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).
After backing out of the driveway in Reverse, I attempted to shift the car into Drive. However, the car kept moving backwards. I then shifted it into Park. At that point, I was not able to get the car back out of Park, yet I was able to push it forward and backward as if it was in neutral. I did some research and found a recall on similar car, the 2013 Dodge Dart: 2013 DODGE DART Report Date: April 11, 2019 Campaign Number: 19V293000 Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT Summary: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Dodge Dart vehicles equipped with 6-speed automatic transmissions. The shifter cable bushing may fail allowing the shift cable to detach from the transmission. Consequence Summary: If the shifter cable detaches from the transmission, the vehicle may not perform the shifts performed by the driver. …
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. …
A couple years after I got my car it would shut down when I would come to stop signs and no mechanics could tell me why. No lights ever came on. It had shut down on the freeway before and let the power slowly die down until the car turned off. That time the car actually had a light when I tried turning it back on. I essentially have had to replace my transmission and engine within a year. The car would overheat at times but no lights would go off so I just could let the car cool down and let the overheating stop. Fast forward to replacing the engine and transmission and my car is now idling high even without the gas being touched. On the freeway it will go to as high as 4000rpms now and it feels like the car is going to stop working again. Also the door blend actuators and other actuators have been making noise for about 4 years. …
I bought the v6 Dodge Avenger because sticker on car showed cost of ownership costs, this was highly inaccurate. I flushed the transmission then 3 months later im left on the shoulder if the road. I know it was the transmission pump on my 62te. The dealership told me my warranty just expired and I needed a whole new transmission. The car has 75000 miles how could this be. They were not able to budge on price and replaced transmission. I had the car for 12 hours then it blew again, I think somebody has to watch out I just saw the racall affected for 2016 and up trans but the old ones r the same cheap transmissions to save em a buck and make sure warranties always expore before the sht breaks
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.
The head gasket failed and was replaced despite protestations from the dealership. I learned the head gasket had a design flaw causing it to fail prematurely. Catalytic converter recalled, dealership advised it was unknown when it would repaired. Recall advised delay could damage engine. Finally repaired after complaint to dealership GM. Vehicle is making noises and losing power suddenly, then sudden increase of RPM while driving. Sudden loss of power could cause crash in traffic, same with sudden RPM increase. Fan wiring harness recalled, dealership advised of failure to fan when taken in for headgasket, nothing done. Multiple complaints made with Dodge hq.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Dodge Avenger. While the vehicle was stationary, the traction control indicator illuminated without warning. The contact stated that the transmission had a downshift issue and would not switch gears properly. In addition, the engine overheated due to a coolant overflow. Furthermore, the engine made a loud shaking noise while driving. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was approximately 65,225. Updated 01/25/17 the consumer stated A/C is broken, and windows/door locks jam.
6/9/15 car in motion city street refused to accelerate. Coasted to side. Dealer ship replaced tran pump& torque converter. 7/21 at stop light heard hard knock, stuck in 1st gear coasted to side. Dealership did tran overhaul. 7/29 again! On freeway complete shut down of engine and electrical and coasted off freeway ramp. Glad we did not get killed. Dealership said fixed issue. My son nor I will drive it any longer. Other issue was airbag light continuously on 2nd dealership said airbags May not work. Glad no accidents occurred.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Dodge Avenger. While the vehicle was in park, the shift cable was stuck and failed to shift out of park. The contact called boerne Chrysler at [phone] and was informed that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and informed the contact that there was no recall and to contact NHTSA. The approximate failure mileage was 58,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Dodge Avenger. When the brake pedal was depressed, the vehicle decelerated and stalled. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the torque converter May have failed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.
Transmission complaints in other Avenger years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2013 Dodge Avenger?
NHTSA has 32 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2013 Dodge Avenger, 6% of the model year's 548 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2013 Dodge Avenger transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 58,000 miles, and 31% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to transmission & drivetrain 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.