Alternator Fire Hazard Prompts FCA Recall of Heavy Duty Pickups, Police Chargers

By Chris Chase

Oct 17, 2016

Summary

Dealers will install alternate alternators

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) has recalled more than 10,000 heavy duty pickup trucks and police duty Charger sedans to replace alternators that could catch fire.

These vehicles all use a 220-amp alternator built to handle the tough job of providing enough juice to run their complex electrical systems. According to Transport Canada, if these alternators have to work hard for an extended period of time -- especially in hot weather -- they can develop a short circuit that could cause a fire in the engine compartment. That condition would also possibly lead to the engine stalling; one of the many problematic aspects of fire.

FCA is asking its dealers to replace the alternators in these vehicles, which were sold between 2007 and 2014.

Meet the Author

As a child, Chris spent most of his time playing with toy cars in his parents’ basement or making car sounds while riding his bicycle. Now he's an award-winning Algonquin College Journalism grad who has been playing with real cars that make their own noises since the early 2000s.