Problems · NHTSA complaints

2010 Dodge Avenger problems

Owners filed 163 complaints about the 2010 Dodge Avenger with NHTSA between May 2010 and May 2026. The most-cited component is electrical system (40).

Complaints
163
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
16
Reported by owners
Fires
8
Reported by owners
Injuries
13
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  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
  10. Fuel/propulsion system6
  11. Electronic stability control (esc)6
  12. Engine and engine cooling6
  13. Tires4
  14. Exterior lighting4

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

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 30, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20102
201110
20127
201313
201419
201514
201623
201725
201812
201912
202011
20214
20224
20232
20244
20250
20261

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

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

Engine

23 reports1 crash2 fires
“The contact owns a 2010 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated while attempting to make a left turn while driving approximately 5 MPH, the vehicle started rattling at the front-end of the vehicle. The vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact shifted to park, turned off and then restarted the vehicle. The vehicle returned to normal operation. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that there was a malfunction with an unknown part. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,100.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 12, 2022Electrical system, EngineODI 11497010

Power train

20 reports
“The contact owns a 2010 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled without warning. The contact stated that on several occasions the vehicle would not immediately restart. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the PCM was faulty and needed to be replaced. The PCM was replaced with an aftermarket part however, the failure persisted. The local dealer was contact and informed that the manufacturer PCM part had been discontinued and was no longer available for purchase. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 142,086.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 22, 2022Power trainODI 11480572

Seat belts

15 reports3 crashes1 related recall
“THE AIRBAG/SEAT BELT LIGHT IS ON AN WONT GO OFF EVEN AFTER TAKING IT TO GET RECALLED CHECKED. WHEN I COME TO A COMPLETE STOP THERE IS A BEEPING SOUND . WHEN I TRUN THE WHEEL OR CRANK THE CAR THERE IS ALSO A BEEP SOUND . WHEN I CEANK THE VEHICLE THERE ARE ABOUT 7 BEEPS . 1 WHEN I INSERT MY KEY THE NEXT WHEN I NEED TO BUCKLE ANOTHER ONE FOR TIRE LIGHT AN THE OTHER BEEPS ARE FOR THE SEAT BELT/ AIR BAG CONSTANTLY BEEPING”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 3, 2019Air bags, Seat beltsODI 11165606
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026

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