NHTSA recalls & complaints · 1995–2015

Dodge Avenger recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 20 recall campaigns and 3,157 owner complaints for the Dodge Avenger, covering model years 1995 to 2015. The 2008 model year drew the most complaints (831), and Electrical System is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your Dodge Avenger VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

20 recall campaigns on file
3,157 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
15 model years with data (1995–2015)

most complaints: 2008 (831 for that model year)
top component: Electrical System (595 complaints)
latest recall 17V640000 (reported Oct 10, 2017)

227 complaints reporting a crash (7.2%)
66 complaints reporting a fire (2.1%)
148 complaints reporting an injury (4.7%)
2 complaints reporting a death (0.1%)

Dodge Avenger complaints by model year

15 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 2008 model year has the most complaints: 831 of 3,157, or 26.3%. Next come 2012 (553) and 2013 (548). The fewest are for 2015, with 1 complaint.

Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years

Show the figures for all 15 model years

Dodge Avenger complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death

Dodge Avenger complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model year	Complaints	Reporting a crash	Reporting a fire	Reporting an injury	Reporting a death
1995	196	24	3	11	0
1996	157	19	3	9	1
1997	83	15	0	12	0
1998	58	14	1	6	0
1999	62	6	2	4	0
2000	22	0	1	0	0
2007	2	0	0	0	0
2008	831	36	26	24	1
2009	67	3	0	2	0
2010	163	16	8	9	0
2011	209	14	2	4	0
2012	553	34	7	30	0
2013	548	26	10	30	0
2014	205	20	3	7	0
2015	1	0	0	0	0
All model years	3,157	227	66	148	2

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported Dodge Avenger components

top 15 · NHTSA categories

Electrical System is the component named most often, in 595 complaints (18.8% of all 3,157), followed by Air Bags (564) and Engine (436).

Components named most often in Dodge Avenger complaints (top 15)

Components named most often in Dodge Avenger complaints (top 15)
Component	Complaints	Share of complaints
Electrical System	595	18.8%
Air Bags	564	17.9%
Engine	436	13.8%
Unknown or Other	432	13.7%
Power Train	417	13.2%
Vehicle Speed Control	268	8.5%
Suspension	229	7.3%
Seat Belts	206	6.5%
Visibility/Wiper	187	5.9%
Engine and Engine Cooling	144	4.6%
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	128	4.1%
Steering	122	3.9%
Seats	120	3.8%
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)	112	3.5%
Fuel/Propulsion System	110	3.5%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

Dodge Avenger recalls

20 campaigns · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name Avenger, newest first. The 20 campaigns cover model years 1995 to 2014. The 2008 model year appears in the most campaigns (6).

20 recall campaigns

Dodge Avenger recall campaigns covering each model year
Decade	Years ending in 0	Years ending in 1	Years ending in 2	Years ending in 3	Years ending in 4	Years ending in 5	Years ending in 6	Years ending in 7	Years ending in 8	Years ending in 9
1990s						1995: 2 campaigns	1996: 2 campaigns	1997: 2 campaigns	1998: 2 campaigns	1999: 1 campaign
2000s	2000: 1 campaign	2001: no campaigns	2002: no campaigns	2003: no campaigns	2004: no campaigns	2005: no campaigns	2006: no campaigns	2007: 4 campaigns	2008: 6 campaigns	2009: 2 campaigns
2010s	2010: 3 campaigns	2011: 3 campaigns	2012: 3 campaigns	2013: 5 campaigns	2014: 1 campaign

Highlighted: the model year with the most campaigns.

NHTSA campaign 17V640000
Reported Oct 10, 2017
Seats › Front Assembly › Head Restraint; Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module-Inactive
Model years 2012–2013
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.
Consequence:
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.
Filed by Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
NHTSA campaign 16V668000
Reported Sep 15, 2016
Seat Belts › Pretensioner; Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module-Inactive; Air Bags
Model years 2010–2014
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.
Consequence:
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.
Filed by Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
NHTSA campaign 13V552000
Reported Nov 6, 2013
Engine
Model year 2013
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.
Consequence:
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.
Filed by Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
NHTSA campaign 13V282000
Reported Jul 2, 2013
Electrical System; Air Bags
Model years 2011–2013
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 module may lead to the non-deployment of the active head restraints during a rear impact collision.
Consequence:
In the event of a crash necessitating the deployment of the active head restraints, their non-deployment could increase the risk of injury.
Remedy:
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.
Filed by Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
NHTSA campaign 13V043000
Reported Feb 6, 2013
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly; Fuel System, Gasoline
Model year 2013
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.
Consequence:
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.
Remedy:
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.
Filed by Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
NHTSA campaign 11V315000
Reported Jun 8, 2011
Steering › Column
Model year 2011
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2011DODGE journey, Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 200, Chrysler 200 Convertible, Dodge Avenger, Dodge Nitro, Jeep Liberty, Dodge Caliber, Jeep Compass, Jeep Patriot, Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler town & country vehicles. Some of these vehicles may have been built with a missing or incorrectly installed steering column pivot rivet.
Consequence:
A missing or incorrectly installed rivet could compromise the ability of the steering column to support the occupant loads in the event of a frontal crash, decreasing the effectiveness of the frontal impact safety system. As a result, the condition may increase the potential for injury in a frontal crash.
Remedy:
Dealers will inspect for rivet presence and alignment and repair the steering column pivot as required, free of charge. The safety recall began on July 4, 2011. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Filed by Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
NHTSA campaign 10V475000
Reported Oct 7, 2010
Steering › Electric Power Assist System
Model year 2010
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2010 Chrysler Sebring, 300, charger (LX) and Dodge Challenger (LC), avenger (JS), and journey (JC), as well as model year 2011 Dodge Ram light duty pickup (DS) vehicles. Some of these vehicles may experience a separation at the crimped end of the power steering pressure hose assembly.
Consequence:
Leaked power steering fluid onto hot engine components could cause a fire.
Remedy:
Dealers will inspect and replace as necessary the power steering pressure hoses free of charge. The safety recall began on December 20, 2010. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Filed by Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
NHTSA campaign 10V009000
Reported Jan 11, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Model year 2010
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2010 Chrysler Sebring; Dodge Avenger and nitro; Jeep Liberty, commander and grand cherokee; and model year 2009-2010 Dodge Ram truck. These vehicles may have been built with an improperly formed or missing brake booster input rod retaining clip.
Consequence:
This could result in brake failure without warning which could cause a crash.
Remedy:
Chrysler will replace the brake booster input rod retaining clip free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during February 2010. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Filed by Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
NHTSA campaign 09V047000
Reported Feb 4, 2009
Fuel System, Other › Storage › Fuel Gauge System
Model year 2009
Chrysler is recalling 91 MY 2009 sebring and Dodge Avenger equipped with 2.4L engine passenger vehicles. A compatibility issue between the instrument cluster software and fuel pump module can result in the fuel gauge overstating the actual fuel tank level. As a result, the vehicle may run out of fuel when the gauge indicates that there is still fuel remaining in the tank.
Consequence:
This could cause a crash without warning.
Remedy:
Dealers will replace the fuel pump module free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during March 2009. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Filed by Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
NHTSA campaign 08V528000
Reported Oct 9, 2008
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Control Module (TCM/PCM/TECM)
Model year 2009
Chrysler is recalling 712 MY 2009 sebring, Dodge Caliber, avenger, journey, Jeep Patriot, and compass vehicles. A new adhesive used in the power train control module (PCM) manufacturing process can cause the printed circuit board to break.
Consequence:
This can cause the engine to stall and cause a crash without warning.
Remedy:
Dealers will replace the PCM free of charge. The recall began on November 10, 2008. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Filed by Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)

Show 10 more recalls

NHTSA campaign 08V152000
Reported Apr 2, 2008
Electrical System › Wiring
Model years 2007–2008
Chrysler is recalling 180,963 MY 2007-2008 sebring and Dodge Avenger vehicles equipped with a standard tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS). Unused electrical connectors for the TPMS may become corroded and could short circuit, which can cause a variety of conditions including engine no-start, dead battery, an inoperative cruise control or remote start system, and/or engine stalling.
Consequence:
Engine stalling could cause a crash without warning.
Remedy:
Dealers will seal the wires for the TPMS free of charge. The recall began on April 15, 2008. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Filed by Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
NHTSA campaign 07V473000
Reported Oct 10, 2007
Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System › Radiator Assembly
Model years 2007–2008
On certain vehicles equipped with 2.4 liter engines, the engine coolant may be drawn into the left radiator cooling fan motor connector.
Consequence:
This can cause an electrical short circuit and result in an engine compartment fire.
Remedy:
Dealers will inspect the connector for contamination or damage, install a wiring harness overlay, and replace the fan motor free or charge. The recall began on November 19, 2007. Owners may contact DaimlerChrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Filed by Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
NHTSA campaign 07V426000
Reported Sep 13, 2007
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
Model year 2008
On certain vehicles with all wheel drive, the fuel tank straps were improperly manufactured and could separate. This can cause the fuel tank to loosen and leak fuel.
Consequence:
Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source can result in an underbody fire.
Remedy:
Dealers will replace the fuel tank retention straps free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during October 2007. Owners may contact DaimlerChrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Filed by Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
NHTSA campaign 07V414000
Reported Sep 12, 2007
Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Model years 2007–2008
On certain vehicles, the front door latch cable may become partially unseated from the interior release handle housing possibly causing the latch to stick in the unlatched position or the lock function to become inoperative.
Consequence:
Driving a vehicle with an unlatched door can result in an unbelted front seat occupant falling out of the vehicle or being ejected in a crash, causing increased risk of injury.
Remedy:
Dealers will add a secondary retention feature to both front doors. This action will supersede and expand a previous safety recall (please see 07V-104). The recall began on October 29, 2007. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Filed by Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
NHTSA campaign 07V240000
Reported Jun 13, 2007
Air Bags › Frontal
Model year 2008
On certain passenger vehicles, the front seat track position sensors utilized for the air bag system may not function properly.
Consequence:
This could increase the risk of injury to front seat occupants during certain crash conditions.
Remedy:
Dealers will inspect the front seat track position sensors and replace them free of charge. The recallbegan on June 18, 2007. Owners may contact DaimlerChrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Filed by Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
NHTSA campaign 07V104000
Reported Mar 15, 2007
Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Model years 2007–2008
On certain passenger vehicles, the front door latch cable may become partially unseated from the interior release handle housing causing the door latch to stick in the open position and not be secured to the striker.
Consequence:
During certain crash conditions, the possibility of a door opening could cause an unbelted passenger to be ejected, increasing the risk of injuries.
Remedy:
This action is superseded (please see 07-V414.) Dealers will add free of charge a secondary feature to both front doors to prevent the door latch cable ferrule from becoming unseated at the interior front door release handle housing. The recall began on April 30, 2007. Owners may contact DaimlerChrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Filed by Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
NHTSA campaign 00V421002
Reported Dec 18, 2000
Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint
Model years 1995–2000
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. If the rubber boots on the lower lateral arm ball joints of the front suspension were damaged during assembly, dirt and water can intrude. Also, MMC has added the potential of leaking moisture, which can cause the ball stud to corrode.
Consequence:
This condition could cause the lower lateral arm ball joint to separate, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. This campaign supercedes MMC's previous safety recall campaign, see 99V-066.
Remedy:
Dealers will inspect the lower lateral arm ball joint for wear. Ball joints that exhibit wear beyond the established tolerance will be replaced with newly designed lateral arm ball joints. Ball joints that are within the established tolerance will be cleaned and a special sealant will be applied to prevent intrusion of moisture.
Filed by Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
NHTSA campaign 99V066003
Reported Apr 5, 1999
Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint
Model years 1995–1996
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. If the rubber boots on the lower lateral arm ball joints of the front suspension were damaged during assembly, dirt and water can intrude.
Consequence:
This condition could cause the lower lateral arm ball joint to separate, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy:
Dealers will inspect the rubber boots, and if the boot is damaged, they will replace the lower lateral arm and ball joint on the affected vehicles.
Filed by Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
NHTSA campaign 98V045002
Reported Mar 3, 1998
Vehicle Speed Control
Model year 1998
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The dash panel pad can shift interferring with the throttle cable control.
Consequence:
The throttle cable control would not return to idle increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy:
Dealers will remove a portion of the dash panel pad so it cannot interfere with the throttle cable control.
Filed by Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
NHTSA campaign 97V081002
Reported Aug 8, 1997
Seats › Front Assembly › Head Restraint
Model year 1997
The headrest guide bracket was improperly welded to the seat back frame on the passenger side seat back assemblies only.
Consequence:
The headrest support bracket can break, increasing the risk of personal injury.
Remedy:
Dealers will replace the passenger seat back assembly with a new assembly.
Filed by Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it; older campaigns, which NHTSA stores in capital letters, are shown in sentence case. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means

What each recall field means
Field	What it tells you
Campaign number	NHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
Component	The system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
Summary	What the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
Consequence	The safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
Remedy	What the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.

Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

Dodge Avenger questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the Dodge Avenger have?

NHTSA lists 20 vehicle recall campaigns for the Dodge Avenger, covering model years 1995 to 2015. The most recent, 17V640000, was reported on October 10, 2017 and is filed under “Seats”. The 2008 model year is covered by the most campaigns (6).

Which Dodge Avenger model year has the most complaints?

The 2008 model year, with 831 of the 3,157 complaints in NHTSA’s file (26.3%). The next are 2012 (553) and 2013 (548). Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.

What is the most common Dodge Avenger complaint?

Electrical System is the component named most often: 595 complaints, or 18.8% of all 3,157. Air Bags (564) and Engine (436) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my Dodge Avenger?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a Dodge dealer.

How many Dodge Avenger complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 3,157 complaints, 227 report a crash, 66 a fire, 148 at least one injury and 2 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

8 models · most complaints first

The Dodge models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the Dodge VIN decoder with every Dodge model page, WMI code and VIN note.

Dodge Durango 1997–2026 · 73 recalls · 13,762 complaints
Dodge Grand Caravan 1995–2020 · 58 recalls · 12,534 complaints
Dodge Ram 1500 1995–2014 · 28 recalls · 12,283 complaints
Dodge Caravan 1995–2017 · 32 recalls · 6,646 complaints
Dodge Ram 2500 1995–2012 · 22 recalls · 6,188 complaints
Dodge Dakota 1995–2011 · 34 recalls · 5,780 complaints
Dodge Charger 2001–2027 · 48 recalls · 5,736 complaints
Dodge Journey 2007–2020 · 26 recalls · 5,281 complaints

All Dodge models and WMI codes Look up recalls by year

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.

Dodge Avenger complaints by model year

Most-reported Dodge Avenger components

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

Dodge Avenger recalls

Seats › Front Assembly › Head Restraint; Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module-Inactive

Seat Belts › Pretensioner; Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module-Inactive; Air Bags

Engine

Electrical System; Air Bags

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly; Fuel System, Gasoline

Steering › Column

Steering › Electric Power Assist System

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Fuel System, Other › Storage › Fuel Gauge System

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Control Module (TCM/PCM/TECM)

Electrical System › Wiring

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System › Radiator Assembly

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch

Air Bags › Frontal

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint