Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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 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 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.
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!
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 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. …
Tl* the contact owned a 2010 Dodge Avenger. While driving 75 MPH, the contact lost control of the vehicle as it lost power and crashed into the rear passenger side of a u-haul truck. The air bag did not deploy. There were no injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle was deemed destroyed by the contact's insurance company. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The crash was not related to a recall and the cause of the failure was undetermined. The failure mileage was 150,000.
Engine light came on. Got it diagnosed and code suggested changing the crank shaft sensor. Purchased part and had it installed by an independent mechanic. An hour later the engine light returned and the engine knocked while stopped at a red light and the car turned off. The car would not go above 35 MPH. I was able to restart the car and drove it to a second mechanic. The codes suggested changing the sensor, and a misfire of the 1st and 4th spark plugs. The crank shaft sensor was changed, the throttle body cleaned, and all spark plugs changed. Still the same issue. The car will not go above 30 MPH despite the gas pedal being pushed all the way down. Knocking engine and stalling. Took car to dealership. They suggested I allow them to take the engine apart for 800 dollars with no guarantee that this would fix the issue. Car currently over 80,000 miles approximately.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Dodge Avenger. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the check engine warning indicator started to flash, a chime sounded, and the vehicle stalled. The contact coasted the vehicle to a parking space, waited a few minutes, and the vehicle restarted normally. The contact also stated that the failure occurred regularly for the past four months. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the crank shaft position sensor and throttle body injection unit failed and needed replacement. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 180,000.
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, [phone], where it was diagnosed. The technician was 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. 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. 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.
Engine complaints in other Avenger years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2010 Dodge Avenger?
NHTSA has 28 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2010 Dodge Avenger, 17% of the model year's 163 complaints. The component named most often is exhaust system (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2010 Dodge Avenger engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 76,000 miles, and 12% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 2 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling 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.