The Lemon Index
201220142nd generation
About average · most complaints: airbags
131 owner complaints, first 3 years 22–23 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2013 Toyota Camry 292013 Honda Accord 1042013 Nissan Altima 194
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2013 Dodge Avenger
- Engine stalling60 complaintsmostly at 66,000–130,000 miles (106,000–209,000 km)
- Airbag light / sensor22 complaintsmostly at 47,000–100,000 miles (76,000–161,000 km)
- Throttle body / loss of power20 complaintsmostly at 70,000–130,000 miles (113,000–209,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 548 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2013 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 7,700 and 56,000 miles (12,000–90,000 km) (the middle half of the 102 complaints, of all 131 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 17V640000 (seats), 16V668000 (seat belts) and 13V552000 (engine) done? It has 5 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Dodge sent dealers 139 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Advanced Field Action Communication ?”?
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 131 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 7K to 56K miles (12K to 90K km) on the car (102 of all 131 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
Airbag light is going off. And steering wheel is shaking when airbag light goes on.
2013 Dodge Avenger owner · NHTSA complaint 10875149
More owner reports
Key fob activates car alarm and will not work to shut off.
NHTSA complaint 10661242
Takata recall. My teenage children are driving daily in a car that is not safe how is this acceptable?
NHTSA complaint 10926194
Problems Dodge told dealers about
Dodge sent dealers 139 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Advanced Field Action Communication ?
- Hands Free Feature Inoperative This bulletin involves updating the Hands Free Module (HFM)…
- MIL Illumination: P0300, P0302, P0304 or P0306 (X56 Warranty Extension) This bulletin involves…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 5
- Seats · recall issued 2017
A component within the occupant restraint controller (ORC) may fail and prevent the active headrests from deploying in the event of a rear-end crash.
- 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.
- Engine · recall issued 2013 2.4L engines only
Due to abrasive debris in the balance shaft bearings, these engines may have a loss of engine oil pressure, possibly resulting in an engine stall or engine failure.
Show all 5 recalls
- 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.
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2013
These vehicles may have a gas tank that has a broken control valve in the fuel tank assembly.
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
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 | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,600–$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. 2013 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2013 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/dodge-avenger/?y=2013" 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/2013/">Lemon Index</a> (2013 Dodge Avenger reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2013 Dodge Avenger reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew a bit more than the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 111; 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 2013 Dodge Avenger problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are airbags (31%), electrical (18%) and engine (16%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2013 Dodge Avenger have?
5 safety recalls (latest: seats). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2013 Dodge Avenger get?
22 to 23 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2013 Dodge Avenger safe?
NHTSA gave it 4 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2013 Dodge Avenger problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 7,700 and 56,000 miles (12,000–90,000 km) (the middle half of the 102 complaints, of all 131 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2013 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 2013 Dodge Avenger have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2013 Dodge Avenger cost in fuel a year?
About $2,600 to $2,750 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2013 Dodge Avenger have?
2.4L 4-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl.
What Dodge Avenger year is better than the 2013?
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