Last July 3rd, the gauges on my Charger started acting really strange. Luckily I was not too far from my home, as it was trying to quit running on my...was able to get into the driveway before it stopped running, and it would not start back up. I have some knowledge of auto mechanics, and knew the alternator had just gone out. It also shorted out the battery, as it wouldn't turn the engine over.

I put a battery charger on it and was given indicator that the battery was bad. The next day, I removed both the alternator and battery and took to the closest O'Reilley. They had the alternator but not the battery. Their other store across town had the battery so I went there to get it, and paid cash for it as I was working a summer job that paid cash. With replacement parts in hand, I spent July 4th on my back putting the new alternator on and installing the new battery. I hated to have to spend the money but, being a teacher, opted to save some money by doing the work myself.

I have a nephew who deals in selling tires to all types of dealerships. He said he had heard something about a recall for this very problem, when I saw him at some point in the fall. To follow up, he forwarded me the T36 recall he had seen notice of. It seemed very logical and reasonable that since I had already replaced the faulty alternator and the battery it took with it when it malfunctioned, prior to a recall even being made, that I could expect to at least be reimbursed for the parts. Free labor on the install! Dodge should be happy to get out of having to pay their mechanics.

Since that time, last fall, I have probably had at least 3-4 case managers. Each has claimed they understood the situation and I have sent in copies of the two sales from O'Reilley, via a link sent to me by the case managers. The first one I was dealing with told me that I may have to send in some supporting documentation from my bank on the debit card transaction, which I was able to do. The other, for the battery, was paid in cash. But, of course I thought explaining this to Dodge case manager and finding some workaround, like part number serial number, etc. should work. It wasn't even a recall back in July, so how would I have known anything other than I had to buy these parts to get my car running again. But, being able to actually talk to the case manager again never seemed possible...always on break, or just left for the day.

I teach school and we can't have our phones on at school or take calls, so it's always at least 4:30 by the time I get home and am able to make business calls. I could not reach her for almost two months by phone, and they will not email for whatever reason...no paper trail?? Finally, one of the persons who answered the phone offered to take over as case manager. So, I had to go through this whole story again and explain that for some reason I was hitting a log jam when I tried to find out a way around any more of a detailed receipt for the cash purchase of battery. They claimed to have made notes about all that I had said, and were going to work with me to resolve.

Within a few days, I wasn't able to make contact again with that case manager. Same story. I have called and tried to get a supervisor on the phone. Won't happen. Runaround. I did find a customer support email and wrote out this whole story again! Got a very pleasant company reply and a phone number to call. You guessed it! This was my new friend and finally, someone who could and would help me. Wrong! After sending copies of my paper receipts from O'Reilly,...same thing as all the other times. No contact and I wasn't able to make contact with them.

I am so aggravated to live in America, and companies are able to get away with shucking their responsibilities, and it appears the bigger the company - the less they actually listen or care, expecting you to finally get tired of trying and go away.

And so here I am, after searching online for something, anything, to simply be reimbursed for parts. Is there a legal option that would work? Can I post this on Facebook or complain elsewhere that would also be of some help? Any suggestions as to how I can actually have some ongoing dialogue with Dodge would be greatly appreciated. I am so tired of telling this story. Thank you

Car was making noise as if the car was winding up to much. Car had a burnt wire smell to it. Before this happened the wipers came on and ABS message. I just got back from lunch and smelled the burning and then co worker came and told me my car was smoking in the parking lot. Went out to check it and nothing worked on my car. No power to unlock the door. Had it towed in.

Dodge told me they put a charge on it and immediately the alternator was smoking. The battery would need replaced and alternator then see if a module was burnt. The cost for alternator and battery $1100. If module would be another $2500. I went ahead and traded it in as I could not afford all the repairs and not knowing what else it messed up. I am so sad now since my car was fully loaded and the new car I got is not. I am not happy at all and think Dodge should have repaired it free even though not under warranty since others are having this problem. I am just sick over the whole thing. My car was almost paid off now I have payments for another 5 years and I will have to wait to retire to pay off car.

Update from May 23, 2016: The battery save mode came on just before I turned the car off. There is a recall for the v6 engine but not the v8. This does not make sense to me. I'm really upset over this. After I got out of the car I had no power at all. Could not unlock the door or anything else. What if I did not open the door right away, would I have been stuck in a burning car?