2011 Dodge Avenger Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Avenger years
- More complaints than other years 4th of 15 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 3 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 209 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 Dodge Avenger. That ranks 4th out of 15 Avenger model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is unknown or other (57 complaints, 27%), typically at around 93,500 miles. Complaints mention 14 crashes, 2 fires, 6 injuries. There are 3 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 2 defect investigations involving it.
- 209owner complaints
- 3safety recalls
- 2NHTSA investigations
- 14complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2011 Dodge Avenger problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unknown or Other | 57 | 27% | 93,500 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 41 | 20% | 71,000 | — | — |
| Engine | 38 | 18% | 86,000 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 35 | 17% | 97,000 | — | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 23 | 11% | 78,500 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 20 | 10% | 105,000 | — | — |
| Suspension | 16 | 8% | 33,000 | — | — |
| Power Train | 14 | 7% | 42,500 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 14 | 7% | 69,500 | — | — |
| Steering | 10 | 5% | 122,000 | — | — |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 9 | 4% | 81,500 | — | — |
| Structure | 8 | 4% | 46,500 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 7 | 3% | 134,000 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 5 | 2% | 66,474 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 4 | 2% | 53,000 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 3 | 1% | 58,250 | — | — |
| Visibility | 3 | 1% | 79,000 | — | — |
| Wheels | 2 | 1% | 47,500 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 1 | 0% | 26,000 | — | — |
| Traction Control System | 1 | 0% | 170,000 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2011 Dodge Avenger recalls (3)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Air bags; seat belts:pretensioner; air bags:frontal:sensor/control module-inactive
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Chrysler 200, 2010 Chrysler Sebring, 2010-2012 Dodge Caliber and 2010-2014 Jeep Patriot, Compass and Dodge Avenger vehicles. The Occupant Restraint Control (OCR) module may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags from deploying in the event of a crash.
Risk: If the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the OCR, free of charge. Interim letters informing owners that parts are not available yet were mailed on October 26, 2016. The recall began on August 15, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S61.
Air bags; electrical system
Problem: Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Sebring and 200 vehicles manufactured June 28, 2011, through December 13, 2012; model year 2011-2013 Dodge Avenger vehicles manufactured June 25, 2011, through January 14, 2013; model year 2011-2012 Dodge Nitro vehicles manufactured June 17, 2011, through December 15, 2011; and model year 2011-2012 Jeep Liberty vehicles manufactured June 17, 2011, through August 15, 2012. Electrical over-stress of a resistor in the occupant restraint control module may lead to the non-deployment of the active head restraints during a rear impact collision.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating the deployment of the active head restraints , their non-deployment could increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will flash the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) or replace the occupant restraint control module, as needed, free of charge. The recall began on November 19, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N38.
Steering:column
Problem: Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2011dodge journey, jeep wrangler, chrysler 200, chrysler 200 convertible, dodge avenger, dodge nitro, jeep liberty, dodge caliber, jeep compass, jeep patriot, dodge grand caravan and chrysler town & country vehicles. Some of these vehicles may have been built with a missing or incorrectly installed steering column pivot rivet.
Risk: A missing or incorrectly installed rivet could compromise the ability of the steering column to support the occupant loads in the event of a frontal crash, decreasing the effectiveness of the frontal impact safety system. As a result, the condition may increase the potential for injury in a frontal crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect for rivet presence and alignment and repair the steering column pivot as required, free of charge. The safety recall began on july 4, 2011. Owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Active Head Rest Inadvertent Deployment (PE19014) — opened Sep 9, 2019, closed Feb 25, 2026.
- Engine stall (PE12016) — opened Jun 18, 2012, closed Oct 15, 2012.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
Window Defrost and Passenger Heat /Air. While either in motion or while driving, no heated air exits the passenger side of the windshield defroster, nor the passenger window defrost, lower and center console vents. Heated air only exits the driver's side windshield and driver's side dash vents…
The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormal sound. Additionally, the passengerâs side seat headrest exploded. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact related…
Vehicle turns off while driving sometimes starts up sometimes not! Doesn't give a warning replaced multiple things afraid of the car doing it in a turn everything shuts down power steering and everything!
Heater on the passenger side of the vehicle blows out cold air while driver side blows out hot air like it's supposed to. By having cold air being blown out, this causes the windshield and windows on the passenger side of the vehicle to fog up causing visibility issues.
The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated that the check engine warning light and air bag warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the cruise control, buttons on the steering wheel, and occupant restraint control were malfunctioning. The contact stated that the vehicle was…
Other Dodge Avenger years
← 2010 Avenger · 2012 Avenger →
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 Avenger | 1 | 0 |
| 2014 Avenger | 205 | 1 |
| 2013 Avenger | 548 | 5 |
| 2012 Avenger | 554 | 3 |
| 2011 | 209 | 3 |
| 2010 Avenger | 163 | 3 |
| 2009 Avenger | 67 | 2 |
| 2008 Avenger | 831 | 6 |
| 2007 Avenger | 2 | 4 |
| 2000 Avenger | 22 | 1 |
| 1999 Avenger | 62 | 1 |
| 1998 Avenger | 58 | 2 |
| 1997 Avenger | 83 | 2 |
| 1996 Avenger | 157 | 2 |
| 1995 Avenger | 196 | 2 |
See all Dodge Avenger problems by year, every Dodge model, or the Dodge VIN decoder.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2011 Dodge Avenger?
Owners most often report unknown or other, electrical system, engine problems. The top one, unknown or other, accounts for 57 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2011 Dodge Avenger?
Yes, 3 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2011 Dodge Avenger a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Avenger model years, the 2011 has more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.