What Dodge Avenger years should I avoid?

NHTSA data points to 2008, 2012, and 2013 as the years to avoid, with complaint indexes of 100, 88, and 75 respectively, the three highest among all Avenger model years.

Which Dodge Avenger year is best?

The 2009 and 2011 Avenger are rated Good, with complaint indexes of 25 and 38, well below the 2008 model's index of 100.

Does the Dodge Avenger have engine problems?

Engine issues are the top problem area across all Avenger years, accounting for 711 complaints (28% of the total 2,579 complaints), with the 2008 model reporting the most at 290 engine-related complaints.

Are there airbag recalls on the Dodge Avenger?

Yes. The 2012 and 2013 Avenger were both included in occupant restraint controller recalls (campaigns 16V668000 and 13V282000) that could prevent airbags from deploying correctly.

How many complaints does the Dodge Avenger have in total?

NHTSA lists 2,579 total complaints across model years 2007-2015, with 16 recall campaigns issued for the Avenger.

Dodge Avenger Best and Worst Years (2007–2015)

Avoid the 2008, 2012, and 2013 Dodge Avenger, which carry complaint indexes of 100, 88, and 75 and lead the model's 16 recall campaigns. The 2009 and 2011 are rated Good, with much lower complaint indexes of 25 and 38.

Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.

Avoid 2008 Avoid 2012 Avoid 2013

Model years: 9; 2007–2015
NHTSA complaints: 2,579
Recall campaigns: 16
Crashes reported: 149
Fires reported: 56
Top problem area: Engine

Avenger Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Dodge Avenger problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2007	No verdict	13	2	0	0	4	Engine	—	—
2008	Avoid	100	831	36	26	6	Engine	22	—
2009	Good	25	67	3	0	2	Engine	22	—
2010	Caution	63	163	16	8	3	Engine	22	—
2011	Good	38	209	14	2	3	Engine	23	—
2012	Avoid	88	553	34	7	3	Electrical System	23	4★
2013	Avoid	75	548	26	10	5	Airbags	23	4★
2014	Caution	50	205	20	3	1	Airbags	23	4★
2015	No verdict	0	1	0	0	0	Transmission & Powertrain	—	—

Avenger years to avoid: what went wrong

2008 Dodge Avenger Index 100 · 831 complaints · 6 recalls

The 2008 Avenger has the highest complaint index (100) of any year and the most complaints overall (831), with 36 crashes, 26 fires, 34 injuries, and one death reported. Engine problems dominate, making up 35% of complaints for the year at a median 85,000 miles, followed by transmission issues (28%) that showed up earlier, around 54,000 miles. Electrical System complaints (27%) centered near 91,000 miles. NHTSA lists six recalls for this year, including a TPMS wiring corrosion issue and a coolant intrusion problem affecting 2.4L engine cooling fan connectors.

2008 engine problems →2008 transmission & powertrain problems →2008 electrical system problems →

2012 Dodge Avenger Index 88 · 553 complaints · 3 recalls

The 2012 Avenger has a complaint index of 88, with 553 complaints, 34 crashes, 7 fires, and 35 injuries. Electrical System issues lead at 21% of complaints (median 70,522 miles), followed closely by airbag problems (20%, median 60,000 miles) and engine complaints (19%, median 78,004 miles). NHTSA lists three recalls, including an occupant restraint controller defect that could prevent active headrests from deploying and a separate airbag/TIPM recall shared with several other Chrysler models.

2012 electrical system problems →2012 airbags problems →2012 engine problems →

2013 Dodge Avenger Index 75 · 548 complaints · 5 recalls

The 2013 Avenger carries a complaint index of 75 across 548 complaints, with 26 crashes, 10 fires, and 42 injuries reported. Airbags are the top problem area at 28% of complaints (median 64,000 miles), followed by engine issues at 27% (median 88,000 miles) and electrical system problems at 19% (median 69,000 miles). Five recalls apply to this year, including one for abrasive debris damaging the 2.4L engine's balance shaft module and airbag-related occupant restraint controller recalls.

2013 airbags problems →2013 engine problems →2013 electrical system problems →

Most common Dodge Avenger problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.

Engine711 (28%)
Electrical System570 (22%)
Airbags511 (20%)
Other426 (17%)
Transmission & Powertrain356 (14%)
Brakes252 (10%)
Visibility & Wipers213 (8%)
Structure & Body205 (8%)
Seat Belts181 (7%)
Fuel System151 (6%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

Frequently asked questions

What Dodge Avenger years should I avoid?: NHTSA data points to 2008, 2012, and 2013 as the years to avoid, with complaint indexes of 100, 88, and 75 respectively, the three highest among all Avenger model years.
Which Dodge Avenger year is best?: The 2009 and 2011 Avenger are rated Good, with complaint indexes of 25 and 38, well below the 2008 model's index of 100.
Does the Dodge Avenger have engine problems?: Engine issues are the top problem area across all Avenger years, accounting for 711 complaints (28% of the total 2,579 complaints), with the 2008 model reporting the most at 290 engine-related complaints.
Are there airbag recalls on the Dodge Avenger?: Yes. The 2012 and 2013 Avenger were both included in occupant restraint controller recalls (campaigns 16V668000 and 13V282000) that could prevent airbags from deploying correctly.
How many complaints does the Dodge Avenger have in total?: NHTSA lists 2,579 total complaints across model years 2007-2015, with 16 recall campaigns issued for the Avenger.