Problems · NHTSA complaints

2014 Dodge Avenger problems

Owners filed 205 complaints about the 2014 Dodge Avenger with NHTSA between Mar 2014 and Aug 2026. The most-cited component is air bags (69).

Complaints
205
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
20
Reported by owners
Fires
3
Reported by owners
Injuries
10
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Air bags69
  2. Engine42
  3. Seat belts39
  4. Electrical system33
  5. Seats24
  6. Service brakes16
  7. Vehicle speed control15
  8. Steering14
  9. Power train12
  10. Electronic stability control (esc)12
  11. Suspension7
  12. Structure7
  13. Fuel/propulsion system5
  14. Exterior lighting5

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
201412
201522
201621
201746
201827
201933
202020
20217
20224
20238
20242
20252
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

Air bags

69 reports13 crashes
“The contact's daughter owns a 2014 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving approximately 40 MPH, the occupant restraint controller in the driver's seat activated inadvertently, and the head restraint deployed. The contact stated that her daughter was struck in the back of the head by the head restraint. The contact stated that her daughter had not observed the warning light before or after the failure. The contact's daughter had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V640000 (Seats, Air Bags); however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was unknown.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 29, 2025Air bags, SeatsODI 11657476

Engine

42 reports2 crashes
“The contact owns a 2014 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the check engine and electronic throttle warning lights remained illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who replaced the electronic throttle body and the computer wiring harness however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 30,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 21, 2023Engine, Fuel system, gasolineODI 11533672

Seat belts

39 reports6 crashes1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2014 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to her residence and then to the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V668000 (Seat Belts, Air Bags) however, the dealer informed the contact that the recall repair was completed by the previous owner in November 2022. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 96,056.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 26, 2023Air bags, Seat beltsODI 11523983

Electrical system

33 reports3 fires
“Driving and car cuts off without warning. Could be going 35 mph could be going 65 mph. Have to shift to N to cut car back on. Sometimes it won't cut back on. I pressed gas after light turned green in a busy intersection and car cut off in middle of intersection. This has happened in more than one occasion and almost caused many accidents. Throws code for crankshaft position sensor. It has been replaced and still not helping. Also replaced throttle body position sensor. This is happening with A LOT of these vehicles. All online forums talk of the same problem. Don't know if it's the computer itself because the check engine light rarely comes in when this happens. Then it throws random codes.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 27, 2023Power train, Electrical system, Vehicle speed controlODI 11534720

Seats

24 reports1 crash
“My driver side head rest was fine the night before. When I came out to my car the next morning, the AHR had defected and the padded part had "popped". No damage had occurred on the exterior of my vehicle.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 11, 2026SeatsODI 11756368

Service brakes

16 reports3 crashes1 fire
“JUST BOUGHT THE CAR, WITHIN A MONTH THE BRAKES WERE GRINDING. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THERE WAS A POWER TRAIN LEAK WHICH THEY REPLACED. A FEW DAYS LATER, I WAS AT AN INTERSECTION TURNING AND MY WHEEL COMPLETELY LOCKED, CAUSING ME TO HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AND THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. AN OFFICER HAPPENED TO BE ON THE SAME ROAD AND SAW THAT MY CAR WAS ALSO SMOKING AS WELL WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN DUE TO THE PREVIOUS POWER TRAIN LEAK. I LOOKED AT OTHER RECALLS AND SURE ENOUGH, THERE ARE SOME ON THE 2011-2013 REGARDING STEERING AND BRAKE SYSTEMS AS WELL. THEY DEFINITELY NEED TO CHECK THE 2014 DODGE AVENGER AS WELL FOR SIMILAR ISSUES. NOW THE FRONT PASSENGER AREA AND MY AXEL IS RUINED AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 11, 2021Steering, Power train, Service brakesCrash reportedODI 11416143
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.