2013 Dodge Avenger Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
100/100
#1 most-complained of 6 Avenger years
The 2013 Dodge Avenger has 548 NHTSA complaints, a complaint index of 100, and ranks worst (1st) of 6 model years, earning an Avoid verdict. Airbags, engine, and electrical issues dominate, backed by 5 recalls.
- Complaints
- 548
- Recalls
- 5
- Crashes / fires
- 26 / 10
- Injuries / deaths
- 42 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 23
- 20 city / 28 hwy
Top 2013 Dodge Avenger problems
NHTSA owner 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%)
What owners report
- Airbags fail to deploy in frontal or angled crashes, even at moderate speeds like 30-50 mph.
- Brakes reportedly fail without warning, leading to collisions with poles, mailboxes, or walls at low speeds.
- Owners describe a passenger airbag smoldering or burning after deployment during a crash.
- One owner reported the engine accelerating on its own around a curve, resulting in the car flipping and landing in water.
- Brakes and steering reportedly locked up simultaneously while attempting to steer around another vehicle.
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?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2013 Avenger ranks worst of the 6 model years with data, with a complaint index of 100 and 548 complaints, giving it an Avoid verdict.
- What are the biggest problems with the 2013 Dodge Avenger?
- Airbags are the top problem area with 154 complaints (28% share) and a median failure mileage of 64,000 miles, followed by engine issues (146 complaints) and electrical system issues (103 complaints).
- Does the 2013 Dodge Avenger have airbag recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA lists two airbag-related recalls (13V282000 and 16V668000) tied to the Occupant Restraint Controller, along with a related headrest recall (17V640000).
- How does the 2013 Avenger compare to other years?
- The 2013 model has a complaint index of 100, higher than 2010 (40), 2011 (20), 2012 (80), and 2014 (60), making it the worst-ranked year among the 6 years with data.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2013 Dodge Avenger?
- EPA rates it at 23 mpg combined (20 city / 28 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,800.