NHTSA vehicle safety data

2011 Dodge Avenger Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2011 Dodge Avenger has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 209 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Dodge dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2011 Dodge Avenger, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2011 Dodge Avenger owner complaints

Owners have filed 209 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 Dodge Avenger, describing incidents dated May 14, 2011 to September 1, 2025.

Most-cited components

Unknown or Other 57 complaints
Electrical System 41 complaints
Engine 39 complaints
Air Bags 35 complaints
Visibility/Wiper 26 complaints
Seat Belts 20 complaints

Of the 209 complaints on file, 14 report a crash and 2 a fire; across all 209 complaints, owners report 6 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11705315 · Filed December 16, 2025
Window Defrost and Passenger Heat /Air. While either in motion or while driving, no heated air exits the passenger side of the windshield defroster, nor the passenger window defrost, lower and center console vents. Heated air only exits the driver's side windshield and driver's side dash vents…
ODI #11530149 · Filed July 3, 2023
The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormal sound. Additionally, the passenger’s side seat headrest exploded. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact related the…
ODI #11524740 · Filed May 31, 2023
Vehicle turns off while driving sometimes starts up sometimes not! Doesn't give a warning replaced multiple things afraid of the car doing it in a turn everything shuts down power steering and everything!

Read all 209 complaints

Owner-reported

2011 Dodge Avenger mileage at failure

155 of the 209 complaints on file for the 2011 Dodge Avenger give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.

Mileage at failure by component, from owners' complaints to NHTSA
Component	Median	Middle half	Based on
Engine	Median 80,000 miles	Middle half 35,000–110,000 miles	Based on 30 complaints

A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.

Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.

These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.

Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2011 Dodge Avenger in 2 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Preliminary Evaluation PE19-014: Active Head Rest Inadvertent Deployment
Closed February 25, 2026
Preliminary Evaluation PE12-016: Engine stall
Closed October 15, 2012

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Air Bags/Seat Belt Pretensioners may be Disabled

NHTSA #16V668000 · Seat Belts — Pretensioner · NHTSA notice

Reported September 15, 2016 · Chrysler (FCA US LLC)

Potentially affected: 1,435,625 vehicles

Repair completion: 41.1% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign S61 · Owners notified August 15, 2017 · Vehicles built February 18, 2009 – February 14, 2014 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Non-Deployment of Head Restraints

NHTSA #13V282000 · Electrical System · NHTSA notice

Reported July 2, 2013 · Chrysler Group LLC

Potentially affected: 442,320 vehicles

Repair completion: 71.46% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign N38 · Owners notified November 19, 2013 · Vehicles built June 25, 2011 – January 14, 2013 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Sebring and 200 vehicles manufactured June 28, 2011, through December 13, 2012; model year 2011-2013 Dodge Avenger vehicles manufactured June 25, 2011, through January 14, 2013; model year 2011-2012 Dodge Nitro vehicles manufactured June 17, 2011, through December 15, 2011; and model year 2011-2012 Jeep Liberty vehicles manufactured June 17, 2011, through August 15, 2012. Electrical over-stress of a resistor in the occupant restraint control module may lead to the non-deployment of the active head restraints during a rear impact collision.

Safety consequence

In the event of a crash necessitating the deployment of the active head restraints , their non-deployment could increase the risk of injury.

Manufacturer remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will flash the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) or replace the occupant restraint control module, as needed, free of charge. The recall began on November 19, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N38.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

STEERING COLUMN

NHTSA #11V315000 · Steering — Column · NHTSA notice

Reported June 8, 2011 · CHRYSLER GROUP LLC

Potentially affected: 11,096 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign L23 · Owners notified July 4, 2011 · Vehicles built April 15, 2011 – May 5, 2011 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011DODGE JOURNEY, JEEP WRANGLER, CHRYSLER 200, CHRYSLER 200 CONVERTIBLE, DODGE AVENGER, DODGE NITRO, JEEP LIBERTY, DODGE CALIBER, JEEP COMPASS, JEEP PATRIOT, DODGE GRAND CARAVAN AND CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH A MISSING OR INCORRECTLY INSTALLED STEERING COLUMN PIVOT RIVET.

Safety consequence

A MISSING OR INCORRECTLY INSTALLED RIVET COULD COMPROMISE THE ABILITY OF THE STEERING COLUMN TO SUPPORT THE OCCUPANT LOADS IN THE EVENT OF A FRONTAL CRASH, DECREASING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE FRONTAL IMPACT SAFETY SYSTEM. AS A RESULT, THE CONDITION MAY INCREASE THE POTENTIAL FOR INJURY IN A FRONTAL CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR RIVET PRESENCE AND ALIGNMENT AND REPAIR THE STEERING COLUMN PIVOT AS REQUIRED, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 4, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Notes

CHRYSLER'S SAFETY RECALL NO. L23.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

2011 Dodge Avenger 4 DR FWD

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

12% rollover risk

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control

2 investigations

209 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2011 Dodge Avenger.

Unknown or Other; Visibility/Wiper

ODI #11705315

Incident: September 1, 2025 · Filed: December 16, 2025

Window Defrost and Passenger Heat /Air. While either in motion or while driving, no heated air exits the passenger side of the windshield defroster, nor the passenger window defrost, lower and center console vents. Heated air only exits the driver's side windshield and driver's side dash vents. Problem persists through all cabin air modes and circulations. This safety issue affects visibility and passenger safety by failing to defrost/defog windows and keeping cabin temperatures near or below freezing during cold weather (blowing cold air into the cabin).

Steering; Electrical System; Air Bags

ODI #11530149

Incident: June 19, 2023 · Filed: July 3, 2023

The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormal sound. Additionally, the passenger’s side seat headrest exploded. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 13V282000 (Electrical System, Air Bags) and 11V315000 (Steering). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 205,000.

Unknown or Other

ODI #11524740

Incident: March 10, 2022 · Filed: May 31, 2023

Vehicle turns off while driving sometimes starts up sometimes not! Doesn't give a warning replaced multiple things afraid of the car doing it in a turn everything shuts down power steering and everything!

Visibility/Wiper

ODI #11509591

Incident: January 23, 2021 · Filed: February 28, 2023

Heater on the passenger side of the vehicle blows out cold air while driver side blows out hot air like it's supposed to. By having cold air being blown out, this causes the windshield and windows on the passenger side of the vehicle to fog up causing visibility issues.

Air Bags; Seat Belts; Engine

ODI #11480485

Incident: May 4, 2022 · Filed: August 22, 2022

The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated that the check engine warning light and air bag warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the cruise control, buttons on the steering wheel, and occupant restraint control were malfunctioning. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V668000 (Seat Belts, Air Bags) and the recall repair was completed. The contact stated that the air bag and occupant restraint warning light remained illuminated. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 171,998.

Electrical System; Unknown or Other

ODI #11454755

Incident: February 15, 2022 · Filed: March 1, 2022

Throttle Body changed 3 times still stalling and poor acceleration problems very unsafe stalls out of no where very frustrated also changed electronic pedal and battery Lighting signs still comes on and stalls very dangerous!

Electrical System; Engine; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11446464

Incident: June 16, 2021 · Filed: January 6, 2022

Vehicle will shut off while driving, has happened numerous time's, horn randomly honks by its self, it take numerous attempts to get the car started once it shut off, and now it's locked In limp mode and won't leave second gear

Unknown or Other

ODI #11445970

Incident: November 1, 2021 · Filed: January 3, 2022

Window Defrost and Passenger Heat /Air. While either in motion or while driving, no heated air exits the passenger side of the windshield defroster, nor the passenger window defrost, lower and center console vents. Heated air only exits the driver's side windshield and driver's side dash vents. Problem persists through all cabin air modes, and circulations. This safety issue effects visibility and passenger safety by failing to defrost/defog windows and keeping cabin temperatures near or below freezing during cold weather (blowing cold air into the cabin

Electrical System; Unknown or Other; Visibility/Wiper

ODI #11445892

Incident: October 1, 2019 · Filed: January 2, 2022

Window Defrost and Passenger Heat /Air. While either in motion or while driving, no heated air exits the passenger side of the windshield defroster, nor the passenger window defrost, lower and center console vents. Heated air only exits the driver's side windshield and driver's side dash vents. Problem persists through all cabin air modes, and circulations. This safety issue effects visibility and passenger safety by failing to defrost/defog windows and keeping cabin temperatures near or below freezing during cold weather (blowing cold air into the cabin). Manufacturer is aware but has yet to recall the issue even though reports are widespread for their vehicles in this model and dealership states it is a known issue.

Electrical System; Air Bags

ODI #11433848

Incident: May 15, 2012 · Filed: September 21, 2021

The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated while driving 5 MPH, the rear turn signals became inoperable. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V282000 (Electrical System, Air Bags) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 27,000.

Other Dodge Avenger model years

Check your 2011 Dodge Avenger VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Dodge Avenger at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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