Active Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) B1A10-00, B1A11-00, B1A12- 00, B1A13-00-, B1A14-00, B1A15-00, B1A16-00, and B1A17-00 in The Radio Frequency Hub (RFH)
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2017 Dodge Charger electrical problems
severe Owners of the 2017 Dodge Charger have filed 39 NHTSA complaints about the electrical, typically surfacing around 54,000 miles at roughly $850 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
39
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
| Model year | electrical complaints |
|---|---|
| 2013 Charger | 153 |
| 2014 Charger | 78 |
| 2015 Charger | 18 |
| 2016 Charger | 20 |
| 2017 Charger (this page) | 39 |
| 2018 Charger | 44 |
| 2019 Charger | 19 |
| 2020 Charger | 6 |
1crash
1fire
When does it fail?
Of the 39 electrical complaints filed for the 2017 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
Electrical accounts for 31% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 6 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 39 electrical complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical 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.
Verify "Z" part number availability. Order a "Z" part number for all Exchange Orders: Warranty, Mopar, Customer pay and Service contract. Order"68" part number for New unsold units only
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Decreased Remote Start And RKE Range. Tire Pressure Sensors Values Are Not Displayed
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Start Stop Charging Warning Lamp Illuminated On, Intelligent Battery Sensor (IBS) State of Charge (SOC) Inaccurate, Battery Charging Message, Presence of IBS related Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs), or Battery Warning Lamp On
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website to confirm part number and applicability. There is an error with the wiring diagrams in Service Library that is causing the incorrect repair kit part number to populate. Please use the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website until this issue is resolved.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2017 Dodge Charger's electrical systems are mired in well-documented defects. The UConnect 8.4" touchscreen dominates complaints: it delaminating internally, creating fluid-filled bubbles that trigger involuntary button presses. Owners report the screen calling 911, changing navigation routes, adjusting climate controls, and switching radio stations without touch. This happens across a known defect affecting 2017–2018 models; Dodge acknowledges the issue but refuses warranty repair, telling owners replacement costs around $1,500. One owner's screen attempted to activate launch control while driving.
Beyond the infotainment: body control modules fail outright, stranding vehicles at low mileage (one case at 1,641 miles). Electrical gremlins are rampant—headlights fuse and melt, vehicles lose all power mid-drive, transmission locks in reverse, and one Charger caught fire in its armrest console while parked. ABS and traction control warnings pair with shifter faults and constant brake-light illumination. Wiring issues remain elusive; multiple mechanics cannot pinpoint the root cause of intermittent no-start, loss-of-power, and flickering dashboard symptoms. One recall (NHTSA 18V332000) addresses electrical and speed control but appears incomplete. Dealers have been unable or unwilling to permanently resolve most electrical failures, leaving owners with distracting and potentially dangerous vehicles.
Same Dodge Charger electrical reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2018 · 2019
Failure modes owners describe
UConnect 8.4" Touchscreen Delamination with Ghost Touches
Screen delamination (fluid buildup, air bubbles) causing involuntary button presses and system activation without driver input.
When: As early as low mileage; one case at 6,000 miles, another at 38,000 miles. Reported across 2017-2018 models.
Symptoms owners cite: Air bubbles or fluid forming under touchscreen; Ghost clicks triggering unintended phone calls (including 911); Navigation changes randomly; Climate control and seat heater activation without input; Radio station changes; Screen freeze or blank display; Extreme loud sounds from radio when system crashes
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers confirm the issue is known but state the screen cannot be repaired, only replaced. Replacement cost cited as approximately $1,500. Some owners report dealers refused warranty repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dodge has confirmed knowledge of the defect across 2017/2018 models. Manufacturer denied free repair in some cases. Software update was attempted in at least one case but failure recurred.
Body Control Module (BCM) / Electrical Module Failure
BCM and related electrical modules failing, causing multiple system malfunctions and loss of vehicle control.
When: Early ownership; one case reported at 1,641 miles, another with only 3 weeks of ownership.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle will not start; Transmission jammed in reverse; Instrument cluster warning lights (brake, check engine, service shifter, electronic stability control); All modules going offline while driving; Constant battery drain; Vehicle unable to move out of park
Codes mentioned: Brake warning, Check engine, Service shifter, Electronic stability control
Repairs/costs cited: BCM replacement required. One case involved replacement of original module #68354142 (no longer available) with revision AA or AB modules, both on backorder; vehicle sat at dealer for 24 days. Another case involved module reprogramming and replacement with no root cause found.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recalls mentioned. Dealership replaced modules without determining root cause.
ABS and Traction Control System Warnings with Power and Wiring Faults
ABS and traction control warning lights accompanied by reported power system failures, faulty wiring under center console, and intermittent system shutdowns.
When: Early in ownership; one case reported at undisclosed mileage with 32 days of repair time across two shops.
Symptoms owners cite: ABS warning light; Traction control warning light; Brake warning light constantly on; Service shifter message every 0.5 seconds; Vehicle will not move out of park / complete shutdown; Significant shaking and wobbling while braking; BUS power system failure
Repairs/costs cited: Shifter replaced due to faulty wiring under center console. Vehicle spent 32 days in repairs across two different shops. Additional issues noted: overheating, red fluid leakage.
Wiring and Electrical System Intermittent Failures
Sporadic electrical malfunctions affecting multiple vehicle systems including headlights, radio, starter, and overall power distribution.
When: Various mileages; one case at 68,000 miles. Intermittent nature makes timing unpredictable.
Symptoms owners cite: Headlights go out while driving or flicker on and off; Radio intermittently inoperative or freezes; Vehicle will not start (not battery or starter); Complete loss of power while driving; Dashboard and fan flicker on and off; Cruise control flicker on and off
Repairs/costs cited: No permanent repair documented. One owner reported YouTube videos exist showing burned mini fuses in the fuse box. Headlight fuses noted as separate for left and right headlights.
Electrical Fire / Armrest Console Melting
Armrest center console and surrounding interior components melted, exposing wiring and creating soot throughout vehicle interior. Potential fire hazard while vehicle parked.
When: Occurred overnight while vehicle parked in driveway; discovered morning of 10/17/2018.
Symptoms owners cite: Melted armrest console with exposed wires; Melted front center overhead light from heat; Soot covering vehicle interior; Potential for fire spread
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle towed to Dodge for investigation. No repair details provided.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dodge stated investigation would occur before determining warranty coverage.
Instrument Cluster and Radio Independent Operation
Instrument cluster and infotainment systems operating independently, changing settings, making calls, and switching functions without driver input.
When: At various mileages including 68,000 miles and during low-speed traffic.
Symptoms owners cite: Radio independently changes stations; Radio independently makes phone calls; Instrument cluster switches between icons independently; Climate control settings change without input; Heated seat activation without input; Navigation changes randomly
Repairs/costs cited: One vehicle had radio console replaced after software update failed to resolve issue.
Engine Power Loss and Electronic Throttle Control Error
Reduced engine power and acceleration on highway, with error codes related to electronic throttle control.
When: Mileage and timing not specified.
Symptoms owners cite: Insufficient fuel delivery for highway acceleration; Electronic throttle control error codes
Codes mentioned: Electronic throttle control error
Headlight Fuse Burning and Melting
Mini fuses in underhood fuse box charring and burning, causing headlight loss. Melting wiring reported.
When: Occurs intermittently; YouTube documentation exists of this issue.
Symptoms owners cite: Headlights go out; Yellow mini fuses charred/burned; Wiring melting; Separate fuses for left and right headlights affected
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple YouTube videos document this issue. Dodge customer service reportedly dismissive when contacted.
Vehicle Stalling While Driving
Engine shutting off unexpectedly during normal driving operation.
When: Occurs at various speeds; one case at 35 mph turn.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shuts off while driving; Loss of power steering assistance during shutdown; Vehicle must be restarted to continue operation
Brake System Malfunction with Unintended Braking
Unexpected braking activation at highway speed and brake system shaking during operation.
When: Reported at 75 mph highway speed; one case with 23,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Brakes apply on their own at highway speed; Brake system shaking while braking; Complete loss of braking in some instances
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 18V332000 (electrical system, vehicle speed control) was issued; vehicle included in recall.
Backup Camera Malfunction
Backup camera failure affecting driver visibility during reverse operation.
When: By 23,000 miles in at least one case.
Symptoms owners cite: Backup camera does not function 100 percent of the time
Weather Alert Distraction
Sirius XM weather alerts displaying on radio screen for weather hundreds or thousands of miles away, requiring manual touchscreen interaction to dismiss while driving.
When: Ongoing issue; Sirius XM generated alerts.
Symptoms owners cite: Severe weather alerts for distant locations display on screen; Manual touchscreen interaction required to clear alerts; Distraction while driving
Repairs/costs cited: Sirius XM unable or unwilling to disable alerts.
Synthesized from 39 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 9 most recent
The radio continues to beep & change stations while nobody is touching anything. The heated seat turns itself off & the passenger side temperature randomly changes itself while no one has touched anything all while driving down the road. It occurs on city streets and at highway speeds also.
The radio/head unit is pressing buttons all by itself. Will call 911, change settings, delete saved information, set random naviGation to the gps, changes a/c and heat settings, turns on different accessories without ever touching the screen. This is very dangerous.
The fuse box and screen inside car is going haywire causing the headlight to go out while driving, causing the screen to blink on and off while driving constantly dialing 911, not letting you use your navigation or being able to use the back up camera. I almost got into a wreck with my newborn due to this issue!!! You can’t even use some of the safety features due to this issue. When driving at…
While coming around a 35mph turn my car shut its self off. Normally it would say please put car in park but it shut off and had to panic and pull hard to make it around the turn. Put car in park then I was able to restart the car.
Electrical all lights on dashboard radio all went blank, blacked out as if the vehicle was turned off while driving and fully functioning.
Screen is pushing buttons and overall not working. Turns on heat on seats and will not let me turn them off burning my back with prolong heat. Will turn off my heater and change settings while driving. Has pushed the emergency call button. Changes stations constantly. Doesn’t not allow gos to be used. Tried calling customer services multiple times and it’s is a known issue with almost all and…
Electronic throttle control appears to be sending error codes to a hum. The car is not getting enough fuel to accelerate on the highway.
This car definitely has a wiring issue. Sometimes the car won't start. It is not the battery & it is not the starter. Occasionally the radio won't work. Sometimes when you are driving down the road, it loses all power. Sometimes the headlights just go out. Nobody can seem to find the issue.
Newly purchased stock vehicle with 1641 miles with very light use. Driving low speed in street traffic the modules went offline october 20, 2017 causing instrument cluster to show brake, check engine, lane sense warnings. Reported the incident to the dealer and they repaired and reprogrammed the modules. Vehicle was returned and within 24 hours a second incident occurred while driving the vehicle…
Had electrical trouble with your 2017 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 electrical problem on the 2017 Dodge Charger?
It's a meaningful issue. 39 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 16 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 25,000 and 70,000 miles, with the median around 54,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 25,000; a quarter make it past 70,000. 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 $850 for electrical 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 electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical 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/2017/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.