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2009 Dodge Avenger Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2009 Dodge Avenger has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “Windshield wiper motor failure.” Dodge uses Stellantis' Oil Change Indicator — it watches engine load and duty cycle and messages when to change oil, capped at 10,000 miles or 12 months. Know your engine: the 3.6L Pentastar V6 goes 100,000 miles on plugs, while HEMI V8s carry sixteen plugs (two per cylinder) on a roughly 30,000-mile interval — that's a real cost difference at the service counter. HEMI models with MDS cylinder deactivation are especially sensitive to overdue oil.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2009 Dodge Avenger.

Reported to NHTSA

Windshield wiper motor failure

VISIBILITY/WIPER

3 NHTSA complaints · 2017-08 → 2024-02

“WIPERS WILL STOP IN MIDDLE OF WINDSHIELD, OR BE JERKY WHEN MOVING. IF STOPPED, MOVING WIPER CONTROL TO NEXT POSITION, OR TURNING WIPERS BACK OFF, THEN ON, WILL MAKE WIPERS MOVE A BIT MORE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11013948
“The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated while driving at various speeds in the rain and snow, the windshield wipers shuddered and stopped working”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11571617
“I GOT THIS CAR MAY 13 2019 EVERY SINCE I HAD THIS CAR THE WIPER STOP WORKING WHEN IAM DRIVEING IN RAIN AND SNOW”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11474334

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Power window regulator failure

VISIBILITY

3 NHTSA complaints · 2012-06 → 2017-05

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE AVENGER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ROLL DOWN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW WHEN IT SUDDENLY SLID DOWN INTO THE DOOR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10985767
“WINDOW HESITATES TO ROLL UP ON THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDES. *TR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10621986
“HAVE 10400 MILES ON 2009 AVENGER, ROLLED UP WINDOW AND HEARD A NOISE THEN WINDOW FELL DOWN, SOME TYPE OF CABLE BROKE OR CAME LOOSE, WARRENTY EXPIRED 2 WEEKS BEFORE THIS HAPPENED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10462926

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Tire pressure sensor valve stem failure

TIRES, WHEELS

6 NHTSA complaints · 2012-02 → 2014-07

“ALL OF MY VALVE STEM'S ON MY VEHICLE HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO MATERIAL DEFECT, I CONTACTED DODGE AND REPORTED THE DEFECT TO THEM LAST JULY (2011)”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10447067
“ON 9 JUNE 2012 THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A TOTAL LOSS OF PRESSURE TO THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE AT 25 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY AND THE TPMS VALVE HAD BROKEN APART AND FALLEN INTO THE TIRE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10463920
“2009 DODGE AVENGER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE TIRE AIR PRESSURE SENSOR. *SMD THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A SERVICE CENTER, WHERE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT A TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR HAD DEVELOPED A HOLE IN THE THREADED SIDE THAT CAUSED LOSS OF AIR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10504041

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Front brake rotor vibration

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

3 NHTSA complaints · 2010-09 → 2011-07

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE AVENGER. WHILE TRAVELING 20 MPH THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES AND NOTICED THAT THE ENTIRE VEHICLED BEGAN TO VIBRATE SPECIFICALLY THE STEERING WHEEL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10356960
“WE PURCHASED A 2009 DODGE AVENGER IN APRIL OR MAY OF LAST YEAR AND IMMEDIATELY HAD TROUBLE WITH THUMPING WHEN USING BRAKES. TOOK TO DELEARSHIP AND WAS TOLD NO PROBLEM FOUND WITH BRAKES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10357759
“WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED THE FRONT END SHAKES AND THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES SO BAD THAT YOU HAVE TO HOLD IT TIGHTLY WITH BOTH HANDS TO CONTROL THE CAR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10412235

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Powertrain control module stall and hesitation

POWER TRAIN

22 NHTSA complaints · 2011-07 → 2020-03

“GOING HOME FROM WORK, APPROXIMATELY 1 HOUR AND 15 MINUTES FROM MY JOB, AND TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 40-42 MPH MY ENGINE JUST STOPPED....NO SOUNDS, NO WARNING LIGHTS, NOTHING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11279957
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AS THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATED. AS A RESULT, THE STEERING SEIZED AND FAILED THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE OVER 30 MPH”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10682442
“I HAVE A 2009 DODGE AVENGER THAT IS OPERATING UNSAFELY. IT CONTINUES TO MAINTAIN ITS SPEED WHEN I TAKE MY FOOT OFF OF THE ACCELERATOR, AND DOESN'T SLOW UNTIL I PRESS ON THE BRAKES!”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10413217

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Intermittent air bag warning light

AIR BAGS

4 NHTSA complaints · 2015-01 → 2021-08

“I HAVE A 2009 DODGE AVENGER. MY AIRBAG LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY. IS IT DANGEROUS? *JS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10669504
“AIR BAG LIGHT CONSTANTLY COMING ON AND OFF, BEEPING, AND SOMETIMES JUST STAY ON. BRAKE LIGHTS CONTINUALLY COME ON - EVERY FEW MONTHS FOR WEEKS AT AT A TIME”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11180582
“IT BEGAN WITH THE AIR BAG LIGHT GOING ON AND OFF AS WELL AS THE AIR BAG SOUND. IT BECAME MORE FREQUENT AND OCCURRED MOSTLY WHEN TAKING A LEFT HAND TURN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10908914

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bag deployment failure

AIR BAGS

5 NHTSA complaints · 2009-10 → 2017-09

“AIR BAGS BLEW UP WHEN PARRELL PARKING BUMPED A CAR IN FRONT OF ME AT 1 MILE PER HOUR AND BOOM”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11025312
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AS THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10521937
“WHILE DRIVING A 2009 DODGE AVENGER FROM NATIONAL CAR RENTAL (~11,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE) AT 70 MPH ON A FLORIDA TOLL WAY, THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THERE WAS NO COLLISION OR CONTACT WITH ANYTHING (ANIMAL, ROAD DEBRIS, ETC.), THE ROAD WAS FLAT AND STRAIGHT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10286959

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (Oil Change Indicator)

Every 10,000 mi

Change when the indicator says so — never beyond 10,000 miles or 12 months. Pentastar 3.6L: 0W-20. HEMI 5.7L: 5W-20 (0W-40 for 6.4L SRT). MDS-equipped HEMIs punish stretched oil intervals with lifter and cam wear.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 8,000 mi

Rotate every 8,000 miles. Charger/Challenger R/T and Scat Pack: staggered-width setups can't rotate front-to-rear — budget rear tires accordingly.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 10,000 mi

Inspect pads and rotors at every oil change. Heavy Durangos used for towing and hard-driven Chargers both run through rear pads faster than the front-pad-first rule of thumb suggests.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Spark Plugs

Every 30,000 mi

HEMI 5.7L: sixteen plugs roughly every 30,000 miles — check your year's manual. Pentastar 3.6L (Charger/Challenger V6, Durango V6, Journey, Grand Caravan): 100,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

Grand Caravan/Journey (62TE): ATF+4 service every 60,000 miles in family duty. Charger/Challenger/Durango with the TorqueFlite 8-speed: no published normal interval, but specialists recommend service around 60,000-100,000 miles — sooner with towing.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Rear Differential Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

RWD Charger/Challenger and AWD Durango: replace rear diff fluid around 60,000 miles, sooner with towing or drag-strip duty. Limited-slip units need the friction-modifier additive.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace every 30,000 miles. HEMIs pull serious airflow — a clogged filter costs measurable power before it throws a code.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Serpentine Belt

Every 60,000 mi

Inspect from 60,000 miles, replace on cracking or glazing. On the HEMI, a shredded belt can take the cooling drive with it mid-drive.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 20,000 mi

Replace every 20,000 miles where equipped (behind the glovebox on most models). Some earlier Journeys and Avengers shipped without one — check before buying a filter.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Coolant Replacement (OAT)

Every 100,000 mi

Stellantis OAT coolant is scheduled for 10 years / 150,000 miles; shops commonly refresh by 100,000. OAT-compatible coolant only — mixing chemistries gels the system.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Battery Test & Service

Every 25,000 mi

Test annually after year 3. Big-audio Chargers and tow-package Durangos lean on the battery hard; weak batteries surface as gremlins in the electronics before they fail to crank.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$225–$390

Shop

~$160–$280

DIY

~$130–$250

Most auto-parts stores test and install batteries free with purchase. Skip the dealer markup.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

34 crashes 1990–2024

How the 34 occupant deaths break down

22

driver deaths

12

passenger deaths

34

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2011 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

3

complaints mentioning a crash

0

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2009 Dodge Avenger reflects Dodge's published service intervals and the Oil Change Indicator System system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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