Dodge AVENGER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
2,980 owner complaints analyzed
20 distinct recall campaigns
70,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1995 to 2015 model years. Data snapshot: . 2,057 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 548 of 2,980 complaints (18.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 363 | 12.2% |
| Braking behavior | 306 | 10.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 239 | 8.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 209 | 7.0% |
| Steering behavior | 167 | 5.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 60 | 2.0% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 548 |
| Air Bags | 504 |
| Engine | 436 |
| Unknown Or Other | 430 |
| Power Train | 262 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 253 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 187 |
| Seat Belts | 180 |
Electrical System: 548; Air Bags: 504; Engine: 436; Unknown Or Other: 430; Power Train: 262; Vehicle Speed Control: 253; Visibility/Wiper: 187; Seat Belts: 180
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 246 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 372 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 470 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 406 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 433 |
| 150,000 and above | 130 |
Under 25,000: 246; 25,000 to 49,999: 372; 50,000 to 74,999: 470; 75,000 to 99,999: 406; 100,000 to 149,999: 433; 150,000 and above: 130
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (470). 923 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 |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 20 |
| 1996 | 27 |
| 2000 | 65 |
| 2001 | 100 |
| 2002 | 61 |
| 2003 | 43 |
| 2004 | 31 |
| 2005 | 23 |
| 2006 | 9 |
| 2007 | 10 |
| 2008 | 33 |
| 2009 | 42 |
| 2010 | 175 |
| 2011 | 88 |
| 2012 | 130 |
| 2013 | 152 |
| 2014 | 207 |
| 2015 | 202 |
| 2016 | 220 |
| 2017 | 326 |
| 2018 | 305 |
| 2019 | 289 |
| 2020 | 187 |
| 2021 | 86 |
| 2022 | 51 |
| 2023 | 34 |
| 2024 | 36 |
| 2025 | 21 |
| 2026 | 7 |
1995: 20; 1996: 27; 2000: 65; 2001: 100; 2002: 61; 2003: 43; 2004: 31; 2005: 23; 2006: 9; 2007: 10; 2008: 33; 2009: 42; 2010: 175; 2011: 88; 2012: 130; 2013: 152; 2014: 207; 2015: 202; 2016: 220; 2017: 326; 2018: 305; 2019: 289; 2020: 187; 2021: 86; 2022: 51; 2023: 34; 2024: 36; 2025: 21; 2026: 7
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 363 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 306 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 239 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 10168537 · 2006-09-18 (September 18, 2006)
ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, CAR STALLS AND DIES NOW WONT START, WHEN DRIVING ON RAINY DAY CAR SUCKS WATER INTO THE AIR FILTER AND INTO THE ENGINE, DASH LIGHTS FLASH. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 170,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10168537 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 504679 · 1996-05-23 (May 23, 1996)
INTERMITTENT STALLING/LOSS OF POWER. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 504679 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10024963 · 2003-06-25 (June 25, 2003)
CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT BRAKE PROBLEMS. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING GAS PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, AND CONSUMER HAD TO PHYSICALLY PULL IT OUT. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, AND STATED THAT THEY HAD NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS OR THEY DIDN'T HAVE ANY RECALLS.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10024963 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10040628 · 2003-09-25 (September 25, 2003)
WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL THE BRAKES LOCKED COMPLETELY AND CAUSED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER. THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10040628 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 733850 · 2000-10-09 (October 9, 2000)
THERE IS FAULTY WIRING AND/OR DISFUCTIONAL HCU ON FRONT BRAKES MAKING THE ABS SYSTEM AS A WHOLE, DISFUNCTIONAL. COSTLY AND DANGEROUS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 733850 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 734474 · 2000-10-16 (October 16, 2000)
WIRING TO THE HCU AND/OR HCU ITSELF IS DEFECTIVE, ABS IS MALFUNCTIONING
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 734474 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10183123 · 2007-02-21 (February 21, 2007)
TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL OR UPGRADE TO 95-96. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 98,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10183123 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 502095 · 1996-03-05 (March 5, 1996)
TRANSMISSION FAILED 3 TIMES. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 502095 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10069273 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
SUSPENSION&STEERING--- ALWAYS HAS VIBRATION IN THE FRONT END AT 60-70MPH BRAKES--- CAN'T KEEP BRAKES UNDER IT. HAVE TO DO BRAKES AND ROTORS 2-3 TIMES A YEAR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10069273 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 732959 · 2000-09-30 (September 30, 2000)
ALL 4 ORIGINAL TIRES REPLACED AT 65000 MILES, WITH FIRESTONES FROM PUGH'S TIRES IN GREENVILLE N.C. FIRST TIRE FAILED (TREAD CAME OFF TIRE ) AT 85000 MILES ON THE CAR. THIS WAS REPLACED WITH ANOTHER FIRESTONE, AS I DIDN'T WANT TO MIX TIRES ON THE CAR. THE SECOND TIRE FAILED ( STEERING SHAKING VIOLENTLY, INDICATING TREAD SEPARATION ) AT 104000 MILES ON THE CAR. I HAVE RECEIPTS FOR TIRES, AS WELL AS PRESSURE AND INSPECTION CHECKS. *AK (DOT NUMBER: NOT KNOWN TIRESIZE: 205-55-16)
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 732959 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 978802 · 1996-02-07 (February 7, 1996)
WHILE DRIVING, EXPERIENCE INTERMITTENT ENGINE SHUT DOWN LOW-HIGH SPEED, NO PRIOR WARNING, DEALER REPLACEED FUEL PUMP TWICE, PROBLEM PERSISTS. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 978802 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10454298 · 2012-04-05 (April 5, 2012)
WHEN FILLING A EMPTY GAS TANK, I CAN GET ABOUT $2.00 OF GAS IN BEFORE GAS SPLASH BACK OCCURS. THIS CAUSES LARGE AMOUNTS OF GAS TO POUR ONTO THE GROUND AND ON MY SHOES AND CLOTHES. I HAVE TRIED 6 DIFFERENT GAS STATIONS AND EACH GAS STATION DOES THE SAME THING. SO ITS NOT THE PUMPS. IT TAKES IN UPWARDS TO 10 MINUTES JUST TO PUMP $7.00 IN GAS INTO THE VEHICLE WHILE STILL SPLASHING GAS ON THE GROUND. IM TOLD THIS HAS TO DO WITH FAULTY ROLLOVER PROTECTION VALVES STICKING. WHEN FILLING UP VIA GAS CAN THIS PROBLEM DOES NOT PRESENT ITSELF. ITS JUST WHE…
Owner-reported narrative. 117,766 miles reported. Look up ODI 10454298 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1999 | 1 |
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2007 | 4 |
| 2008 | 6 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 5 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 0 |
1999: 1; 2000: 1; 2007: 4; 2008: 6; 2009: 2; 2010: 3; 2011: 3; 2012: 3; 2013: 5; 2014: 1; 2015: 0