2013 Dodge Avenger problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Air Bags (57) · Seat Belts (48) · Engine (48)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Dodge Avenger model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
378 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (5)
Seats:front Assembly:head Restraint 2017-10-10 · campaign 17V640000 · 363,930 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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.
Seat Belts:pretensioner 2016-09-15 · campaign 16V668000 · 1,435,625 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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.
Engine 2013-11-06 · campaign 13V552000 · 521 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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.
Air Bags 2013-07-02 · campaign 13V282000 · 442,320 vehicles
Defect: Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Sebring and 200 vehicles manufactured June 28, 2011, through December 13, 2012; model year 2011-2013 Dodge Avenger vehicles manufactured June 25, 2011, through January 14, 2013; model year 2011-2012 Dodge Nitro vehicles manufactured June 17, 2011, through December 15, 2011; and model year 2011-2012 Jeep Liberty vehicles manufactured June 17, 2011, through August 15, 2012. Electrical over-stress of a resistor in the occupant restraint control mo
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating the deployment of the active head restraints , their non-deployment could increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will flash the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) or replace the occupant restraint control module, as needed, free of charge. The recall began on November 19, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N38.
Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly 2013-02-06 · campaign 13V043000 · 1,785 vehicles
Defect: Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2013 Chrysler 200 and Dodge Avenger vehicles manufactured from October 30, 2012, through November 2, 2012. These vehicles may have a gas tank that has a broken control valve in the fuel tank assembly.
Risk: 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.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the fuel tank assembly and replace any affected control valves, free of charge. The recall began on April 4, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753.
Service bulletins (139)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Engine 2026-06-18 · U67 Combo Rev11 · Warranty Program/Extension
emissions recall u67 - catalytic converter efficiency - dealer notification (revision 11)
Unknown Or Other 2025-04-02 · 103954 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
actuator - a/c and heater
Unknown Or Other 2025-04-02 · 104087 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
actuator - a/c and heater
Equipment 2023-09-20 · 9100229 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
lifter, hydraulic roller deactivating please do not replace mds lifters because the disconnecting pin is not lined up, this is normal and not a defect.
Suspension 2023-09-20 · 9100229 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
lifter, hydraulic roller deactivating please do not replace mds lifters because the disconnecting pin is not lined up, this is normal and not a defect.
Electrical System 2023-09-15 · 9100226 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
connector kit before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957a$, check it in the mopar connector repair kit website to confirm part number and applicability. there is an error with the wiring diagrams in service library that is causing the incorrect repair kit part number to populate. please use
Showing the 6 most recent of 139 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-08-06 · Seats“unknown, all i know is that i leave my car to go play basketball and 3 hours later i come back and its popped out randomly.…”
2026-03-19 · Service Brakes“was driving on hwy when vehicle loss power, was able to quickly pull over. turned vehicle off and restarted vehicle. got back onto the hwy ,vehicle loss power again, this time it wouldn't turn over. replaced fuel pump,replaced valve timing sensor, crank sensor, replaced battery, replaced ignition switch and antitheft oem {replaced 5x}, reprogrammed…”
2025-12-01 · Unknown Or Other“both head rest which is attached to airbags or have airbags in them i don’t know but the exploded open. headrest could have exploded while someone was in the seat and got head injuries. no problem has not been confirmed by anyone but myself,husband and self employed mechanic, i didn’t know what to do. no, no type of warning before it happen. passen…”
2025-10-31 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 134,625 mi“the contact owns a 2013 dodge avenger. the contact stated that while driving approximately 75 mph, there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from the engine compartment. the contact stated that the check engine and oil warning lights were illuminated. the contact stated that after releasing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle lost motive power and…”
2025-10-20 · Power Train“powertrain fail , airbag failed to deploy …”
2025-09-19 · Unknown Or Other“the passenger side head rest popped out on it's own. was parked when it happened. …”
2025-07-31 · Electrical System · 117,829 mi“the contact owns a 2013 dodge avenger. the contact stated while driving approximately 25 mph, the interior light turned on independently, the control panel started blinking, and the radio became inoperable. additionally, the vehicle lost motive power. there was no warning light illuminated. the vehicle was steered into a parking lot, where it was t…”
2025-05-15 · Fuel/Propulsion System“2 days after purchasing my vehicle i was driving getting my speed up approximately 45 mph when the vehicle started to lunge forward and nothing was under the gas pedal and it stalled. i pulled it over to the side of the road. it started back up within 2 to 3 minutes. drove fine for about another 20-25 minutes and then did it again. i put fuel treat…”
2025-04-14 · Unknown Or Other“the catalytic converter is making my engine run rough and can't get it inspected because of it. it's costing me more to run the vehicle and i can't afford to get into an accident when the engine stalls.…”
2025-02-11 · Unknown Or Other“put gear shift into park position while parking car. car did not register that it was supposed to be in park and stayed in drive. gear was stuck and was unable to shift. turned car off and car would not turn back on, as well as the shifter not being able to move …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.