2009 Dodge Avenger Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2009 Dodge Avenger has a complaint index of 25, ranking 7th out of 9 model years, and earns a Good verdict relative to other Avenger years. It has 67 complaints, 2 recalls, and no do-not-drive recalls, with Engine as the top problem area.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 25/100
- #7 of 9 Avenger years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 67
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 3
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 6
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 22
- 19 city / 27 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 6 / 0
Top 2009 Dodge Avenger problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine17 (25%)
- Airbags11 (16%)
- Electrical System10 (15%)
- Fuel System10 (15%)
- Transmission & Powertrain10 (15%)
- Other9 (13%)
- Brakes7 (10%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires7 (10%)
- Visibility & Wipers7 (10%)
- Structure & Body3 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags fail to deploy during low-speed collisions, including a crash at approximately 5 mph.
- Airbags have deployed with no collision or contact at all, in one case at 70 mph with about 11,000 miles on the odometer.
- Braking causes vibration in the steering wheel and vehicle, with owners reporting rotors replaced multiple times without fixing the shake.
- Brake pedal has felt spongy and dropped toward the floor with little braking response.
- Fuel pump has failed after an electrical fault, causing the vehicle to stall on the highway at 65 mph.
- Valve stems on the tires have failed due to a material defect, requiring replacement.
2009 Dodge Avenger recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 09V047000Feb 4, 2009Fuel System91 vehicles
Fuel system, other:storage:fuel gauge system
Chrysler is recalling 91 my 2009 sebring and dodge avenger equipped with 2.4l engine passenger vehicles. A compatibility issue between the instrument cluster software and fuel pump module can result in the fuel gauge overstating the actual fuel tank level. As a result, the vehicle may run out of fuel when the gauge indicates that there is still fuel remaining in the tank.
Risk: This could cause a crash without warning.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during march 2009. Owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
- NHTSA 08V528000Oct 9, 2008Transmission & Powertrain712 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission:control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)
Chrysler is recalling 712 my 2009 sebring, dodge caliber, avenger, journey, jeep patriot, and compass vehicles. A new adhesive used in the power train control module (PCM) manufacturing process can cause the printed circuit board to break.
Risk: This can cause the engine to stall and cause a crash without warning.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the PCM free of charge. The recall began on november 10, 2008. Owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
2009 Dodge Avenger fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 19 MPG
- Highway
- 27 MPG
- Combined
- 22 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,950
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2009 compared with other Avenger years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2009 Dodge Avenger reliable?
- Compared with other Avenger model years, the 2009 gets a Good verdict, with a complaint index of 25 and rank 7 out of 9 years tracked, meaning it has fewer reported problems than most other Avenger years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2009 Dodge Avenger?
- NHTSA complaints show Engine issues as the top problem area (17 complaints, 25% share), followed by Airbags (11 complaints), Electrical System, Fuel System, and Transmission & Powertrain (10 complaints each).
- Does the 2009 Dodge Avenger have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2009 Avenger: a fuel pump module issue tied to instrument cluster software, and a powertrain control module defect from a manufacturing adhesive. Neither is a do-not-drive recall.
- How does the 2009 Avenger compare to other years?
- The 2009 model's complaint index of 25 is much lower than the 2008 (100) and 2012 (88) model years, which carry Avoid verdicts, making 2009 one of the better years for the Avenger.
- What mileage do problems typically show up at on the 2009 Avenger?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 79,500 across all complaints, with Engine problems appearing later at a median of 116,463 miles and Brakes issues appearing earlier at 57,000 miles.