2014 Dodge Avenger: what breaks, and at what mileage
What breaks on the 2014 Dodge Avenger
On the 2014 Dodge Avenger, the failure owners report most often is other engine problem, and the reports cluster around 50,000 miles. The earliest to appear is other steering problem, reported by a median of 5,000 miles. Overall it scores 68 out of 100, high risk for a 2014.
High risk for a 2014 — 200th riskiest of the 270 2014 vehicles we can rate. 330 owner reports; fleet size estimated from this year's own recall paperwork.
What owners report breaking
Owners have reported 44 named failure modes on the 2014 Dodge Avenger, and the three most-reported carry 23% of everything filed, which is an unusually even spread for one model year.
Other engine problem leads with 32 reports, about 0.5 per 1,000 vehicles and with the middle half of reports between 28k to 67,500 miles.
Other electrical problem follows with 24 reports, usually reported between 6k to 65,000 miles. 2 of those reports mention a fire.
Other body or interior problem follows with 21 reports, usually reported between 38k to 100,000 miles.
By system, the reports fall mostly into airbag (51), engine (46) and electrical (38).
At what mileage it happens
236 of the reports on the 2014 Dodge Avenger came with an odometer reading, and half of those were filed before 50,000 miles.
Cumulatively, 49% by 50,000 miles, 87% by 100,000 miles and 98% by 150,000 miles of the dated reports had been filed.
The busiest stretch is between 0 and 10,000 miles, which alone holds 15% of the dated reports.
35% of the dated reports were filed below 36,000 miles.
In the order they tend to show up: other steering problem around 5k, other brake problem around 17k, seat belt or retractor failure around 34k and other speed control problem around 40k.
Tick median reported mileage Solid middle half of reports Faint 10th to 90th percentile Colour how bad the failure is when it happens
Showing the 12 most-reported failure modes of 44. The full list is in the table below.
How reports accumulate
Every report with an odometer reading, cumulative, from 0 to 200,000 miles. A curve that climbs early is a car with early problems, whatever its total.
- Line share of reports filed by that mileage
- Dashed the median reported mileage
Severity, and what it costs
Across the named modes, 33 mention a crash, 4 a fire and 10 an injury. Those are the words owners used in their own complaints, and NHTSA does not verify them, but they are the closest thing in this data to a measure of what a failure actually did.
The average severity weight across every report on this year is 4.48, where a stalled engine or a failed airbag weighs many times more than a rattling trim panel, and a figure this high means the reports are dominated by failures with safety consequences rather than annoyances. The weighting is set out in full on the methodology page.
What the top failures cost to put right, as editorial estimates for an independent US shop rather than figures from NHTSA: other engine problem at $300–$4,000, other electrical problem at $250–$2,000, other body or interior problem at $200–$2,000 and airbag inflator rupture at $0–$0. Dealer labour, a seized bolt or a part that is no longer made can push any of these past the top of its range.
20% of the reports on this year sit in the engine, transmission, drivetrain or cooling systems — the four where a repair bill is usually four figures.
Every reported failure mode
| Failure mode | System | Reports | With reading | 25th | Median | 75th | Per 1,000 | Typical repair | Severity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other engine problem | engine | 32 | 26 | 28k | 49k | 69k | 0.5 | $300–$4,000 | High |
| Other electrical problem | electrical | 24 | 20 | 6k | 46k | 66k | 0.4 | $250–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Other body or interior problem | body | 21 | 19 | 38k | 82k | 99k | 0.3 | $200–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Airbag inflator rupture | airbag | 15 | 5 | — | 100k | — | 0.2 | $0–$0 | Critical |
| Seat belt or retractor failure | airbag | 15 | 10 | 18k | 34k | 70k | 0.2 | $200–$900 | High |
| Other steering problem | steering | 12 | 11 | 415 | 5k | 50k | 0.2 | $350–$2,400 | High |
| Other brake problem | brakes | 11 | 9 | 1k | 17k | 43k | 0.2 | $300–$1,800 | High |
| Other speed control problem | adas | 11 | 8 | 23k | 40k | 75k | 0.2 | $250–$2,000 | Critical |
| Airbag warning light or occupant sensor fault | airbag | 9 | 6 | — | 69k | — | 0.1 | $300–$1,600 | High |
| Other driver assistance problem | adas | 9 | 9 | 13k | 60k | 97k | 0.1 | $250–$1,800 | High |
| Airbag failed to deploy in a crash | airbag | 8 | 8 | 48k | 50k | 60k | 0.1 | $1,000–$5,000 | Critical |
| Other powertrain problem | transmission | 7 | 5 | — | 60k | — | 0.1 | $400–$4,500 | High |
| Oil leak | engine | 6 | 6 | — | 45k | — | 0.1 | $250–$2,200 | Moderate |
| Radiator or coolant leak | cooling | 6 | 3 | — | 63k | — | 0.1 | $350–$1,900 | High |
| Stalling while driving | engine | 5 | 5 | — | 47k | — | 0.1 | $300–$2,500 | Critical |
| Heater core failure | cooling | 5 | 5 | — | 68k | — | 0.1 | $700–$2,400 | Moderate |
| Other fuel system problem | fuel | 5 | 3 | — | 29k | — | 0.1 | $300–$2,200 | High |
| Other suspension problem | suspension | 5 | 5 | — | 24k | — | 0.1 | $350–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Control module (ECM/PCM/BCM) failure | electrical | 4 | 4 | — | 92k | — | 0.1 | $700–$3,000 | High |
| Loss of braking | brakes | 4 | 4 | — | 17k | — | 0.1 | $400–$3,000 | Critical |
| Overheating | cooling | 3 | 3 | — | 58k | — | 0.0 | $400–$3,500 | High |
| Alternator or charging system failure | electrical | 3 | 3 | — | 130k | — | 0.0 | $450–$1,600 | High |
| Engine sensor failure | electrical | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $180–$900 | Moderate |
| Premature brake pad or rotor wear | brakes | 3 | 3 | — | 55k | — | 0.0 | $300–$1,400 | Moderate |
| Cruise control failure | adas | 3 | 3 | — | 77k | — | 0.0 | $200–$1,400 | High |
| Catalytic converter failure | emissions | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $900–$3,500 | Moderate |
| Other seat belt problem | airbag | 3 | 3 | — | 78k | — | 0.0 | $200–$900 | High |
| Other lighting problem | lighting | 3 | 3 | — | 24k | — | 0.0 | $120–$1,200 | Moderate |
| No-start or intermittent start failure | engine | 2 | 1 | — | 42k | — | 0.0 | $200–$1,800 | Moderate |
| Wiring harness or short circuit | electrical | 2 | 2 | — | 30k | — | 0.0 | $400–$3,500 | High |
| Ignition switch, key fob or immobilizer failure | electrical | 2 | 2 | — | 3k | — | 0.0 | $250–$1,500 | High |
| Loss of power steering | steering | 2 | 2 | — | 56k | — | 0.0 | $600–$2,800 | Critical |
| Headlight failure or clouding | lighting | 2 | 2 | — | 150k | — | 0.0 | $150–$1,800 | Moderate |
| Other wheel or tire problem | wheels | 2 | 2 | — | 10k | — | 0.0 | $200–$1,500 | High |
| Engine bay fire | engine | 1 | 1 | — | 50k | — | 0.0 | $4,000–$20,000 | Critical |
| Infotainment screen failure | infotainment | 1 | 1 | — | 28k | — | 0.0 | $400–$2,600 | Low |
| ABS module or sensor failure | brakes | 1 | 1 | — | 90k | — | 0.0 | $500–$2,400 | High |
| Airbag deployed without a crash | airbag | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $2,500–$8,000 | Critical |
| Steering rack, gear or tie rod failure | steering | 1 | 1 | — | 45k | — | 0.0 | $700–$2,600 | High |
| Steering column or shaft failure | steering | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $600–$2,500 | Critical |
| Control arm, ball joint or bushing failure | suspension | 1 | 1 | — | 60k | — | 0.0 | $400–$2,200 | High |
| Tire blowout or tread separation | wheels | 1 | 1 | — | 21k | — | 0.0 | $200–$1,500 | Critical |
| Tail light, brake light or signal failure | lighting | 1 | 1 | — | 21k | — | 0.0 | $100–$900 | Moderate |
| Other visibility problem | glass | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $150–$1,400 | Moderate |
| Unclassified problem | other | 70 | 29 | 27k | 40k | 96k | 1.1 | — | Moderate |
Rate per 1,000 uses a fleet-size estimate derived from recall paperwork for this exact model year. It is a lower bound. Repair costs are typical independent-shop ranges for the failure, not figures from these reports.
How often, against how many were built
Scaled by an estimate of how many of these cars exist, the 2014 Dodge Avenger draws about 5.3 per 1,000 vehicles, which puts it in the 85th percentile of complaint rates among 2014 vehicles we can rate.
That denominator is the weakest number on the page and it is fair to say so plainly. Rate per 1,000 uses a fleet-size estimate derived from recall paperwork for this exact model year. It is a lower bound.
The working figure is 62,418 vehicles. If the true number is twice that, every rate on this page is half what it says; the ranking against other 2014 vehicles, which is what the risk score uses, is far more robust than the rate itself.
What owners wrote
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint narratives, trimmed for length. The odometer reading is the one the owner gave.
Other engine problem
I was driving and the car just cut back, it act as though it wanted to stall. It did this a few times. I had to go to the dealership and have my warning lights on the dash reset 3 times. They always had a reason why this happened. I will never get another avenger that's for sure. I love dodge but I have always had a caravan used and this car had 9miles on it when I brought it dec 2013 I have not had it a whole year yet and I've been to the shop 4 times already. *tr
This has been going on now for over a 1 year. My car engine just shuts off for no reason. I have taken it in had it towed in and multi dodge dealership mechanics looks at it. Nobody can figure out why it does it. They have duplicated the problem lots of times but don't know why it happens. Every mechanic refuses to document in the systems that this is happening because they can't fix the problem but I make them all right on my copy of the service paperwork that they did duplicate it and what they did to protect me.the only thing they have every change is the erg valve but it still happens to this day. This is a huge safety issue.
Other electrical problem
I purchased my car brand new 0 miles on it in february me and my granny I have a white on she has a black one soon as she purchased her car the charging port was flashing on and off and it went out and just two weeks ago my cars lights was flashing on and off the car wouldn't go past 40mph without the car shaking and the lights flashing I even got pulled over I hate the car. *tr
The first time this happened I was turning and car just shut off. No warning light. Took it to dealership, they said nothing found, just a quick flash to reboot computer. Three weeks later it happened again, first it kicked back, then I turned and it shut off again. Took it back to dealership, they said it was a relay switch, and was replaced. I'm scared to drive this brand new car anywhere. *tr
Other body or interior problem
While I was driving, the hood of my car became unlatched and inverted onto my windshield and warping to my windshield, and denting the roof of my car. These cause the hinges, roof, hood and latches to be replaced. Nearly 4000$ in damage.
Hit a few deer head on it took out both sides and complete front end and air bags didn't deploy and it was a pretty hard impact ill be surprised if they don't total the vehicle out we were on hwy 45 in bloomington indiana
Recalls on the 2014 model year
NHTSA has issued 1 recall campaign covering the 2014 Dodge Avenger, affecting an estimated 62,418 vehicles. A recall is a different kind of evidence from a complaint: it is the regulator and the manufacturer agreeing that something has to be fixed, and the fix is free for as long as the car exists.
The campaigns cover air bags. Whether the work was actually done on the car in front of you is a question only the VIN can answer, and the manufacturer or NHTSA will answer it free.
Recalls also distort complaint counts. Publicity about a campaign reminds owners that complaining is possible, so reports for a recalled component often spike after the recall rather than before it.
AIR BAGS
1,435,625 vehicles 2016-09-15- Defect
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Recall work is free at a franchised dealer regardless of the car's age. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before assuming it was done.
How it ranks in the 2014 field
The score at the top of the page, placed among its peers. The zones are the same thresholds the scorer applies, read out of the scorer itself, so the picture and the band word cannot disagree.
Scores are ranked within the model year, never across years, because an older car has had longer to accumulate reports.
- Left fewer and less serious reports
- Right more, or worse
- Marker this vehicle
How 2014 compares with the other years
High risk for a 2014 — 200th riskiest of the 270 2014 vehicles we can rate. Every score on this site is a rank inside its own model year, which is what makes a 2004 and a 2019 comparable at all.
Across the 12 model years of this car that carry enough reports to score, 2000 comes out best at 56 and 2008 worst at 74, with 2014 itself at 68.
If the model year is negotiable, 2000, 1999, 1996, 1998 and 1997 score lower than 2014 by a margin worth acting on. Same body, same engines, different luck — usually a supplier change or a mid-cycle fix, which the complaint data can show but never explain.
Within the 2010–2015 generation specifically, 2011 is the strongest year at 67 and 2013 the weakest at 72.
Scores compare each year against other cars of the same model year, so a low number on an older car is a real result and not an artefact of age.
Shorter is better. Years with too few reports to score are shown without a bar rather than as a zero, because no data is not good news.
Within the 2010-2015 generation, 2011 Dodge Avenger scores best at 67 and 2013 Dodge Avenger worst at 72.
What to look at before buying one
The mileages below are where the first quarter of reports for each mode had already been filed, which makes them the point at which a fault is worth looking for rather than the point at which it happens: other steering problem from about 415, other brake problem from about 1k, other electrical problem from about 6k and other driver assistance problem from about 13k.
On a 2014 Dodge Avenger with more miles than that on it, the useful question to put to a seller or a mechanic is whether other steering problem has been dealt with, and if so with what parts and at whose expense. A car that has already had the repair is in a different position from one that has not.
None of this is a diagnosis. It is a list of what other owners of the same model year reported, ordered by when they reported it, which is a good place to point an inspection and a poor place to stop.
What this page cannot tell you
330 owner reports; fleet size estimated from this year's own recall paperwork. Every count on this page is therefore a floor: it is the number of owners who went to the trouble of filing with a federal agency, which is a small and self-selected fraction of the owners who had the fault.
Of those 330 reports, 236 carried an odometer reading, so the mileages here describe 72% of the sample rather than all of it. Owners also round: readings pile up on multiples of ten thousand, which is why this site publishes "about 90,000 miles" and not "91,438".
Named failure modes come from matching phrases in the complaint text, so a badly worded complaint can land in the wrong bucket. The effect washes out across hundreds of reports and does not wash out across five.
And nothing here predicts what one car will do. These are other people's complaints, filed years apart, on cars maintained by strangers. Read the page as a map of where this model year has previously gone wrong, then have the specific car in front of you inspected.
Questions this page answers
What are the most common problems with the 2014 Dodge Avenger?
The most-reported failures are other engine problem (32 reports, median 50,000 miles), other electrical problem (24 reports, median 45,000 miles) and other body or interior problem (21 reports, median 80,000 miles). Counts come from owner complaints filed with NHTSA, which are voluntary, so they show what owners bothered to report rather than every fault that occurred.
At what mileage do 2014 Dodge Avenger problems start?
Other steering problem is the earliest failure mode to show up, with a median reported mileage of 5,000 miles and a quarter of reports before 400 miles. Across all failure modes on this year, the median report sits at 50,000 miles.
Is the 2014 Dodge Avenger reliable?
It scores 68 out of 100 on our risk index, which is high — 200th riskiest of the 270 2014 vehicles we can rate. The score is a comparison against other 2014 vehicles, not a prediction about any individual car, and it is built from complaint rates, severity and how early failures appear.
Which year of the Dodge Avenger is best?
Within the 2010–2015 generation, 2011 scores best at 67 out of 100 and 2013 worst at 72. Same body, same engines, different luck.
Where this comes from. Every figure above is computed from NHTSA owner complaints and recall records for this exact make, model and year. Complaints are voluntary and self-selected, so treat counts as a floor. The methodology page writes out each formula, and the same numbers are available as JSON.
What breaks at my mileage Compare with another car
Source Owner complaints and recall records published by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, model years 1996–2027 Figures rebuilt Published by AtWhatMileage How every figure is computed