2009 Dodge AVENGER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
67 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
79,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2009 model year. Data snapshot: . 51 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 11 of 67 complaints (16.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 13 | 19.4% |
| Engine operation | 12 | 17.9% |
| Steering behavior | 6 | 9.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 7.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 6.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 3.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 11 |
| Air Bags | 10 |
| Electrical System | 10 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 9 |
| Power Train | 9 |
| Unknown Or Other | 9 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 7 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 4 |
Engine: 11; Air Bags: 10; Electrical System: 10; Fuel/Propulsion System: 9; Power Train: 9; Unknown Or Other: 9; Vehicle Speed Control: 7; Visibility/Wiper: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 6 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 10 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 8 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 9 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 9 |
| 150,000 and above | 9 |
Under 25,000: 6; 25,000 to 49,999: 10; 50,000 to 74,999: 8; 75,000 to 99,999: 9; 100,000 to 149,999: 9; 150,000 and above: 9
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (10). 16 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 8 |
| 2013 | 7 |
| 2014 | 8 |
| 2015 | 7 |
| 2016 | 4 |
| 2017 | 6 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 6 |
| 2020 | 6 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2009: 1; 2010: 3; 2011: 3; 2012: 8; 2013: 7; 2014: 8; 2015: 7; 2016: 4; 2017: 6; 2018: 3; 2019: 6; 2020: 6; 2021: 2; 2022: 1; 2024: 1; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 13 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 12 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10356960 · 2010-09-22 (September 22, 2010)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE AVENGER. WHILE TRAVELING 20 MPH THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES AND NOTICED THAT THE ENTIRE VEHICLED BEGAN TO VIBRATE SPECIFICALLY THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS AND THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 5546.
Owner-reported narrative. 5,546 miles reported. Look up ODI 10356960 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10357759 · 2010-09-27 (September 27, 2010)
WE PURCHASED A 2009 DODGE AVENGER IN APRIL OR MAY OF LAST YEAR AND IMMEDIATELY HAD TROUBLE WITH THUMPING WHEN USING BRAKES. TOOK TO DELEARSHIP AND WAS TOLD NO PROBLEM FOUND WITH BRAKES. MONTHS LATER BRAKE PEDAL STARTED FEELING SPONGY WOULD GO TO FLOOR WITH VERY LITTLE BRAKES. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AND TOLD NO PROBLEMS FOUND WITH BRAKES.. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10357759 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10442362 · 2012-01-04 (January 4, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH. BOTH THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE, CAUSING THE FUEL PUMP TO FAIL AND BECOME DEFECTIVE. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE HARNESS AND THE FUEL PUMP. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 76,900.
Owner-reported narrative. 76,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10442362 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10474335 · 2012-09-08 (September 8, 2012)
MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON P2004. I THEN TOOK IT TO A SHOP AND WAS ADVISED IT WAS THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL. THEY HAVE BEEN GETTING MANY CUSTOMERS TAKING THEIR CARS IN FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. WAS ADVISED TO TAKE IT TO DODGE BECAUSE THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL. THE SHOP DID NOT EVEN CHARGE ME FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC. THE CAR IS NOT DRIVABLE. I STALLED AND WAS ALMOST HIT AT A LIGHT. I CALLED DODGE AND IT IS GOING TO BE $105 FOR A DIAGNOSTIC AND ONCE THEY FIND OUT WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE THEY WILL GIVE ME A PRICE. THE INFORMATION FROM THE OTHER SHOP…
Owner-reported narrative. 72,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10474335 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10286959 · 2009-10-10 (October 10, 2009)
WHILE DRIVING A 2009 DODGE AVENGER FROM NATIONAL CAR RENTAL (~11,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE) AT 70 MPH ON A FLORIDA TOLL WAY, THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THERE WAS NO COLLISION OR CONTACT WITH ANYTHING (ANIMAL, ROAD DEBRIS, ETC.), THE ROAD WAS FLAT AND STRAIGHT, AND THERE WERE NO CIRCUMSTANCES OR EVENTS THAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED THE AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY. I WAS TALKING ON A CELL PHONE USING A BLUETOOTH HEADSET AT THE TIME AND HAD JUST MOVED MY BLACKBERRY, CROSSING THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE FORCE OF THE PASSENGER SIDE BAG DEPLOYING …
Owner-reported narrative. 11,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10286959 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10413217 · 2011-07-17 (July 17, 2011)
I HAVE A 2009 DODGE AVENGER THAT IS OPERATING UNSAFELY. IT CONTINUES TO MAINTAIN ITS SPEED WHEN I TAKE MY FOOT OFF OF THE ACCELERATOR, AND DOESN'T SLOW UNTIL I PRESS ON THE BRAKES! IT ALSO TO LURCHES FORWARD WHEN AUTOMATICALLY DOWNSHIFTING, CAUSING ME TO BRAKE EVEN HARDER WITH NEAR MISSES IN ALL OF THESE SITUATIONS. I INITIALLY WORKED WITH LA MESA DODGE DEALERSHIP, WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR, BUT AFTER SEVERAL MONTHS, POOR CUST SVC AND NO RESOLUTION, I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HINE DODGE IN MISSION VALLEY, CA. THE SERVICE MGR AND SVC ADVISORS HAVE D…
Owner-reported narrative. 24,212 miles reported. Look up ODI 10413217 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10567851 · 2014-03-07 (March 7, 2014)
THE VEHICLE STALLS, AND THE ENGINE REVS UP WHEN BRAKING, IT LISTS A MISFIRE ON THE CODE READER. NOT SURE WHAT THIS IS BUT THE INTERNET SAYS IT MAY BE A NEED FOR A REPROGRAM THE TRANSMISSION/PCM. IF IT NEEDS REPROGRAMMED THAT SHOULD BE A RECALL! THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE WHEN BRAKING TO HAVE THE ENGINE REV. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 90,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10567851 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10489120 · 2012-12-18 (December 18, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT DUE TO MOVEMENT OF THE ENGINE, THE MAIN PLASTIC WIRING HARNESS WAS FOUND TO BE MELTED. THE DEALER ALSO ADVISED THAT IF THEY HAD NOT DISCOVERED THE FAILURE, IT WOULD HAVE CAUSED SEVERAL OTHER COMPONENTS TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 54,000. UPDATED 5/14/13 *CN UPDATED 05/20/2013 *JS…
Owner-reported narrative. 54,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10489120 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10726240 · 2015-06-19 (June 19, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT SMELLED FUEL INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED A LEAK FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FUEL PUMP MODULE WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO A DEALER FOR THE SAME REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING THE FAILURE LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V047000 (FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 89,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10726240 at NHTSA ↗