Is the 2010 Dodge Avenger a bad year?
163 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Avenger years.
Keep it. You picked a good year.
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2010 Dodge Avenger are in line with other Avenger years. Electrical system stands out for this year: see below.
3th quietest of 8 Avenger years by owner complaints (years with 7+ years on the road).
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2010 Avenger owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 64,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 40 (25%) | 44k–88k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Air bags | 37 (23%) | 58k–130k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Engine | 28 (17%) | 45k–125k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Speed control | 27 (17%) | 40k–91k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 20 (12%) | 44k–110k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Steering | 9 (6%) | 46k–141k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Fuel system | 8 (5%) | 60k–91k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Seat belts | 15 (9%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Brakes | 13 (8%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Body structure | 6 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Stability control | 6 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 64,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 163 complaints: 16 mention a crash · 8 mention a fire · 9 report an injury · 12 say the car was towed.
1 complaint was filed in the last 12 months, the newest in May 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
While driving my 2010 Dodge avenger, the electronic throttle body warning light will flash on and then go off, when it is on the car drops speed quickly and will not accelerate.
Driving at very slow speed. Vehicle stalled. Could have been very dangerous. Car was restarted. Just bought car day before.
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.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 64,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2010 Dodge Avenger: 3
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. 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.
Some of these vehicles may experience a separation at the crimped end of the power steering pressure hose assembly. Leaked power steering fluid onto hot engine components could cause a fire.
These vehicles may have been built with an improperly formed or missing brake booster input rod retaining clip. This could result in brake failure without warning which could cause a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Dodge: 30
Repair instructions Dodge sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2010 Dodge Avenger. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Chrysler/dodge/jeep: transfer gear bearing noise
Active Head Restraint (AHR) Inadvertent Deployment - X84 Warranty Extension
STAR Center News No. 78 - Jan/Feb 2013: Instead of limiting the use of the tether anchor to 48 pounds…
Neighbouring years
2009 Avenger: 67 complaints, keep it · 2011 Avenger: 209 complaints, keep it.
Every Dodge Avenger year
2000 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · All Avenger years side by side
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Questions
Is the 2010 Dodge Avenger a bad year?
163 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Avenger years. At 64,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2010 Dodge Avenger?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: electrical system (40), air bags (37), engine (28), speed control (27), transmission and drivetrain (20).
How many recalls does the 2010 Dodge Avenger have?
3 recall campaigns list this model year: Seat belts (NHTSA 16V-668), Steering (NHTSA 10V-475), Brakes (NHTSA 10V-009). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.