# 2012 CHRYSLER 300 — ENGINE
> NHTSA complaint `1149417` · 2015-01-20 · Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
## Severity
- **Deaths:** 0
- **Injured:** 0
- **Fire:** Yes
- **Crash:** No
- **Police report:** No
- **Medical attention:** No
- **Vehicle towed:** No
## Vehicle
- **Make:** CHRYSLER
- **Model:** 300
- **Year:** 2012
- **Manufacturer:** Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
- **Component:** ENGINE
- **Miles at failure:** 51,000
- **Speed:** 35 mph
## Narrative
I HAD JUST LEFT MY HOUSE AND WAS APPROXIMATELY A QUARTER MILE FROM HOME WHEN MY SON AND I NOTICED A STRONG  SMELL OF SOMETHING BURNING. THEN THE RADIO TURNED OFF.  I LOOKED DOWN AND THE MESSAGE CENTER SAID "BATTERY SAVING MODE".  I HAD JUST PUT A NEW BATTERY ON LESS THAN 4 MONTHS AGO.  THEN I HEARD A WHIRRING NOISE UNDER THE HOOD AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE UP A HILL.  THE RED OUTLINE OF A BATTERY APPEARED ON THE DASH.  I TOOK THE CAR BACK HOME AND PARKED IT -- THEN HAD TO HAVE A NEW ALTERNATOR INSTALLED THE NEXT DAY.  MECHANIC SAID THERE WAS DEFINITE EVIDENCE OF THE ALTERNATOR BURNING UP.  AFTER PICKING UP THE VEHICLE WITH THE NEW ALTERNATOR -- MY HEAT WOULD NOT BLOW OUT THE FRONT VENTS.  TURNS OUT THE ACTUATOR HAD GONE OUT.  I AM STILL TRYING TO DETERMINE IF THIS WAS CAUSED BY THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM OR JUST A REALLY STRANGE COINCIDENCE.  I AM STILL AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR WHEN I GET ON THE INTERSTATE EVEN WITH THE NEW ALTERNATOR BECAUSE I WAS TOLD IT COULD HAPPEN AGAIN AT ANYTIME WITHOUT KNOWING THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM.  *TR
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*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*