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IDCM Loose Cables — Electrical Fire Risk While Parked or Driving
Vehicle catches fire or smokes while parked or driven; burning smell; visible smoke from engine compartment; potential total loss.
Catastrophic2023
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2023-2025 Dodge Hornet R/T PHEV: fire recall, brake collapse & charging failures. Qualify for a California lemon law buyback? Free case review.
You paid a premium for the 2023-2026 Dodge Hornet R/T plug-in hybrid because you wanted an all-wheel-drive SUV that could run on electricity and save fuel. What a troubling number of owners discovered instead was a vehicle that could catch fire while parked, lose its brakes mid-drive without warning, refuse to charge its battery, and go dark in the backup camera the moment they reversed out of a parking space. Five federal recalls cover the Hornet R/T PHEV. The most serious — NHTSA Recall 23V-623 (September 2023) — found that improperly torqued high-voltage cable connections at the Italian assembly plant could cause the vehicle to catch fire with the engine on or off, even while parked. NHTSA advised owners not to park indoors until the repair was completed. Separately, the brake pedal arm on 2024-2025 model year units was found to collapse under normal braking load (Recalls 24V-752 and 25V-846, together covering approximately 20,246 units), eliminating the driver's ability to slow the vehicle. Add to that a backup camera recall covering 40,372 units (25V-246), a missing pedestrian alert siren recall covering 2,032 units (23V-696), and widespread owner complaints about charging failures and electrical warning cascades, and the Hornet R/T PHEV has the defect density of a vehicle that should never have left the factory. California's Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act gives you the right to demand a full manufacturer buyback or replacement vehicle when Dodge cannot fix your car after a reasonable number of attempts.
The issues owners report most, ranked by severity — each one verified against a cited NHTSA source.
Vehicle catches fire or smokes while parked or driven; burning smell; visible smoke from engine compartment; potential total loss.
Brake pedal goes to floor without resistance; brakes stop working mid-drive; driver unable to slow vehicle with foot brake.
Backup camera shows blank/black screen when shifting into reverse; driver has no rearview assist while backing up.
No audible warning when reversing in EV mode; pedestrians and cyclists not alerted to approaching vehicle; silence where chime is expected.
Dashboard 'Service Charging System' message; high-voltage battery stuck at 0% or won't charge on Level 1 or Level 2; car reverts to hybrid-only mode unexpectedly; radiator fan runs at maximum speed during charging.
Multiple warning lights illuminate simultaneously; instrument cluster goes dark; power steering loses assist unexpectedly; adaptive cruise control and forward-collision systems malfunction.
A settled Margarian Law case on this exact model, published with the actual settlement math.
Open any defect for the symptoms and why it matters for a California lemon-law claim. Each is tied to a cited NHTSA source.
Vehicle catches fire or smokes while parked or driven; burning smell; visible smoke from engine compartment; potential total loss.
Catastrophic safety defect; a single fire event would satisfy substantial-impairment standard. Owners should document park-outdoors advisory from NHTSA and any inability to use vehicle prior to repair.
Dealer inspects and torques IDCM 12V and HV cable connections to spec (~1 hour labor); no parts replacement required in most cases.
Brake pedal goes to floor without resistance; brakes stop working mid-drive; driver unable to slow vehicle with foot brake.
Loss of primary braking is a per-se safety defect; even a single failure event or multiple repair attempts for the same condition strongly supports lemon-law eligibility. Recall was subsequently expanded (25V-846), indicating the problem scope was larger than initially identified.
Dealer reinforces brake pedal arm by adding a bolt and nut (~30 minutes labor). Electronic Park Brake serves as emergency fallback.
Backup camera shows blank/black screen when shifting into reverse; driver has no rearview assist while backing up.
FMVSS No. 111 mandates a functional rearview image system. Failure violates federal safety standard; owners with repeated camera failures before/after recall repair should document each occurrence as a separate repair attempt.
Vehicles built before 2023-12-06 receive a replacement radio head unit plus software update; vehicles built after receive software update only.
No audible warning when reversing in EV mode; pedestrians and cyclists not alerted to approaching vehicle; silence where chime is expected.
Violates FMVSS No. 141; though not a direct drivability defect, federal non-compliance supports a substantial impairment argument, particularly if combined with other active defects.
Dealer inspects siren connector and secures or replaces connector/siren at no cost.
Dashboard 'Service Charging System' message; high-voltage battery stuck at 0% or won't charge on Level 1 or Level 2; car reverts to hybrid-only mode unexpectedly; radiator fan runs at maximum speed during charging.
Inability to charge the PHEV battery defeats the core powertrain function the vehicle was sold to provide. Repeated module flashes without lasting resolution across multiple visits strengthens a substantial-number-of-repair-attempts argument.
Module reprogramming (PCM, IDCM, TCM, BPCM multi-flash); in severe hardware cases, IDCM replacement. Multiple TSBs address progressive software updates.
Multiple warning lights illuminate simultaneously; instrument cluster goes dark; power steering loses assist unexpectedly; adaptive cruise control and forward-collision systems malfunction.
Safety-critical systems (steering, AEB, FCW) losing function in concert is a strong lemon-law indicator. Owners with unresolved multi-system electrical failures after 2+ repair attempts should track each visit separately. NHTSA complaint data shows one owner with vehicle out of service 140+ days.
Module reprogramming, software updates, ground inspections; some cases unresolved after multiple dealer visits.
Rear outboard (window-seat) belt webbing visibly twisted; belt retracts slowly or not at all; belt stays loose against a passenger and does not hold tension.
Seat belts are part of the occupant restraint system, a core safety system; documented complaints of twisted or non-retracting rear belts that a dealer could not resolve, especially before the remedy becomes available, may support a California Song-Beverly claim.
Dealer replaces the rear outboard seat belt retractors with a newly designed part under recall 26V510, free of charge. Repair not yet available to owners as of Aug 10, 2026; owner letters expected on or about September 24, 2026.
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Rear outboard seat belt retractors supplied by Autoliv ASP have a design weakness that allows the belt webbing to become twisted during normal use. A twisted belt may not retract freely or maintain tension against the occupant. No warning indicator alerts the owner to the condition.
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Expansion of 24V-752; additional 2024 MY units with the same brake pedal arm collapse defect identified after initial recall.
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Software defect in infotainment microprocessor, or cold-solder fault in radio voltage regulator, prevents rearview camera image from displaying when vehicle is shifted into reverse.
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Brake pedal arm may collapse under normal braking load due to insufficient structural reinforcement, eliminating the driver's ability to engage service brakes.
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Rear pedestrian alert siren may be missing entirely or have an improperly seated connector, preventing audible warning when vehicle is reversing in EV mode.
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12V battery positive cable and/or high-voltage connector nuts on the IDCM may be missing or under-torqued due to factory assembly error, creating high-resistance connections.
Every item below comes from this vehicle's documented defects. The more you recognize, the more a free case review is worth your time.
California's Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act — commonly called the California Lemon Law — requires a manufacturer to repurchase or replace a defective vehicle if it cannot be fixed after a reasonable number of attempts within the warranty period. For safety defects (fire risk, brake failure, loss of steering), California courts have found that as few as two repair attempts can be 'reasonable.' For other defects, the threshold is generally four or more attempts, or 30 or more cumulative days out of service. If your Hornet R/T PHEV qualifies, you may receive your full purchase price back (plus taxes, registration, and financing costs, minus a usage allowance) or a comparable replacement vehicle. Under Song-Beverly, the manufacturer must also pay your attorney fees separately — so qualified legal representation typically costs you nothing out of pocket. This page provides general legal information only and is not legal advice. Every case depends on its specific facts; consult a licensed California lemon-law attorney to evaluate your repair history and warranty coverage.
“Could not duplicate” doesn't mean the defect isn't real. Here's exactly what to do to protect a potential California lemon-law claim.
Document the moment it happens. Photos, video, and screenshots of any warning lights — with the date and the mileage.
Get a repair order every visit — even “found nothing.” That paperwork is the foundation of a claim.
Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Note any recall that has no available remedy yet.
Track your out-of-service days. California law counts the cumulative days your vehicle spends in the shop.
Keep loaner & rental records. Alternate-transport paperwork during long repairs matters.
Save everything in one place. Symptoms, dates, repair orders, and every repeat visit — the intermittent ones especially.
If your dealer writes 'no fault found' or 'cannot duplicate' on a repair order, your lemon-law rights are not lost. Here is how to protect them:
1. For the fire recall (23V-623): confirm your 2023 Hornet PHEV VIN is in the recall population (production window December 13, 2022 through August 23, 2023). The fix is dealer inspection and re-torquing of the IDCM cable connections — it should take about one hour. Demand a written repair order showing the recall number and completion date. If the dealer claims your VIN is not affected, call FCA at 800-853-1403 and check recalls.nhtsa.gov with your VIN.
2. For the brake pedal collapse (24V-752 / 25V-846): the fix is a reinforcing bolt and nut added to the brake pedal arm — approximately 30 minutes of labor. If you experienced any pedal-to-floor event before the repair, document it in writing (date, mileage, conditions) and note it on the repair order. A single brake failure event is a catastrophic safety defect and is strong lemon-law evidence on its own.
3. For charging failures: insist on a multi-module software flash (PCM, IDCM, TCM, BPCM per TSB 08-047-23 / NHTSA MC-10248013) and ask the dealer to document which modules were updated and to which software versions. If the 'Service Charging System' warning returns after a flash, that is a separate repair attempt for lemon-law counting purposes.
4. For electrical cascades and warning light storms: photograph the dashboard at the moment the lights appear and log the exact messages. Intermittent faults that the dealer cannot replicate are common with the Hornet PHEV's electrical architecture. Your documented incident log is evidence even without a dealer confirmation.
5. Keep every repair order. If you have been to the dealer two or more times for any single safety defect, or 30 or more cumulative days out of service, contact a California lemon-law attorney immediately.
Five recalls. A fire advisory that told owners not to park indoors. Brakes that can go to the floor without warning. A charging system that defeats the entire purpose of buying a plug-in hybrid. The Dodge Hornet R/T PHEV's defect record is one of the most serious we have seen in a compact SUV of this generation. If your vehicle is one of the thousands affected by these recalls and you have been to the dealer more than once for any of these problems, you likely have a lemon-law case. The manufacturer pays attorney fees when you win — which means the only thing you risk by calling us is 15 minutes of your time.
— The Margarian Law team
If you own a 2023, 2024, or 2025 Dodge Hornet R/T PHEV and you have experienced fire symptoms, brake failure, a charging system that won't work, or a backup camera that goes dark — and your dealer has visited more than once without a lasting fix — you may qualify for a full California lemon-law buyback at no cost to you. Our attorneys have successfully resolved thousands of California lemon-law cases against Stellantis brands. Submit your repair orders for a free, no-obligation case review. If your Hornet qualifies, Dodge pays our fees.
Yes. NHTSA Recall 23V-623 (issued September 2023) covers 2,254 Dodge Hornet R/T PHEV units produced between December 13, 2022 and August 23, 2023. The defect: the 12-volt battery positive cable and/or high-voltage connector nuts on the Integrated Dual Charging Module (IDCM) may not have been torqued to specification at the factory in Italy. The resulting high-resistance connection can overheat and start a fire — even while the vehicle is parked with the engine off. NHTSA issued a park-outdoors advisory for affected owners. The repair is free at any Dodge dealer: the technician inspects and re-torques the cable connections, which takes about one hour. To check whether your VIN is included, visit recalls.nhtsa.gov or call FCA at 800-853-1403.
Yes — and the recall was later expanded. NHTSA Recall 24V-752 (October 2024) first covered 16,960 Dodge Hornet R/T PHEV units from the 2024-2025 model years after the brake pedal arm was found to collapse under normal braking load, removing the driver's ability to activate the service brakes. NHTSA Recall 25V-846 (December 2025) then expanded the population by an additional 3,286 2024 model year units. Combined, approximately 20,246 Hornet R/T PHEVs are affected. The fix takes about 30 minutes: a dealer technician installs a reinforcing bolt and nut on the brake pedal arm at no charge. If you experienced any pedal-to-the-floor event before the recall repair, document it in detail — a single brake failure event is a severe safety defect and may support a California lemon-law claim.
Many Hornet R/T PHEV owners report that the high-voltage battery will not charge on Level 1 or Level 2 charging equipment, that the dashboard shows a persistent 'Service Charging System' warning, or that the car defaults unexpectedly to gas-only hybrid mode. Some owners also notice the radiator fan running at full blast during a charging session. These symptoms are associated with software and firmware deficiencies in the IDCM (Integrated Dual Charging Module), PCM, and battery power control module — deficiencies that Stellantis has addressed through a coordinated multi-module software flash (TSB 08-047-23, NHTSA filing MC-10248013). In some cases, the IDCM requires hardware replacement. If your dealer has performed one or more module flashes and the charging failure returns, that is a separate repair attempt for lemon-law counting purposes. A PHEV that cannot charge its battery defeats the core function you paid for, and repeated unsuccessful repair attempts are strong evidence of a non-conformity under California's Song-Beverly Act.
Yes. NHTSA Recall 25V-246 (issued April 2025) covers 40,372 Dodge Hornet units across the 2023-2025 model years — including R/T PHEV variants — because the rearview camera image may not display when the vehicle is shifted into reverse. The root cause is the same as on the GT gas model: either a software defect in the Uconnect 5 radio microprocessor or a cold solder fault on the radio circuit board's voltage regulator. Vehicles built before December 6, 2023 receive a full radio module replacement; vehicles built after receive a software update only. Both repairs are free at any Dodge dealer. Owner notification letters began mailing June 4, 2025. Check your VIN at recalls.nhtsa.gov.
Your Hornet R/T PHEV may qualify if: (1) it was purchased or leased new in California; (2) it has a defect covered by the manufacturer's warranty that substantially impairs its use, value, or safety; and (3) the manufacturer has had a reasonable number of attempts to fix the problem without success. For safety defects — such as the fire-risk recall (23V-623), the brake pedal collapse recall (24V-752 / 25V-846), or a charging failure that leaves the vehicle undriveable — California courts have recognized that as few as two repair attempts can satisfy the 'reasonable number' standard. For non-safety defects the threshold is generally four or more repair attempts or 30 or more cumulative days out of service within the warranty period. If your vehicle qualifies, you may receive a full manufacturer repurchase (purchase price plus taxes, registration, and finance charges, minus a usage allowance) or a comparable replacement vehicle. Under Song-Beverly, Dodge must also pay your attorney fees separately if you prevail. This is general information only and not legal advice; contact a licensed California lemon-law attorney for an evaluation of your specific situation.
Yes. NHTSA Recall 23V-696 (issued October 2023) covers 2,032 Dodge Hornet R/T PHEV units produced between December 13, 2022 and September 12, 2023. The recall found that the rear pedestrian alert siren — required by federal safety standard FMVSS No. 141 — was either entirely missing or had an improperly seated connector at the Italian assembly plant. As a result, the vehicle emits no audible warning when reversing in EV mode, leaving pedestrians and cyclists unaware that the car is approaching. The fix is free: a dealer technician inspects the siren connector and either secures it or replaces the siren. Owner notification letters were mailed December 6, 2023. Verify your VIN at recalls.nhtsa.gov.
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