Transmission complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 12 | 6% | 60,000 miles |
| 2013 | 32 | 6% | 58,000 miles |
| 2012 | 31 | 6% | 42,000 miles |
| 2011 | 14 | 7% | 48,000 miles |
| 2010 | 20 | 12% | 94,000 miles |
| 2009 | 10 | 15% | 90,000 miles |
| 2008 | 240 | 28% | 54,000 miles |
| 2000 | 6 | 27% | 85,000 miles |
| 1999 | 10 | 16% | 89,000 miles |
| 1998 | 4 | 7% | 95,000 miles |
| 1997 | 4 | 5% | — |
| 1996 | 21 | 13% | 121,000 miles |
| 1995 | 16 | 8% | 113,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
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.
Just bought the car, within a month the brakes were grinding. Took it to the dealership and there was a power train leak which they replaced. A few days later, I was at an intersection turning and my wheel completely locked, causing me to hit the car in front of me and the air bags deployed. An officer happened to be on the same road and saw that my car was also smoking as well which May have been due to the previous power train leak. I looked at other recalls and sure enough, there are some on the 2011-2013 regarding steering and brake systems as well. They definitely need to check the 2014 Dodge Avenger as well for similar issues. Now the front passenger area and my axel is ruined and needs to be replaced.
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. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Dodge Avenger. While driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle suddenly stalled behind a commercial vehicle. When attempting to restart the vehicle, the truck in front suddenly moved and allowed the contact to notice another vehicle heading towards them at high speeds. The contact shifted into neutral, restarted the vehicle, but was unable to gain control. As a result, the vehicle landed in a ditch on the side of the road. The vehicle's front fender was damaged. The vehicle was not towed. A police report was filed. The contact did not receive any injuries. Approximately six months prior to this failure, the vehicle suddenly stalled while driving various speeds. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the TIPM, PCM, and orc failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle received a new PCM, but the failure recurred. …
This car is totally unsafe worse vehicle ever. While driving my car has lost all power making me almost loose control of the car while my kids were in it as well and driving on. The highway. It will be fine then just everything shuts off. It has shut off then not start or I?ve changed the engine one time and after that it was OK and now a year later is doing g the same exact thing. Car won?t start for some odd reason then starts fine 30 min later I was trying g to start my car n it blew up in my face n blew the air filter off as well this car has been so bad I?m scared to even drive it I also have videos of it driving g fine then just shutting down completely this is the worse vehicle ever way to unsafe the electrical system starts going hay wire flashing the light off n and the car alarm will go off when no body has touched it or done anything to make it go off there's more just really …
Car has problems picking up speed when pushing pedal it slowly picks up speed, when the car is in motion and I push on brakes or I am backing out of parking space car shuts off. Also sometimes while car is running I notice it won't go over a certain speed it jus won't allow me to do over 50 MPH and car starts to over heat but normally I pull over turn the car off and start it back up and it drives normal again , until the car is turned off again it mysteriously just happens again whenever it decides.
My car's engine stalls and shuts off while in the middle of acceleration or even while at idle. The dealership cannot find any issues as to why it would stop running and I am extremely afraid to drive the car for fear I will have an accident. When the engine stalls, the power steering stops working and it is hard to steer the car to a safe spot.
Related recalls (1)
Power train › Automatic transmission › Control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)
Chrysler is recalling 712 my 2009 sebring, Dodge caliber, avenger, journey, Jeep patriot, and compass vehicles. A new adhesive used in the power train control module (PCM) manufacturing process can cause the printed circuit board to break.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the PCM free of charge. The recall began on November 10, 2008. Owners May contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Frequently asked questions
Which Dodge Avenger years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2008 (240), 2013 (32), 2012 (31), 1996 (21) and 2010 (20) model years. Transmission complaints make up 28% of all complaints for the 2008.
Is there a recall for Dodge Avenger transmission problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 08V-528 (control module (tcm/pcm/tecm), Oct 9, 2008). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Dodge Avenger transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 58,000 miles; 41% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic transmission (125 mentions), followed by the automatic transmission › lever and linkage › floor shift (9).
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.