehicle would not start just 15 minutes ago. The service manager went out to my vehicle and said my ABS is not working. I brought my vehicle in to the dealer this morning. Among the above issues there is now a headlight safety issue. It is not safe to drive me and my family. I want it fixed or replaced. I bought the vehicle with 50 miles on it and it has had nothing but major safety issues. I do not want to wait until someone dies with this vehicle on the road. Something needs to be done now!!!!
On my daily routine home, out of the blue, my ESC light comes on. Immediately im concerned and notice some loss of power. No less than a minute later my ABS light comes on as well! so I pull over and shut off the car and then cut it back on, no luck. The car starts but the engine won't cut on and both lights are still on. So I cut it off again and wait a few then attempt to cut it on again and it gets worse! the car reads "no key detected" and then completely shuts off. So I immediately assume the battery is dead and call my brother for a jump. He comes and jumps me and no success. The driver info still reads "no key detected". so now im left wondering what's gone wrong. I had it towed to the dealership for service and notice that this vehicle has already been serviced for an ESC/ABS light recall back in may of 2012. So this leads me to believe that this is a serious electrical issue. Like some other owners I too also have a burnt out passenger side headlights wiring and definitely expressed my concerns if that could be causing an uneven power distribution. Its so disappointing. This is the second time in 3 months my car has been brought in for major service. Frankly I no longer feel confident behind the wheel of my vehicle. Winter is fast approaching and don't want to get stuck on the side of the road with no power and no heat. Minor issues are one thing but major issues on a late model car is alarming. Im certainly not happy and really am at the tipping point of surrendering this vehicle. At this point what else am I to do?!
This is the third time that all the idiot lights on the dashboard come on and then we proceed to lose the power steering and brakes. Chrysler's lemon law division states that they will fix it and that my issue is not a lemon law case. I simply have requested them to take the car back and have their engineering department take it apart to find out what is going on with I and to give me a new vehicle. Each of the three times this has occurred, we have been extremely fortunate to be in a parking lot only traveling a couple miles per hour. This issue was suppose to have been resolved already and has not apparently. I no longer trust my safety and life nor the safety and well being of others on the road if I were to drive this car again. The only remedies that are acceptable to me are to remove all the electrical wiring and computers and replace them with new or to exchange the vehicle. I fear for my safety with this car. Please note that I also have a 2011 Chrysler 300C that has been fine with no major issues.
First issue(s) occured in may of 2011 and have continued to date. Over 25 visits to 2 dealerships for fixes, and no one can get a fix on it. First, it was the passive entry door handles, which have occurred 5 times and 5 fixes since last year. Second issue was the power shutdown for the car, 3 dead batteries, and several issues concerning the uconnect system shutting down during driving. There has been a relentless amount of suspension and braking issues occurring. The issues include having to replace warped rotors, uneven balding tires(twice now), ABS failing and traction control failing, uneven door seams, flaking and chipping paint(especially between body panels), and now brakes again grinding sideways in the calipers. There has been so many issues, that I had to contact a lawyer, which is now presently on it's 97th day of submittal to get this vehicle rectified. I've also had the vehicle in the Chrysler star customer satisifaction program since Jan. Of 2012 at 8,012 miles and they were not able to warranty the rotor issue, which has forced us to have the rotors changed it at another service, not being a Dodge dealer. The car is currently being looked at for bad sway bar link bushings and several other bushings showing dry rot prematurely. I've also experienced the trunk poping open in mid driving, which has been the only thing besides the 5th door handle replacement that has worked since purchasing it. Recently, the cars transmission would not shift out of 2nd gear and was forced to pull over and restart it on a major highway.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Mt.Laurel , NJ, USA