VEHICLE BUYER'S GUIDE
Dodge Avenger2008–2014
Year-by-year buyer intelligence from NHTSA safety data — reliability, value, and which years to target or avoid.
Best Years to Buy a Dodge Avenger
Buyer Score combines reliability (65%) and depreciation value (35%) — higher is better.
Dodge Avenger Years to Avoid
5 recalls · 650 complaints
23 reported injuries
Top issue: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
4 recalls · 456 complaints
45 reported injuries
Top issue: AIR BAGS
2 recalls · 405 complaints
23 reported injuries
Top issue: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Federal Defect Investigations
NHTSA investigations are the stage that precedes a recall. 2 past investigations into the Avenger became recalls.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Data current as of October 28, 2026.
Dodge Avenger — Year-by-Year Comparison
Every model year ranked by Buyer Score. Click any year for its detailed problem report.
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Reliability | Value | Buyer Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 1 | 192 | 17 | — | 75 | 52 | 67 | Good |
| 2013 | 4 | 456 | 45 | — | 60 | 47 | 55 | Avoid |
| 2012 | 2 | 405 | 23 | — | 60 | 43 | 54 | Caution |
| 2011 | 2 | 168 | — | — | 80 | 40 | 66 | Good |
| 2010 | 2 | 126 | 16 | — | 81 | 40 | 67 | Good |
| 2009 | 1 | 56 | 1 | — | 85 | 40 | 69 | Excellent |
| 2008 | 5 | 650 | 23 | — | 60 | 40 | 53 | Avoid |
Buyer Score = Reliability (65%) + Value window (35%). Deaths and injuries sourced from NHTSA complaint filings. Year links open full NHTSA problem reports.
Known Dodge Avenger Problems
Most frequently reported components across all model years, from NHTSA owner complaints.
Complaint counts across all model years. Numbers indicate frequency, not severity.
Shopping by Era
How each generation of the Avenger compares — best year within each era shown.
2013–2017
Mid-decade models in the depreciation sweet spot — typically 35–55% below original MSRP. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and recall completion. Best: 2014 (Buyer Score 67).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best year Avenger to buy?+
The 2009 Dodge Avenger scores highest on our Buyer Score (69/100) — combining a reliability score of 85/100 with a value score of 40/100. It has 1 recall and 56 NHTSA complaints on record.
Which Avenger years have the most problems?+
The 2008, 2013, 2012 model years have the highest problem scores in our analysis. The 2008 Avenger leads with 5 recalls and 650 owner complaints.
What is the Buyer Score?+
The Buyer Score is a composite metric that combines reliability (65% weight) and depreciation value (35% weight). Reliability reflects recall and complaint severity. Value reflects how much of the vehicle's depreciation has already been absorbed by prior owners — a 4–6 year old vehicle typically sits in the sweet spot.
What are the most common Avenger problems?+
The most frequently reported Dodge Avenger issues involve: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AIR BAGS, ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER. These are aggregated across all model years from NHTSA owner complaint filings. Frequency of complaints does not necessarily indicate severity.
Deep-Dive Research
A buyer's guide shows model-level risk. A VIN report shows the individual vehicle — accidents, odometer history, open recalls, and auction records.