2013 Dodge Avenger Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2013 Dodge Avenger has a complaint index of 75 and ranks 3rd worst of 9 model years, earning an Avoid verdict. Owners report airbags failing to deploy in crashes and brake failures, backed by 5 recalls including two airbag campaigns.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 75/100
- #3 of 9 Avenger years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 548
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 5
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 26
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 10
- Injuries
- 42
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 23
- 20 city / 28 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 42 / 0
Top 2013 Dodge Avenger problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags154 (28%)
- Engine146 (27%)
- Other104 (19%)
- Electrical System103 (19%)
- Structure & Body73 (13%)
- Brakes64 (12%)
- Seat Belts52 (9%)
- Visibility & Wipers46 (8%)
- Transmission & Powertrain32 (6%)
- Fuel System29 (5%)
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 frontal or side-impact crashes, sometimes at highway speed.
- Brakes reportedly stop responding suddenly, leading to collisions with poles, mailboxes, or other vehicles.
- Some owners describe brake and steering systems locking up together while maneuvering at low speed.
- One driver reported the engine accelerating unexpectedly on its own before losing control on a curve.
- Airbag non-deployment incidents were sometimes tied to a known recall the owner had not yet had repaired.
2013 Dodge Avenger recalls
5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 17V640000Oct 10, 2017Structure & Body363,930 vehicles
Seats:front assembly:head restraint
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2012 Jeep Liberty and 2012-2013 Chrysler 200 and Dodge Avenger vehicles. A component within the occupant restraint controller (ORC) may fail and prevent the active headrests from deploying in the event of a rear-end crash.
Risk: If the active headrests do not deploy in certain rear-end crashes, the front seat occupants have an increased risk of injury.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ORC as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 4, 2017. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is T56.
- NHTSA 16V668000Sep 15, 2016Airbags1,435,625 vehicles
Air bags
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.
Remedy: 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.
- NHTSA 13V552000Nov 6, 2013Engine521 vehicles
Engine
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2013 Dodge Avenger and Chrysler 200, and model year 2014 Jeep Compass and Patriot vehicles equipped with 2.4L engines. Due to abrasive debris in the balance shaft bearings, these engines may have a loss of engine oil pressure, possibly resulting in an engine stall or engine failure.
Risk: If the engine stalls while driving it may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine balance shaft module, free of charge. The recall began on December 24, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N52.
2013 Dodge Avenger fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 20 MPG
- Highway
- 28 MPG
- Combined
- 23 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,800
- 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.
2013 compared with other Avenger years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2013 Dodge Avenger reliable?
- NHTSA data shows a complaint index of 75 for the 2013 Avenger, the third-highest among the 9 model years with data, resulting in an Avoid verdict relative to other Avenger years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2013 Dodge Avenger?
- Airbags are the top problem area, making up 28% of complaints, followed closely by engine issues at 27%. Many airbag complaints involve non-deployment during crashes.
- Does the 2013 Dodge Avenger have a recall?
- Yes. NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2013 Avenger, covering airbags, the engine balance shaft module, the fuel tank control valve, and the occupant restraint controller.
- At what mileage do 2013 Avenger problems usually show up?
- Median mileage at failure varies by system: airbags around 64,000 miles, engine around 88,000 miles, and brakes around 64,612 miles.
- How does the 2013 Avenger compare to other years?
- The 2013 model ranks 3rd worst of 9 years with a complaint index of 75, behind 2008 (100) and 2012 (88), both also rated Avoid.