The Lemon Index
200920112nd generation
Better than average · most complaints: electrical
Fewest complaints of its generation (2nd generation).
32 owner complaints, first 3 years 20–24 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2010 Toyota Camry 822010 Honda Accord 592010 Nissan Altima 33
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2010 Dodge Avenger
- Engine stalling30 complaintsmostly at 47,000–90,000 miles (75,000–145,000 km)
- Throttle body / loss of power19 complaintsmostly at 45,000–111,000 miles (72,000–179,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 163 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2010 Dodge Avenger (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 18,000 and 54,000 miles (29,000–87,000 km) (the middle half of the 31 complaints, of all 32 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 16V668000 (seat belts), 10V475000 (steering) and 10V009000 (brakes) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Does it accelerate and hold speed smoothly, with no surging or stalling?
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Dodge sent dealers 41 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Transmission Kit with Torque Converter 1”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Dodge's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 32 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 17K to 54K miles (29K to 87K km) on the car (31 of all 32 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Vehicle fails to react when gas pedal pressed from a stop or just after vehicle is started, occurs at random and intermittently, dealership recommended switching out throttle body/throttle position sensor.
2010 Dodge Avenger owner · NHTSA complaint 10442093
Problems Dodge told dealers about
Dodge sent dealers 41 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Transmission Kit with Torque Converter 1
- Part Description: Short Runner Valve (Actuator) Issue Description: Issue 1~ JC,JS '08-09MY…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 3
- Seat belts · recall issued 2016
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.
- Steering · recall issued 2010
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 CHRYSLER SEBRING, 300, CHARGER (LX) AND DODGE CHALLENGER (LC), AVENGER (JS), AND JOURNEY (JC), AS WELL AS MODEL YEAR 2011 DODGE RAM LIGHT DUTY PICKUP (DS) VEHICLES.
- Brakes · recall issued 2010
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 CHRYSLER SEBRING; DODGE AVENGER AND NITRO; JEEP LIBERTY, COMMANDER AND GRAND CHEROKEE; AND MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 DODGE RAM TRUCK.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,500–$3,000 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.4L 4-cyl, 2.7L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl.
Every Dodge Avenger year. 2010 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
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<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/dodge-avenger/?y=2010" title="Dodge Avenger reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="353" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/dodge-avenger/2010/">Lemon Index</a> (2010 Dodge Avenger reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2010 Dodge Avenger reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew a bit over half as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 57; 100 is average, lower is better).
What are the most common 2010 Dodge Avenger problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (28%), speed control (22%) and engine (16%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2010 Dodge Avenger have?
3 safety recalls (latest: seat belts). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2010 Dodge Avenger get?
20 to 24 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2010 Dodge Avenger problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 18,000 and 54,000 miles (29,000–87,000 km) (the middle half of the 31 complaints, of all 32 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2010 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2010 Dodge Avenger have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 16% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2010 Dodge Avenger cost in fuel a year?
About $2,500 to $3,000 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2010 Dodge Avenger have?
2.4L 4-cyl, 2.7L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl.
Is there a better Dodge Avenger year than the 2010?
Not nearby: the 2010 drew the fewest complaints per car sold of the Dodge Avenger years within 3 model years of it.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works