The Lemon Index
201020122nd generation
Better than average · most complaints: electrical
Better years to buy
49 owner complaints, first 3 years 22–24 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2011 Toyota Camry 612011 Honda Accord 302011 Nissan Altima 17
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2011 Dodge Avenger
- Engine stalling28 complaintsmostly at 26,000–93,000 miles (41,000–150,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 209 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2011 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 8,000 and 40,000 miles (13,000–64,000 km) (the middle half of the 44 complaints, of all 49 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), 13V282000 (electrical) and 11V315000 (steering) 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?
- Any clunks over bumps or uneven tire wear? Were struts, shocks or control arms replaced?
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Dodge sent dealers 88 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “MIL Illumination: P0300, P0302, P0304 or P0306 (X56 Warranty Extension) This bulletin involves…”?
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 49 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 8K to 40K miles (13K to 64K km) on the car (44 of all 49 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 made a mechanical clicking noise at low speed due to electric module failure.
2011 Dodge Avenger owner · NHTSA complaint 10452463
Problems Dodge told dealers about
Dodge sent dealers 88 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- MIL Illumination: P0300, P0302, P0304 or P0306 (X56 Warranty Extension) This bulletin involves…
- Oil Pump Assembly If error code P06DD present on any Pentastar V6 application, please inspect…
- Air Suspension Components Star Parts Catalog has been updated to show individual service parts…
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.
- Electrical · recall issued 2013
Electrical over-stress of a resistor in the occupant restraint control module may lead to the non-deployment of the active head restraints during a rear impact collision.
- Steering · recall issued 2011
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011DODGE JOURNEY, JEEP WRANGLER, CHRYSLER 200, CHRYSLER 200 CONVERTIBLE, DODGE AVENGER, DODGE NITRO, JEEP LIBERTY, DODGE CALIBER, JEEP COMPASS, JEEP PATRIOT, DODGE GRAND CARAVAN …
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
Government investigations
- ClosedActive head rest inadvertent deployment2019–2026
- ClosedEngine stall2012
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dodge Avenger 4 DR FWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,500–$2,750 (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, 3.6L 6-cyl.
Every Dodge Avenger year. 2011 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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Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2011 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/dodge-avenger/?y=2011" 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/2011/">Lemon Index</a> (2011 Dodge Avenger reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2011 Dodge Avenger reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew about two-thirds as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 65; 100 is average, lower is better). The Dodge Avenger year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2010.
What are the most common 2011 Dodge Avenger problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (20%), suspension (18%) and engine (18%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2011 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 2011 Dodge Avenger get?
22 to 24 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2011 Dodge Avenger problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 8,000 and 40,000 miles (13,000–64,000 km) (the middle half of the 44 complaints, of all 49 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2011 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 2011 Dodge Avenger have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 16% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2011 Dodge Avenger cost in fuel a year?
About $2,500 to $2,750 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2011 Dodge Avenger have?
2.4L 4-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl.
What Dodge Avenger year is better than the 2011?
Nearby, the 2010 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (a bit over half as many complaints as the average car).
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