- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- 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.
- The fix
- 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.
Vehicle safety record
2010 Dodge Avenger Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 163 complaints about the 2010 Dodge Avenger with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system (40) and the airbags (37). Those complaints describe 16 crashes, 8 fires and 13 injuries. It is covered by 3 recalls, the latest in September 2016 for the pretensioner. For comparison, the 2009 has 67 and the 2011 has 209.
NHTSA data checked
CAbout as many problems as a typical Avenger year, for its age
#77 most complained-about 2010 vehicle
- Complaints
- 163
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes
- 16
- Fires
- 8
- Injuries
- 13
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 2010 Dodge Avenger problems
Share of all 163 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2010 Dodge Avenger recalls 3
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- 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. Some of these vehicles may experience a separation at the crimped end of the power steering pressure hose assembly.
- The risk
- Leaked power steering fluid onto hot engine components could cause a fire.
- The fix
- Dealers will inspect and replace as necessary the power steering pressure hoses free of charge. The safety recall began on december 20, 2010. Owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
- The problem
- 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. These vehicles may have been built with an improperly formed or missing brake booster input rod retaining clip.
- The risk
- This could result in brake failure without warning which could cause a crash.
- The fix
- Chrysler will replace the brake booster input rod retaining clip free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during february 2010. Owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
What owners say
Problems or none - your experience is exactly what the next buyer is looking for. Write it now
163 complaints about the 2010 Dodge Avenger
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners. Page 1 of 7.
brakes are bad paint and body arent in good condition have had some stalling problems
Every time I start my car, the airbag lights stays on. It will not turn off.
Right turn signal has gone dismantled. It works erratically. Previously Baxter changed it. It had warranty for 3 years or 36000 miles. 3 years has passed but it did not surpassed 36000 miles yet. New motherboard of this system unavailable in market.
The contact owns a 2010 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated while attempting to lower the driver's side window, the window fell off the track and fell into the door panel. The contact stated that the failure became a regular occurrence. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the window regulator. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred an additional five times. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 175,000.
Airbag lights turns on and off and I think it's a manufacturer problem with the harness behind or under the seat. I read it's a common problem.
The contact owns a 2010 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle experienced an electrical short. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. A dealer was not contacted. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V475000 (Steering) and 10V009000 (Service Braces, Hydraulic) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
Car won't move in drive or reverse
The contact owns a 2010 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated while attempting to make a left turn while driving approximately 5 MPH, the vehicle started rattling at the front-end of the vehicle. The vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact shifted to park, turned off and then restarted the vehicle. The vehicle returned to normal operation. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that there was a malfunction with an unknown part. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,100.
The contact owns a 2010 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled without warning. The contact stated that on several occasions the vehicle would not immediately restart. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the PCM was faulty and needed to be replaced. The PCM was replaced with an aftermarket part however, the failure persisted. The local dealer was contact and informed that the manufacturer PCM part had been discontinued and was no longer available for purchase. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 142,086.
The transmission began slipping on Saturday, July 23, 2022 with 120,000 miles on the odometer. The car was driving normally then suddenly went into neutral causing it to slow down and back up traffic until I manually changed to a lower gear. The car was also doing this change to neutral on its own while I was trying to park the car and then when I went back to my car to pull out of the parking space, it took several attempts to engage the gears to move. I limped home with the car and got it parked in my driveway. The transmission fluid reading was normal. The car started doing this shift change to neutral without warning.
While I was driving my car began to smoke, there was no warning lights on my dashboard & my temperature gage was in the middle, indicating my car was not overheated. I pulled over put the vehicle in park & it became completely engulfed in flames. My car is a total loss!
The contact owns a 2010 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would not properly accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. Also, while operating the vehicle a knocking noise was present coming from the engine when the air conditioning unit was turned on. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,000.
I was reversing out of a parking spot and when I tried to go forward, the car kept wanting to go in reverse. The shifter then became stuck in park and would not move to another gear. I was in the middle of the road now blocking traffic. The dashboard still showed I was in reverse even though the shift lever was stuck in park. I was forced to keep reversing until I found a safe spot to park. Later I looked up this problem on YouTube and found many videos posted with my same problem with the stuck gear shift. I would definitely say this is a manufacturing defect that needs to be recalled on all versions of the Dodge Avenger car.
Car cuts off while driving. Driving in the interstate at 55 mph the vehicle shut off. No warning signs were given, the car would not accelerate when pressing the gas.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 dodge avenger. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would not properly accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal and the randomly loss motive power. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the throttle body was faulty and needed to be replaced. The throttle body was replaced and the failure was remedied. The local dealer good brothers dodge located at 577 columbian st, south weymouth, ma 02190 was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 190,000.
There was a recall on the airbag system, which I have taken to get fixed. There is a airbag light now flashing on and off and I am too afraid to drive it. When I asked about the dealership ship shewed me away and said maybe it's the wiring, well hell I didn't wire it myself. I want it noted I called about this issue also reported it was told it's not part of the recall. So I guess they wait for something to happen first, then recall it?!?
A dashboard warning light is on that indicates a problem with the front air bags. I have a 2010 dodge avenger. My mechanic recently advised me to get this checked out as a recall.
I keep having the vehicle fixed and then they keep telling me nothing else needs to be fixed with it. It keeps pullingn when I come to a stop and then decelerates while I'm driving and I have to pull over on the highway or pull off the highway and start the car again. No lights come on there's oil in the car I just had an oil change I just had to brake pads fixed even though the brakes keep squeaking the rotors are new xcetera. This isn't the first time it has decelerated I had to have a part replaced a couple...
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years ago because it was doing the same thing. Trying to figure out if there's any recalls on the car in order to get those recalls fixed. It did the same thing last year and when I took it in they fixed another part. It's never the same part that the mechanics fix and say is causing the problem.
OCCUPANT RESTRAINT CONTROLLER
The vehicle on three separate turn arounds did the same thing after 3 plus hrs of driving stopping shifting into reverse then drive. Near the end of the rural/local 4 straight hrs transmission appeared to not shift out of first gear. Each time the vehicle came to a complete stop while applying brakes. The car was then shifted into r(reverse) and the brake pedal was released and gas pedal applied approximately. After reaching the reversed turning destination the brake was reapplied and car came to a stop. Car was...
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shifted into d (drive) from r (reverse) and all three times the car accelerated to 30 -34 mph rpms staying at 3 and the automatic transmission did not did not go into normal 2nd year mode. All three times the car was completely stopped. The gearshift put into p(park for 5sec.) Then gear shift put into d. The car ran fin again until time to turn around. On the 3rd attempt the check engine light came on and immediately the car was driven home under 40 mph 4rpms. After the vehicle has set for 2 plus hrs the fluids were checked and none appears low the car also drove as normal as it had at the beginning of the last trip. The car was only driven for 5-10minutesvand all gears seam to work fine fluids are normal and the check engine symbol is still lit. *Tr
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 dodge avenger. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the heating system failed which caused the defroster to become inoperable. The contact stated that the windows became foggy, and it was difficult to see the roadway to drive safely. An unknown dealer was contacted but offered no assistance. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the heater core needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.
My family was on our way out of town when the car suddenly turned off we were in the middle of the highway we had someone push us to the curb and we we cranked the car it started right up but ever since then it's been 5 years now it will cut off whenever! U never know when it's going to happen it just stops and u can pull over and crank it back it might crank right then and it might not we have had to wait as long as an hour needless to say this car is basically scrap I loved my car until this started my dads a...
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mechanic and he saying it has to be electrical he's seen to many of them burnet up needless to say it's an emergency only car I just wish they would figure it out I'm not the only one that this is happening too
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 dodge avenger. The contact stated that while in his driveway the vehicle was stuck in a snow drift, he attempted to release the vehicle by revving the engine so the vehicle could rock back and forth. The contact stated the cabin filled with smoke but he was still able to drive the vehicle however as he was driving a fuel odor was detected. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was discovered that the exhaust insulation had burnt as result the plastic gas tank was...
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damaged with holes. The contact was concerned if he drive the vehicle a fire would ignite. The contact also mentioned that a few years ago, that snow had entered the radiator fan and blew out a motor instead of a fuse. The vehicle was not repaired and he was currently driving with one radiator fan motor. This was also a potential fire concern to the contact. The failure mileage was 80,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 dodge avenger. The contact stated that while driving at 65 mph, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was steered off of the roadway. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The following day the vehicle started and operated normally. The vehicle was taken to autonation chrysler dodge jeep ram southwest 7980 w tufts ave, littleton, co 80123, (303) 578-6099, where it was diagnosed. The technician was...
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unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure recurred intermittently. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 125,391.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 dodge avenger. The contact stated that when attempted to switch from reverse to drive, the vehicle instead shifted to neutral. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 214,000.
Dodge Avenger: every year compared
All Avenger years2010 Dodge Avenger vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 Dodge Avenger | 163 | 3 | C | |
| 2010 Toyota Camry | 614 | 9 | D | Compare |
| 2010 Toyota Camry Hybrid | 614 | 2 | F | Compare |
| 2010 Honda Accord | 581 | 13 | C | Compare |
| 2010 Nissan Altima | 381 | 3 | D | Compare |
| 2010 Hyundai Sonata | 345 | 2 | D | Compare |
| 2010 Mazda MAZDA6 | 225 | 9 | D | Compare |
| 2010 Volkswagen Passat | 163 | 4 | C | Compare |
| 2010 Subaru Legacy | 151 | 18 | D | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 2010 Dodge Avenger
Does the 2010 Dodge Avenger have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2010 Dodge Avenger: pretensioner (September 2016); electric power assist system (October 2010); service brakes, hydraulic (January 2010). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 2010 Dodge Avenger?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the electrical system (40), airbags (37), engine & cooling (28).
How many complaints has the 2010 Dodge Avenger had?
163 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on May 21, 2010 and the latest on May 4, 2026. Of these, 16 describe a crash and 8 a fire, and together they report 13 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 2010 Dodge Avenger a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 50 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as a typical Dodge Avenger year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Dodge Avenger years have the most complaints?
2008 (845), 2012 (554), 2013 (548). See every Dodge Avenger year compared.
What should I do if my 2010 Dodge Avenger has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data