[NYCScattie]

I purchased a 2018 Dodge Challenger Scat Pack Challenger from Smith Haven Dodge on September 24th. I've encountered an issue with the vehicle starting in the middle of October. I returned to the car after a few days of it being parked with the battery completely drained. I thought to myself, maybe I had left something on in the interior but was positive I didn't. The vehicle was towed to Brooklyn Chrysler Jeep Dodge on October 13th, where they checked the car's battery and electrical wiring and returned the car the same day.

The next day as I approached my car I noticed that the 8.4 inch screen was on inside (radio playing as well), with the car totally off. I realized that this is what caused the battery to be drained the first time; the UConnect screen turned and stayed on until the car was totally drained of its battery. I brought the car back to the same dealership on Sunday October 15th. They did some system reconfiguration and reset the battery, but nothing further as the electrical service specialist wasn't present.

The problem stopped for a little, or so it seemed. I left the car parked for 3 days while I was away, and returned on Saturday October 28th to it dead once more, completely drained of battery. The car was towed once more to Brooklyn Chrysler Jeep Dodge on Monday, October 30th and was serviced for 10 days. They returned the car and said that the issue was 'erratic voltage to the driver door handle', replaced the part and gave the car back. Came back to the car that same night and saw the screen on AGAIN. I unplugged the battery and left the car parked up till November 13th. On that day I brought it to Smith Haven and it has been there being serviced ever since. They have been trying to replicate the problem so that they can fix it, but (of course) it's only happened twice while the cars been there so far. They've now told me they're sending a field engineer down to try to fix the issue.

Needless to say, I am FURIOUS at this situation. I've been driving around in a Jeep Cherokee loaner, and my Scat Pack has been in a service department more than it has been in my possession. The car does not even have 900 miles on it... Has ANYONE experienced anything similar to this, and if so what was the solution???

Thank you guys, rant over lol.

 

[nunya]

Wow I really feel for you as that has got to suck. I have a 2015 Challenger RT and have had no electrical problems.

 

[BeastieOwner]

I know how you feel, my first New Challenger SXT Plus had horrible electrical issues from day 1, If I remember correctly I had 2 loaners and a lot of agro.. At the end of the day, it was a bad battery and the sensors in the fuel tank had gone open circuit or something.. Call FCA start a Case # - they will compensate you..
My SRT had quite a few issues on delivery, once again I started a Case, after 4 or 5 visits to the dealer & 2 loaners everything was finally sorted.. (received a nice check from FCA plus 3 years free servicing)...
Don't Despair...

 

[AdanFiveseveN]

I feel for you man! just some kind of freak issue, I would call FCA directly and explain and hopefully get some compensation for the down time!

 

[NYCScattie]

I know how you feel, my first New Challenger SXT Plus had horrible electrical issues from day 1, If I remember correctly I had 2 loaners and a lot of agro.. At the end of the day, it was a bad battery and the sensors in the fuel tank had gone open circuit or something.. Call FCA start a Case # - they will compensate you..
My SRT had quite a few issues on delivery, once again I started a Case, after 4 or 5 visits to the dealer & 2 loaners everything was finally sorted.. (received a nice check from FCA plus 3 years free servicing)...
Don't Despair...

I actually filled out a survey that I coincidentally received from Dodge the week before it went back to Smith Haven (needless to say I expressed my concerns) and FCA reached out and opened a case with me and they've been coordinating with the dealership directly to ensure 'everything's covered under warranty'. Basically they're just monitoring the situation and will be my point of contact if this needs to go the legal route (lemon). Sorry to hear about your troubles man, it's been a real headache so I feel your pain.

 

[MommaBetty]

Well that sucks!!! No problems with mine, 17,000 miles on her. I know it must be hard to be patient now, but this will get resolved. Sounds like they have some good people working on it now. Hang in there!

 

[DriveBfive]

I had a similar problem with my 2017 T/A when I got it in late July. The dealer had married my I phone 5C to the car and said I was good to go. I had heard about issues with the radio and screen staying on while the car was off and it happened to me. Turned the car off to pick up a sandwich...when I got back the screen and radio were still on. I was aware of the u-connect issues and feared that the battery would go dead. I called my buddy and he told me to go out to the car with my phone. I powered down/turned off the phone....started the car and was able to turn the radio off. To test ..I turned the phone back on... started the car...put the radio on and again it would not turn off when I shut the car down. I powered the phone down again...went into the phone settings menu on the screen and deleted the phone from the system altogether. Since then I haven't had any issues with the radio or screen staying on while the car is off. Once in a while the screen tells me there is no phone active and would I like to add one? which I generally ignore. I hope they get it sorted out for you soon.

 

[cdahl383]

Problems like that are the worst, hard to replicate and diagnose. But clearly something is turning your radio or head unit on when it shouldn't. Seems like they would start there and work from there. Maybe they will need to replace the entire head unit or something. Either way, it sounds like it should be something they can fix, but that has to be really frustrating, I would be pissed off as well.

My wife's Jeep Cherokee has always had little gremlins in the radio. It will turn on really loud when you first start the car sometimes. Other times it will skip songs or not register that the phone is plugged in. Her old Chrysler 300 had issues with the head unit screen blurring out when the backup camera came on. Chrysler definitely has some issues when it comes to electrical stuff.

My Challenger hasn't had any issues yet, 2015 with 20K miles on it, but I did have a problem with the heat/cool doors not working right on one side of the car. One side was stuck on cold air. It eventually fixed itself so I didn't have to go to the dealer.

Hope it all works out for you and you get your car back soon!

 

[NYCScattie]

I had a similar problem with my 2017 T/A when I got it in late July. The dealer had married my I phone 5C to the car and said I was good to go. I had heard about issues with the radio and screen staying on while the car was off and it happened to me. Turned the car off to pick up a sandwich...when I got back the screen and radio were still on. I was aware of the u-connect issues and feared that the battery would go dead. I called my buddy and he told me to go out to the car with my phone. I powered down/turned off the phone....started the car and was able to turn the radio off. To test ..I turned the phone back on... started the car...put the radio on and again it would not turn off when I shut the car down. I powered the phone down again...went into the phone settings menu on the screen and deleted the phone from the system altogether. Since then I haven't had any issues with the radio or screen staying on while the car is off. Once in a while the screen tells me there is no phone active and would I like to add one? which I generally ignore. I hope they get it sorted out for you soon.

Ahh i see where the issue stemmed for you. Yeah man I actually tried that as well but no dice. I have peace of mind that the problem actually happened when it was in their possession, which means it's not something that I'm causing myself. Thank you though, i hope so too

 

[baggerjack]

Best thing you have going is factory involvement early on. Keep your contacts active and keep pressing them. It should work out in the end. Hope they take care of it for you while your patience still holds!

 

[Jazz Blue SP 392]

Google Uconnect problems. It started in 2017 and is affecting 2018 cars as well. A few have had their head units replaced a number of times before the car has hit 1000 miles aand it's still not fixed.

 

[Clump]

The "new" UConnect has quite a few problems.

My GF bought a new Jeep Compass with factory Nav last Saturday. Nav didn't work. It's been back at the dealership since Monday. She's driving a Chrysler 200 loaner and not very happy. They have ordered a new head unit that hopefully comes in today.

Glad to have the old system in my Challenger and Cherokee! I'm sure they'll get it all sorted eventually, but obviously wasn't ready for production.

Here's a tip I found for the new system- To reboot the system touch the upper right corner of the screen for 10 seconds. It will reboot when you take your finger off.

 

[TikiMan]

Dump it, leave it at the dealership and get another one.

 

[Clump]

The "new" UConnect has quite a few problems.

My GF bought a new Jeep Compass with factory Nav last Saturday. Nav didn't work. It's been back at the dealership since Monday. She's driving a Chrysler 200 loaner and not very happy. They have ordered a new head unit that hopefully comes in today.

Glad to have the old system in my Challenger and Cherokee! I'm sure they'll get it all sorted eventually, but obviously wasn't ready for production.

Here's a tip I found for the new system- To reboot the system touch the upper right corner of the screen for 10 seconds. It will reboot when you take your finger off.

The dealer replaced the head unit today and it's all working, at least for now.

 

[SamFay]

I purchased a 2018 Dodge Challenger Scat Pack Challenger from Smith Haven Dodge on September 24th. I've encountered an issue with the vehicle starting in the middle of October. I returned to the car after a few days of it being parked with the battery completely drained. I thought to myself, maybe I had left something on in the interior but was positive I didn't. The vehicle was towed to Brooklyn Chrysler Jeep Dodge on October 13th, where they checked the car's battery and electrical wiring and returned the car the same day.

The next day as I approached my car I noticed that the 8.4 inch screen was on inside (radio playing as well), with the car totally off. I realized that this is what caused the battery to be drained the first time; the UConnect screen turned and stayed on until the car was totally drained of its battery. I brought the car back to the same dealership on Sunday October 15th. They did some system reconfiguration and reset the battery, but nothing further as the electrical service specialist wasn't present.

The problem stopped for a little, or so it seemed. I left the car parked for 3 days while I was away, and returned on Saturday October 28th to it dead once more, completely drained of battery. The car was towed once more to Brooklyn Chrysler Jeep Dodge on Monday, October 30th and was serviced for 10 days. They returned the car and said that the issue was 'erratic voltage to the driver door handle', replaced the part and gave the car back. Came back to the car that same night and saw the screen on AGAIN. I unplugged the battery and left the car parked up till November 13th. On that day I brought it to Smith Haven and it has been there being serviced ever since. They have been trying to replicate the problem so that they can fix it, but (of course) it's only happened twice while the cars been there so far. They've now told me they're sending a field engineer down to try to fix the issue.

Needless to say, I am FURIOUS at this situation. I've been driving around in a Jeep Cherokee loaner, and my Scat Pack has been in a service department more than it has been in my possession. The car does not even have 900 miles on it... Has ANYONE experienced anything similar to this, and if so what was the solution???

Thank you guys, rant over lol.

 

[SamFay]

I’m currently having issues with my radio as well. I bought the car brand new 9/17. Three weeks later the radio would not shut off or do anything at all. Went to dealership. They did a hard reset. A couple days later same thing. Now, during this time I have only been able to connect to Sirius guardian to “locate” vehicle one time. Otherwise, same results as DDT, tellingme I need a software update etc. took it in and still can’t find my car. I’ve dealt with Uconnect and Sirius over and over and over. Told there was a known issue about this but no fix as of yet.
So, meanwhile it’s now February, I’ve had the radio freeze up a couple more times and I learned how to do the hard reset myself. I put an aftermarket sub and amp in the car with a reputable shop on Feb 27. Mid March, the Bluetooth suddenly doesn’t exist anymore as I’m driving. I go immediately to the dealership. They start trying to figure it out and tell me they can’t and I have to schedule an appointment. 4 hours later it starts working again. So I don’t do the appointment. About a month or so later I finally try to use my guardian app again to start my car and it doesn’t work. Again, dealing with everyone back and forth. Assuming this issue happened when I lost the Bluetooth. So, my car goes back into the shop in June. They reset it and tell me they have to replace the radio. I get the car back. This is when I find out all the installed apps are missing from the app page. I start the whole calling around process again. Now they assign me a case manager. He tells me via phone how to reset to get my apps. This works and everything is ok again other than the main issue.
I finally get the new stereo in over a month later. It’s been in the shop since last Tuesday. They call me Friday and tell me the new radio was installed and it was driven to point A to point B, and it shut off. So now they are back to talking to the whole 1 of supposed 11 techs that deal with this in the country (I call bs) to figure it out again. Then they have the nerve to mention something about my sub and amp. I’ve had to stand my ground and continue to tell them it’s been faulty ever since 3 weeks after purchase. And my case manager won’t get into hypothetical “if it’s unrepairable”. I’d like to know if they will lemon law my car. However, I’m really thinking they are gonna try to use the aftermarket as the excuse. I’m at my wits end with this radio.....

 

[nunya]

I’m currently having issues with my radio as well. I bought the car brand new 9/17. Three weeks later the radio would not shut off or do anything at all. Went to dealership. They did a hard reset. A couple days later same thing. Now, during this time I have only been able to connect to Sirius guardian to “locate” vehicle one time. Otherwise, same results as DDT, tellingme I need a software update etc. took it in and still can’t find my car. I’ve dealt with Uconnect and Sirius over and over and over. Told there was a known issue about this but no fix as of yet.
So, meanwhile it’s now February, I’ve had the radio freeze up a couple more times and I learned how to do the hard reset myself. I put an aftermarket sub and amp in the car with a reputable shop on Feb 27. Mid March, the Bluetooth suddenly doesn’t exist anymore as I’m driving. I go immediately to the dealership. They start trying to figure it out and tell me they can’t and I have to schedule an appointment. 4 hours later it starts working again. So I don’t do the appointment. About a month or so later I finally try to use my guardian app again to start my car and it doesn’t work. Again, dealing with everyone back and forth. Assuming this issue happened when I lost the Bluetooth. So, my car goes back into the shop in June. They reset it and tell me they have to replace the radio. I get the car back. This is when I find out all the installed apps are missing from the app page. I start the whole calling around process again. Now they assign me a case manager. He tells me via phone how to reset to get my apps. This works and everything is ok again other than the main issue.
I finally get the new stereo in over a month later. It’s been in the shop since last Tuesday. They call me Friday and tell me the new radio was installed and it was driven to point A to point B, and it shut off. So now they are back to talking to the whole 1 of supposed 11 techs that deal with this in the country (I call bs) to figure it out again. Then they have the nerve to mention something about my sub and amp. I’ve had to stand my ground and continue to tell them it’s been faulty ever since 3 weeks after purchase. And my case manager won’t get into hypothetical “if it’s unrepairable”. I’d like to know if they will lemon law my car. However, I’m really thinking they are gonna try to use the aftermarket as the excuse. I’m at my wits end with this radio.....

Wow sorry your have problems like this with your radio. I had 4 challengers and haven't had problems with any of the radio's. Good luck hope you get it resolved!

 

[SamFay]

Wow sorry your have problems like this with your radio. I had 4 challengers and haven't had problems with any of the radio's. Good luck hope you get it resolved!

Thanks. I hope so too!!!

 

[Lisaaaaa1117]

I purchased a 2018 Dodge Challenger Scat Pack Challenger from Smith Haven Dodge on September 24th. I've encountered an issue with the vehicle starting in the middle of October. I returned to the car after a few days of it being parked with the battery completely drained. I thought to myself, maybe I had left something on in the interior but was positive I didn't. The vehicle was towed to Brooklyn Chrysler Jeep Dodge on October 13th, where they checked the car's battery and electrical wiring and returned the car the same day.

The next day as I approached my car I noticed that the 8.4 inch screen was on inside (radio playing as well), with the car totally off. I realized that this is what caused the battery to be drained the first time; the UConnect screen turned and stayed on until the car was totally drained of its battery. I brought the car back to the same dealership on Sunday October 15th. They did some system reconfiguration and reset the battery, but nothing further as the electrical service specialist wasn't present.

The problem stopped for a little, or so it seemed. I left the car parked for 3 days while I was away, and returned on Saturday October 28th to it dead once more, completely drained of battery. The car was towed once more to Brooklyn Chrysler Jeep Dodge on Monday, October 30th and was serviced for 10 days. They returned the car and said that the issue was 'erratic voltage to the driver door handle', replaced the part and gave the car back. Came back to the car that same night and saw the screen on AGAIN. I unplugged the battery and left the car parked up till November 13th. On that day I brought it to Smith Haven and it has been there being serviced ever since. They have been trying to replicate the problem so that they can fix it, but (of course) it's only happened twice while the cars been there so far. They've now told me they're sending a field engineer down to try to fix the issue.

Needless to say, I am FURIOUS at this situation. I've been driving around in a Jeep Cherokee loaner, and my Scat Pack has been in a service department more than it has been in my possession. The car does not even have 900 miles on it... Has ANYONE experienced anything similar to this, and if so what was the solution???

Thank you guys, rant over lol.

 

[Lisaaaaa1117]

i have a 2018 scatpack and i literally have the same issues happening!! So bough in march 2018, the car died a few weeks later. dealer is clueless. I have noticed when i take out the trash or i am outs by the garage a few times the screen has been on when i have not been in or near the car. battery has died several times. Friday the battery died and the screen has not came on since. i have an appointment at noon today.. what was the result with your car did they replace the Uconnect or are you still having issues??

I purchased a 2018 Dodge Challenger Scat Pack Challenger from Smith Haven Dodge on September 24th. I've encountered an issue with the vehicle starting in the middle of October. I returned to the car after a few days of it being parked with the battery completely drained. I thought to myself, maybe I had left something on in the interior but was positive I didn't. The vehicle was towed to Brooklyn Chrysler Jeep Dodge on October 13th, where they checked the car's battery and electrical wiring and returned the car the same day.

The next day as I approached my car I noticed that the 8.4 inch screen was on inside (radio playing as well), with the car totally off. I realized that this is what caused the battery to be drained the first time; the UConnect screen turned and stayed on until the car was totally drained of its battery. I brought the car back to the same dealership on Sunday October 15th. They did some system reconfiguration and reset the battery, but nothing further as the electrical service specialist wasn't present.

The problem stopped for a little, or so it seemed. I left the car parked for 3 days while I was away, and returned on Saturday October 28th to it dead once more, completely drained of battery. The car was towed once more to Brooklyn Chrysler Jeep Dodge on Monday, October 30th and was serviced for 10 days. They returned the car and said that the issue was 'erratic voltage to the driver door handle', replaced the part and gave the car back. Came back to the car that same night and saw the screen on AGAIN. I unplugged the battery and left the car parked up till November 13th. On that day I brought it to Smith Haven and it has been there being serviced ever since. They have been trying to replicate the problem so that they can fix it, but (of course) it's only happened twice while the cars been there so far. They've now told me they're sending a field engineer down to try to fix the issue.

Needless to say, I am FURIOUS at this situation. I've been driving around in a Jeep Cherokee loaner, and my Scat Pack has been in a service department more than it has been in my possession. The car does not even have 900 miles on it... Has ANYONE experienced anything similar to this, and if so what was the solution???

Thank you guys, rant over lol.