Dodge Avenger Problems by Year
NHTSA has 3,158 owner complaints and 20 safety recalls on file for the Dodge Avenger, across 15 model years (1995–2015). The 2008 model year has the most complaints (831). The most reported problem area overall is electrical system.
Dodge Avenger years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Avenger year: 2008, 2012, 2013. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2008 Avenger: 831 complaints, 6 recalls
- 2012 Avenger: 554 complaints, 3 recalls
- 2013 Avenger: 548 complaints, 5 recalls
Model years with the fewest complaints
- 2015 Avenger: 1 complaint, 0 recalls
- 2007 Avenger: 2 complaints, 4 recalls
- 2000 Avenger: 22 complaints, 1 recall
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Dodge Avenger problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System problems | 596 | 13 | 11 |
| Air Bags problems | 564 | 12 | 145 |
| Engine problems | 437 | 8 | 13 |
| Power Train problems | 417 | 14 | 9 |
| Vehicle Speed Control problems | 268 | 12 | 10 |
| Suspension problems | 229 | 13 | 15 |
| Seat Belts problems | 206 | 12 | 35 |
| Visibility/wiper problems | 187 | 7 | 2 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling problems | 144 | 12 | 4 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems | 128 | 12 | 12 |
| Steering problems | 123 | 12 | 15 |
| Seats problems | 120 | 8 | 7 |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) problems | 112 | 7 | 6 |
| Fuel/propulsion System problems | 110 | 7 | 0 |
| Service Brakes problems | 107 | 7 | 23 |
| Structure problems | 105 | 13 | 18 |
| Visibility | 83 | 12 | 3 |
| Exterior Lighting | 63 | 11 | 4 |
| Wheels | 53 | 12 | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 46 | 10 | 0 |
| Tires | 42 | 11 | 0 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 31 | 6 | 0 |
| Equipment | 18 | 7 | 0 |
| Parking Brake | 7 | 3 | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Air | 7 | 3 | 1 |
| Traction Control System | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| Interior Lighting | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Electric | 3 | 1 | 1 |
| Fuel System, Other | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Child Seat | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Firerelated | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Lane Departure | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Dodge Avenger problems by model year
Problem areas with enough reports for their own page.
- 2014: air bags (69)
- 2013: air bags (154) · engine (120) · electrical system (98) · seats (60) · seat belts (52)
- 2012: air bags (109) · electrical system (109) · visibility/wiper (95) · engine (87)
- 2008: power train (236) · electrical system (219) · vehicle speed control (138) · engine (115) · air bags (96) · engine and engine cooling (61)
- 1996: suspension (59)
- 1995: suspension (59)
All Dodge Avenger model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 Avenger | 1 | 0 | — | Power Train | |
| 2014 Avenger | 205 | 1 | 4★ | Air Bags | More complaints than other years |
| 2013 Avenger | 548 | 5 | 4★ | Air Bags | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2012 Avenger | 554 | 3 | 4★ | Unknown or Other | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2011 Avenger | 209 | 3 | — | Unknown or Other | More complaints than other years |
| 2010 Avenger | 163 | 3 | — | Electrical System | More complaints than other years |
| 2009 Avenger | 67 | 2 | — | Air Bags | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2008 Avenger | 831 | 6 | — | Power Train | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2007 Avenger | 2 | 4 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | |
| 2000 Avenger | 22 | 1 | — | Power Train | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 1999 Avenger | 62 | 1 | — | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 1998 Avenger | 58 | 2 | — | Suspension | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 1997 Avenger | 83 | 2 | — | Suspension | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 1996 Avenger | 157 | 2 | — | Suspension | More complaints than other years |
| 1995 Avenger | 196 | 2 | — | Suspension | More complaints than other years |
More from Dodge: all Dodge models · Dodge VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Dodge Avenger years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 2008 (831), 2012 (554), 2013 (548) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Avenger year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Dodge Avenger?
Electrical System, with 596 complaints across 13 model years.
How many recalls does the Dodge Avenger have?
20 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.