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Dodge · NHTSA safety record

2010 Dodge Avenger

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

Owners have filed 163 safety complaints about the 2010 Dodge Avenger with the US government. Of those, 16 describe a crash, 8 mention a fire, 13 people were injured and no death is recorded. 3 recall campaigns are open against it.

The most complained-about system is the electrical system, named in 40 complaints, 25% of the total. The typical failure was reported at 75,200 miles, the median across the 126 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers May 2010 to May 2026 · How this is counted

What is on file

163 complaints on file

163

Complaints

16

Describe a crash

8

Mention fire

13

People injured

0

Deaths

A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.

A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free. Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a model year.

Which system owners named

Complaints naming each system
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 40 · 25%
AIR BAGS 37 · 23%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 27 · 17%
ENGINE 23 · 14%
POWER TRAIN 20 · 12%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 17 · 10%
SEAT BELTS 15 · 9%
SERVICE BRAKES 10 · 6%
STEERING 9 · 6%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 6 · 4%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 6 · 4%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 6 · 4%
0 19 38

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 163.

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2017 at 25.

28 21 14 7
10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 26

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2010 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program

NHTSA has not crash tested the 2010 Dodge Avenger. Its New Car Assessment Program tests a selection of each year's vehicles and does not reach motorcycles, heavy trucks, motorhomes or most low-volume models, so an absence here says nothing about how the vehicle would perform. It is not a low score.

What owners have reported about this vehicle is below, and it is a different question: a crash test measures what happens to the people inside in a controlled impact, while a complaint records what broke during ordinary use.

Recall campaigns

3 on file

SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER

16V668000 · September 15, 2016

The defect
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.
The risk
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.
The 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.

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) · up to 1,435,625 vehicles across all model years covered

STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

10V475000 · October 7, 2010

The defect
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.
The risk
LEAKED POWER STEERING FLUID ONTO HOT ENGINE COMPONENTS COULD CAUSE A FIRE.
The 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.

CHRYSLER GROUP LLC · up to 23,237 vehicles across all model years covered

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

10V009000 · January 11, 2010

The defect
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.
The risk
THIS COULD RESULT IN BRAKE FAILURE WITHOUT WARNING WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH.
The 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.

CHRYSLER GROUP LLC · up to 20,045 vehicles across all model years covered

In owners’ own words

Quoted from the complaint file

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

AIR BAGS

2 injured · crash · towed · 41,000 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2010 DODGE AVENGER. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THERE WERE TWO INJURIES SUSTAINED AND MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,000.

NHTSA complaint 10789607. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

2 injured · crash · towed

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNED A 2010 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THEY FAILED TO ENGAGE WHEN NECESSARY. AS A RESULT, THE DRIVER CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE AT AN UNKNOWN RATE OF SPEED. ALL OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY AND ADJUSTOR WERE AWARE THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V668000 (AIR BAGS AND SEAT BELTS). THE MANUFACTURER SENT AN INTERIM RECALL NOTICE, BUT THE PARTS HAD NOT BEEN SUPPLIED TO THE DEALER FOR OVER ONE YEAR. THE INSURANCE COMPANY INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER AND A REAR CHILD PASSENGER SUSTAINED BRUISING FROM THE CRASH,

NHTSA complaint 10980390, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

2 injured · crash · 120,000 miles

I WAS COMING INTO A TURN AND A DOG RAN IN FRONT OF THE CAR VERY FAST AND I JERKED AND HIT THE CURB AS I HIT THE CURB THE CAR WENT ON TOP OF IT THAN BACK ONTO THE STREET I TRIED TO HIT THE BRAKES NUMEROUS OF TIMES BUT THEY WENT STIFF AND ALL STEERING WENT AWAY IT WAS LOCKED I LOST ALL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CAR HIT ANOTHER CAR, DAMAGING IT AND MY INSURANCE TOTALED OUT THE AVENGER. NOW WE ARE WITHOUT A VEHICLE DUE TO THIS. I WENT TO THE HOSPITAL WITH MY PASSENGER WHO WAS INJURED AS WELL, DOCTOR DIAGNOSED ME WITH A CERVICAL STRAIN. SINCE THIS INCIDENT I AM STILL HAVING HEADACHES. MY MOTHER IS THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE AND STILL IS SHAKEN UP ABOUT THIS. *TR

NHTSA complaint 10694362. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES

2 injured · crash · 119,076 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2010 DODGE AVENGER. WHILE TRYING TO AVOID STRIKING A DOG AT 25 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND WHEN THE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DRIVER AND THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER SUSTAINED CERVICAL STRAINS THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,076. UPDATED 4/27/15*CN UPDATED 10/9/15 *JS

NHTSA complaint 10694584. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
brakes are bad paint and body arent in good condition have had some stalling problems

NHTSA complaint 11735706. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS
Every time I start my car, the airbag lights stays on. It will not turn off.

NHTSA complaint 11632377. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.

NHTSA complaint 11606228. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

175,000 miles

The contact owns a 2010 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated while attempting to lower the driver's side window, the window fell off the track and fell into the door panel. The contact stated that the failure became a regular occurrence. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the window regulator. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred an additional five times. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 175,000.

NHTSA complaint 11603249. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS
Airbag lights turns on and off and I think it's a manufacturer problem with the harness behind or under the seat. I read it's a common problem.

NHTSA complaint 11567251. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STEERING

160,000 miles

The contact owns a 2010 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle experienced an electrical short. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. A dealer was not contacted. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V475000 (Steering) and 10V009000 (Service Braces, Hydraulic) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

NHTSA complaint 11510938. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Dodge Avenger

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2014 205 1 —
2013 548 5 —
2012 554 3 —
2011 209 3 —

Other 2010 Dodge models

Journey 988 Grand Caravan 869 Ram 1500 486 Challenger 299 Ram 2500 236 Charger 232 Caravan 172 Caliber 157

Complaints on file, same model year.

Every Dodge on this site — 105 vehicles.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst