Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2010 Dodge Avenger owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
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 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. …
For months now my car keeps stalling I have 62,000 miles. I will be at a stop light and car will stall. It will start back up and then stall again. I took it to the dealer and they could not replicate and said nothing appeared in the codes as there were no issues. I contacted Chrysler and they claim they didn't know what the issue was and that they rely on the dealers to diagnose. Today my car stalled again I was able to get home and I shut it off and started back up again while recording it on my phone when the engine stalled my electronic throttle warning light and check engine light both came on and the off. This is very dangerous and would like you to please document and let Chrysler know this is a safety issue. I've read many instances online of this happening and consumers replacing the etc just to have it act up again. The cost to repair is somewhere around 400-800 dollars. …
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 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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Dodge Avenger. While attempting to start the vehicle, the throttle indicator illuminated and the engine stalled. The failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to a independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the battery failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the electronic throttle control failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred twice. The vehicle was repaired a third time. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Dodge Avenger. While driving approximately 5 MPH, the vehicle unexpectedly accelerated and failed to slow down. When the brake pedal was applied the vehicle continued to accelerate and crashed into two nearby poles. There were no personal injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle sustained moderate body damages to the front end and driver's side area. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer for repairs. The cause of failure had not been determined. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 7,900. The VIN was unavailable.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated that the vehicle would not accelerate over 20 MPH. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The failure occurred intermittently. Cutter Chrysler Jeep Dodge of pearl city (905 kamehameha hwy, pearl city, hi 96782, [phone]) diagnosed that the throttle body needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.
The electronic throttle control light comes on and off randomly . Sometimes when driving it will experience loss of power and or rough idling . Sometimes it will seem as if the gas pedal is being pressed on its own . Sometimes it will lose power and only do 10 MPH even with the gas pedal floored . Sometimes the car dies completely . Usually turning the car off and back on again will somewhat fix it where it will at least drive .
The etc body has been replaced twice within 6 months and now needs replaced again. The car accelerates on it's own, stalls out and doesn't start consistently. The car has been running and stalled, the car has been at a stoplight and thrusts forwards on it's own, making it unsafe to drive
Electronic throttle control warning lights came on while driving 15-20 MPH. The light stayed lit while driving on an interstate highway. The car has less power train compare when I bought it. I have concern that the car will stall while driving on the road.
Acceleration complaints in other Avenger years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2010 Dodge Avenger?
NHTSA has 27 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2010 Dodge Avenger, 17% of the model year's 163 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2010 Dodge Avenger acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 2010 Dodge Avenger, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2010 Dodge Avenger acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 68,000 miles, and 12% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to speed control & acceleration problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.