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).
Was driving on hwy when vehicle loss power, was able to quickly pull over. Turned vehicle off and restarted vehicle. Got back onto the hwy ,vehicle loss power again, this time it wouldn't turn over. Replaced fuel pump,replaced valve timing sensor, crank sensor, replaced battery, replaced ignition switch and antitheft oem {replaced 5X}, reprogrammed vehicle 3X's, bought new key to program to vehicle. After $1500.00 still not fixed, dealership has had the vehicle for well over a month. The dealership contacted the manufactured company, manufactured company said it was a faulty orc part. The manufacture company was suppose to send the dealership the new orc part and still hasn't done so, dealership says its on back order and there isn't no eta for the part to arrive.
My husband a I were driving down the highway and all of a sudden a loud sound a bam the air bag in the passenger seat blew open and dang near gave my husband whiplash. Also I have had the thermostat replaced 3 times in 2 years and the car is still overheating. The ABS sensor will not go off and its like the emergency brake is stuck. I can be driving and when I try to stop it is like its locking up.
Beginning in September 2023, my parking brake light would periodically light up even when the parking brake was not engaged. At the time, I didn't think much of it. This persisted until the middle of January 2024. Beginning in mid January 2024, my parking brake light, traction control light, and ABS light were all lit up on my dashboard. I took my vehicle into my mechanic on January 30, 2024 and they diagnosed it as an ABS internal module failure. They said they were unable to make the repair and said that I would need to take it into a Dodge dealership. I then took it to my local Dodge dealership on February 2, 2024 and they also diagnosed the problem as an ABS internal module failure. The dealership told me that the particular module needed was under "Engineer Review" at Chrysler. …
"Takata recall"my wife got in a accident rear ending another car that stomped on breaks as she was trying to switch lanes her brakes did not clamp properly and her airbag did not deploy she was going 45mph on hwy 70 in durham, nc. She suffered injuries to her neck, shoulders, knees, and right eye. And our car received damages to the front driver side not drivable. After hearing from a mechanic that the airbag should have deploy and Dodge has a recall going on I did some research it was true. And my car did have a recall for the airbags since September of 2016 but I was never notified by Dodge or Takata. I have own this car since 2013 brand new and have been driving for over 3 years, at any point in time during that me and my wife could have gotten into a really bad accident and died because the airbags didn't work. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Dodge Avenger. While the contact's sister was driving 55 MPH, she depressed the brake pedal, but it failed to stop the vehicle. As a result, the driver crashed into another vehicle on the front driver's side. Both the driver and passenger air bags deployed. The driver sustained a brain aneurysm and had trouble breathing. Medical attention was required. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not drivable and was towed to ken garff west valley Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram Fiat (located at 4175 w 3500 s, west valley city, ut 84120, [phone]). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 86,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 10 MPH and attempting to stop, the brakes failed to respond. As a result, the vehicle crashed into a mailbox and a light pole. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries sustained. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the failure was unable to be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 46,000.
"Takata recall" on 1/5/17 my wife rear ended another driver after they slammed on brakes and my wife's brakes skirted cause sever damaged to the driver side of the car leaving her at fault and at the time my insurance lapse on the car. But the airbag did not deploy and she suffered injuries to her knees neck, shoulders and eye. I found Dodge has a recall for my make and model for the airbags but never told me and refused to help in any way and Takata does not have a recall for my car for the airbags but for other Dodge models.
Braking system did not stop car causing rear end collision. Air bags deployed and passenger air bag starting smothering and burnt hole though air bag. Car totaled at going only 30mpg.notified Dodge and was sent a letter saying nothing was found on brakes but didn't even address the air bag. 1week before had car in for service for vibration and dealer had to replace all mounts.
Vehicle brakes and steering froze up while attempting to go around another driver. This resulted in a total loss. This was on a dry city street. The driver in front of the vehicle was turning into a business, attempted to go around when the brakes and steering just stopped working. This vehicle was just service a few weeks prior to the incident.
My vehicle stalled, started shaking, shut down and lost power while driving. The following three warning lights came on; 1) malfunction indicator light (MIL); 2) electronic throttle control (etc); and 3) electronic stability control (ESC). I have noticed that the car seems to stall when I put it in drive and take off is slow. It takes me several blocks to just reach 30 MPH. The car also feels as if it is lunging but resumes a slow pace. Take off is extremely slow when I stop for traffic lights. The engine seems to lose pressure. The car will rev and accelerate on its own even with the brake pedal being pressed. My car started sputtering in traffic, the car revved up like I was pressing on the gas. Then yesterday I experienced immediate loss of power in the vehicle & the inability to increase speed, almost causing me to be involved in an accident. …
Brake complaints in other Avenger years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2013 Dodge Avenger?
NHTSA has 38 complaints about the brakes of the 2013 Dodge Avenger, 7% of the model year's 548 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2013 Dodge Avenger brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes 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 brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 42,000 miles, and 38% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 7 crashes, 1 fire and 8 injuries to brakes 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.