Acceleration complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2014 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the electronic throttle control warning light illuminated, and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the electronic throttle body was replaced twice; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to a second dealer Northtown Chrysler Jeep Dodge Fiat (2020 Niagara Falls Blvd, Tonawanda, NY 14150), where the PCM was replaced twice along with the Controller Area Network. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.
Driving and car cuts off without warning. Could be going 35 mph could be going 65 mph. Have to shift to N to cut car back on. Sometimes it won't cut back on. I pressed gas after light turned green in a busy intersection and car cut off in middle of intersection. This has happened in more than one occasion and almost caused many accidents. Throws code for crankshaft position sensor. It has been replaced and still not helping. Also replaced throttle body position sensor. This is happening with A LOT of these vehicles. All online forums talk of the same problem. Don't know if it's the computer itself because the check engine light rarely comes in when this happens. Then it throws random codes.
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. …
Two separate incidents have happened. First was in November 2018. I was driving home on a city street when the vehicle flashed the throttle body sensor light along with the check engine light and the car lost power and would not accelerate past 25mph. Brought to Dodge dealership for diagnosis and they couldn't check the etc light due to it shutting off with restart of the vehicle but was told I needed a new alternator. Fixed the alternator and no problems again until January 2019. This time I was driving home from work on a very busy highway and the car flashed the check engine light and died while in motion. Power steering was very tight but I was able to get to the side of the road safely and put the car in park. After 4 tries of restarting the vehicle, it started back up but the check engine light is still on. …
While driving down the interstate this vehicle's power steering and anti lock brakes stopped working and the vehicles rpms were as high as could be measured by the vehicle. This issues made it very difficult to navigate the vehicle off the roadway safely. The vehicle had to be towed to the nearest dealership and the alternator was diagnosed as the primary issue. The concern with this vehicle is that it has the same size engine and amp alternator as the Chrysler vehicles that are already under recall for alternator failure 3.6l engine with a 160 amp alternator and the dealership repairing this vehicle states it is the same type of failure. I am concerned that this vehicles alternator should also be recalled as it poses a danger to the people driving it and any other vehicles on the road near this vehicle when this failure occurs.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated that while exiting a driveway at 20 MPH, the vehicle accelerated independently up to 40 MPH. The contact depressed the brake pedal but the vehicle failed to slow down or stop. The contact crashed into a post. There were no injuries. The contact was able to place vehicle in neutral and turn the vehicle off. Once restarted, the failure was resolved. The vehicle was taken to dealer however the dealer was unable to duplicate failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue however no assistance was provided. The current and failure mileage was 39,000... Updated 08-27-12 updated 08/30/2012
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle jerked and lost power. The vehicle failed to accelerate past 20 MPH and the electronic throttle control warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The technician diagnosed that the throttle body needed to be cleaned. The vehicle was repaired. However, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the electronic throttle control, PCM and throttle body needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 65,000.
Related recalls (1)
Vehicle speed control
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The dash panel pad can shift interferring with the throttle cable control.
Remedy: Dealers will remove a portion of the dash panel pad so it cannot interfere with the throttle cable control.
Frequently asked questions
Which Dodge Avenger years have acceleration problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2008 (139), 2013 (34), 2010 (27), 2012 (16) and 2014 (15) model years. Acceleration complaints make up 16% of all complaints for the 2008.
Is there a recall for Dodge Avenger acceleration problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 98V045002 (vehicle speed control, Mar 3, 1998). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Dodge Avenger acceleration problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles; 26% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the cruise control (5 mentions), followed by the throttle (3).
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.