The battery light had been illuminated the other day for a little bit - less than a minute? - before going away and it came back today at some point while driving. I'm not sure how long it was on, but soon after the navigation screen died but the dash was still functioning and I received some of the warning lights (VSC Off). Power steering was gone at this point and the car completely died within in a few miles. The car seemed to have little to no power from the battery; some of the displays worked but if I tried to start you could hear the starter motor but it didn't crank. I got a tow home and but the car did start up again but the battery light remained on.

I'm guessing it's the alternator (otherwise I think the car would not have died like that) but was wondering if you guys had any other ideas to consider?

I changed the alternator maybe two years ago (need to check) so I'm hoping it's not that - the DIY was a bit of a PITA - but I'm not optimistic...

 

Definitely sounds like the alternator to me.

 

+1 for alternator

 

Alternator+1.... But the car came back to live... Check the voltage when the car is running.

 

The other thing I neglected to mention - not sure it makes a difference - is that when I drove above 2k rpm the battery light would turn off. The second I hit 2k or below the battery light came on.

 

yes, its the alternator from my experience. i had the same thing happen a few months ago. car would run fine when you step on the gas, but sputter and pretty much shuts off if you dont.

 

I'd also agree on it being the alternator. How many miles on this alternator?

 

A little over 25k on it. I changed back in late 2014 or very early 2015; gotta dig up my receipts. Got it at AutoZone so I think I have some warranty or guarantee on it.

 

When my alternator died, it burned my fusable link as well.

 

^^If at AutoZone, you've got a lifetime warranty on it! Free replacement is faulty.