NHTSA complaint: 2011 DODGE CHARGER — STEERING
WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS I BEGAN TO SMELL A PLASTIC MELTING SMELL. ALMOST IMMEDIATELY THE RADIO SHUT OFF AND I GOT A "BATTERY SAVER MODE" MESSAGE. WITHIN SECONDS THE CAR'S ENGINE QUIT. WHEN THE ENGINE STOPPED SO DID ALL POWER TO THE CONTROLS INCLUDING STEERING AND BRAKES. WHEN GOT THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD I COULD SEE VISIBLE BLUE SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE PASSENGER'S SIDE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. POPPED THE HOOD AND IDENTIFIED THAT THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE ALTERNATOR. CAR WOULD NOT START AGAIN. HAD TOWED TO SHOP AND ALTERNATOR IS SHOT. APPARENTLY THERE IS A 2 TO 3 WEEK BACK ORDER DUE TO HIGH DEMAND RELATED TO FAILED ALTERNATORS. I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED OR KILLED OTHERS EASILY WHEN I LOST POWER AT HIGHWAY SPEED. *TR
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — Office of Defects Investigation