2014 Dodge Avenger Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2014 Dodge Avenger, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Airbags6922.5%
- Seat belts4213.7%
- Engine4213.7%
- Electrical3310.7%
- Driver assistance258.1%
- Interior & seats206.5%
- Brakes175.5%
- Steering144.6%
- Powertrain (other)123.9%
- Fuel system72.3%
- Suspension72.3%
- Body & structure72.3%
- Exterior lighting51.6%
- Other / unspecified31.0%
- Visibility31.0%
- Tires & wheels10.3%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact's daughter owns a 2014 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving approximately 40 MPH, the occupant restraint controller in the driver's seat activated inadvertently, and the head restraint deployed. The contact stated that her daughter was struck in the back of the head by the head restraint. The contact stated that her daughter had not observed the warning light before or after the failure. The contact's daughter had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V640000 (Seats, Air Bags); however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was unknown.
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Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
My driver side head rest was fine the night before. When I came out to my car the next morning, the AHR had defected and the padded part had "popped". No damage had occurred on the exterior of my vehicle.
The contact owns a 2014 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and coming to a stop, the driver’s side headrest deployed and pushed her head forward. The contact stated that the impact was like being rear-ended. The contact had a major headache from the impact of the headrest deployment. The contact inspected the headrest and became aware that the headrest spring had fractured. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 142,000.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
I know the noise is coming from the lifters in the engine that has been nicknamed the hemi tick
The contact owns a 2014 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the check engine and electronic throttle warning lights remained illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who replaced the electronic throttle body and the computer wiring harness however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 30,000.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
horn not working, i move steering wheel to left side and it works, problem with horn and wheel radio controls. Clock spring failure
Driving and car cuts off without warning. Could be going 35 mph could be going 65 mph. Have to shift to N to cut car back on. Sometimes it won't cut back on. I pressed gas after light turned green in a busy intersection and car cut off in middle of intersection. This has happened in more than one occasion and almost caused many accidents. Throws code for crankshaft position sensor. It has been replaced and still not helping. Also replaced throttle body position sensor. This is happening with A LOT of these vehicles. All online forums talk of the same problem. Don't know if it's the computer itself because the check engine light rarely comes in when this happens. Then it throws random codes.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
Driving and car cuts off without warning. Could be going 35 mph could be going 65 mph. Have to shift to N to cut car back on. Sometimes it won't cut back on. I pressed gas after light turned green in a busy intersection and car cut off in middle of intersection. This has happened in more than one occasion and almost caused many accidents. Throws code for crankshaft position sensor. It has been replaced and still not helping. Also replaced throttle body position sensor. This is happening with A LOT of these vehicles. All online forums talk of the same problem. Don't know if it's the computer itself because the check engine light rarely comes in when this happens. Then it throws random codes.
The contact owns a 2014 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the electronic throttle control warning light illuminated, and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the electronic throttle body was replaced twice; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to a second dealer Northtown Chrysler Jeep Dodge Fiat (2020 Niagara Falls Blvd, Tonawanda, NY 14150), where the PCM was replaced twice along with the Controller Area Network. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
I was stopped at a red light, when the airbag in the headrest deployed on the driver side.
The contact's daughter owns a 2014 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving approximately 40 MPH, the occupant restraint controller in the driver's seat activated inadvertently, and the head restraint deployed. The contact stated that her daughter was struck in the back of the head by the head restraint. The contact stated that her daughter had not observed the warning light before or after the failure. The contact's daughter had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V640000 (Seats, Air Bags); however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was unknown.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
JUST BOUGHT THE CAR, WITHIN A MONTH THE BRAKES WERE GRINDING. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THERE WAS A POWER TRAIN LEAK WHICH THEY REPLACED. A FEW DAYS LATER, I WAS AT AN INTERSECTION TURNING AND MY WHEEL COMPLETELY LOCKED, CAUSING ME TO HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AND THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. AN OFFICER HAPPENED TO BE ON THE SAME ROAD AND SAW THAT MY CAR WAS ALSO SMOKING AS WELL WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN DUE TO THE PREVIOUS POWER TRAIN LEAK. I LOOKED AT OTHER RECALLS AND SURE ENOUGH, THERE ARE SOME ON THE 2011-2013 REGARDING STEERING AND BRAKE SYSTEMS AS WELL. THEY DEFINITELY NEED TO CHECK THE 2014 DODGE AVENGER AS WELL FOR SIMILAR ISSUES. NOW THE FRONT PASSENGER AREA AND MY AXEL IS RUINED AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.
BETWEEN IN THE MIDDLE OF SEPTEMBER TIL NOW. I PURCHASE THIS VEHICLE ON A MONDAY WITH $500 DOWN. 2014 DODGER AVENGER WITH 74K AND BOUGHT THE OTHER$500. SO IN TOTAL $1000 DOWN. AND WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR UP TO THE DEALERSHIP. IT HAD TO GET EXPECTED, NO RECEIPT FOR IT OR NOTHING SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY HAD EXPECTED. THEREFORE, EVERYTHING WAS GOOD. I HAD TO BRING IT BACK TO DEALERSHIP AFTER I CALLED THEM ABOUT THE PROBLEM. I HAVE PAID TWO CARS OFF AND THIS IS MY WORSE EXPERIENCE I HAD WITH A VEHICLE I WAS DRIVING. IT WAS GOOD WHILE IT LAST BUT THE SECOND TIME SAME THING HAPPEN FIRST TIME. I WOULD LIKE TO GET MY DOWN PAYMENT BACK ALONG WITH THE NOTES I WAS PAYING. THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS. THIS HAPPENED WHILE CAR WAS IN MOTION TO WERE I WOULD HAVE HAD A LITTLE TRAFFIC BEHIND ME. SINCE SATURDAY NIGHT IT'S BEEN PARKED AND MONDAY 10/14/2019
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
JUST BOUGHT THE CAR, WITHIN A MONTH THE BRAKES WERE GRINDING. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THERE WAS A POWER TRAIN LEAK WHICH THEY REPLACED. A FEW DAYS LATER, I WAS AT AN INTERSECTION TURNING AND MY WHEEL COMPLETELY LOCKED, CAUSING ME TO HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AND THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. AN OFFICER HAPPENED TO BE ON THE SAME ROAD AND SAW THAT MY CAR WAS ALSO SMOKING AS WELL WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN DUE TO THE PREVIOUS POWER TRAIN LEAK. I LOOKED AT OTHER RECALLS AND SURE ENOUGH, THERE ARE SOME ON THE 2011-2013 REGARDING STEERING AND BRAKE SYSTEMS AS WELL. THEY DEFINITELY NEED TO CHECK THE 2014 DODGE AVENGER AS WELL FOR SIMILAR ISSUES. NOW THE FRONT PASSENGER AREA AND MY AXEL IS RUINED AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.
MY CAR IS A 2014 DOGE AVENGER THAT HAS THE OCCUPANCY RESTRAIN FAILURE CODE. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT THE GM PUT ONLY A CERTAIN NUMBER OF THESE CARS ON THE RECALL LIST: HOWEVER, MY CAR WAS NOT PLACED ON THE LIST. UNFORTUNATELY FOR ME, I AM HAVING THAT ISSUE. I WOULD LIKE TO ASK IF THERE IS ANYTHING POSSIBLE YOU COULD DO TO GET MY RECALL SERVICE BY DODGE.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
Driving and car cuts off without warning. Could be going 35 mph could be going 65 mph. Have to shift to N to cut car back on. Sometimes it won't cut back on. I pressed gas after light turned green in a busy intersection and car cut off in middle of intersection. This has happened in more than one occasion and almost caused many accidents. Throws code for crankshaft position sensor. It has been replaced and still not helping. Also replaced throttle body position sensor. This is happening with A LOT of these vehicles. All online forums talk of the same problem. Don't know if it's the computer itself because the check engine light rarely comes in when this happens. Then it throws random codes.
JUST BOUGHT THE CAR, WITHIN A MONTH THE BRAKES WERE GRINDING. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THERE WAS A POWER TRAIN LEAK WHICH THEY REPLACED. A FEW DAYS LATER, I WAS AT AN INTERSECTION TURNING AND MY WHEEL COMPLETELY LOCKED, CAUSING ME TO HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AND THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. AN OFFICER HAPPENED TO BE ON THE SAME ROAD AND SAW THAT MY CAR WAS ALSO SMOKING AS WELL WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN DUE TO THE PREVIOUS POWER TRAIN LEAK. I LOOKED AT OTHER RECALLS AND SURE ENOUGH, THERE ARE SOME ON THE 2011-2013 REGARDING STEERING AND BRAKE SYSTEMS AS WELL. THEY DEFINITELY NEED TO CHECK THE 2014 DODGE AVENGER AS WELL FOR SIMILAR ISSUES. NOW THE FRONT PASSENGER AREA AND MY AXEL IS RUINED AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2014 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the check engine and electronic throttle warning lights remained illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who replaced the electronic throttle body and the computer wiring harness however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 30,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS FUEL LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE ONTO THE GROUND. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A FAULTY FUEL LINE THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE CAR ENGINES LIGHTS CAME ON WHILE DRIVING THE ELECTRIC THROTTLE BODY LIGHT AND ECS LIGHTS CAME ON. THE CAR IS LOSING OIL AND OVERHEATING WHILE DRIVING. I TOOK THE CAR TO A SHOP AND THEY FOUND AN OIL LEAK BUT DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHERE THE OIL LEAK IS COMING FROM. OIL IS SPILLING ALL OVER THE TRANSMISSION. I CONTACTED DODGE SINCE THE CAR HAS 89,000 MILES ON IT AND THEY IGNORED THE PROBLEM. THE CAR SPUTTERS IN THE MIDDLE OF INTERSECTION IT DRIVES AT 2000 RPMS WITHOUT GAS PEDAL BEING PRESS. THE BRAKES DEPRESS ON THEIR OWN. WHY IS THERE NO INVESTIGATION DONE ON THESE DODGE AVENGERS. DO SOMEONE HAVE TO LOSE THEIR LIFE IN ORDER TO FIX THESE ISSUES?
NEEDS A LEFT REAR HUB AND REAR LINKS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
BOTH OF MY FRONT SEAT HEADRESTS DEPLOYED AS PASSENGERS WERE GETTING OUT THE CAR AND PUSHED AGAINST THE SEATS TO GET OUT THE CAR. THE CAR WAS NEVER INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT SO I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THE HEADRESTS DEPLOYED LIKE THEY DID. SINCE THE PINS ARE NO LONGER IN THE HEADRESTS, IT APPEARS I WILL HAVE TO ORDER NEW ONES TO CORRECT THE ISSUE. THE UPHOLSTERY ON THE RIGHT PASSENGER DOOR HAS LIFTED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE UPHOLSTERY ON THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR PULLED BACK. THE CONTACT GLUED THE FABRIC BACK BY HIMSELF, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE THREE CLIMATE CONTROL BUTTONS IN THE VEHICLE WERE ABOUT TO DETACH. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE PLASTIC AROUND THE BUTTONS WAS MELTED AND CAUSED THE BUTTONS TO BECOME LOOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FREELAND CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (615-270-8499. LOCATED AT 5800 CROSSINGS BLVD, ANTIOCH, TN 37013) WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE UPHOLSTERY FAILURE WAS A KNOWN ISSUE. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
HAD TO REPLACE COMPUTER IN MY CAR TWICE. FRONT DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT WIRING KEEPS BURNING OUT. AFRAID THIS CAR WILL CATCH FIRE WITH MYSELF AND MY FAMILY IN IT. VEHICLE STOPPED IN MOVING TRAFFIC ALMOST CAUSING ACCIDENTS. BACK AND FORTH TO DEALERSHIPS FOR GUESS WORK. NO FAITH IN DODGE ANYMORE. STOPPED SEVERAL MORE TIMES AFTER LEAVING THE DEALERSHIP. WAS WITHOUT A CAR FOR SO LONG ALMOST LOST MY EMPLOYMENT. CAR WOULD START MOST MORNINGS JUST TURN BUT NOT CRANK. WILL UPLOAD DOCUMENTS WHEN I GO PICK IT UP FROM THE DEALERSHIP YET AGAIN.
IT STARTED WITH THE BLINKER SHORTING OUT THE LIGHTS INSIDE THE CAR AND THE PROBLEM IS PERSISTENTLY GETTING WORSE. NOW THE HORN GOES OFF WITHOUT NOTICE WHILE DRIVING, NOW THE HORN IS NO LONGER WORKING AT ALL. I WAS NEARLY IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE I COULDN'T WARN A VEHICLE THEY WERE ENTERING MY LANE. I AM CONCERNED THAT MY CAR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WILL COMPLETELY MALFUNCTION WHILE DRIVING AS THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS ESSENTIALLY THE BRAIN OF THE VEHICLE. NUMEROUS DODGER OWNERS HAVE EXPRESSED THAT IT WILL ONLY GET WORSE, EVEN TO THE POINT OF COMPLETELY CUTTING OFF WHILE IN TRAFFIC.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 DODGE AVENGER. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER AND PREVENTED THE VEHICLE FROM ACCELERATING PAST 10-15 MPH. THE ETC WARNING INDICATOR AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY SIX TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.
THE TIRE SEPARATED AND EXPLODED, THIS IS A FAIRLY NEW CAR, I COULD OF HAD AN ACCIDENT. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED RIGHT AWAY.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE HEATER CORE IS WORKING AND THE BEND DOOR ACTUATORS ARE WORKING BUT THE HEAT ONLY WORKS ON THE DRIVER SIDE AND NOT THE PASSENGER SIDE. I'VE SEEN MANY FORUMS OF PEOPLE SAYING THE SAME THINGS ABOUT 2012-2014 MODELS. THIS SEEMS TO BE A BIG ISSUE WITH THIS CAR. IT IS WINTER NOW AND ONLY HALF THE HEAT WORKS, AS WELL AS ONLY HALF THE DEFROSTER AS WELL. THE CAR ONLY HAS 105K MILES ON IT AND I'VE HAD NO ISSUES TILL THIS AND OTHER RECALLS. DODGE SHOULD RECALL THESE AS IT'S A ISSUE WITH MANY AVENGER MODELS. THE VEHICLE DOES IT JUST IDLING IN A PARK SPOT OR DRIVING. NOT SURE IF IT'S DEFECTIVE ACTUATOR BENDING DOORS OR THE HEATER CORE ITSELF?! PLZ LOOK FURTHER INTO THIS AND HOPEFULLY THIS ISSUE CAN BE CONSIDERED FOR A RECALL.
: "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 TEMPURATURES NEAR OR BELOW FREEZING DURING COLD WEATHER (BLOWING COLD AIR INTO THE CABIN)." DOES NOT MATTER IF VEHICLE IS MOVING OR PARKED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 DODGE AVENGER EQUIPPED WITH CONTINENTAL STEEL BELT RADIAL TIRES, SIZE: 225/55/R17 (NA). WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH OVER A POTHOLE, THE FRONT AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRES BLEW OUT. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE RIMS WERE DAMAGED ON BOTH TIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE FRONT AND REAR PASSENGER TIRES. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,000. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE AND DOT NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .