Home · 2014 Dodge Avenger · Complaints

What 204 owners told NHTSA about the 2014 Dodge Avenger

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (204)Crash / fire / injury (24)Airbags (69)Engine (42)Seat belts (39)Electrical system (33)Seats (23)Brakes (17)Speed control (15)Steering (14)Electronic Stability Control (esc) (12)Transmission & drivetrain (12)

Newest first · 204 complaints · page 1 of 9

Oct 6, 2025Seats

I was stopped at a red light, when the airbag in the headrest deployed on the driver side.

NHTSA ODI 11691751

Apr 29, 2025AirbagsSeats

The contact's daughter owns a 2014 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving approximately 40 MPH, the occupant restraint controller in the driver's seat activated inadvertently, and the head restraint deployed. The contact stated that her daughter was struck in the back of the head by the head restraint. The contact stated that her daughter had not observed the warning light before or after the failure. The contact's daughter had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V640000 (Seats, Air Bags); however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11657476

Jul 22, 2024Airbags

test

NHTSA ODI 11603821

Apr 23, 2024Airbags

The contact owns a 2014 Dodge Avenger. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V668000 (Seat Belts, Air Bags) and the recall repair was performed; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that a year later when the vehicle was started, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a different dealer where it was diagnosed with occupant restraint control failure. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

NHTSA ODI 11584759

Nov 9, 2023Engine

I know the noise is coming from the lifters in the engine that has been nicknamed the hemi tick

NHTSA ODI 11554288

Aug 5, 2023Electrical system

horn not working, i move steering wheel to left side and it works, problem with horn and wheel radio controls. Clock spring failure

NHTSA ODI 11536690

Aug 2, 2023Seats

The contact owns a 2014 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and coming to a stop, the driver’s side headrest deployed and pushed her head forward. The contact stated that the impact was like being rear-ended. The contact had a major headache from the impact of the headrest deployment. The contact inspected the headrest and became aware that the headrest spring had fractured. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 142,000.

NHTSA ODI 11536092

Jul 27, 2023Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemSpeed control

Driving and car cuts off without warning. Could be going 35 mph could be going 65 mph. Have to shift to N to cut car back on. Sometimes it won't cut back on. I pressed gas after light turned green in a busy intersection and car cut off in middle of intersection. This has happened in more than one occasion and almost caused many accidents. Throws code for crankshaft position sensor. It has been replaced and still not helping. Also replaced throttle body position sensor. This is happening with A LOT of these vehicles. All online forums talk of the same problem. Don't know if it's the computer itself because the check engine light rarely comes in when this happens. Then it throws random codes.

NHTSA ODI 11534720

Jul 21, 2023EngineFuel system

The contact owns a 2014 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the check engine and electronic throttle warning lights remained illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who replaced the electronic throttle body and the computer wiring harness however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 30,000.

NHTSA ODI 11533672

May 26, 2023AirbagsSeat belts

The contact owns a 2014 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to her residence and then to the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V668000 (Seat Belts, Air Bags) however, the dealer informed the contact that the recall repair was completed by the previous owner in November 2022. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 96,056.

NHTSA ODI 11523983

Mar 3, 2023Airbags

Passenger headrest airbag deployed without collision when vehicle was parked while occupants were not in vehicle. Increased in safety hazard as airbag deployed prematurely.

NHTSA ODI 11510070

Feb 28, 2023Speed control

The contact owns a 2014 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the electronic throttle control warning light illuminated, and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the electronic throttle body was replaced twice; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to a second dealer Northtown Chrysler Jeep Dodge Fiat (2020 Niagara Falls Blvd, Tonawanda, NY 14150), where the PCM was replaced twice along with the Controller Area Network. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.

NHTSA ODI 11509570

Oct 17, 2022Airbags

The contact owns a 2014 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated that while her husband was reversing the vehicle out of a parking space, the driver’s side air bag was independently deployed without incident. The contact stated that a grayish-colored smoke was coming from underneath the steering wheel after the deployment. The contact initially called her insurance provider who referred her to a local dealer; the dealer then referred her to the manufacturer and a claim was filed. The vehicle was taken to Bakersfield Chrysler Jeep (3101 Cattle Dr, Bakersfield, CA 93313) where an inspector was sent from the manufacturer to investigate the failure. The contact then received an email from the manufacturer that stated that her claim was denied and that the failure was a result of normal wear and tear. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 117,000.

NHTSA ODI 11489627

Aug 17, 2022Airbags

The active head restrains (AHR) deployed without vehicle being involved in collision. This could have caused injury and even death if anyone was operating the vehicle while it deployed. No warning lamps are active, but the system is clearly deployed.

NHTSA ODI 11479787

Jun 29, 2022Seat belts

The contact owns a 2014 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the front driver’s side seat belt buckle was unlatched independently. The contact was able to latch the seat belt buckle however, the seat belt buckle was unlatched again after several hours. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer and the manufacturer was not contacted. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V668000 (Seat Belts, Air Bags) however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was 160,000.

NHTSA ODI 11471562

Mar 24, 2022Engine

While driving at about 30 mph the engine suddenly quit and would not immediately restart. The electrical system was shut down and electric door latches would not function. This vehicle recently had a new battery installed after it periodically failed to start. After having the car towed to the dealership and sitting for several days, it restarted. Dealership mechanics could not find a problem.

NHTSA ODI 11458093

Oct 28, 2021Electrical system

It just shut off , all the lights comes on & it just shut off , not to mention i just got the engine fixed & it’s still doing the San thing.

NHTSA ODI 11438526

Sep 27, 2021

Car blows cold air on passenger side and hot air on drivers side. Also, the defrost does not work on passenger side.

NHTSA ODI 11434533

Jul 7, 20211 injury

Passenger headrest deployed without cause or accident and hit passenger in head. Resulting in headache and pain.

NHTSA ODI 11423812

May 11, 2021SteeringTransmission & drivetrainBrakesCrash

JUST BOUGHT THE CAR, WITHIN A MONTH THE BRAKES WERE GRINDING. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THERE WAS A POWER TRAIN LEAK WHICH THEY REPLACED. A FEW DAYS LATER, I WAS AT AN INTERSECTION TURNING AND MY WHEEL COMPLETELY LOCKED, CAUSING ME TO HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AND THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. AN OFFICER HAPPENED TO BE ON THE SAME ROAD AND SAW THAT MY CAR WAS ALSO SMOKING AS WELL WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN DUE TO THE PREVIOUS POWER TRAIN LEAK. I LOOKED AT OTHER RECALLS AND SURE ENOUGH, THERE ARE SOME ON THE 2011-2013 REGARDING STEERING AND BRAKE SYSTEMS AS WELL. THEY DEFINITELY NEED TO CHECK THE 2014 DODGE AVENGER AS WELL FOR SIMILAR ISSUES. NOW THE FRONT PASSENGER AREA AND MY AXEL IS RUINED AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ODI 11416143

Apr 28, 2021Fuel systemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS FUEL LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE ONTO THE GROUND. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A FAULTY FUEL LINE THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI 11414256

Mar 22, 2021Seats

I WAS LEAVING WORK ON FRIDAY, MARCH 19,2021 AROUND 4:05 P.M...STOPPED, MY CAR WAS NOT IN MOTION, I WAS WAITING FOR ON COMING TRAFFIC TO CLEAR, WHEN I HEARD WHAT I BELIEVED TO BE GUN SHOTS OR EITHER A CAR HAD CRASHED INTO THE BACK OF ME AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED, THERE WERE NO VEHICLES BEHIND ME, I WAS SO SCARED, I WENT TO MY MECHANIC, AND HE DISCOVERED THE HORRIBLE NOISE WAS MY HEAD REST HAD EXPLODED. IT IS CUT IN HALF AND HAS STARTED RATTLING. MY MECHANIC ADVISED I CALL DODGE DEALER ON MONDAY MORNING 3/22/2021. I CALLED THIS MORNING AT 9:11 A.M. (EASTERN TIME). I DID RECEIVE A CALL BACK, I EXPLAINED IN GREAT DETAIL WHAT HAPPENED, I IN NO CERTAIN TERMS TOLD THE DEALER, I WILL NOT BE PAYING FOR THIS, AND WAS TOLD, THERE ARE NO OPEN RECALLS AT THIS TIME, THAT I WOULD NEED TO BRING MY CAR IN AND LEAVE FOR THE TECHNICIAN TO CHECK FOR PARTS AND IT MIGHT BE COVERED UNDER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, I ALSO REQUESTED THEY CHECKED THE DRIVERS SIDE HEAD REST, STATED, THEY MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO DO THAT. I STRESSED I AM SOMEWHAT AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR NOW ESPECIALLY NOT KNOWING IF THE DRIVERS SIDE HEAD REST WILL DEPLOY WHEN I AM SITTING OR DRIVING MY CAR. I SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT TO TAKE MY CAR IN THE MORNING AT 7:00 A.M. AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE PERSON I WAS TALKING TO CHANGED THE RESERVATION TO WEDNESDAY

NHTSA ODI 11404216

Jan 3, 2021Seats

THE BACK OF BOTH HEAD REST HAVE POPPED OPEN.

NHTSA ODI 11386289

Dec 17, 2020Seat belts

ISSUES WITH SEATBELTS WHICH POP OUT WHEN TENSION OR FORCE IS APPLIED ON THE BELT. PASSENGER SEAT BELT HAD FIRST STARTED TO SHOW SIGNS OF FAILURE WHEN THE SEAT BELTS SAFETY BUTTON WOULD UNCLASP WHEN BRAKING. NOW, AFTER SOME TIME AND USAGE THE PASSENGER'S BELT DOES NOT CLASP FULLY AT ALL AND TAKES A GOOD MINUTE FOR IT TO CATCH. DRIVER'S SEAT HAS STARTED TO SHOW SIGNS OF THIS AS WELL AS WHEN I HAD TO BRAKE HARD AND WHEN PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BELT, THE CLASP HAD GIVEN WAY AND POPPED OUT.

NHTSA ODI 11383865

Nov 8, 2020Electrical systemSpeed controlFuel system

WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING AND WITH MY FEET ON THE GAS PEDAL THE RPMS DROP, THE CAR SHUDDERS. ABOUT 5 SECONDS LATER THE RPMS JUMP UP BUT DOESN'T GAIN SPEED. ALSO THE CAR JERKS BEFORE ACCELERATING VERY SLOW. NO CODES BUT CLEARLY THERE'S A PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI 11373627

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Working with the data? Download all 204 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 28, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2014 Dodge Avenger verdict →