Is the 2013 Dodge Avenger a bad year?
548 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Avenger years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2013 Dodge Avenger are in line with other Avenger years. Air bags, electrical system, seats and 2 more stand out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2013 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air bagsSTANDS OUT | 154 (28%) | 42k–100k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 98 (18%) | 50k–109k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| SeatsSTANDS OUT | 60 (11%) | 60k–113k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Seat beltsSTANDS OUT | 52 (9%) | 40k–93k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipersSTANDS OUT | 51 (9%) | 63k–104k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Engine | 121 (22%) | 60k–123k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Brakes | 38 (7%) | 12k–83k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Speed control | 34 (6%) | 49k–87k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 32 (6%) | 28k–84k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Fuel system | 29 (5%) | 58k–109k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Stability control | 28 (5%) | 64k–98k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Body structure | 11 (2%) | 30k–72k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 7 (1%) | 26k–109k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Steering | 19 (3%) | 5k–59k miles · mostly behind | — |
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 548 complaints: 26 mention a crash · 10 mention a fire · 30 report an injury · 20 say the car was towed.
4 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Aug 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
As I was driving my 2013 Dodge avenger on the turnpike at speed of 75MPH my red warning light that looks like a lightning bolt came on along with the check engine and traction warning lights.
I have an issue with my 2013 heating system. My driver side vents are blowing hot air , though my passenger side is blowing cold and I do not have the money to fix this!
When heat is on, the passenger side blows cold (I live in wi so, when I say cold, I mean cold) air from every blowing port on the passenger side...
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 64,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2013 Dodge Avenger: 5
A component within the occupant restraint controller (ORC) may fail and prevent the active headrests from deploying in the event of a rear-end crash. If the active headrests do not deploy in certain rear-end crashes, the front seat occupants have an increased risk of injury.
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.
Due to abrasive debris in the balance shaft bearings, these engines may have a loss of engine oil pressure, possibly resulting in an engine stall or engine failure. If the engine stalls while driving it may increase the risk of a crash.
Electrical over-stress of a resistor in the occupant restraint control module may lead to the non-deployment of the active head restraints during a rear impact collision. In the event of a crash necessitating the deployment of the active head restraints , their non-deployment could increase the risk of injury.
These vehicles may have a gas tank that has a broken control valve in the fuel tank assembly. A broken control valve in the fuel tank assembly may lead to an engine stall or fuel leakage. An engine stall while driving may contribute to a vehicle crash. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, may result in a fire.
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: 73
Repair instructions Dodge sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2013 Dodge Avenger. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
WiTECH Small Leak Verification Test (SLVT) - P0456-EVAP SYSTEM SMALL LEAK
ADAPTER, Engine Oil Filter (Pentastar V6) For all 2014MY replace the Oil Filter Adapter (OFA)
Gear Ratio DTC's, Transmission Shift Concerns, Does Not Shift At Times, Shudders
Powertrain Diagnostic and System Enhancements
NHTSA defect investigations: 1
Active Head Rest Inadvertent Deployment
Neighbouring years
2012 Avenger: 554 complaints, keep it · 2014 Avenger: 205 complaints, keep it.
Every Dodge Avenger year
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Questions
Is the 2013 Dodge Avenger a bad year?
548 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 2013 Dodge Avenger?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: air bags (154), electrical system (98), seats (60), seat belts (52), visibility and wipers (51).
How many recalls does the 2013 Dodge Avenger have?
5 recall campaigns list this model year: Seats (NHTSA 17V-640), Seat belts (NHTSA 16V-668), Engine (NHTSA 13V-552), Electrical system (NHTSA 13V-282) and more. 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.