No Start Intermittently, Vehicle Requires Multiple Keyless Push To Start Attempts To Start Vehicle, Intermittent Key Not Detected Message
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2011 Dodge Charger powertrain problems
severe Owners of the 2011 Dodge Charger have filed 18 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain, typically surfacing around 58,700 miles at roughly $2,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
18
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2007 Charger | 211 |
| 2008 Charger | 32 |
| 2009 Charger | 4 |
| 2010 Charger | 17 |
| 2011 Charger (this page) | 18 |
| 2012 Charger | 57 |
| 2013 Charger | 48 |
| 2014 Charger | 52 |
| 2015 Charger | 30 |
1crash
When does it fail?
Of the 18 powertrain complaints filed for the 2011 Dodge Charger, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 7 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Transmission Kit with Torque Converter 1. All Promaster (VF) 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles. If the transmission bracket to the transmission case fasteners are removed during servicing, the fasteners (Part Number 06511385A$) are one-time usage. Vehicles built prior to 10/23/2015 requires Service Kit PN 68461214AA; includes Transmission Isolator PN 68264483AA, and Adaptation Bracket 68264479AA and Fastener Service Kit PN 68329056AA Vehicles built after on or after 10/23/2015 will require only the Fastener Service Kit PN 68329056AA. 2. All 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles. If the vehicle you are repairing has a crack in the flex plate or failed pump bushing inspect and confirm that both (2) dowel pins
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗NAG1 Transmission Before installing the transmission with the engine, check for dowel pins (2) for alignment. If the pins are missing request to add the dowel pin first and then install the transmission
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗NAG1 Transmission Before installing the transmission with the engine, check for dowel pins (2) for alignment. If the pins are missing request to add the dowel pin first and then install the transmission
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Powertrain System Improvements/Enhancements This bulletin involves selectively erasing and reprogramming the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) with new software. The customer may describe hearing the fuel pump relay cycling during remote start or a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination. Upon further investigation the technician may find one or more of the following Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) set in the PCM: ? U0140 - Lost Communication With Body Control Module (BCM). ? P06DD - Engine Oil Pressure Control Circuit Stuck Off. ? P0522 - Engine Oil Pressure Sensor Circuit Low. ? P0108 - Manifold Absolute Pressure Sensor Circuit High. ? P1239 - Engine Oil Temperature Too Low. ? P0298 -
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
2011 Dodge Charger owners report electrical and powertrain failures creating dangerous loss-of-power incidents. The most common complaint involves alternator failure triggering battery saver mode, followed by complete electrical shutdown while driving. Owners describe loss of power steering and braking—both non-functional without engine power—leaving them struggling to control the vehicle and coast to safety. Several alternator failures occurred well under 70,000 miles. After alternator replacement, owners report the battery saver warning returns immediately, the serpentine belt disintegrates, or the engine shakes and smokes on restart. Two owners cite the P60 recall issued for some Charger V-6 models but say their V-8 models don't qualify despite identical symptoms.
Transmission problems also appear: stalling without warning, inability to accelerate or shift into gear during highway driving, transmission slipping into neutral at speed, and metal shavings found in transmission fluid. Owners report dealers cannot duplicate or fix these issues and cite engine control unit or transmission programming as the root cause. One timing chain failure occurred after a recall repair, destroying the engine and causing secondary accidents. Engine overheating, failed lifters, and camshaft failure round out the powertrain cluster. Repair costs cited range from $700 for an alternator to $8,000+ for complete engine replacement.
Same Dodge Charger powertrain reports on nearby years: 2008 · 2010 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014
Failure modes owners describe
Alternator failure with battery saver mode and complete electrical shutdown
Alternator fails without warning, triggering battery saver mode warning on dashboard. Shortly after, all electrical power drains—engine dies, radio cuts off, gauge cluster goes dark, steering and brakes become non-functional. Owners lose control of vehicle and must coast to safety. Battery is drained or damaged in the process.
When: Occurs between 37,000 and 77,000 miles. One owner at 51,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Battery saver mode warning appears; Navigation and radio shut off; Complete loss of electrical power and engine shutdown; Steering wheel becomes impossible to turn; Brake pedal cannot be depressed; Unable to unlock doors from inside vehicle; Engine roars/struggles before dying; All dashboard lights and gauges go dark
Codes mentioned: P60 (cited by owners, though marked inapplicable to V-8 models)
Repairs/costs cited: Alternator replacement costs $700. Battery replacement $800–$1,100+. Serpentine belt disintegration after initial repair. Engine shaking and smoking on restart after reconnection. One owner reports engine burned up (claimed lack of oil, but owner disputes).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: P60 recall issued for some Charger models (reportedly V-6 only). Owners report V-8 models ineligible despite identical symptoms. Dodge informed one owner the new alternator/timing chain had only a 2-year warranty.
Transmission stalling, loss of acceleration, and shifting to neutral at speed
Transmission stalls or loses power to accelerate without warning during highway driving or passing. Vehicle suddenly feels dead when gas pedal is depressed. On other occasions, transmission shifts from drive to neutral while vehicle is moving. Engine stalls and won't accelerate, sometimes resumes power after 1–2 seconds.
When: Reported from 38,000 to 70,000 miles. One incident during rush hour in snow storm on highway.
Symptoms owners cite: No acceleration response when gas pedal depressed; Vehicle feels dead or stalls during acceleration; Abrupt hard jerking forward on initial acceleration; Transmission shifts to neutral unexpectedly at highway speeds; Unable to get out of traffic or change lanes; Abnormal grinding noise before stall; Transmission slips; MIL light illuminates
Codes mentioned: Check engine light
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission control module (TCM) replaced at dealership; failure recurred immediately. Metal shavings found in transmission fluid in one case. Dealers unable to duplicate fault or retrieve diagnostic codes on repeat visits.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers cannot fix due to inherent problem in engine control unit and transmission programming, per owner account. Manufacturer cannot duplicate.
Timing chain failure after recall repair
Timing chain fails catastrophically on highway during rush hour, destroying engine. Owner had recall repair performed in 2014 for timing chain. Between 2014 and failure, only 20,000 miles accumulated. Vehicle well-maintained. Dealer informed owner new timing chain had only 2-year warranty and subsequent damage was owner responsibility.
When: Approximately 54,000 miles total. Recall service in 2014; failure a few weeks before complaint (2014 or later).
Symptoms owners cite: Engine destroyed by timing chain failure; Catastrophic loss of power and control on highway; Vehicle stalled during rush hour in snow storm
Repairs/costs cited: Owner states correct chain may not have been installed during recall or was never changed at all. Dodge quoted $5,000 for engine repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dodge issued timing chain recall in 2014. Upon failure, Dodge stated new timing chain warranty was only 2 years, making all subsequent damage owner responsibility.
Engine overheating, smoking, and shaking on restart
After battery recharge and reconnection, engine shakes violently and smokes from under hood. Owner suspects alternator and electrical issues caused overheating. One narrative reports engine burned up due to alternator/circuit shortage causing overheating; owner disputes dealer claim of lack of oil.
When: Immediately after battery reconnection or restart following alternator failure.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shaking and smoking on startup; Burning smell from under hood; Belt smoking and whistling loudly; Engine overheating
Codes mentioned: P60
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs completed in narratives; owner concerned about cascading damage and future radiator failure.
Failed lifters and camshaft at low mileage
Engine begins violent shaking, misfires, and loses power while traveling at highway speeds. Dealership diagnosis: failed lifters and bad camshaft at only 75,000 miles on vehicle.
When: 75,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Violent shaking and misfiring; Loss of power at highway speeds
Repairs/costs cited: Diagnosis of failed lifters and bad camshaft provided by dealership; repair status unknown.
Headlight failure and abrupt acceleration jerk
Driver's side headlight repeatedly fails after replacement. Headlight only functions after owner physically hits headlight assembly with hand. Upon starting vehicle and depressing accelerator, vehicle abruptly jerks forward, then resumes normal operation.
When: 77,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Driver's side headlight failure after replacement; Abrupt jerk forward upon initial acceleration
Repairs/costs cited: Not diagnosed or repaired.
Intermittent power loss and low beam light failure
Vehicle loses power while driving on city streets at low speeds. Owner had to manually manipulate transmission to operate vehicle. Daughter also experienced same failure. Low beam lights go out occasionally. Owner reports never receiving recall information for these issues despite 70,000 miles.
When: Approximately 62,000 miles on a 70,000-mile vehicle.
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of power while driving at 40 mph; Low beam lights going out occasionally
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall information received by owner.
Inability to shift or accelerate under load
Vehicle won't go into gear or accelerate. Occurs during highway driving, particularly under passing conditions or when needing quick acceleration. Car feels dead when pedal is depressed hard and fast. Vehicle may growl but not move, or stall momentarily before resuming acceleration.
When: Occurs repeatedly during steady cruising followed by need to pass or accelerate.
Symptoms owners cite: Won't go into gear; No response to hard and fast acceleration; Vehicle feels dead; Growling noise without movement; Stalls momentarily before accelerating
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers unable to duplicate problem and skeptical it is possible.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dodge unable to duplicate and believes complaint is not feasible.
Synthesized from 18 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
I am wondering if I have any further actions that are available to me for a recall situation. My car had a recall for the timing chain and I had the recall performed in 2014. A few weeks ago while on the highway during rush hour in a snow storm the timing chain failed and destroyed my engine. I had seconds to negotiate my lane and get to safety which I could not. The back of my vehicle was still…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2011 Dodge Charger?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2011 Dodge Charger?
It's a meaningful issue. 18 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $2,500.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 13 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 38,000 and 64,325 miles, with the median around 58,700. A quarter of owners report trouble before 38,000; a quarter make it past 64,325. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2011/Dodge/Charger.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.