Is the 2014 Dodge Avenger a bad year?
205 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Avenger years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2014 Dodge Avenger are in line with other Avenger years. Air bags stands 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 2014 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 50,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air bagsSTANDS OUT | 69 (34%) | 36k–89k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Engine | 42 (20%) | 35k–73k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Seat belts | 39 (19%) | 38k–88k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Electrical system | 33 (16%) | 6k–70k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Brakes | 17 (8%) | 15k–76k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Speed control | 15 (7%) | 40k–84k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Steering | 14 (7%) | 3k–52k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 12 (6%) | 40k–81k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Seats | 24 (12%) | 62k–122k miles · ahead | — |
| Stability control | 12 (6%) | 54k–97k miles · ahead | — |
| Body structure | 7 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 7 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Suspension | 7 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 5 (2%) | 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 50,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 205 complaints: 20 mention a crash · 3 mention a fire · 7 report an injury · 15 say the car was towed.
1 complaint was 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
6.1.17 at roughly 7:50AM, my 2014 Dodge avenger lx with rallye package completely shutoff while doing highway speeds - 70MPH cruise, flat land.
Car hesitates when trying to get up to speed on the freeway to pass or even at a complete stop.has happened multiple times and multiple speeds.
Temperature gauge alarm came on while driving and noticed the gauge showed it was really hot. Pulled over to let it cool down and noticed the fan under the hood wasn't running to help cool it down.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 50,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2014 Dodge Avenger: 1
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.
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: 78
Repair instructions Dodge sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2014 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)
Some vehicles may exceed NOx (Oxides of Nitrogen) emission level standards due to loss of catalytic converter efficiency
Gear Ratio DTC's, Transmission Shift Concerns, Does Not Shift At Times, Shudders
NHTSA defect investigations: 1
Active Head Rest Inadvertent Deployment
Neighbouring years
2013 Avenger: 548 complaints, keep it.
Every Dodge Avenger year
2000 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · All Avenger years side by side
Other Dodge models: Dodge Caliber · Dodge Caravan · Dodge Challenger · Dodge Charger · Dodge Dakota · Dodge Dart · Dodge Durango · Dodge Grand Caravan · Dodge Intrepid · Dodge Journey · Dodge Magnum · Dodge Neon · Dodge Nitro · Dodge Ram · Dodge Ram Quad Cab · Dodge Sprinter 2500 · Dodge Stratus. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2014 Dodge Avenger a bad year?
205 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Avenger years. At 50,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2014 Dodge Avenger?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: air bags (69), engine (42), seat belts (39), electrical system (33), brakes (17).
How many recalls does the 2014 Dodge Avenger have?
1 recall campaign list this model year: Seat belts (NHTSA 16V-668). 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.