CarBrief

NHTSA has 205 owner complaints on file for the 2014 Avenger, and the biggest group is air bags[1][2]. It also has one recall for a module that may stop air bags and belt pretensioners from deploying[3].

205owner complaints[1]
1recalls[4]
22–24MPG combined (EPA)[5]
4★NHTSA overall rating[6]

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 205 complaints for this model year[1]. 20 mention a crash, 3 a fire and 10 injuries[1]. None report a death[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and they are not adjusted for how many cars were sold.

Component group Complaints Crashes Fires Injuries
Air bags[2] 69 13 0 8
Engine[7] 42 2 0 1
Seat belts[8] 39 6 0 4
Electrical system[9] 33 0 3 0
Seats[10] 24 1 0 0
Brakes[11] 17 4 1 1
Speed control[12] 15 1 0 0

We also read a small sample of complaint texts for four groups. It is only 12 texts per group[2][7][8][9], so treat it as a hint and not a count of all owners.

The median mileage at failure is listed as 50,000 for air bags[2], 51,100 for engine[7], 49,700 for seat belts[8] and 44,350 for electrical[9].

Recalls

NHTSA lists one recall for this model year[4].

Fuel economy

EPA lists three versions of the 2014 Avenger, all front-wheel drive[5][13][14].

Version City Highway Combined Annual fuel cost
2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd[5] 21 29 24 $2,800
2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd[13] 20 30 23 $2,900
3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Gasoline or E85[14] 19 28 22 $3,050

The fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the 4-door front-wheel-drive Avenger 4 stars overall[6]. Frontal, side and rollover ratings are also 4 stars each, and rollover risk is 11.8%[6]. Keep the air bag recall in mind when reading those ratings[3].

Engine and size

EPA's test car list shows 283 hp for the 2.4L 4-cylinder[15] and 283 hp for the 3.6L 6-cylinder[16].

Size comes from Canadian-market specifications, so US cars can differ slightly[17][18].

Spec Value
Length[17] 193 in
Width[17] 73 in
Height[17] 58 in
Wheelbase[17] 109 in
Curb weight, Value Package/SXT[17] 3,393 lb
Curb weight, R/T[18] 3,607 lb

How 2014 compares with other years

1995: 196 complaints, 2 recalls19951996: 157 complaints, 2 recalls19961997: 83 complaints, 2 recalls19971998: 58 complaints, 2 recalls19981999: 62 complaints, 1 recalls19992000: 22 complaints, 1 recalls20002008: 844 complaints, 6 recalls20082009: 67 complaints, 2 recalls20092010: 163 complaints, 3 recalls20102011: 209 complaints, 3 recalls20112012: 554 complaints, 3 recalls20122013: 548 complaints, 5 recalls20132014: 205 complaints, 1 recalls2052014
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Avenger model year. The 2014 is highlighted[4].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
19951962
19961572
1997832
1998582
1999621
2000221
20088446
2009672
20101633
20112093
20125543
20135485
20142051

The 2014 model year has 205 complaints and 1 recall[4]. That is well below 2008 (844 complaints, 6 recalls), 2012 (554, 3) and 2013 (548, 5)[4]. It is close to 2011 (209 complaints, 3 recalls) and above 2010 (163, 3) and 2009 (67, 2) in complaints[4]. In recalls, 2014 has fewer than each of 2008 to 2013[4]. Counts are not adjusted for sales, so read this as a rough guide.

Should you buy a used 2014 Avenger?

The numbers are mixed. Complaints are lower than in 2012 and 2013[4], and NHTSA gives 4 stars overall[6]. But air bags are the largest complaint group[2], and the one recall covers the module that controls air bags and belt pretensioners[3]. Before buying, ask a dealer whether recall 16V668 has been done on that exact car. Also ask about any history of stalling, since sampled owner texts describe it in the engine and electrical groups[7][9].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2014 Dodge Avenger?
Air bags have the most complaints at 69 of 205[1][2]. Engine has 42[7], seat belts 39[8] and electrical 33[9].
Does the 2014 Dodge Avenger have any recalls?
NHTSA lists one, 16V668, for a module that may stop air bags and belt pretensioners from deploying[3][4].
What is the gas mileage of a 2014 Dodge Avenger?
EPA combined ratings are 24, 23 and 22 MPG depending on version[5][13][14].
What is the safety rating of the 2014 Dodge Avenger?
NHTSA gives 4 stars overall[6].
Is the 2014 Avenger better than other years?
It has 205 complaints, below 2012 with 554 and 2013 with 548[4]. Counts are not adjusted for sales.

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 205 owner complaints on file for the 2014 Dodge Avenger (20 mention a crash, 3 a fire, 10 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 69 complaints name the air bags component group (13 crashes, 0 fires, 8 injuries, median mileage at failure 50,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Recall 16V668, filed September 15, 2016: Seat Belts › Pretensioner. NHTSA recall database
  4. Owner complaints and recalls for every Dodge Avenger model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  5. EPA rating for Avenger, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 29 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  6. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 4 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 11.8%. NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 42 complaints name the engine component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 51,100). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 39 complaints name the seat belts component group (6 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 49,700). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 33 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 3 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 44,350). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 24 complaints name the seats component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 83,050). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 17 complaints name the brakes component group (4 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 20,319). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 15 complaints name the speed control component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 40,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. EPA rating for Avenger, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 30 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  14. EPA rating for Avenger, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Gasoline or E85, Front-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 28 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  15. EPA Test Car List, 2014 Dodge Avenger with 2.4L 4-cylinder: rated 283 hp. www.epa.gov
  16. EPA Test Car List, 2014 Dodge Avenger with 3.6L 6-cylinder: rated 283 hp. www.epa.gov
  17. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, AVENGER 4DR SEDAN CANADA VALUE PACKAGE/SXT: length 193 in, width 73 in, height 58 in, wheelbase 109 in, curb weight 3,393 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  18. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, AVENGER 4DR SEDAN R/T: length 193 in, width 73 in, height 58 in, wheelbase 109 in, curb weight 3,607 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.