Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2013 Dodge Avenger owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The throttle body system keeps failing and causing my ETC light to come on. This causes the car to lose speed and almost stalling while driving. Thus happens out if no where and while driving the car will automatically slow down on it own and won't let me accelerate which is very dangerous when driving on the highway or trying to make a turn and your car stops accelerating. I have had the throttle body replaced multiple times and it never resolves the issue.
About 3 weeks ago, I was driving down the highway and the etc light came on for a split second, the car wouldn't accelerate, than the light shut off and drove fine. For the next few day's it did it once or twice on the highway when I would go up hills. The last day I drove it before taking it to a mechanic it did it again, only this time the light didn't shut off and I had to pull over on the highway. I shut the car off and it started, there was no light on so I began to drive. About 10 miles down the highway, the light turned on again and the car wouldn't go over 60mph. I got it to a mechanic shop. They did a diagnostic test and couldn't tell me what exactly was wrong with it. They said they cleaned the throttle body but it didn't help and suggested that I take it to the dealer ship. I called the manufacturer to see if there was a recall and to see about a warranty. …
My issue is with my throttle body. This will be the 4th time it's being fixed between me and the previous owner 2 just for me. There has been two cases where I was driving in town and all the sudden I lose all acceleration. My gas pedal goes right to the floor and it does nothing. Then once I stopped it idles really rough. I've gone through two throttle body's in a 9 month period and I feel if this happens again I May not be so lucky to survive. The most recent time was 7/2/2019 I was driving and was stopped at a stop light and my car starts the rough idling and when I hit the gas it went right to the floor which then hindered traffic and almost got hit. The forst time it happens to me like I said I was driving down a city street starting a decent downhill and when I got to the bottom of hill my pedal went right to the floor again. …
The following three warning lights have started to come on intermittently; 1) malfunction indicator light (MIL); 2) electronic throttle control (etc); and 3) electronic stability control (ESC). The malfunction and ESC lights were the first warning lights to come on. The lights have activated while I am driving on dry payment without any hazardous conditions present. The etc warning light now comes on too. I have noticed that the car seems to stall when I put it in drive. Take off is slow. It takes me several blocks of driving to reach 30 MPH. The car will also feel as if it lunged but resume a slow pace. Take off is extremely slow when I stop for traffic lights. The engine seems to be losing pressure. I have maintained the recommended oil change schedule. The aforementioned conditions represents a safety hazard. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the check engine warning light would illuminate intermittently. The contact also stated that while at a complete stop, the vehicle would hesitate to move forward upon depressing the accelerator. The contact took the vehicle to south chicago Dodge Chrysler Jeep (7340 s western ave, chicago, il 60636) where they diagnosed the vehicle with a defective throttle body assembly. The contact also took the vehicle to other independent mechanics where they also informed him that the issue was the throttle body. The manufacturer had been notified of the failure where they referred him to the NHTSA. The vehicle had been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 127,000.
While driving down the road my husband went to accelerate to pass a another vehicle and the etc light started flashing and the engine lost power, went from 40mph to 30mph!!! We couldn't pass and luckily there wasn't an accident! Another time at a stop sign, he accelerated and the light came on and we could only go 20 MPH, thank god no cars were coming!! We've be told it's the electronic throttle body. I've researched this problem and it seems like alot of people are having the same issues as we are! This is definitely a safety issue, it could cause a serious accident! Hopefully this will be investigated soon!!! I've also notified Dodge, they basically told me I'm on my own!!
As I was driving my 2013 Dodge Avenger on the turnpike at speed of 75mph my red warning light that looks like a lightning bolt came on along with the check engine and traction warning lights. My vehicle tended to hesitate ,jerk and reduce speed dramatically. The vehicle wouldnt excellorateno more than 10mph. I attempted to steer off to a brakedown lane but while doing so I nearly got sideswiped and rear ended multiple times. I have looked on line and seen several complaints revolving around this issue. I am not the only driver that had near misses with an accident. This is a huge safety issue! Please look into this matter please, for the saftey of all drivers. Thank you.
A few weeks ago I was turning and trying to accelerate when my electronic throttle control light went on. The car lost power but after I took my foot off the gas petal the light turned off and I got power back to the car. Took it to get the computer on but no codes came back. Tonight I was merging into the highway when etc the check engine and the ABS lights came on. The car lost power and I couldn't go faster then 50mph. I got back to the house turned the car off then back on and no lights are on. I'm not sure what to do. If the lights aren't on the computer won't pick up any error codes. Also my car already has a recall on the airbags. Is this an electrical problem?
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Dodge Avenger. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently decelerated and the electronic throttle control warning indicator illuminated. The contact coasted the vehicle to the side of the road and powered off the engine. The vehicle was restarted, but failed to accelerate. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the throttle body needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 132,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Dodge Avenger. While driving approximately 20 MPH, the vehicle jerked, shook, and accelerated without warning. The contact was able to gain control of the vehicle. On several occasions, while making left and right turns, the vehicle nosedived and the speed decreased. The traction control indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the throttle body failed to register and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the Dodge dealer. The failure mileage was 61,485.
Acceleration complaints in other Avenger years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2013 Dodge Avenger?
NHTSA has 34 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2013 Dodge Avenger, 6% of the model year's 548 complaints. The component named most often is throttle (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2013 Dodge Avenger acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 2013 Dodge Avenger, though it has 5 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 2013 Dodge Avenger acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 63,000 miles, and 17% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury 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.