Been awhile since I've posted and that was in the Durango section. This is my first post about my 2016 RT Plus STP and it is to share what happened to her and hopefully figure out what might have gone wrong.

Back on 9/11 I exited the freeway near home, stopped at the light and proceeded to accelerate when the light turned green. I was behind another car and as I reached about 15 MPH, there was a bang sound and thump from under the car. At first I thought I hit something on the road, but the car in front of me didn't hit anything. The car bogged down and as I gave it gas, it shuddered and felt like I had something wedged under me and dragging it. I managed to get over to the right lane and attempted to shut it off. It wouldn't turn off. I made sure I put it in park, and I had. I tried holding the button, but still wouldn't shut off. At this point smoke is pouring from under the hood. I grabbed my personal belongings from the interior, but the trunk wouldn't open as it thought I was still in drive. It was at that moment flame started to lap up the windshield. I got away from it to call 911, but at that moment a.police car arrived and called it in. From that point on all I could do is watch it burn. It was fully involved by the time the fire dept arrived.

The car was 7 years old, fully maintained, 34K miles, not engine or transmission mods and driven moderately, rarely hard. I opened a case with Chrysler Care as it was under extended warranty. They inspected it and denied any responsibility and basically told me that fires happen.

I leaning towards a transmission failure that must have sprayed fluid over the hot exhaust.

The last few pics I took the next day to show the trail of fluid I left from the point at which it started to where it ended.

I had planned on keeping it for years more. It never had any issues other than needing a new battery at 6 years.

If anyone has insight as to what might have gone wrong, I'd like to hear it.

 

Probably a line popped, hit something hot, and started burning. Given the facts as you have stated them, I don't see how that could possibly NOT be a warranty issue. Cars don't generally spontaneously combust.... well, maybe electric cars...... I would have it inspected by an independent shop, and see what they have to say, or, your insurance company at any rate....

 

Too late for independent inspection. It is owned by coparts now after insurance paid. I have been trying to get access to the report done by Chrysler, but no luck. All they would share is their noting my aftermarket brakes and rotors, CAI, wheels and tires and that the tread was low. None of which relate to what happened.

Something good came out of it as the low mileage got me top dollar from insurance and I was able to get my hands on a last call RT with all the features as the last one, plus more new tech. Was the only one in 100 miles of me and just happens to be the same color. Do miss the red interior, though. But the red brembos are helping.

Need better pics. Thing i find really annoying is the cost of add ons i did back in 2018 are 2 to 3 times higher. Challenger door sill guards i paid 60 for are now 160 or higher. Gorilla lugs 107 up from 64. Other thing is who thought putting, basically highway tires on a performance car was a good idea? These RSA 2s suck. 440 Treadwell is way too hard.

 

That IS a pretty car.