Dodge

Avenger

Midsize Cars · model years 1995 to 2014

Includes Avenger and Avenger AWD as listed by the EPA.

See all 39 Avenger trims All Dodge cars

The verdict

Best year: 2000. complaints: 22, below this model's typical 54; recalls: 1, below this model's typical 2.

Worst year: 2008. complaints: 844, about 3.1x this model's typical 272; recalls: 6, about 3x this model's typical 2.

Year by year

Year by year summary for the Dodge Avenger
Year	Trims	MPG	HP	Fuel cost	Recalls	Complaints	Investigations	TSBs	Top complaints
1995	3Gas	22	no data	$2,850	2	196	0	no data	SUSPENSION 26%, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 16%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 8%
complaints: 196, above this model's typical 163 recalls: 2, in line with this model's typical 2 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 12 complaints reporting a fire: 3 Score: 49 of 100, where higher is better.
1996	3Gas	21	no data	$2,950	2	157	0	no data	SUSPENSION 28%, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 11%, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 10%
complaints: 157, below this model's typical 163 recalls: 2, in line with this model's typical 2 deaths reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 14 complaints reporting a fire: 3 Score: 41 of 100, where higher is better.
1997	3Gas	21	no data	$2,950	2	83	0	no data	SUSPENSION 18%, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 18%, AIR BAGS 13%
complaints: 83, below this model's typical 163 recalls: 2, in line with this model's typical 2 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 19 Score: 67 of 100, where higher is better.
1998	3Gas	22	no data	$2,850	2	58	0	no data	SUSPENSION 25%, AIR BAGS 12%, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 10%
complaints: 58, below this model's typical 163 recalls: 2, in line with this model's typical 2 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 12 complaints reporting a fire: 1 Score: 65 of 100, where higher is better.
1999	3Gas	22	no data	$2,850	1	62	0	no data	SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 17%, SUSPENSION 15%, POWER TRAIN 11%
complaints: 62, below this model's typical 163 recalls: 1, below this model's typical 2 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 4 complaints reporting a fire: 2 Score: 75 of 100, where higher is better.
2000	1Gas	20	no data	$3,100	1	22	0	no data	POWER TRAIN 23%, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 19%, SUSPENSION 15%
complaints: 22, below this model's typical 54 recalls: 1, below this model's typical 2 complaints reporting a fire: 1 Score: 79 of 100, where higher is better.
2008	5Gas	22	no data	$2,850	6	844	0	no data	POWER TRAIN 19%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 18%, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 11%
complaints: 844, about 3.1x this model's typical 272 recalls: 6, about 3x this model's typical 2 deaths reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 35 complaints reporting a fire: 26 Score: 0 of 100, where higher is better.
2009	3Gas	22	no data	$2,850	2	67	0	no data	AIR BAGS 11%, ENGINE 11%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 10%
complaints: 67, below this model's typical 163 recalls: 2, in line with this model's typical 2 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 6 Score: 73 of 100, where higher is better.
2010	3Gas	22	no data	$2,850	3	163	0	35	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 16%, AIR BAGS 15%, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 11%
complaints: 163, in line with this model's typical 163 recalls: 3, about 1.5x this model's typical 2 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 13 complaints reporting a fire: 8 Score: 45 of 100, where higher is better. Theft rate: 2.9 per 1,000 produced (federal data, last published for 2014).
2011	3Gas	23	283	$2,700	3	209	2	60	UNKNOWN OR OTHER 18%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 13%, ENGINE 12%
complaints: 209, above this model's typical 163 recalls: 3, about 1.5x this model's typical 2 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 6 complaints reporting a fire: 2 Score: 41 of 100, where higher is better. Theft rate: 1.8 per 1,000 produced (federal data, last published for 2014).
2012	3Gas	23	283	$2,700	3	554	1	78	UNKNOWN OR OTHER 20%, AIR BAGS 13%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 13%
complaints: 554, about 3.4x this model's typical 163 recalls: 3, about 1.5x this model's typical 2 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 35 complaints reporting a fire: 7 Score: 5 of 100, where higher is better. Theft rate: 3.9 per 1,000 produced (federal data, last published for 2014).
2013	3Gas	23	283	$2,700	5	548	1	96	AIR BAGS 18%, ENGINE 14%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 12%
complaints: 548, about 3.4x this model's typical 163 recalls: 5, about 2.5x this model's typical 2 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 42 complaints reporting a fire: 10 Score: 0 of 100, where higher is better. Theft rate: 3.5 per 1,000 produced (federal data, last published for 2014).
2014	3Gas	23	283	$2,700	1	205	1	98	AIR BAGS 21%, ENGINE 13%, SEAT BELTS 12%
complaints: 205, above this model's typical 163 recalls: 1, below this model's typical 2 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 10 complaints reporting a fire: 3 Score: 52 of 100, where higher is better. Theft rate: 3.2 per 1,000 produced (federal data, last published for 2014).

How the numbers moved

Combined MPG, median1995: 22 to 2014: 23

Owner complaints1995: 196 to 2014: 205

How we score each year

We compare each year of the Dodge Avenger to the model's own typical numbers, not to other cars. A year reads solid when its recalls, owner complaints, and federal investigations sit at or below what is typical for this model, mixed when some of those numbers run above typical, and avoid when they run far above it. Deaths, reported fires, and an NHTSA advisory to park outside count against a year no matter what this model's baseline looks like.

A year is scored only when NHTSA has both complaint and recall counts for it. Complaint data often lags for the newest years, so a recent year can read not enough data even while its recall count already shows in the table. When the history is too thin, we say not enough data instead of guessing. Service bulletins are routine maintenance guidance from the manufacturer and do not lower a year's score.

Scores run 0 to 100, higher is better. Recall, complaint, and investigation figures come from NHTSA records. Fuel economy, fuel cost, and horsepower figures come from the EPA, shown as the median across the year's trims.

Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.