FaultScore

2011 Dodge Charger headlight problems

161 of the 1,042 complaints about the 2011 Dodge Charger are about the lighting — 15% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 55,000 miles.

D

161

Complaints

1

Crashes

21

Fires

1

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Exterior Lighting 143 88.8%
Headlights 18 11.2%

Lights across every Dodge Charger year

2006 24 9.2%
2011 161 61.7%
2012 52 19.9%
2015 11 4.2%
2019 13 5.0%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 70,000 miles Vinegar Bend, AL

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Charger. The contact stated that the front headlamps failed to provide adequate illumination while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who replaced the front headlamp bulbs and ballasts; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

NHTSA complaint #11515162 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Four Oaks, NC

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Both low headlights went out while driving at night. I have changed the bulbs out multiple times and the continue to blow out.

NHTSA complaint #11490706 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 200,000 miles Milledgeville, GA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Charger. The contact stated while driving, the driver-side headlight failed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the headlight was replaced however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the same independent mechanic but the vehicle had not been diagnosed. The dealer or the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

NHTSA complaint #11478682 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

North Wilkesboro, NC

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

The low beam left front headlight keeps going out every few months. It burns out and when I replace the bulb the harness looks hot and frayed. I keep loosing visibility while driving at night. Dodge stated I need a new headlamp harness. There are no warning lights present.

NHTSA complaint #11475931 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Mastic Beach, NY

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

The headlights, one or both, arbitrarily go out while driving at night.

NHTSA complaint #11452936 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Mastic Beach, NY

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Front headlights go out randomly as the vehicle warms up. Appears to be related to the 2011/2012 headlamp recall 12V-042 but my vehicle is not coming up on the notification list. Loss of headlights decreases ability to see and increases the risk of an accident. No dash messages, no computer messages. Lamps work when initially turned on so vehicle hasn't failed any safety inspections. All obvious checks provide no possible reason for this issue.

NHTSA complaint #11428208 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Wichita, KS

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

My vehicle has the symptoms listed in NHSTA 12V-042. The dealership would not complete the recall due to my VIN number not being included or my manufacture date not matching the dates. They directed me to email the NHSTA to get this resolved

NHTSA complaint #11420706 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 90,000 miles Ardmore, OK

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

MY CAR FRONT HALOGEN LIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT IN MOTION OR SITTING STILL ON ANY TYPE OF STREET. I HAVE TO TURN THEM OFF WAIT A MINUTE AND THEN TURN THEM BACK ON. WE HAVE SPENT THOUSAND OF DOLLARS AT THE DODGE HOUSE TO GET THIS FIXED AND THEY HAVE STATED THERE IS NOT RECALL IN PLACE AT THIS TIME. WE HAVE TO RUN THE FOG LIGHTS AT NIGHT JUST TO KEEP FROM WRECKING. THEY ASK ON ONE OF THE QUESTION, WHEN DID THIS HAPPEN. ITS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE WE BOUGHT THE CAR. THE BLIND SPOT WARNING IS WORKING EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE ALSO.

NHTSA complaint #11416519 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

RED OAK, TX

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT HAS GONE OUT 4 TIMES IN THE PAST 4 MONTHS. WHEN CHANGED/FIXED, EACH HEADLIGHT BULB IS BURNT AND 2 OUT OF THE 4 HAVE BUSTED INSIDE THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY. IT IS THE CORRECT BULB/VOLTAGE AND CERTIFIED OREM REPLACEMENT HEADLIGHT BULBS FOR THE LOW BEAM. EACH BULB LAST ONLY 4-6 WEEKS. NO SIGNS OF MOISTURE IN THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY OR FAULTY INSTALLATION.

NHTSA complaint #11320616 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 169,000 miles Denham Springs, LA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

THE DRIVER'S SIDE LOW BEAM WILL COME ON THEN GO OFF. AFTER AWHILE IT COMES BACK ON FOR A FEW SECONDS THEN GOES OUT AGAIN. THE VEHICLE CAN BE SITTING RUNNING OR GOING DOWN THE ROAD AND WILL DO THE SAME THING.

NHTSA complaint #11307085 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 99,000 miles Wichita, KS

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

ONE OR BOTH LOW-BEAM HEADLIGHTS CUT OFF WHILE OPERATING VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS RELEASED A SAFETY RECALL THAT APPLIES TO MY VEHICLE, HOWEVER, IT IS NOT REGISTERED TO MY VIN AT THE MOMENT. THE RECALL NUMBER IS P08 / NHTSA 14V-101. THIS HAS BEEN A RECURRING ISSUE.

NHTSA complaint #11299350 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 108,000 miles Lincoln, NE

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

WHILE DRIVING ON SMOOTH OR ROUGH ROADS, HIGHWAYS, CITY STREETS OR EVEN PARKED WITH LOW BEAMS ON EVERY TIME ONE LIGHT WILL START TO FLICKER AND GO OUT COMPLETELY AND WILL NOT COME BACK ON UNTIL LIGHT SWITCH IS TURNED OFF AND BACK ON. FIRST WAS DRIVER SIDE FOR A WEEK OR TWO, BUT NOW STAYS ON. BUT AS SOON AS THE DRIVER QUIT FLICKERING NOW THE PASSENGER SIDE DOES IT ALL THE TIME NOT A DAY FOR THE LAST 4 MONTHS HAS IT NOT TURNED OFF. DOESN'T MATTER IF LIGHTS ON AUTO OR MANUALLY TURNED ON THIS HAPPENS. THE AMOUNT OF TIME IT TAKES TO HAPPENS RANGES FROM FEW SECONDS TO 20 MIN. DEALER ACTS AS IF THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A PROBLEM AND CAN'T DUPLICATE PROBLEM SO CAN'T GET FIXED. THIS GOES FOR ME AND THOUSANDS OF OTHERS WITH SAME ISSUE WE NOW CAN'T DRIVE VEHICLE AT NIGHT OR TAKE A RISK THAT COULD EITHER GET US A TICKET FOR NO HEADLIGHT OR COULD BE IN A DRIVING SITUATION BEING PITCH BLACK OUT NO CITY LIGHTS TO HELP SEE MAKING A TURN AND LIGHTS GO OUT. THAT IS A FOR SURE WRECK OR EVEN DEATH. I DO KNOW OF A RECALL FOR THIS POLICE CHARGER JUST MINE ISN'T THE RIGHT TYPE SO WHY NOT MAKE IT FOR ALL TYPES. A PROBLEM IS A PROBLEM NO MATTER WHAT, BUT I GUESS OUR SAFETY ISN'T AS IMPORTANT BECAUSE IF IT WAS THEN THIS SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF.

NHTSA complaint #11281830 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 50,000 miles Marlboro, NY

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

HEADLAMP (LOW BEAM PROJECTION)REPEATEDLY SHUTS OFF AFTER FEW MINUTES DRIVING. I KNOW THAT SOME POLICE VEHICLES HAVE THIS PROBLEM AND THEY HAVE BEEN RECALLED. CAN NO LONGER USE MY PERSONAL CAR AFTER SUNSET. LOCAL DEALER WILL REPAIR BUT AT MY EXPENSE. THIS IS A BIG DEAL SAFETY ISSUE THAT I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT.

NHTSA complaint #11265872 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 35,000 miles Windchester, ID

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE CHARGER. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. AFTER TURNING THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH OFF AND BACK ON, THE HEADLIGHTS OPERATED NORMALLY. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. ADDITIONALLY, THE FOG LIGHTS ALSO FAILED TO OPERATE. WYSUP DODGE JEEP (115 S. GRAND AVE, PULLMAN, WA) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE BOTH NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID.

NHTSA complaint #11258941 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 77,000 miles South Holland, IL

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE CHARGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT CONTINUED TO FAIL AFTER BEING REPLACED. IN ORDER FOR THE HEADLIGHTS TO OPERATE CORRECTLY, THE CONTACT HAD TO HIT THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY WITH HIS HAND. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE AND DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE ABRUPTLY JERKED FORWARD. THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION AFTER THE INITIAL JERK MOVEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000.

NHTSA complaint #11243732 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 54,000 miles Colorado Springs, CO

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

MY VEHICLE IS HAVING ALL OF THE PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE P08 RECALL. MY LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY GO OUT WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. COMPLETELY DANGEROUS FOR ME TO DRIVE THIS WAY. FACTORY SAYS MY VEHICLE VIN IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. I BELIEVE THAT YOU CLEARLY MISSED DIAGNOSED WHAT VEHICLES WERE EFFECTED AS MINE IS. PLEASE HELP!

NHTSA complaint #11194579 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 108,000 miles Round Lake Beach, IL

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

WHEN I START THE VEHICLE, THE LOW BEAMS WORK NORMALLY. WITHIN FIVE MINUTES OF LIGHTS BEING ON, WHETHER IDLE OR DURING DRIVING, THEY WILL TURN OFF ON THERE OWN. I AM THEN FORCED TO USE HIGH BEAMS IN ORDER TO HAVE LIGHTING AT NIGHT.

NHTSA complaint #11191038 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 85,000 miles Cincinnati, OH

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

WHEN I AM DRIVING MY VEHICLE EITHER ONE OR BOTH HEADLIGHTS WILL GO OUT. I AM ABLE TO FLIP THEM OFF AND THEY WILL TURN BACK ON BUT CONTINUE TO GO OUT AS I AM DRIVING. THIS OCCURS DURING ALL DRIVING CONDITIONS, HIGHWAY, CITY, STATIONARY, MOVING, ACCELERATING, BREAKING.

NHTSA complaint #11180847 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lacombe, LA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE CHARGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY AND LATER SEIZED COMPLETELY. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE THE HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS ONLY. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA complaint #11180095 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 140,000 miles Inman, SC

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

WHILE DRIVING LIGHTS SHUT OFF, I SWITCH FROM AUTO TO ON, TO TURN LIGHTS BACK ON, LIGHTS FLICKER SLIGHTLY AS WELL. CAR TAKEN DEALERSHIP CHANGED CAR BATTERY, KEY FOG, AND SHORTENED WIRES TO LIGGTS. PROBLEM IS NOT FIXED.

NHTSA complaint #11165460 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 85,000 miles Spring Lake, NJ

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

2011 DODGE CHARGER R/T 5.7L HEMI WITH AUTOMATIC HIGH BEAMS. HEADLIGHT(LOW BEAM) INTERMITTENTLY GOES OUT AND SOMETIMES WHEN SWITCHING FROM HIGH TO LOW BEAM THE LOW BEAN DOESN'T FUNCTION AND ONE MUST TURN OFF THE LIGHTS MANUALLY AND RE-ENGAGE THEM TO WORK.

NHTSA complaint #11165399 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 98,000 miles Freedom, PA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

THE DRIVER'S SIDE HID LOW BEAM WILL RANDOMLY TURN OFF. UPON USING THE TOGGLE SWITCH TO TURN BOTH LIGHTS OFF AND BACK TO THE ON POSITION, THE FAILED HEADLAMP WILL RE-ILLUMINATE UNTIL IT FAILS AGAIN. THIS APPEARS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH THE BALLAST, NOT THE BULB.

NHTSA complaint #11154821 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 114,000 miles Rock Springs, WY

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE CHARGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN INTERNAL ELECTRICAL FAILURE WITH THE VEHICLE. THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS SHORTED OUT AND FAILED TO ILLUMINATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER (FREMONT MOTOR ROCK SPRINGS CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM FIAT, 1900 FOOTHILL BLVD, ROCK SPRINGS, WY 82901, (307) 228-2091) WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000.

NHTSA complaint #11151334 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Raleigh, NC

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE CHARGER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE FRONT PASSENGER HEADLIGHT FAILED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. AN UNKNOWN DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE OF THE FAILURE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT SPECIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA complaint #11132692 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 139,000 miles Tomah, WI

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

MY LOW BEAM ON THE THE CAR HAD GONE OUT AND WILL DO SO AFTER HAVING THE CAR ON FOR A FEW MINUTES THEN THE LIGHT WILL COME BACK ON IF I TURN THEM OFF AND IT WILL TURN OFF AGAIN. SOME TIMES THE LIGHTS WILL STAY ON FOR HOURS AND OTHER TIMES THEY TURN OFF WITHIN A COUPLE MINUTES AND USUALLY ONE LIGHT GOES FIRST AND THE OTHER SHORTLY AFTER

NHTSA complaint #11132408 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 108,000 miles Texarkana, AR Fire

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE CHARGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED AN ABNORMAL BURNING ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CLASSIC CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (1102 WALTON DR, TEXARKANA, TX 75503, (903) 716-0600) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE POWER DISTRIBUTION CENTER FUSE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED BECAUSE THE INCORRECT FUSE WAS INSTALLED AND OTHER ELECTRICAL SHORTS OCCURRED IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000.

NHTSA complaint #11114503 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 150,000 miles Blacklick, OH

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

SEVERAL TIMES, THE CAR HAS STALLED WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE HAD TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP, RESTART THE ENGINE AND IT HAS GONE AWAY. IN THE LAST 18 MONTHS I HAVE NOTICED ON RANDOM OCCASIONS, WHEN DOING A LEFT TURN, IT FEELS LIKE THE POWER STEERING IS NO LONGER WORKING, AND THIS ONLY HAPPENS ON LEFT TURNS. FINALLY, I HAVE SOME STRANGE ELECTRICAL ISSUES HAPPENING, SOMETIMES MY LEFT LOW BEAM WILL WORK, OTHER DAYS IT WON'T. NOW THE SOUND TO THE SPEAKERS HAVE STOPPED, AND THEN TODAY, I LEFT TO GO TO WORK, MY CAR WON'T START, ALL I HAVE IS AN ILLUMINATED ETC LIGHT AND NOTHING. I HAVE TRIED GETTING DODGE TO LOOK AT IT REPEATEDLY, IT IS CLEARLY A WIRING ELECTRICAL FAULT, THEY KEEP TELLING ME NOTHING IS UNDER REAL, AND I KEEP PUTTING MONEY AFTER MONEY INTO THE CAR, AND I THINK ITS GOING TO GET ME HURT ONE DAY.

NHTSA complaint #11075096 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 94,000 miles Mountlake Terrace, WA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

MY 2011 DODGE CHARGER HAD THE PO8 RECALL DONE IN JULY OF 2014 AT ABOUT 48000 MILES NOW AT 94000 MILES THE SAME PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED. I WAS TOLD THE FIX WILL BE $440.+ TAX AS THE PROBLEM IS A VOLTAGE DROP IN THE HARNESS THAT WAS INSTALLED AND NOT THE ORIGINAL MELTED WIRING THAT CAUSED THE PO8 RECALL. I THOUGHT FAULTY WIRING CAUSING LOSS OF HEADLIGHTS WAS A SAFETY ISSUE.

NHTSA complaint #11035207 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 103,000 miles Medford, NY

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

AT NIGHT OR WHEN HID HEADLIGHTS ARE ON FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES, ONE OF THE HEADLIGHTS WILL TURN OFF, LEAVING ONLY ONE LIGHT ON. IF I STOP THE CAR AND TURN OFF THE IGNITION AND RESTART THE CAR BOTH LIGHTS WILL BE ON. ALSO IF I TURN OFF THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH FOR A MOMENT AND THEN BACK TO THE ON POSITION BOTH HEADLIGHTS COME BACK ON. AT FIRST I THOUGHT I HAD A BURNT OUT BULB AND I TOOK THE CAR TO FIRESTONE TO GET A REPLACEMENT BULB, BUT THEY SAID BOTH HEADLIGHTS WORK AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. I TOOK IT TO A DODGE DEALERSHIP AND THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. NEITHER FIRESTONE OR DODGE CHARGED ME ANYTHING FOR THE CHECK. THEY BOTH SAID "NO PROBLEM FOUND". NOW DODGE SENT ME A RECALL NOTICE FOR AN ALTERNATOR PROBLEM. I WONDER IF THIS IS RELATED.

NHTSA complaint #11022131 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 80,000 miles Willingboro, NJ

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE CHARGER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE INTERIOR LIGHTING DIMMED AND THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WERE NOT ILLUMINATED. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AT NIGHT, THE HEADLIGHTS DID NOT WORK AT ALL. THERE WAS A COMPLETE LOSS OF HEADLIGHT FUNCTIONALITY, WHICH PROMPTED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED AT PEP BOYS IN EDGEWATER PARK, NEW JERSEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT BULBS WERE REMOVED AND REINSERTED BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT THE SOURCE OF THE FAILURE. IN ADDITION, THE FUSES WERE INSPECTED BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED DIRECTLY. PEP BOYS LOCATED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V101000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE DEALER. AN UNKNOWN DODGE DEALER IN LUMBERTON, NEW JERSEY WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE CONTACT'S VIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND AGREED WITH THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000.

NHTSA complaint #11014177 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2011 Dodge Charger problems

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