Research · Midsize Cars

2010 Dodge AvengerRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 163 owner complaints for the 2010 Dodge Avenger. Most complaints involve electrical system (40) and air bags (37). The EPA rates it 20–24 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
20–24mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Sep 2016
Owner complaints
163
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$2,700est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

3 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Seat belts: pretensioner

Remedy pending

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.

Seat beltsReported Sep 15, 2016NHTSA 16V668000

Steering: electric power assist system

Free remedy

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.

SteeringReported Oct 7, 2010NHTSA 10V475000

Service brakes, hydraulic

Free remedy

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.

Service brakes, hydraulicReported Jan 11, 2010NHTSA 10V009000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 30, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

163 complaints filed with NHTSA · May 2010 – May 2026
  1. Electrical system40
  2. Air bags37
  3. Vehicle speed control27
  4. Engine23
  5. Power train20
  6. Seat belts15
  7. Service brakes10
  8. Steering9
  9. Structure6

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Avenger model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996167
199789
199858
199962
200022
2008845
200967
2010163
2011209
2012554
2013548
2014205
Crashes reported
16
Fires reported
8
Injuries reported
13
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 30, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

40 reports6 fires
“Right turn signal has gone dismantled. It works erratically. Previously Baxter changed it. It had warranty for 3 years or 36000 miles. 3 years has passed but it did not surpassed 36000 miles yet. New motherboard of this system unavailable in market.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 3, 2024Electrical systemODI 11606228

Air bags

37 reports12 crashes
“THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE AIRBAG SYSTEM, WHICH I HAVE TAKEN TO GET FIXED. THERE IS A AIRBAG LIGHT NOW FLASHING ON AND OFF AND I AM TOO AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. WHEN I ASKED ABOUT THE DEALERSHIP SHIP SHEWED ME AWAY AND SAID MAYBE IT'S THE WIRING, WELL HELL I DIDN'T WIRE IT MYSELF. I WANT IT NOTED I CALLED ABOUT THIS ISSUE ALSO REPORTED IT WAS TOLD IT'S NOT PART OF THE RECALL. SO I GUESS THEY WAIT FOR SOMETHING TO HAPPEN FIRST, THEN RECALL IT?!?”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 1, 2020Air bags, Seat beltsODI 11342726

Vehicle speed control

27 reports1 crash
“The contact owns a 2010 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would not properly accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. Also, while operating the vehicle a knocking noise was present coming from the engine when the air conditioning unit was turned on. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 29, 2021Power train, Vehicle speed control, EngineODI 11438610
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl · 2.7L 6-cyl · 3.5L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd · Automatic 6-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 30, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Avenger
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
213024$2,700370
Avenger
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.7 L · Front-Wheel Drive
192722$2,900404
Avenger
Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
162720$3,200444
  • Avenger
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    21 city · 30 hwy · $2,700/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • Avenger
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.7 L
    19 city · 27 hwy · $2,900/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Avenger
    Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    16 city · 27 hwy · $3,200/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 30, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2010 Dodge Avenger as of Oct 30, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 30, 2026Vehicle 5624
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2010 Avenger questions

How many recalls does the 2010 Dodge Avenger have?

3 safety recalls as of Oct 30, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2010 Dodge Avenger problems?

Owners filed 163 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (40), air bags (37), vehicle speed control (27). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2010 Dodge Avenger get?

The EPA rates the 2010 Dodge Avenger at 20–24 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 30, 2026