People usually consider everyday midsize sedans to look plain or lack character but that isn’t the case with the Dodge Avenger. This sedan packs in the iconic muscle that Dodge is known for and presents it in a daily usable and reliable format, making it perfect for families and people looking for a daily commuter. Dodge has managed to sell the Avenger to over 64,000 customers and that definitely is a good number. However, that doesn’t mean this car carries no issues as the Dodge carries a total of 204 complaints along with 3 recalls. Users have mostly reported facing electrical glitches and rough transmission. The sedan does not have a smooth path as it faces tough competition from the Honda Accord, the Toyota Camry, and the Nissan Altima.
User complaints and problems
Electrical Problems
- Alternator – The users found multiple warning lights flashing and also noticed the instrument lights flicker. They also reported that the vehicle power decreased and at times the engine would take time to crank up. The car was taken to the dealers where the problem was identified to be caused by a faulty alternator.
- Headlights – The contact noticed the headlights started flickering before gradually giving up completely. The user found no damage to the bulb and drove to the mechanics who inspected the entire unit and wiring to find out that the headlight plug had melted and it was suspected to happen due to a short circuit. Dealers replaced the plug and the respective wiring harness.
Mechanical Problems
- Engine – The users reported seeing the electronic throttle control light turning on after which the car lost all the power. The driver let the car roll towards the shoulder of the road and upon trying to restart the vehicle, the engine would not start. The car was taken to the mechanics and upon inspection, the error code directed toward the camshaft but replacing it did not solve the issue, and the dealers claimed that the engine would need to be replaced.
- Transmission – It was reported that the car would jerk when trying to accelerate and this was said to happen very often. At times, the car would stall after jerking, and when the mechanics were contacted, they informed that the manufacturers were aware of the issue and are currently working on a solution.
Safety Problems
- Airbag – There were a few cases where the airbags failed to deploy and this caused cuts and bruises on the occupants. The crashed vehicle was diagnosed and it was found to happen due to a faulty occupant restraint control module. This was later addressed by rolling out a recall.
2011 Dodge Avenger recalls
|
S. No. |
Date |
NHTSA ID |
Issues Noticed |
Additional Remarks |
Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1. |
15th September 2016 |
16V668000 |
Airbags/seatbelt pretensioners may be disabled. |
A short circuit of the occupant restraint control module may prevent the frontal airbag, seatbelt pretensioners, and side airbags from deploying. |
Dealers will replace the OCR. |
|
2. |
2nd July 2013 |
13V282000 |
Non-deployment of head restraints. |
Electrical over-stress of a resistor in the occupant restraint control module may lead to the non-deployment of the active head restraint during a rear impact collision. |
TIPM will be flashed or the occupant restraint control module will be replaced. |
|
3. |
8th June 2011 |
11V315000 |
Steering column. |
The affected vehicle may have been built with a missing or incorrectly installed steering column pivot rivet, making the column unable to support the occupant load in the event of a frontal crash. |
The dealers will inspect for the presence of a rivet and the steering column pivot will be repaired accordingly. |
Should you buy the 2011 Dodge Avenger?
The 2011 Dodge Avenger has managed to undercut the prices of its string rivals, giving this car some room to attract buyers. The Avenger also carries a lot of reliability and the recalls that this car had to undergo have helped get rid of a lot of issues that would have otherwise made the Avenger a very problematic vehicle. The transmission on the Dodge is its weak link as manufacturers are still figuring out how to make this vehicle run smoother. The Dodge Avenger definitely is a good option but if you don’t mind spending a couple of $1000 extra, options from Honda and Toyota offer better performance and also have better refinement. If refinement isn’t a big deal, the Dodge Avenger shouldn’t be an issue and is definitely worth the money it asks for.
