While I was driving my car began to smoke, there was no warning lights on my dashboard & my temperature gage was in the middle, indicating my car was not overheated. I pulled over put the vehicle in park & it became completely engulfed in flames. My car is a total loss!
2010 Dodge Avenger
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2010 Dodge Avenger do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 157.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Avenger years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
126 reports with mileage · 37 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Electrical System. Review the 40 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 37 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
163 reportsThe contact owns a 2010 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would not properly accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. Also, while operating the vehicle a knocking noise was present coming from the engine when the air conditioning unit was turned on. The cause of the fai…
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The contact owns a 2010 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would not properly accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. Also, while operating the vehicle a knocking noise was present coming from the engine when the air conditioning unit was turned on. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,000.
I was reversing out of a parking spot and when I tried to go forward, the car kept wanting to go in reverse. The shifter then became stuck in park and would not move to another gear. I was in the middle of the road now blocking traffic. The dashboard still showed I was in reverse even though the shift lever was stuck in park. I …
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I was reversing out of a parking spot and when I tried to go forward, the car kept wanting to go in reverse. The shifter then became stuck in park and would not move to another gear. I was in the middle of the road now blocking traffic. The dashboard still showed I was in reverse even though the shift lever was stuck in park. I was forced to keep reversing until I found a safe spot to park. Later I looked up this problem on YouTube and found many videos posted with my same problem with the stuck gear shift. I would definitely say this is a manufacturing defect that needs to be recalled on all versions of the Dodge Avenger car.
CAR CUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. DRIVING IN THE INTERSTATE AT 55 MPH THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. NO WARNING SIGNS WERE GIVEN, THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WHEN PRESSING THE GAS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT PROPERLY ACCELERATE WHILE DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE RANDOMLY LOSS MOTIVE POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT PROPERLY ACCELERATE WHILE DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE RANDOMLY LOSS MOTIVE POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED AND THE FAILURE WAS REMEDIED. THE LOCAL DEALER GOOD BROTHERS DODGE LOCATED AT 577 COLUMBIAN ST, SOUTH WEYMOUTH, MA 02190 WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.
THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE AIRBAG SYSTEM, WHICH I HAVE TAKEN TO GET FIXED. THERE IS A AIRBAG LIGHT NOW FLASHING ON AND OFF AND I AM TOO AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. WHEN I ASKED ABOUT THE DEALERSHIP SHIP SHEWED ME AWAY AND SAID MAYBE IT'S THE WIRING, WELL HELL I DIDN'T WIRE IT MYSELF. I WANT IT NOTED I CALLED ABOUT THIS ISSUE ALSO REPORTE…
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THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE AIRBAG SYSTEM, WHICH I HAVE TAKEN TO GET FIXED. THERE IS A AIRBAG LIGHT NOW FLASHING ON AND OFF AND I AM TOO AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. WHEN I ASKED ABOUT THE DEALERSHIP SHIP SHEWED ME AWAY AND SAID MAYBE IT'S THE WIRING, WELL HELL I DIDN'T WIRE IT MYSELF. I WANT IT NOTED I CALLED ABOUT THIS ISSUE ALSO REPORTED IT WAS TOLD IT'S NOT PART OF THE RECALL. SO I GUESS THEY WAIT FOR SOMETHING TO HAPPEN FIRST, THEN RECALL IT?!?
A DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHT IS ON THAT INDICATES A PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT AIR BAGS. I HAVE A 2010 DODGE AVENGER. MY MECHANIC RECENTLY ADVISED ME TO GET THIS CHECKED OUT AS A RECALL.
I KEEP HAVING THE VEHICLE FIXED AND THEN THEY KEEP TELLING ME NOTHING ELSE NEEDS TO BE FIXED WITH IT. IT KEEPS PULLINGN WHEN I COME TO A STOP AND THEN DECELERATES WHILE I'M DRIVING AND I HAVE TO PULL OVER ON THE HIGHWAY OR PULL OFF THE HIGHWAY AND START THE CAR AGAIN. NO LIGHTS COME ON THERE'S OIL IN THE CAR I JUST HAD AN OIL CH…
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I KEEP HAVING THE VEHICLE FIXED AND THEN THEY KEEP TELLING ME NOTHING ELSE NEEDS TO BE FIXED WITH IT. IT KEEPS PULLINGN WHEN I COME TO A STOP AND THEN DECELERATES WHILE I'M DRIVING AND I HAVE TO PULL OVER ON THE HIGHWAY OR PULL OFF THE HIGHWAY AND START THE CAR AGAIN. NO LIGHTS COME ON THERE'S OIL IN THE CAR I JUST HAD AN OIL CHANGE I JUST HAD TO BRAKE PADS FIXED EVEN THOUGH THE BRAKES KEEP SQUEAKING THE ROTORS ARE NEW XCETERA. THIS ISN'T THE FIRST TIME IT HAS DECELERATED I HAD TO HAVE A PART REPLACED A COUPLE YEARS AGO BECAUSE IT WAS DOING THE SAME THING. TRYING TO FIGURE OUT IF THERE'S ANY RECALLS ON THE CAR IN ORDER TO GET THOSE RECALLS FIXED. IT DID THE SAME THING LAST YEAR AND WHEN I TOOK IT IN THEY FIXED ANOTHER PART. IT'S NEVER THE SAME PART THAT THE MECHANICS FIX AND SAY IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM.
OCCUPANT RESTRAINT CONTROLLER
THE VEHICLE ON THREE SEPARATE TURN AROUNDS DID THE SAME THING AFTER 3 PLUS HRS OF DRIVING STOPPING SHIFTING INTO REVERSE THEN DRIVE. NEAR THE END OF THE RURAL/LOCAL 4 STRAIGHT HRS TRANSMISSION APPEARED TO NOT SHIFT OUT OF FIRST GEAR. EACH TIME THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP WHILE APPLYING BRAKES. THE CAR WAS THEN SHIFTED …
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THE VEHICLE ON THREE SEPARATE TURN AROUNDS DID THE SAME THING AFTER 3 PLUS HRS OF DRIVING STOPPING SHIFTING INTO REVERSE THEN DRIVE. NEAR THE END OF THE RURAL/LOCAL 4 STRAIGHT HRS TRANSMISSION APPEARED TO NOT SHIFT OUT OF FIRST GEAR. EACH TIME THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP WHILE APPLYING BRAKES. THE CAR WAS THEN SHIFTED INTO R(REVERSE) AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS RELEASED AND GAS PEDAL APPLIED APPROXIMATELY. AFTER REACHING THE REVERSED TURNING DESTINATION THE BRAKE WAS REAPPLIED AND CAR CAME TO A STOP. CAR WAS SHIFTED INTO D (DRIVE) FROM R (REVERSE) AND ALL THREE TIMES THE CAR ACCELERATED TO 30 -34 MPH RPMS STAYING AT 3 AND THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DID NOT DID NOT GO INTO NORMAL 2ND YEAR MODE. ALL THREE TIMES THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY STOPPED. THE GEARSHIFT PUT INTO P(PARK FOR 5SEC.) THEN GEAR SHIFT PUT INTO D. THE CAR RAN FIN AGAIN UNTIL TIME TO TURN AROUND. ON THE 3RD ATTEMPT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND IMMEDIATELY THE CAR WAS DRIVEN HOME UNDER 40 MPH 4RPMS. AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS SET FOR 2 PLUS HRS THE FLUIDS WERE CHECKED AND NONE APPEARS LOW THE CAR ALSO DROVE AS NORMAL AS IT HAD AT THE BEGINNING OF THE LAST TRIP. THE CAR WAS ONLY DRIVEN FOR 5-10MINUTESVAND ALL GEARS SEAM TO WORK FINE FLUIDS ARE NORMAL AND THE CHECK ENGINE SYMBOL IS STILL LIT. *TR
Official recalls
316V668000 · Air Bags; Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE ; Seat Belts:pretensioner
Sep 15, 2016
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Chrysler 200, 2010 Chrysler Sebring, 2010-2012 Dodge Caliber and 2010-2014 Jeep Patriot, Compass and Dodge Avenger vehicles. The Occupant Restraint Control (OCR) module may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags from deploying in the event of a crash.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the OCR, free of charge. Interim letters informing owners that parts are not available yet were mailed on October 26, 2016. The recall began on August 15, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S61.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Seat Belts:pretensioner
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Chrysler 200, 2010 Chrysler Sebring, 2010-2012 Dodge Caliber and 2010-2014 Jeep Patriot, Compass and Dodge Avenger vehicles. The Occupant Restraint Control (OCR) module may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags from deploying in the event of a crash.
Consequence: If the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the OCR, free of charge. Interim letters informing owners that parts are not available yet were mailed on October 26, 2016. The recall began on August 15, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S61.
Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Chrysler 200, 2010 Chrysler Sebring, 2010-2012 Dodge Caliber and 2010-2014 Jeep Patriot, Compass and Dodge Avenger vehicles. The Occupant Restraint Control (OCR) module may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags from deploying in the event of a crash.
Consequence: If the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the OCR, free of charge. Interim letters informing owners that parts are not available yet were mailed on October 26, 2016. The recall began on August 15, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S61.
Air Bags
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Chrysler 200, 2010 Chrysler Sebring, 2010-2012 Dodge Caliber and 2010-2014 Jeep Patriot, Compass and Dodge Avenger vehicles. The Occupant Restraint Control (OCR) module may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags from deploying in the event of a crash.
Consequence: If the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the OCR, free of charge. Interim letters informing owners that parts are not available yet were mailed on October 26, 2016. The recall began on August 15, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S61.
10V475000 · Steering:electric Power Assist System
Oct 7, 2010
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 CHRYSLER SEBRING, 300, CHARGER (LX) AND DODGE CHALLENGER (LC), AVENGER (JS), AND JOURNEY (JC), AS WELL AS MODEL YEAR 2011 DODGE RAM LIGHT DUTY PICKUP (DS) VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE A SEPARATION AT THE CRIMPED END OF THE POWER STEERING PRESSURE HOSE ASSEMBLY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: LEAKED POWER STEERING FLUID ONTO HOT ENGINE COMPONENTS COULD CAUSE A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE AS NECESSARY THE POWER STEERING PRESSURE HOSES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 20, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
10V009000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Jan 11, 2010
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 CHRYSLER SEBRING; DODGE AVENGER AND NITRO; JEEP LIBERTY, COMMANDER AND GRAND CHEROKEE; AND MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 DODGE RAM TRUCK. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH AN IMPROPERLY FORMED OR MISSING BRAKE BOOSTER INPUT ROD RETAINING CLIP.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN BRAKE FAILURE WITHOUT WARNING WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH.
Remedy: CHRYSLER WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE BOOSTER INPUT ROD RETAINING CLIP FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING FEBRUARY 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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