Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 67 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Dodge Avenger, and it carries 2 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 7 | 10% |
| Unknown or other | 5 | 7% |
| Engine | 4 | 6% |
| Power train | 4 | 6% |
| Visibility/wiper | 3 | 4% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 3 | 4% |
| Service brakes | 3 | 4% |
| Seat belts | 2 | 3% |
| Structure | 2 | 3% |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The anti lock brake system malfunctioned, the ABS, ESP/BAS and traction control lights are on. It kicked a code C2116 which reads ABS pump motor supply low voltage. I took it to a brake shop and they said the pump motor
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated while driving at various speeds in the rain and snow, the windshield wipers shuddered and stopped working. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was
NHTSA complaint: Visibility/wiper
I GOT THIS CAR MAY 13 2019 EVERY SINCE I HAD THIS CAR THE WIPER STOP WORKING WHEN IAM DRIVEING IN RAIN AND SNOW. I TOOK THIS CAR BACK TO DEALERSHIP IN 2019 2020 AND 2021 AND THEY SEND ME HOME AND SAY THERE NOTHING WRONG
NHTSA complaint: Visibility/wiper
Two recalls on my part my car Power train: automatic transmission: control module (tcm, pcm) Fuel system, other: storage: fuel gauge system
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
THE PCMCIA LIGHT COMES ON THEN GOES OFF.CAR WILL SOME TIMES CHUGS AND WANTS TO SHUT OFF IN MOTION
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
THE DRIVER SEATBELT GETS REALLY LOOSE AND THERE IS NO WAY TO GET IT TIGHTENED. I HAVE HAD TO SIT ON IT TO MAKE IT TIGHT ENOUGH AROUND MY WAIST.
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
INTAKE MANIFOLD RUNNER CONTROL WAS NOT OPENING AND CLOSING PROPERLY SO I HAD TO REPLACE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO EXCEED 30 MPH WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RPM REVVED TO EXTREMELY HIGH LEVELS HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE F
NHTSA complaint: Power train
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2009 Dodge Avenger. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 91 MY 2009 SEBRING AND DODGE AVENGER EQUIPPED WITH 2.4L ENGINE PASSENGER VEHICLES. A COMPATIBILITY ISSUE BETWEEN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER SOFTWARE AND FUEL PUMP MODULE CAN RESULT IN THE FUEL GAUGE OVERSTATING THE ACTUAL FUEL TANK LEVEL. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE MAY RUN OUT OF F
Risk: THIS COULD CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MARCH 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
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.
Risk: THIS CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL AND CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PCM FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 10, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
| Reliability raw | 73 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 73 | good |
| Maintenance | 80 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 60 | average |
| Performance | 49 | below average |
| Efficiency | 45 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 67 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and air bags is the most reported area with 7 of them (10%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 73/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 73/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2009 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 67/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.