Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2011 Dodge Avenger owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated that the check engine warning light and air bag warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the cruise control, buttons on the steering wheel, and occupant restraint control were malfunctioning. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V668000 (Seat Belts, Air Bags) and the recall repair was completed. The contact stated that the air bag and occupant restraint warning light remained illuminated. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 171,998.
Vehicle will shut off while driving, has happened numerous time's, horn randomly honks by its self, it take numerous attempts to get the car started once it shut off, and now it's locked In limp mode and won't leave second gear
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle jerked and lost power. The engine and traction warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the crankshafts on three occasions. The contact stated that the battery cable box burned and was also replaced by the independent mechanic. The dealer was not called. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The contact stated that the vehicle did not seem fully repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.
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 which is a long time when your going that speed. It's extremely scary and the first time it happened I didn't know if it happened or not than it happened again not sure how long after and that's when I was like OK maybe that steering wheel did lock up before than when it happened again I knew for sure it was really happening cause I had a friend in passenger seat who witnessed this . Now it's been a while and my car all of a sudden won't start and my steering wheels will not lock . I've replaced sensors tried deleting codes . The codes I got were wrong immobilizer key and low voltage . …
Dashboard lights up without warning; dealer failed to correct or report when first purchased vehicle in 2011. Now in 2019, dealer denies record despite having given us loaner Jeep and Chrysler 200 in separate occasions. In 2019, car lights up randomly, engine stops while driving on freeway or in regular street traffic or turning at an intersection, and dealer reports unable to correct. Extremely hazardous. Worth a lawsuit. Dash lights up, engine shuts off, steering wheel locks, car sometimes starts again but not always. We paid the dealer to fully replace the crank sensor but that isn't fixing it. Tpm sensor warning appeared and isn't going away despite dealer stating it should. Replacing psi sensor did not correct this system warning either. …
After purchasing my vehicle I took it for a short drive on the highway. I was speeding up to 35-40 MPH when the car stalled. The car started and I decided that I better take it home. I started the car, turned around on the highway and while I was driving, it stalled again. It stalled several more times on the way home, I was never able to drive more than 45mph before it would sta... Several days later I decided to try to drive it again. It made it two miles out of town (going 65mph) before it started stalling again. It took me over an hour to make it home because the car would start, drive for about 3 feet and stall again. The next day the dealer I purchased it from towed it to their shop and they "reset" the computer. It drove fine for two days before stalling again while I was driving down a city street going 45mph. I had to pull off the road. …
My Dodge Avenger has the same problem that everyone else's car has with a 3.6l vvt in the car, the engine oil cooler cracks, and sprays oil everywhere, the problem is that if it isn't caught the oil get all over the place and causes belts to smoke because the oil and antifreeze are leaking from the oil cooler. Considering that this is a common problem with these motors, this needs to be investigated, so the oil cooler can be recalled, so Dodge will fix this problem!! It is dangerous especially if you're in the middle of a trip and it decides to crack while you're doing 70 MPH down the freeway and all the oil and antifreeze blows out the car. …
2011 Dodge Avenger. 3.6l engine. While driving between 30 and 40 MPH, on deceleration, once the gas pedal is pressed to accelerate, the engine stalls. All electrical still works, but power steering and braking are lost. Car does not restart for at least an hour or more, but will start evnetually. Has happened "intermittently" 10 times since dec 2017 (this report done July 2018). 8 dealer trips with a torque converter replacement, new fuel pump and still stalling issues while trying to accelerate. Empty back roads, state highways and even busy freeways have all been locations for stalls. All weather conditions, (winter, summer, wet, dry). One code pulled referred to the TIPM, which is a major problem for Chrysler, but not documented in the Avenger. …
I was driving down the autobahn at about 45 MPH when the electronic throttle control light began flashing and the car lost all power. I had to let the car roll to the side of the street to avoid getting hit by other vehicles and there I tried to start the car and it would not start. The car had shut off before without any warning, but it started back up without any issues. I had the car towed to a mechanical shop and they hooked it up to a diagnostic computer with the code for camshaft sensor. We replaced the camshaft sensor and still no luck. Took it to a Dodge dealership and they said the engine needed to be replaced. We did not replace the engine because it would cost $8000. The car still only cranks, but does not start and the etc light is still on.
The heater blows cold air in the passenger area of the car and warm air on the driver's side. The car never warms up enough to defrost the windows in winter. The cause is sand and metal shavings left in the engine block during manufacturing of the engine. The sand and metal shavings make their way into the heater core and radiator by about 50000.00 miles or so. This is the cause of the heating issue because the bottom of the heater core plugs and the radiator also to an extent. This should be a recall by Dodge for sure. Please help us from the high cost of the dealers 1300.00 charge to change the heater core and or radiator. From a discontent Dodge owner
NHTSA investigations
Engine stall
During PE12-016, Chrysler identified a condition in model year (MY) 2011 Chrysler 200 and Dodge Avenger vehicles equipped with 3.6L engines that may result in engine stall when stopped or travelling at very low speeds.According to Chrysler, this condition occurs when the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) initiates a purge monitor check while the engine is at idle which can result in an overly rich vapor condition and…
Engine complaints in other Avenger years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2011 Dodge Avenger?
NHTSA has 39 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2011 Dodge Avenger, 19% of the model year's 209 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2011 Dodge Avenger engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2011 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 2011 Dodge Avenger engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 86,000 miles, and 16% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire 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.