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2011 Dodge Avenger Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2011 Dodge Avenger carries 3 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering pretensioner and column. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “Passenger-side heater/defroster blowing cold air.” 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.

3 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER

Campaign #16V668000 · Sep 15, 2016

Issue: 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.

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.

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.

STEERING:COLUMN

Campaign #11V315000 · Aug 6, 2011

Issue: 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 AND CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH A MISSING OR INCORRECTLY INSTALLED STEERING COLUMN PIVOT RIVET.

Risk: A MISSING OR INCORRECTLY INSTALLED RIVET COULD COMPROMISE THE ABILITY OF THE STEERING COLUMN TO SUPPORT THE OCCUPANT LOADS IN THE EVENT OF A FRONTAL CRASH, DECREASING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE FRONTAL IMPACT SAFETY SYSTEM. AS A RESULT, THE CONDITION MAY INCREASE THE POTENTIAL FOR INJURY IN A FRONTAL CRASH.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR RIVET PRESENCE AND ALIGNMENT AND REPAIR THE STEERING COLUMN PIVOT AS REQUIRED, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 4, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Campaign #13V282000 · Feb 7, 2013

Issue: Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Sebring and 200 vehicles manufactured June 28, 2011, through December 13, 2012; model year 2011-2013 Dodge Avenger vehicles manufactured June 25, 2011, through January 14, 2013; model year 2011-2012 Dodge Nitro vehicles manufactured June 17, 2011, through December 15, 2011; and model year 2011-2012 Jeep Liberty vehicles manufactured June 17, 2011, through August 15, 2012. 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.

Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating the deployment of the active head restraints , their non-deployment could increase the risk of injury.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will flash the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) or replace the occupant restraint control module, as needed, free of charge. The recall began on November 19, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N38.

Recall data refreshed Sep 13, 2026.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2011 Dodge Avenger.

Reported to NHTSA

Passenger-side heater/defroster blowing cold air

VISIBILITY/WIPER

71 NHTSA complaints · 2015-11 → 2025-12

“WINDOW DEFROST AND PASSENGER HEAT /AIR. WHILE EITHER IN MOTION OR WHILE DRIVING, NO HEATED AIR EXITS THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD DEFROSTER, NOR THE PASSENGER WINDOW DEFROST, LOWER AND CENTER CONSOLE VENTS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11267792
“NO HEAT ON PASSENGER SIDE. MAKES FOR UNCOMFORTABLE TEMPERATURE AND LACK OF VISIBILITY ON PASSENGER SIDE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11066780
“HEAT FUNCTIONS PROPERLY ON THE DRIVER SIDE BUT BLOWS COLD AIR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE WINDSHIELD DEFROSTS ON THE DRIVER SIDE BUT DOES NOT DEFROST ON THE PASSENGER SIDE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11150968

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Rear suspension sway or fishtail at speed

SUSPENSION

14 NHTSA complaints · 2013-04 → 2020-02

“I AM HAVING BACK SUSPENSION PROBLEMS WHERE THE CAR FISHTAILS BOUNCES YOU FEEL LIKE YOU ARE SHIFTING FROM SIDE TO SIDE AND IT'S ONCE YOU GO OVER 10 MILES AN HOUR IT CAN HAPPEN GOING OVER A SMALL BUMP IT HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES I'VE HAD TO REPLACE MY ALL MY TIRES THREE TIMES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11308795
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUSPENSION WAS UNSTABLE AND THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE SWAYED BACK AND FORTH CAUSING A VIBRATION NEAR THE BACK SEATS. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AT ANY RATE OF SPEED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10748469
“WHEN TRAVELING AT 55 OR FASTER THE REAR OF THE CAR SWAYS/BOUNCES SIDEWAYS ON BUMPS IN THE ROAD. THE MORE WEIGHT IN THE BACK SEAT OR TRUNK AREA THE MORE IT SWAYS/BOUNCES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10549398

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine stalls or shuts off while driving

ENGINE

26 NHTSA complaints · 2012-06 → 2023-05

“Vehicle turns off while driving sometimes starts up sometimes not! Doesn't give a warning replaced multiple things afraid of the car doing it in a turn everything shuts down power steering and everything!”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11524740
“ENGINE SHUT OF WHILE DRIVING THIS HAPPENS MANY TIMES EVEN NOW I CAN'T DRIVE IT BECAUSE I DINT KNOW WHEN IS GOING TO SHUT OF”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11032612
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE AVENGER. WHILE COMING TO A STOP, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT IT TOOK MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10780168

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Electronic throttle control loss of power

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

14 NHTSA complaints · 2013-12 → 2020-06

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE ETC WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THEN THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SLOW DOWN TO APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10819506
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE ETC WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO ACCELERATE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10668261
“I WAS DRIVING MY 2011 AVENGER, AND WHENEVER I WOULD GO OVER 2000 RPM MY ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL LIGHT WOULD COME ON. THEN IT WOULD TURN OFF, THEN IT WOULD COME BACK ON IF I WENT OVER 2000 RPM, AND THEN MY THROTTLE LIGHT WOULD START BLINKING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10557972

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Takata air bag and seat belt recall parts unavailable

AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS

15 NHTSA complaints · 2016-11 → 2017-12

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V668000 (SEAT BELTS, AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11054426
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V668000 (AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10928236
“THERE IS A RECALL ON MY CAR AND THERE IS STILL NO REPAIR AVAILABLE AND I FEEL UNSAFE DRIVING MY VEHICLE WITH MY CHILDREN AS PASSENGERS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10979470

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bags failed to deploy in a crash

AIR BAGS

6 NHTSA complaints · 2012-06 → 2017-03

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 50 MPH ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10482333
“20PLUS MILE PER HOUR FRONT END ACCIDENT, POLICE STATEMENT THAT AIR BAGS SHOULD OF DEPLOYED. NO AIRBAGS NO SEAT BELT TENSIONER. DRIVING MY FAULT REAR ENDED A VEHICLE ESTIMATED SPEED 20 PLUS MPH”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10955661
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, SHE DROVE THROUGH A STOP LIGHT AND ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING THE CRASH”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10463145

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Steering wheel lockup while driving

STEERING

5 NHTSA complaints · 2016-05 → 2020-07

“I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY THIS HAS HAPPENED I BELIEVE ATLEAST 3 TIMES NOW, ALL OF A SUDDEN WHILE DRIVING NOT SURE IF A SPECIFIC SPEED BUT I WAS GOING ATLEAST 50 MPH EACH TIME, THE STEERING WHEEL SEEMS TO LOCK UP FOR A GOOD SECOND OR TWO”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11341028
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A FENCE TRAVELING AT 30 MPH. THE CONTACT HAD TRIED TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL BUT FAILED WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11243245
“WHILE DRIVING MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND THE BRAKE WOULD NOT ENGAGE WHILE THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING. AND THIS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 4 TIMES WITHIN A COUPLE OF MONTHS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11071893

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Note: NHTSA also opened 2 defect investigation(s) on this vehicle that closed without action.

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 13, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 13, 2026.

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

56 crashes 2010–2024

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

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.

14

complaints mentioning a crash

2

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls 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 2011 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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