Dodge Avenger Traction Control Problems

Owners have filed 118 complaints about stability & traction control problems with the Dodge Avenger — 4% of all Avenger complaints. The worst model years are 2008 (32), 2013 (29) and 2012 (26). Problems typically start around 81,000 miles. No traction control recall has been issued for the Avenger.

118complaints
2008worst year
81ktypical miles
0related recalls
6crashes
4fires

Traction Control complaints by model year

19951996199719981999200020072008200920102011201220132014321710262913
Traction Control complaints per model year, Dodge Avenger.
YearComplaintsShare of year's complaintsTypical mileage
2014136%60,000 miles
2013295%71,000 miles
2012265%85,000 miles
2011105%85,000 miles
201074%75,000 miles
200911%72,000 miles
2008324%100,000 miles

Mileage when the problem started

  • Under 25k
    1010%
  • 25k–50k
    88%
  • 50k–75k
    2121%
  • 75k–100k
    3132%
  • 100k–150k
    2020%
  • 150k+
    88%

What owners report

The first time the throttle control warning light came on, I was mid-turn into oncoming traffic when my vehicle stalled, completely stopping almost causing another vehicle to t-bone me. Car shut off and when I restarted it, it automatically accelerated. Arrived at my destination within a mile and later that day when I turned on my car to go home, the light was off and no issues. A couple days go by, on my way to work again, I am trying to stop for a red light, throttle control warning light comes on and car accelerates instead causing me to run the red light. Throttle control light stays on for the rest of the day but when I go to drive it the next day its off and no issues. Took car in to get oil changed and other unrelated work done and they don't find any issues. …

2014 Avenger · 75,000 miles · Mar 2018

The vehicle stalls and jerks violently during acceleration at take off after a complete stop. It struggles accelerating through intersections also at making left n right turns. At random times the vehicle stops in the middle of an intersection after take off and causes cars behind you and those who choose to proceed to run the red light going the intersection to hit you. The car is unsafe to drive making it a safety issue. Come to find out online that alot of Dodge avengers are having the same issue. Car also does this while making left and right turns. It jerks n loses acceleration randomly no matter high roms or low rpms. On the highway or street you can't gain acceleration to pass or to get over without risking an accident due to not moving with the speed of traffic. Also am unknown oil leak appears had the car valve cover gasket and oil pan gasket replace and still looses oil. …

2014 Avenger · 89,000 miles · Jun 2020

I was driving from arkansas to texas and was approximately ten miles from my destination when the car pulled to the right on a narrow two lane highway hitting the approximately one foot tall concrete bride side. It was misting rain and the car kept pulling right and then started to go into a skid. I tried to steer to stop skidding and spun around into the ditch and rolled. Only the passenger side curtain air bags and the passenger seat airbag deployed. No airbags deployed on the driver side or from the dash or steering wheel. The vehicle sustained major damage to the front, sides and top. There had been prior warranty repair to the driver seat airbag by orr Dodge of searcy because the airbag system malfunction warning light had come on in the vehicle.

2013 Avenger · 42,000 miles · Dec 2014 · crash

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. …

2013 Avenger · 94,000 miles · Oct 2018

I took my car to the Dodge dealership to be diagnose because of windshield wiper not working properly. When wipers are turn on they would randomly stop out of no where then take several seconds sometimes minutes before coming back on, the diagnostic came back internal short in TIPM. I've noticed in many research online there has been many recalls and problem regarding TIPM from Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler. Also I've had shortage in my power window not wanting to work but will eventually start again and air bag light is on all those could be related to the bad TIPM. …

2012 Avenger · 51,000 miles · Apr 2015

Hello, the above mentioned vehicle, was at glendale Dodge Chrysler Jeep, in glendale, ca, for a total of seven full days. They were trying to find out why the (horn), continues to go off either, moving or standing still. They put in the following parts: (switch speed) for $50.00 (switch horn) for $127.60 (harness steer) for $158.00 plus the cost of diagnosis $195.00 after all of this I was finally told that the vehicle needs a (tipmcgw) , which I was given an estimate of $1,900, plus labor. I was told this part is located under the fuse box, and controls all the functions in the vehicle. This does not seem to be a wear and tear part, especially where it is located, not sure why it would go out unless faulty. This is a recurring problem with the horn. It's a safety issue to have the horn connected, because it keeps going off. …

2012 Avenger · 77,000 miles · May 2020

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.

2011 Avenger · 170,000 miles · Sep 2020 · fire

Takata recall I was involded in a accident, my vehicle was rear ended and my seat belts did not locked or airbags did not eject. Also my break indicater always pops up on the dash board. My back window stop rolling down. The air conditioner makes a loud claking sound everytime I turn on or off the engine.and it wont revers. Theeres something new always going on with this car.

2011 Avenger · 78,000 miles · Mar 2017 · crash

Frequently asked questions

Which Dodge Avenger years have traction control problems?

By NHTSA complaints, the 2008 (32), 2013 (29), 2012 (26), 2014 (13) and 2011 (10) model years. Traction Control complaints make up 4% of all complaints for the 2008.

Is there a recall for Dodge Avenger traction control problems?

No. NHTSA lists no stability & traction control recall for any Dodge Avenger model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.

At what mileage do Dodge Avenger traction control problems start?

Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 81,000 miles; 18% happened before 50,000 miles.

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.