A used Dodge Avenger only makes sense as very cheap transportation, and the one to look for is a 2011-2014 car with the 283-hp 3.6-liter V-6 and six-speed automatic. The base 2.4-liter four with the four-speed automatic is the version reviewers kept telling people to skip. Before you hand over cash, run the VIN for recall 16V668. It covers 2010-2014 cars, and a short in the air bag control module can keep the air bags and seat belt pretensioners from firing in a crash.
Dodge sold the Avenger sedan from the 2008 model year through 2014. Consumer Reports says the 2011 update brought new styling, a better ride, a stronger V-6 and nicer interior materials, but it sat on the same old platform and never scored high enough to be recommended. CR also notes it was dropped from Dodge's regular lineup after 2014 but kept going into some rental fleets. That rental life shows up in the listings you'll see in mid October 2026.
Engines and gearboxes, year by year
The early cars had three engines. Chrysler's 2008 launch kit lists a 173-hp 2.4-liter four and a 189-hp flex-fuel 2.7-liter V-6, both with a four-speed automatic, plus a 235-hp 3.5-liter V-6 with a new six-speed on the R/T. Consumer Guide says all-wheel drive was only offered in the 2008 model year, on the R/T AWD. Car and Driver's 2008 R/T AWD test ran 0-60 in 7.3 seconds but averaged 17 mpg and noted quick brake fade on repeated stops.
From 2011, the V-6 option became the 3.6 Pentastar. MotorTrend's 2014 review says the 2.4 still came standard with a four-speed automatic, with a six-speed available, and the 283-hp V-6 got the six-speed. Its cons list was "the I-4 or the four-speed auto." Car and Driver called the V-6 "a honey" and said to skip the base four if you can. A seller may not know what's under the hood. Decode the VIN with our Dodge VIN decoder guide.
Recalls to check by VIN
I pulled every model year from the NHTSA recalls API on Friday afternoon, October 16, starting with the 2013 Avenger query. The ones I'd ask about first:
- 16V668, 2010-2014: the occupant restraint control module can short, so frontal and side air bags and belt pretensioners may not deploy. Dealers replace the module.
- 13V552, 2013 with the 2.4: debris in the balance shaft bearings can cause a loss of oil pressure, a stall or engine failure.
- 13V282 and 17V640, 2011-2013: two separate restraint-module problems that can keep the active head restraints from deploying in a rear impact.
- 08V152, 2008: unused tire pressure monitor connectors can corrode and short, causing no-starts, dead batteries or stalling.
- 07V426, 2008 AWD: the fuel tank straps can separate and the tank can leak.
There are smaller ones for 2010 power steering hoses and a 2011 steering column rivet. Our Dodge recall check by VIN post shows how to check the exact car.
What owners complained about
The 2008 file is the ugly one. It had 844 complaints when I pulled it, 240 tagged powertrain and 220 tagged electrical. 153 of them mention stalling, and 44 of those also bring up a recall. For 2012 and 2013 the files have 554 and 548 complaints, and air bags are near the top both years, which fits with the restraint-module recalls above. NHTSA doesn't verify these complaints, so treat them as a pattern rather than proof that a particular car is bad. Still, I'd lean toward a 2011 or a 2014 with proof the air bag module work is done.
Crash test results
The IIHS rating for the driver-side small overlap test is Acceptable overall, and it applies to every Avenger from 2008 to 2014. The details are worse than that grade suggests. The restraints scored Marginal because the dummy's head barely touched the frontal air bag before sliding off, and the side curtain deployed too late to help. Moderate overlap, side, roof and head restraint scores are all Good.
How it compares
The Chrysler 200 shares the Avenger's bones, and our used Chrysler 200 guide covers the 2015-2017 redesign, which the Avenger never got. The Dodge Dart guide covers a smaller, newer Dodge. If you want a big V-6 Dodge, the Charger guide is the better read. Honestly, a used Accord usually beats all of them, and our Honda Accord guide covers what to check on one.
Price, loans and history
Consumer Reports shows retail ranges of about $3,750-$4,275 for a 2011 and $4,400-$5,100 for a 2014 right now. Financing can be tricky. Bank of America's auto FAQ, for example, won't finance cars older than 10 calendar years, so even a 2014 is now too old. Former rental cars get passed through auctions, so check brands on NMVTIS and pull a report yourself. A dealer's PDF is easy to fake. We're a licensed CARFAX and AutoCheck reseller and aren't affiliated with either one or with Experian. A single report usually runs about $5.50 as a guest or $4.50 as a member, both brands together are about $6.75, and buying direct costs roughly $39.99 to $44.99. Check the final price at checkout.
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