MODELYEARINDEX

Which Dodge Avenger years to avoid

Across 5 scored model years, the 2013 model year carries the highest severity-weighted complaint rates.

Ownership label · Dodge Avenger Full report
D
Grade 2010–2014
2013 vs model median 1.4×
Model median3× median
Airbags & Restraints 128
Electrical 34
Engine 28
Avoid

2013

Best

2010 · 2011

Year by year

Severity-weighted complaints filed in each model year’s first 60 months on the road, so every year is measured over an identical window.

Year Complaint volume vs median Reports Grade
2010
0.26× 55 A
2011
0.39× 77 B
2012
1.02× 225 C
2013
1.42× 330 D
2014
1.00× 199 B

What owners report

The component groups most often named, with one representative report. These are unverified — allegations, not findings.

2012 C 225 reports · median 45,345 mi

  1. Airbags & Restraints 51

    The contact owns a 2012 dodge avenger se. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 MPH in rainy weather conditions the vehicle hydro-planed and then crashed into a steel cable barrier. owner complaint filed with NHTSA

  2. Electrical 39

    The contact owns a 2012 dodge avenger. The contact stated that the way the speedometer was arranged on the instrument panel was a safety hazard. owner complaint filed with NHTSA

  3. Engine 24

    The only problem I have is that the engine sounds like a pea thrasher when its started on cold morning. (it sounds like a lifter that has lost its prime). owner complaint filed with NHTSA

30 crash · 9 fire · 29 injuries

2013 D 330 reports · median 47,000 mi

  1. Airbags & Restraints 128

    I was in a car accident on october 21 2012 front end crash the air bag didn't deploy the damage was from grill to driver side door. owner complaint filed with NHTSA

  2. Electrical 34

    2013 dodge avenger. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle active head restraints recall notice. The consumer stated at the time of purchase, she was under the impression, she was getting a safe, reliable and… owner complaint filed with NHTSA

  3. Engine 28

    While driving at a low speed I put my foot on the gas to speed up and it was as though my car was not running at all. Nothing happened. owner complaint filed with NHTSA

35 crash · 8 fire · 45 injuries

The best year for the Avenger

Ranked by overall score among years with a full 60 months on the road.

2010 is the best-scoring Avenger model year with a full 60 months on the road, at 86 out of 100 — a score that combines complaint rate, recall campaigns and open investigations.

Yearvs medianReportsGrade
2010 0.26× 55 A
2011 0.39× 77 B
2014 1.00× 199 B

Recalls

8 campaigns on record.

Campaign Component Model years Units affected
16V668000 SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER 2010–2014 1,435,625
13V282000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 2011–2013 442,320
17V640000 SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT 2012, 2013 363,930
10V475000 STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM 2010 23,237
10V009000 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 2010 20,045
11V315000 STEERING:COLUMN 2011 11,096
13V043000 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 2013 1,785
13V552000 ENGINE 2013 521

How long do they last?

Complaint records show when problems get reported, not how long a car survives. Where owners gave an odometer reading, faults on the 2013 were reported at a median of 47,000 miles. Treat that as the point problems start being noticed, not a lifespan.

Common questions

Answered directly from this model’s record.

Which Dodge Avenger years should you avoid?
2013 carry the highest severity-weighted complaint rates of any Dodge Avenger model year measured over an identical 60-month window.
What is the best year for the Dodge Avenger?
2010 is the best-scoring Dodge Avenger model year with a full 60 months on the road, at 86 out of 100. The score combines complaint rate, recall campaigns and open investigations.
How many recalls does the Dodge Avenger have?
8 distinct recall campaigns are on record across all scored Dodge Avenger model years. A recall is a matter of record: the manufacturer filed a defect report with NHTSA.

How this was calculated

Every model year is scored over an identical window: complaints filed with NHTSA during the first 60 months after that model year went on sale. Without this, older cars look worse purely because they have had longer to accumulate reports.

Limitations. Complaints are unverified reports submitted voluntarily by owners; they are allegations, not findings, and reporting rates vary between models. Model years with fewer than 60 months on the road are marked provisional and excluded from verdicts. Cross-model comparison is withheld pending production-volume data.

Full methodology · Sources · Data vintage August 9, 2026

Working 2013 Avenger
Complaints in window
330
Severity-weighted
517.5
Model median (weighted)
365
vs model median
1.42×
Recall campaigns (weighted)
5
Open investigations
0
Score 52.1 D