Dodge Avenger years to avoid (and the best years)
1,678 NHTSA owner complaints and 8 recalls across 5 model years, 2010 to 2014. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.
- 1,678complaints
- 8recalls
- 110reported crashes
- 30reported fires
- 106reported injuries
Which Dodge Avenger years should you avoid?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the Dodge Avenger years to avoid are 2012 and 2013. The typical Dodge Avenger year has 209 complaints on file.
- 2012: 553 complaints, 2.6 times the typical year. Most complaints name the wipers and visibility (22% of complaints) and the airbags (20% of complaints).
- 2013: 548 complaints, 2.6 times the typical year. Most complaints name the airbags (28% of complaints) and the engine (23% of complaints).
What are the best Dodge Avenger years?
The Dodge Avenger years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2010 (163), 2014 (205) and 2011 (209). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.
NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.
Every model year
| Year | Complaints | vs typical year | Recalls | Crashes | Injuries | Our read | Most reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 205 | 1.0× | 1 | 20 | 10 | Few red flags | Airbags |
| 2013 | 548 | 2.6× | 5 | 26 | 42 | Approach with caution | Airbags |
| 2012 | 553 | 2.6× | 3 | 34 | 35 | Approach with caution | Wipers and visibility |
| 2011 | 209 | 1.0× | 3 | 14 | 6 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2010 | 163 | 0.8× | 3 | 16 | 13 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
Most reported problem areas
Share of the 377 complaints sorted by system, all years together.
- Engine & powertrain116 (31%)
- Other systems96 (25%)
- Airbags & seat belts61 (16%)
- Electrical & infotainment47 (12%)
- Steering, suspension & tires30 (8%)
Recalls (8)
Safety · 17V640000 · Oct 2017 · model years 2012, 2013
If the active headrests do not deploy in certain rear-end crashes, the front seat occupants have an increased risk of injury.
Seat belts · 16V668000 · Sep 2016 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
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.
Safety · 13V552000 · Nov 2013 · model year 2013
If the engine stalls while driving it may increase the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 13V282000 · Jul 2013 · model years 2011, 2012, 2013
In the event of a crash necessitating the deployment of the active head restraints , their non-deployment could increase the risk of injury.
Fuel system · 13V043000 · Feb 2013 · model year 2013
A broken control valve in the fuel tank assembly may lead to an engine stall or fuel leakage. An engine stall while driving may contribute to a vehicle crash. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, may result in a fire.
Steering · 11V315000 · Jun 2011 · model year 2011
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.
Steering · 10V475000 · Oct 2010 · model year 2010
LEAKED POWER STEERING FLUID ONTO HOT ENGINE COMPONENTS COULD CAUSE A FIRE.
Brakes · 10V009000 · Jan 2010 · model year 2010
THIS COULD RESULT IN BRAKE FAILURE WITHOUT WARNING WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH.