2010 Dodge Challenger electrical problems

Alternator shorts, overheats, catches fire, or produces smoke. Diodes fail internally. Battery warning light illuminates before failure. In some cases, the alternator windings turn black and char from excessive heat. Vehicle loses all electrical power and will not restart. One narrative describes the alternator getting hot enough to destroy both the alternator and battery.

When: Between 20,000 and 154,000 miles; some failures occur early in vehicle life

Symptoms owners cite: Battery warning light on dash; Smoke coming from engine bay/alternator area; Sparks visible at alternator; Whining sound from engine before failure; Windows rolling slowly or not at all; Vehicle stalls or loses power while driving; Unable to restart vehicle; Multiple dash lights illuminate (ABS, traction control, brake)

Codes mentioned: Battery warning light, ABS light, Traction control light, Brake warning light

Repairs/costs cited: Alternator replacement $1,200+ (per one complaint); battery replacement also required in many cases; some owners report that battery replacement is not covered under extended service plans even though alternator failure caused the battery to discharge

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 14V-634 (NHTSA P-60 Alternator) issued for 2011–2014 V-6 models but NOT for 2010 or V-8 models, despite owners reporting identical symptoms in 2010 V-8 equipped Challengers; dealership service techs acknowledge other V-8 Challengers have suffered similar failures and suspect recall should be expanded

Engine wire harness shorts at MDS (Multi-Displacement System) solenoid connection point or elsewhere, causing severe overheating, melting, and fire risk. One complaint describes the MDS solenoid wiring melting to the main harness; another describes the entire engine wire harness shorting and catching fire while vehicle is parked and idling.

When: Under 40,000 miles in documented cases

Symptoms owners cite: Engine fire or flames visible; Smoke from engine bay; Check engine light; Partial or complete loss of electrical power; Multiple dash warning lights; No horsepower/throttle response after battery change

Codes mentioned: Check engine light, ETC (Electronic Throttle Control) light

Repairs/costs cited: MDS solenoid harness replacement $2,000 (one owner); engine harness replacement cost not specified but described as $1,200 part in one narrative

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dodge warranty does not cover harness melting failures; customers denied coverage and told to pay out of pocket

Ignition key cannot be removed from ignition or falls out during operation. Vehicle will not turn off when key is turned. Engine continues running with key removed. Causes battery discharge, stalling, and loss of power. Conflicts with emergency egress and vehicle control.

When: Occurs at various mileages from new vehicle to 128,000 miles

Symptoms owners cite: Key stuck in ignition and cannot be removed; Key falls out of ignition during operation; Engine does not shut off when key is turned; Vehicle stalls or loses power; Battery drains; Door locks and trunk latch inoperable; No electrical power at all

Codes mentioned: No warning lights in some cases

Repairs/costs cited: WIN module/ignition module replacement required; one complaint notes part availability delay of 6 months or longer

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 10V200000 (Electrical System: Ignition Module) issued but many 2010 VINs excluded from recall coverage; dealerships advise waiting for parts; manufacturer referred owners to continue calling dealer

Driver or passenger windows open and close repeatedly on their own without any input, even when vehicle is parked and engine off. Continues until battery is completely dead. Door lock/unlock buttons malfunction. Passenger door window will not close or roll down properly. Related to smart glass window switch or door latch/actuator failure.

When: Occurs at various mileages from 39,700 to 145,000 miles

Symptoms owners cite: Windows rolling up and down repeatedly without input; Windows opening when door handle is touched but not closing properly; Battery drains while vehicle is parked; Doors lock and unlock on their own; Owner gets locked in or out of vehicle; Window fails to open or close when commanded

Repairs/costs cited: Door latch/window actuator replacement; one owner had to replace passenger door latch; window actuator replacement suspected in at least one case but not confirmed by dealer

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB 23039 exists; Manufacturer opened case 340007776; some vehicles excluded from customer satisfaction repair program for smart glass window switch; 2011 models have recall for this issue but 2010 models excluded despite having identical problems

Wiring shorts inside vehicle cabin causing fires. Wire above driver's visor shorted and caught interior on fire. Rear marker light assembly shorted while vehicle was parked, causing fire in rear quarter panel with charred paint, melted wiring, and melted bumper.

When: Can occur at any time, including while vehicle is parked with power off

Symptoms owners cite: Fire visible inside or outside vehicle; Smoke from interior or exterior panels; Melted wiring visible; Charred interior/paint; Melted light assemblies

Repairs/costs cited: Headliner replacement (wire/roof area); rear light assembly and wiring replacement; one owner reports car still in shop 3 months later because Dodge stopped making replacement headliners

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented in complaints

Central power management module fails, causing widespread electrical system malfunction. Headlights and taillights flash spontaneously. Dash lights flash. Multiple warnings illuminate. Window and door lock circuits fail. Battery drains repeatedly even after replacement. Airbag lights illuminate. All electrical loads become unpredictable.

When: Occurs at various mileages; one complaint indicates onset in 2019 on a 2010 model

Symptoms owners cite: Headlights flashing on and off randomly; Taillights flashing; Dash lights flashing; Airbag warning light on; Windows not rolling down; Door locks malfunctioning; Battery draining repeatedly; Multiple warning lights illuminated

Codes mentioned: Airbag light, Battery light

Repairs/costs cited: TIPM replacement required; dealer diagnosed as common malfunction with Chrysler/Dodge/Fiat vehicles

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None documented; one owner notes this is a known common electrical malfunction with no recall

After routine battery replacement, ETC light comes on and vehicle loses all throttle response. Throttle control capped at 5 mph. Owner manual provides vague guidance that says vehicle is 'usually drivable' despite literal loss of throttle control, creating safety confusion. Vehicle can start and run but has no usable power.

When: Occurs immediately after battery service

Symptoms owners cite: ETC light on dashboard (solid or flashing); Complete loss of throttle response; Vehicle drivable only at 5 mph; Rough idle or engine stall; Reduced engine performance

Codes mentioned: ETC light

Repairs/costs cited: Dealership service required to clear code and reset throttle control mapping; Chrysler customer service provided no clear guidance

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner manual wording regarding ETC failures is vague and dangerous; Chrysler customer service had no helpful information

Vehicle shuts down completely while driving at highway or city speeds with no warning lights or indication. Engine will not restart immediately. Causes dangerous loss of steering assist and braking power. Happens multiple times in some vehicles. Suspected causes include fuel pump failure, oil pressure sensor failure, wireless ignition module failure, or computer malfunction, but root cause often undiagnosed.

When: Can occur at any time; one incident occurred over railroad crossing putting passenger in mortal danger; multiple recurrences in some vehicles

Symptoms owners cite: Engine shuts off without warning; No warning lights before stall; Loss of steering power; Loss of braking assist; Vehicle will not restart immediately; Vehicle must sit for hours before restart possible; ABS, brake, and ESP lights may illuminate after stall

Repairs/costs cited: Diagnostics difficult; suspected causes include fuel pump, ignition module, oil pressure sensor, or ECU; one dealership could not diagnose without check engine light present

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No clear recall or TSB; dealership service limited by lack of diagnostic codes

Two separate Takata airbag recalls for 2010 Challenger: driver-side inflator rupture (2015) and front passenger inflator rupture (2016). Both involve inflator housing that can rupture during deployment due to exposure to heat and humidity, potentially sending metal fragments into occupants. Owner still waiting to have repairs completed years after recall notification.

When: Recalls issued July 2015 (driver) and July 2016 (passenger); vehicle still not repaired as of complaint filing

Symptoms owners cite: No symptoms until airbag deployment in a crash; Potential for metal fragment ejection during deployment

Repairs/costs cited: Airbag inflator replacement required under both recalls

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 15V-444 (driver airbag, issued July 14, 2015) and Recall 16V-352 (passenger airbag, issued July 1, 2016); parts not available or dealership backlog prevents repair completion

Thermostat fails, causing vehicle to overheat at highway speeds. Antifreeze leaks from system. Even after thermostat replacement, failure recurs. Radiator replacement attempted but failure recurs again. Vehicle stalls, instrument panel illuminates, temperature gauge fluctuates wildly. Vehicle will not restart after these failures.

When: Occurs very early in vehicle life at 4,200 miles

Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle overheating at 65 mph; Antifreeze leaking; Engine stalls; Instrument panel lights illuminate; Temperature gauge fluctuating rapidly; Vehicle will not restart

Repairs/costs cited: Thermostat replacement (failed); radiator replacement (failed to resolve recurring issue); vehicle not repaired after diagnosis

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified but no documented response or solution

Vehicle loses all electrical power and shuts down while driving or parked. Battery completely dead. Key becomes stuck in ignition and cannot be removed. Door locks and trunk latch inoperable. Requires locksmith to remove key. Alternator and computer system fail. Multiple electrical systems cascade fail.

When: Occurs while actively driving on city streets

Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle loses all electrical power; Engine shuts down; Battery light illuminates before failure; Smoke from alternator area; Key stuck in ignition; Door locks inoperable; Trunk latch inoperable; No dash lights

Codes mentioned: Battery warning light

Repairs/costs cited: Alternator replacement required; locksmith called to remove stuck key; computer system failure not repaired

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None documented

Headlights, taillights, and all dashboard lights flash spontaneously and repeatedly while driving. Occurs on highway, side streets, and parked. Associated with TIPM failure. Happens regardless of time of day or weather.

When: Onset July 31, 2019 on a 2010 model; began spontaneously

Symptoms owners cite: Headlights flashing on and off; Taillights flashing on and off; Dashboard lights flashing; Lights flash while driving and while parked; Lights dim significantly

Repairs/costs cited: TIPM replacement diagnosed as necessary

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Told this is a common electrical malfunction with Chrysler/Dodge/Fiat

AC stops working after coolant flush service at dealership. Dealership performed AC recharge without customer permission. Multiple service visits produce no resolution. Related to coolant system service.

When: Occurred immediately after coolant flush service

Symptoms owners cite: AC stops producing cold air; Flashing lights on dashboard (unrelated or cascading failure)

Repairs/costs cited: Service work performed without authorization; multiple service visits inconclusive

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership staff unhelpful and uncooperative; manager refused to engage with customer complaint

Engine continues to run when the key is turned and removed from the ignition. Vehicle cannot be turned off normally. Occurs when trying to park and shut down vehicle.

When: Occurs during normal shutdown procedure

Symptoms owners cite: Engine does not shut off when key is turned; Engine continues running with key removed

Repairs/costs cited: None documented

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None documented

Headlights dim or blink when turned on. Dashboard lights dim dramatically. Turning on blinker worsens the dimming. Occurs while sitting at traffic lights. Suggests alternator or power distribution issue.

When: Occurs at night when driving and when stopped at lights

Symptoms owners cite: Headlights blink and go very dim; Dashboard lights dim; Dimming worsens when blinkers are activated

Repairs/costs cited: None documented

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None documented

Passenger door latch fails. Window associated with door latch malfunctions, jumping up and down on its own when vehicle is off. Battery drains from repeated window actuation. Two weeks after latch replacement, passenger window will not roll back up when rolled down while driving.

When: First failure occurred; second failure occurred 2 weeks after repair

Symptoms owners cite: Door latch inoperable; Window jumping up and down; Window will not stay up after being rolled down; Battery drains

Repairs/costs cited: Door latch replacement $<unknown> (parts and labor); related window issue persists after repair

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: 2011 Challengers have recall for door latch issue (same as what 2010 owners report) but 2010 model explicitly excluded from recall