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Used 2013 Dodge Avenger Consumer Reviews

3.8 out of 5 stars
58 reviews

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Pros
Cons
5 out of 5 stars

Mopar Man

Robert Bane, 09/13/2017
updated 04/19/2023
2013 Dodge Avenger R/T 4dr Sedan (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
65 of 65 people found this review helpful

I bought my 2013 Avenger as a left over in March of 2014 with only 15 miles on the odometer. My first experience as a Dodge owner was with a 1996 Intrepid that my wife thought looked pretty nice and said I should try it out. It had 45,000 miles when I purchased it and I drove it for the next twelve years and when I finally gave it up it had 325,000 miles on it. Naturally I was drawn to the Dodge brand and the Avenger was a sporty looking car and I needed something to teach my daughter how to drive in. My other kids got to drive the Intrepid. I really wanted the Charger, but opted for the smaller sized car. Still not a bad choice. I opted for the 3.6L V6 engine since that was what my Intrepid had in it and have never been disappointed. the only problem I have encountered was when the car was about three months old, the transmission seemed to lock up one time as I was rolling to a stop sign. I couldn't get it to go into gear, but after towing it to the dealer and having them check it out, they found nothing and it never happened again. I now have almost 100,000 miles, I drive it a lot, have been through two sets of tires, change my own oil every 5,000 miles religiously and keep it a clean as I can living in North East Ohio. It's a blast to drive on the twisting up and down roads even in the snow. One of my co-workers drives a Subaru and he couldn't keep up with me one night. Sometimes you get bad cars, sometimes you get good cars. I work in the Auto industry and all the parts come from the same bin no matter who buys them. If you take care of your equipment, it will take care of you. If you like a sporty car, not too big or small with lots of power, this is your ride. 9/20/16: I am still driving my Avenger which now has 143,000 miles on it and still runs like it did with 15 miles on it. Last Winter I had to have the heater core replaced which was a bit expensive ($1,200.00 to be exact) because to access it they have to remove the front dash. The local Chrysler dealer where I bought the car did a nice job fixing it but did not clean up after themselves very well (hand prints all over the front windshield) but I got a free oil change in return so all was forgiven. Other than another set of new tires and rear brakes, I have had no mechanical issues at all. I still dream about owning the Charger some day but this car looks like it's going to be with me for a lot longer. Still love driving it and I plan to beat the intrepid's record of 325,000 miles. I'll let you know. Well, it's now March 2020 and the Avenger is still going strong. One more payment and it's all clear. currently 156,000 miles and no complaints. The car stays outside all the time and so far not even one rust spot. I try to keep it clean as much as possible, running it through the touchless wash when it gets too salty. Performance is still as good as when it was new, though I am thinking of having new plugs and wires put in just because of the mileage, nothing lasts forever after all. I still have not done anything special to keep the car performing, just driving it every day. I have an hour commute to work and some weeks it's all seven days. Love this car, can't wait to see how far it will take me. I could use a new set of floor mats, especially the drivers side as I have worn a hole in mine from the heel of my foot going back and forth from the gas to the brake pedals. Small price to pay for such a fun ride. It is now April of 2023 and I still love my Avenger. There have been a few minor things I am noticing, but I'm sure that is just what comes with age. The car still looks and drives great, as promised, I had new plugs installed and finally had to replace the battery. I was noticing a ticking noise, as if a valve was ticking or something, so I had the dealer investigate. Turns out I had a broken rocker. They repaired it for me because the car has a lifetime engine and powertrain warranty, that is nice by the way, and everything is back to normal. Current milage is just under 200,000, should be passing that milestone soon, pun intended. Still has good power and acceleration. I have gone through a couple of wheel bearings, but my local shop replaces them cheaper than the dealer, and offers a lifetime parts warranty, hard to find these days. The only other issue I have is that the interior panels on the front doors are coming apart at the window edge on top. not a really big deal, but it's annoying and looks tacky. I've tried stuffing it back in a couple of times, but it keeps coming back out. Overall, very satisfied with this car.

Safety
3 out of 5 stars
Technology
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
3 out of 5 stars
Comfort
4 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
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4.5 out of 5 stars

I love it, but . . .

iamkristen, 07/08/2014
2012 Dodge Avenger SXT Plus 4dr Sedan (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
25 of 25 people found this review helpful

I really do love this car. The engine is fantastic. Awesome performance! Its exterior is eye-catching and sleek. The car is a combination of sporty and practical. Now what I don't like . . . The people who work in the service department of the dealership where I bought the car know me. The car has been in there THAT often. Various censors or detectors that trigger the engine light, the ABS/traction/cruise control system, a misfiring cylinder, visor clip broke off, the entire control panel (lock/window switch) in the passenger side door came out, the vents were flopping closed . . . and I have about 50k miles now. Everything but the ABS issue was when the car was under 36k miles.

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2 out of 5 stars

Heater Core Needs a recall

Frank, 12/05/2015
2012 Dodge Avenger SXT 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 6A)
51 of 54 people found this review helpful

This car performs well. There are a few things that needs to be address before the avenger can be a really neat ride. The Heater core seems to be a major issue with this vehicle. Especially if you live in cold areas. The Heater only blows warm air on the driver side of the vehicle and cold air on the passenger side. Dodge is well aware of this issue but has not done a recall on this placing the cost to repair this problem onto the consumer. Even then there is no assurance this problem will not return since the problem is in the faulty part. The cost can be anywhere from $900 to $1300 to repair depending on your area mechanics. Cold air in the winter renders this vehicle useless during the winter season. My vehicle is currently parked now and I am seriously consider trading this vehicle in for another one. Mostly because I refuse to pay to fix something that is flawed and Dodge knows that it is. Making you feel like you purchased a lemon. Not right Dodge, not right... I need a vehicle I can drive year round and not for 6 or 7 months out of the year. In Kansas it has really cool down in the temps. So it's looking like this vehicle will be parked November- March, and that's if the weather is not crazy cold in March. So with that said I encourage anyone having issues with their heating system in their dodge avenger to speak up and be heard. Not sure what it will take to make Dodge do a recall on this issue. For me, I'll be looking to trade this vehicle in if Dodge refuse to act by January.. Maybe someone in Florida or LA can use a ride that cools pretty well in the summer months, but they better not take a trip up North during the Fall.

Safety
4 out of 5 stars
Technology
1 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Comfort
4 out of 5 stars
Reliability
3 out of 5 stars
Value
2 out of 5 stars
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4.25 out of 5 stars

Major Improvement

muttl, 12/17/2011
2012 Dodge Avenger SXT 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 6A)
28 of 29 people found this review helpful

I recently purchased a 2012 Avenger SXT after owning an 06 Stratus since it was new. While the Stratus was very reliable the front rotors were warped more often than not. The Avenger appears to have a much higher quality associated with it. Both vehicles had the 2.4 liter engine. The refinements in the engine and the addition of the 6 speed Transmission have made a major improvement to the functionality of the car. It's smooth and quiet when accelerating. It corners and handles bumps well. The Avenger sits higher and is easier to enter and exit. Overall a very nice improvement over the Stratus.

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5 out of 5 stars

Great Affordable US made car

lameduck9, 09/26/2013
updated 03/27/2016
2013 Dodge Avenger SE 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
25 of 26 people found this review helpful

You must buy this car with incentives to get a great deal. We paid $16K and got a great trade-in price. This car is great looking, fun to drive, not to bad on gas and gets some great comments. The 2.4L is fine for everyday driving but if you want to super acceleration opt for the V-6 with 283HP. They should do away with the 4sp auto have the 6sp auto as standard, but it's not that bad. The SE exterior looks super sharp with a little bit of chrome tweeking. The interior is great looking and functional. The trunk has plenty of room. The handling and ride are superb on this model and better on the more expensive models. You can't go wrong with this car and the average family can afford it.

Performance
3 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
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4.25 out of 5 stars

Good car for the price.

aclarke7, 05/21/2013
2013 Dodge Avenger SXT 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 6A)
14 of 15 people found this review helpful

So I purchased a 2013 Dodge Avenger three months ago. I bought it because the price was great, the car looks great, and it fit what I wanted and needed in a car. The car overall is exactly as Edmunds describes it in that it does have sluggish acceleration in the 4 cylinder. It is comfortable and has some nice added features to it. The Bluetooth works great and the car is a pretty good build for what it is. Be warned the gas mileage is on the low end compared to many other cars in the same class. That is the biggest downfall for what would otherwise be a great car. So far my car has not hit its estimated MPG rating at all which was a little disappointing.

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4.5 out of 5 stars

Great, Good Looking U.S. Car

lameduck9, 12/14/2013
2013 Dodge Avenger SE 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
18 of 20 people found this review helpful

We bought this Avenger SE after looking at several others cars. We checked a few others that we liked the looks but they were 3K+ more. We loved the looks of the Avenger, outside and inside. I was surprised at the great ride, it was a little on the firm side which I prefer, like sports suspension. The 2.4 has adequate power for the average person but for the young at heart, the 3.6L has more than enough power for the amateur road racer. The 4sp Auto is standard on the SE, Dodge should dump it and make the 6sp. standard on all Avengers. Look for all the incentives for a great deal!

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4.75 out of 5 stars

Great Value

interpolfan1, 01/21/2012
2012 Dodge Avenger SXT 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 6A)
17 of 19 people found this review helpful

The 2.4L has plenty of power,and is comfortable and fun to drive. The driver's seat sits higher than my Patriot did,so after driving Jeeps for the past 7+ years,I don't feel like I'm sitting on the ground. I love the cold weather package and the stereo sounds great and is easy to access,thanks to the steering wheel controls. It has handled well this winter,though I have to remind myself I no longer have 4x4.Haven't had it long enough(2 weeks)to know what the mpg's will average out to.

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4.75 out of 5 stars

Good value for price

deanhudgins, 01/19/2015
2013 Dodge Avenger R/T 4dr Sedan (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
23 of 28 people found this review helpful

I have the basic se model with the 3.6 engine. I did look at a few other cars but was able to get this one in my price with the v6 vs others that only had a 4 cylinder. The v6 is nice and much better than the 4 cylinder in the avenger. I also did not give up much in MPG vs the 4. The ride is not bad at all and the seat are just find for my wife and I. MY son likes the pull down cup holders in the back seat. The Avenger is only a little smaller than some of the cars in its class but it's because of this that I liked it. It makes it much easier in parking lots and tight spaces. Be careful backing up because of the blind spot which is bigger than most cars. Overall I really enjoy this car.

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2 out of 5 stars

Common Heater Core/Defrost Major Issues

Was ADodge Fan, 10/22/2018
2012 Dodge Avenger SXT Plus 4dr Sedan (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
9 of 10 people found this review helpful

Heater core issues! Drivers side will blow warm air while passenger side blows cold. Major visability and safety issues in the cold weather. Going to cost someone their life one day before major business will take their own responsibility for known errors and issues. Dodge reps... This is how you cause good Dodge customers to no longer believe in or want to buy a Dodge. Time to try a Chevy.

Safety
3 out of 5 stars
Technology
2 out of 5 stars
Performance
3 out of 5 stars
Interior
3 out of 5 stars
Comfort
3 out of 5 stars
Reliability
2 out of 5 stars
Value
2 out of 5 stars
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4.88 out of 5 stars

Astonished. Seriously.

joe_e, 12/09/2012
2012 Dodge Avenger SXT Plus 4dr Sedan (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
29 of 36 people found this review helpful

My wife and I went to drive a Charger. We looked at a few, when she spotted this number on the side of the lot. We went through four different Chargers before we drove the Avenger, and I was completely blown away. The 3.6 in this destroys the same engine in my '12 Durango, this car was what that engine was built for. Absolutely thunderous performance above and beyond anything we drove, anywhere. No Accord, No Maxima, no Malibu or Fusion or anything came close to touching it in performance. Full leather is nice, electronics rock, build quality makes me hope that this is a trend for American Automakers, it's so good.

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3 out of 5 stars

Need heat

Lee, 10/24/2018
updated 10/25/2019
2012 Dodge Avenger R/T 4dr Sedan (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful

heater core gets plugged from casing sand, had system flushed, one year later have to have it flushed again, should be a recall

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Interior
4 out of 5 stars
Comfort
4 out of 5 stars
Reliability
4 out of 5 stars
Value
4 out of 5 stars
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4 out of 5 stars

A car I like the more I do drive it

Jordan, 08/15/2018
updated 08/15/2019
2012 Dodge Avenger SE 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful

I used to hate this car. Bit only because I wanted something fast and full of technology. I also worked at a parts store and dodge trucks were always harder to find parts for than other brands and I just assumed the dodge avenger would be just as hard. This car is actually very great. I love this car. It's been very reliable, but I'm a perfectionist and take very good care of it. It's a 2.4 4-cylinder so it doesn't produce much power and the more powerful 3.6 V6 gets the same fuel economy because of a smarter transmission. I'm still a little bitter about that but it's been a fun car. I installed a cold air intake, because it's the only performance part available. It didn't improve power by much but mpg went up by 4 miles! So I now average 32 mpg on the highway when I was getting 28mpg. There is a safety recall on the airbags I think it was. But you pull the car into the dealer and they fix it for free. We hit a deer with the car coming back from a trip and the car was able to take all the damage to the cosmetics and not even harm the vehicle at all. I fixed some of the damage from what I could afford but it didn't even mess up the alignment or anything. This car has been great and got better from driving it more. They seem to only be around $7k to purchase and if I wife didn't think I was crazy, I would buy another one. Just get the V6 though ;)

Safety
3 out of 5 stars
Technology
2 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Interior
4 out of 5 stars
Comfort
4 out of 5 stars
Reliability
4 out of 5 stars
Value
3 out of 5 stars
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2.75 out of 5 stars

2012 SE V-6....not an option above

imports4ever, 11/26/2014
2012 Dodge Avenger SE 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
8 of 9 people found this review helpful

I am very disappointed in this car. It is just shy of 3 yrs old and I have put $1200 in to the car in two months. All electronics or emissions issues that are not covered by the warranty. The engine, 3.6L Pentastar, is the only good thing about this pile of flaming poo. The transmission is so lazy I'm amazed it even bothers to show up. Rattles and creaks. Quiet and above average in comfort. Mileage is horrendous! I've never gotten more than 19 mpg combined. On long drives (flat highway 65 mph) you can get up to 29 mpg, but that only happened one time. Chews up tires like Rolaids. 47,750 miles as of this morning and I'm just so disappointed. Going back to VW. Diesel.

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5 out of 5 stars

I drive a 2012 Dodge Avenger and it is Fantastic!!!

sachi25, 07/01/2015
2012 Dodge Avenger SXT 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 6A)
8 of 9 people found this review helpful

My first experience driving this car was thru Enterprise Rental. I had it for a full month and decided this had to be my new car! The rental was a 2014, but when I noticed that the 2012 looked almost exactly the same, I chose the 2012. My 2012 has 38,000 miles on it and drives like a dream! It has satellite radio in it with a power driver's seat as well as great rims, a beautiful white body, and black interior. I love this car! A special thanks to Lahti's of Leominster, MA! I bought this for 12,900 at 32,100 miles. I typically get about 26-27 miles to the gallon,sometimes as low as 24.5/city. It has gotten as many as 29.7/highway(possibly 31/highway). Mine is a 2.4 liter & drives like a 6!

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2 out of 5 stars

V6 Flex fuel 3.6

David, 04/13/2016
2012 Dodge Avenger R/T 4dr Sedan (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
20 of 25 people found this review helpful

We bought the car with good intentions of keeping it for years, Until the winter came, Then we wanted to drive it off a cliff. Traction control REALLY sucks. It don't matter if it's rain or snow the rear end of the car goes ALL OVER THE PLACE. It's hard to keep control of it. We thought it was the tires, SOOOOOO. We bought brand new 65,000 mile ALL SEASO tires at Les Schwab. Well guess what ? It still did the same thing. We took it back to Les Schwab to have it checked out and was told there is nothing wrong with the tires and they have had MANY Dodge Avengers in because of the same problem. It's pretty sad that I have to drive at 15 mph and everyone else is passing by me like if I was standing still. As far as performance,,,It's got GREAT POWER, especially when climbing 8% grades in the mountains. I pass people like THEY are standing still. I put a FLOWMASTER exaust system on it and it sounds like a muscle car. People are always turning their heads. I ALSO have the issue with cold air blowing out of the passenger side and dealership won't do anything about it. Now with that being said, We will NEVER buy a Chrysler vehicle again. We can't wait to trade it in for something different. My advise to you would be,,,DON'T BUY A DODGE AVENGER BECAUSE YOU WILL REGRET IT.

Safety
4 out of 5 stars
Technology
2 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
4 out of 5 stars
Comfort
3 out of 5 stars
Reliability
3 out of 5 stars
Value
1 out of 5 stars
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2 out of 5 stars

bulletproof [non-permissible content removed]

Michael, 05/25/2016
2012 Dodge Avenger SE 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
15 of 19 people found this review helpful

I've owned this car since 2013, purchased with 32k miles. It is now 78k miles and have no serious problems. It is reliable, but there are a lot of problems. *I could almost outrun this car until it hits 4500rpm. It is super-slow. Lead brick with wheels slow. *Electronics have a lot of issues. *Transmission is absolutely awful. It doesn't know what gear to get into. Stomp the gas and you can almost see the engine say '???????' *It says curb weight is ~3400 lbs, but it feels much larger and heavier. *Very harsh, rough ride. For a suspension this tight, it needs to be more powerful.

Safety
2 out of 5 stars
Technology
1 out of 5 stars
Performance
1 out of 5 stars
Comfort
1 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
1 out of 5 stars
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5 out of 5 stars

Love my Avenger

Roxie, 09/23/2018
updated 03/28/2024
2013 Dodge Avenger R/T 4dr Sedan (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
9 of 11 people found this review helpful

I have owned this 9 years I love it! when I accelerate on the on ramp it really moves with the v6. Has a big trunk, I have 142,000 miles on it, only brakes and oil changes, battery, spark plugs new tires I have been lucky with this car. I don’t want to drive a crossover or SUV. This is my 14th new vehicle I did the mini van with kids. Either I am just lucky or I treat my cars well. People always tell me my car looks brand new. 2023 I still love this car, No way would I drive an electric vehicle, nor do I want to look like every person driving and SUV just a different color. My last Vehicle was a Jeep Compass big mistake tie rods went out shortly after 36,000 and then traction control I traded that in for this car. I also get 25 MPG , I can't complain.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
3 out of 5 stars

2012 Dodge Avenger heater blows cold air

Kristi Deal, 12/19/2016
2012 Dodge Avenger R/T 4dr Sedan (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful

I bought my car brand new and it has been in the shop 5 times to be fixed. The heater core and radiator were changed a few months after I bought it because the heater was blowing freezing cold air out of the passenger side. The repair shop told me it was because when they put the sealant on the car when it was built they used too much and it went into the radiator and through the cooling/heating system. Obviously that was not true and It is now again blowing freezing cold air on the passenger side. This is horrible. It is 5 degrees outside here and I cannot even get my car warm to get my son to school and me to work. This really needs to be addressed and fixed by DODGE, not the car owner. I have seen 100's of complaints on this issue with the same car. I am at a point where I really just want a different car because something keeps happening with this car. The electrical system had to be replaced due to faulty issues, wipers didn't work properly they would go on by themselves, then they would not work at all. In the winter time when I start the car it sounds like there is something screaming under the hood. There is a clicking noise in the car when it is hot outside and the repair shop cannot find anything wrong? The breaks had to be replaced right after I got the car because they squealed when in reverse. I had to take the car back a few weeks after they changed the breaks because of the squealing because guess what, they started squealing again. I was told it is normal because of the new break pads they use on Dodge vehicles. They said there is a coating on the pads that make them ALL squeal. That is NOT TRUE.

Safety
3 out of 5 stars
Technology
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
3 out of 5 stars
Value
4 out of 5 stars
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5 out of 5 stars

Avenger is in the middle of the road

Dave Drake, 10/06/2018
2013 Dodge Avenger SE 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Good car for the price, not super loaded with bells and whistles but gets us from A to B with out any problem. Comfortable as far as we need bought it new in ‘13 and have 45k miles on it, no major issues with it and it seems to be holding up well. The back seat is small and not comfortable but we don’t need to use it often. No leaks and did the front and rear brakes along with new tires recently and were good to go! The only problem was the power mirror switch went out at about 40k but was inexpensive and easy to replace.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
3 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
3 out of 5 stars
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4.38 out of 5 stars

11 year new car drought

cardinalgirl, 07/29/2012
2012 Dodge Avenger SXT 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 6A)
8 of 10 people found this review helpful

11 year Cherokee owner, I tried to buy cars in that span but none were right. I wouldn't have bought this one had I been unable to keep the Ch. This Avenger allows me to own both and alternate seasons with them. Once I got used to the new 6 speed 4 cyl. that is so prevalent, I grew to love this car more every time. Gauges instead of dummy lights, steering wheel radio and voice control bluetooth, reliable power windows (so far, heh), the styling is really nice, and, the highway noise just doesn't exist. The steering is fine. Headroom could be better. I6 to 4cyl. I think it should be quicker on the uptake from dead stop to go. All considered, I am more than pleased.

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4.88 out of 5 stars

Awesome MPG!

my2012sxtplus, 04/25/2012
2012 Dodge Avenger SXT Plus 4dr Sedan (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
7 of 9 people found this review helpful

Copperhead Pearlcoat SXT Plus 3.6L V6 With only 308 miles on it as of today, my average MPG is 30.3 which includes city and hwy. I LOVE the 283 HP (smoked a similar import yesterday!) Another interesting fact about my Avenger is that Dodge is no longer carrying the Copperhead Pearlcoat paint line. It was discontinued on April 1st, 2012. Thankfully I was able to purchase mine last weekend! The interior is a huge improvement for any of the DCJF lines, no more cheap plastic or uncomfortable seating. I am a very picky and easily annoyed driver/owner and for once, I have NO complaints! I hated my Jeep GC and was hesitant to purchase another DCJF, the Avenger proved me wrong!

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5 out of 5 stars

Great car for the price

bv41706, 03/02/2014
2012 Dodge Avenger SXT 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 6A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Bought mine new with 3 miles on it in 2012 and have loved every minute driving it. I have a long drive to work and take business trips from time to time and if I leave it in cruise control on the highway set between 65-70 mph, i have gotten 36+mpg average on the highway. I have had trouble getting it to start in the cold, but only the one day when the temp here in NY dropped to -20 overnight and i realized that it was because i had left something plugged in and have had no trouble since. I have had no problems with it and i just today turned 48k miles on it and it still drives like the day i bought it. no problems whatsoever.

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2 out of 5 stars

Don't do it!

Kumacho, 09/12/2016
updated 03/18/2019
2013 Dodge Avenger SXT 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 6A)
16 of 24 people found this review helpful

I have had more than 25 cars in my life. Of those I have purchased 5 new cars. This is the worst new car I have ever owned and one of the worst overall cars I have ever owned. It overheated within 5,000 miles of ownership. An orange grime appeared in the overflow tank and when I took it to the dealership they told me they had seen it numerous times and it was casting material that had not been completely flushed from the system at the factory. The cruise control would refuse to turn on at times and the dealership could never reproduce it so it never was repaired. It just became an issue I had to “live with”. Fit and finish is mediocre at best. The plastic surrounding the radio and middle vents in the dash never matched and again, the dealership stated replacing it wouldn’t change the gaps or the poor fit. The car had a surge from the day I bought it. It also would start up and surge after a cold start, as if it were running too lean. After three new releases of programing for the engine management computer the surge was still there. It would surge at 25-35 mph and at 60ish mph. For 178 horse power this car has undesirable and inexcusable torque steer. Leave a light from a stop and the car will pull hard right. Leave the light under hard acceleration and if you don’t have ahold of the wheel you will do an un-commanded lane change in short order. The transmission never shifted smoothly. Going uphill it would hunt for a gear. Each time the transmission changes gears the torque steer pulls on the steering so going up a hill you are constantly correcting. The airbag warning light went off at 50,000 miles. Source was a terrible design by Dodge. There is a bungee cord pulling down on the wire bundle that leads to the headrest airbags. Place a 220 pound man in the driver’s seat with this bungee cord pulling on the wires and you get broken wires. Doesn’t take an engineer to figure that one out. Overall – Poor design, poor build quality, poor economy, horrible dealer support (or lack thereof) and a car that appears to be built to die in 5 years or less. *UPDATE* Chrysler has stopped production on the Dart, 200 and Avenger. These platforms were substandard compared with others in the same class. Since I created this review; I have traded the Avenger for a Nissan Altima. I traded it with the same company that has sold me my last 5 cars. The best they would offer me for trade was $5,600. Trouble from the day I purchased it, poor MPG, mediocre quality and a horrid resale value.

Safety
2 out of 5 stars
Technology
2 out of 5 stars
Performance
2 out of 5 stars
Interior
1 out of 5 stars
Comfort
2 out of 5 stars
Reliability
1 out of 5 stars
Value
1 out of 5 stars
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2.63 out of 5 stars

Screeching noise

matchbox20fan, 07/19/2013
2012 Dodge Avenger SXT 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 6A)
11 of 16 people found this review helpful

My avenger makes a horrible screeching sound when I back up in low speed and apply brakes. My backing plate, rear rotors pads and clips have been replaced only to make the sound worse and now noise is heard when I go forward also. I have notified Chrysler only to be turned away because no dealership can find a problem. Yet all heads turn when my car is leaving

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5 out of 5 stars

I'm very satisfied with this car

kcguy62, 02/13/2012
2012 Dodge Avenger SE 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
22 of 34 people found this review helpful

I test drove several mid size cars. And finally decided on the base model 2012 Dodge avenger for the following reasons. First It is a 2012 top safety pick. I think the avenger is really nice looking.... I chose the bright silver exterior with black interior. It has nice quality materials and craftsmanship. The 2.4 engine has all the power I need and gets great mpg. If you want to race once in a while get the v-6 version, it has over a hundred more horse power... be careful "laughs". I also like the way the avenger feels on the road... It has a very comfortable ride. It also handles curves well, the steering and brakes are responsive. To sum up the review. I love driving this car!

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5 out of 5 stars

2013 avenger

bradyhenson, 02/11/2013
2013 Dodge Avenger SE 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
46 of 73 people found this review helpful

Fun to drive, performance is good, quality is excellent, cool car! Comfortable driver and passenger seats.

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4 out of 5 stars

Good car

Hannah, 04/08/2019
2013 Dodge Avenger SE 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
4 of 5 people found this review helpful

The Dodge, Avenger is a good car. It is very comfortable has lots of storage, is roomy. It get great fuel milage. It honestly is overall a great car.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Interior
4 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
3 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
4.75 out of 5 stars

2013 Avenger

lousal, 08/20/2013
2013 Dodge Avenger SE 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
5 of 7 people found this review helpful

I bought this vehicle mainly because of USAA reviews and price. I am extremely satisfied with it. My gas mileage is above the stated mileage. Last trip of about 130 miles I averaged 34 mpg. The acceleration is a little sluggish but that is what you have with a 4 cylinder engine. It is comfortable during long trips and very roomy. Both myself and my wife are not small people and we do not have any problems with roominess. The only problem I have had is that the manual states 4.5 qts of oil including oil filter but when I changed the oil and added exactly 4.5 qts it only showed half way within crosshairs on dipstick. I called the service department and was told that is normal.

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2.38 out of 5 stars

three times not starting

marwan1, 05/04/2013
2013 Dodge Avenger SE 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
17 of 28 people found this review helpful

a brand new 2013 dodge avenger, didn't start two times in the last 4 months,terrible service,they tried to fix it and messed it up and now died in the middle of the road.believe me you don't want to buy this car if you are counting on it to take you places.my experience with the service department was terrible and they almost make you feel responsible for their bad cars.windshield wiper pump died the second month and while fixing it they messed up my electrical system.dont believe anything about a star package

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2 out of 5 stars

look elsewhere first

very unsatisfied customer, 07/25/2016
2012 Dodge Avenger SXT 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 6A)
6 of 9 people found this review helpful

bought a used 2012 avenger 7/11/15 and by 10/15 need front breaks and now i either need a new transmission or something called a powertrain control module.will never purchase a dodge product new or used again to many problems to have on a car i had just over a year

Performance
2 out of 5 stars
Value
2 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
4.63 out of 5 stars

Fun and reliable great priced car

av8tore71, 02/01/2015
2013 Dodge Avenger R/T 4dr Sedan (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
6 of 9 people found this review helpful

Fast fun and a delight to drive

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2.38 out of 5 stars

Junk

james273, 05/09/2013
2012 Dodge Avenger SXT 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 6A)
7 of 11 people found this review helpful

I bought the car brand new and now have 21000 miles on it. Worst car I ever owned. Has been in the shop multiple times for the hvac system not working properly. Now the ride has gotten worse. It feels like the rear struts went bad. The 4 cylinder engine is okay on power but not something to brag about and I dont get anywhere near the estimated mpg as the sticker says. Also had problems with the speedometer and transmission intermittently not working properly. The trade in value of this car is low. For the age of the car I expected more. With this car it truly is buyer be ware.

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3 out of 5 stars

Meh

Kev, 06/15/2019
2012 Dodge Avenger SE 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Brakes make high pitch noise (even after having them checked for problems), the traction control is WAY too sensitive, has had three recalls since we purchased it, and the blind spots are amplified by the obnoxiously big pillars. However, the interior is comfortable, it accelerates well, and has a pretty quite ride on the inside.

Safety
3 out of 5 stars
Technology
2 out of 5 stars
Performance
3 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
4 out of 5 stars
Reliability
3 out of 5 stars
Value
2 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
2 out of 5 stars

good for about 5 years

E, 06/18/2020
2012 Dodge Avenger R/T 4dr Sedan (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful

I won't buy another Dodge. My heat went out had to have it fixed. Im always cold and live in a cold area so that sucked. Worst thing tho is that it stalls. I had it fixed and it lasted about 3 years and started again. Also the tranny goes out after about 8 years. I'm selling mine. I'm not willing to put more money into it.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
2 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
2 out of 5 stars
Value
1 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
1 out of 5 stars

Horrible..

Shiela, 11/17/2018
2013 Dodge Avenger SE 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
3 of 4 people found this review helpful

Do not buy this car. Transmission is known for going out as did mine. The electricals are a joke. Half of the Windows dont work. It is so cheaply made its ridiculous. My last car was a 2004 buick lesabre and i swear if i could go back i would have just kept that. Even with its age it was 10xs more reliable than the avenger. Dodge will never get my business again

Safety
2 out of 5 stars
Technology
1 out of 5 stars
Performance
1 out of 5 stars
Interior
3 out of 5 stars
Comfort
3 out of 5 stars
Reliability
1 out of 5 stars
Value
1 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
5 out of 5 stars

2012 DODGE AVENGER

slowhand2, 05/12/2015
updated 11/29/2021
2012 Dodge Avenger R/T 4dr Sedan (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
3 of 4 people found this review helpful

I just love my 2012 dodge avenger r/t I have not spent a penny on it since I bought it.i get more double takes from people..wow nice car is it new? I would buy another again but they don't make the avenger anymore:-( still a damn nice car.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
2 out of 5 stars

Dodge avenger is crap

Yomom, 12/12/2018
2012 Dodge Avenger R/T 4dr Sedan (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
3 of 4 people found this review helpful

Honestly how the hell do people get away selling these things might as well own an aspire got the fix the damn thing ever month the car is terrible.

Safety
3 out of 5 stars
Technology
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
2 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
2 out of 5 stars
Reliability
2 out of 5 stars
Value
2 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
5 out of 5 stars

Bought new, no odd repairs, drives great

Gary Rorye, 07/24/2016
updated 07/29/2019
2012 Dodge Avenger SXT 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 6A)
4 of 6 people found this review helpful

We sold the car in 2017 with 62,000 miles. It was always reliable though lacking in power but it’s a 4 cylinder we bought primarily for mpg. For a car that got around 27mpg average it was a great vehicle. Comfort was there and the car itself looked very sporty.

Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Interior
4 out of 5 stars
Comfort
4 out of 5 stars
Reliability
4 out of 5 stars
Value
4 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
5 out of 5 stars

Most Awesomeness Car Ever!!

Jeff, 09/26/2019
2013 Dodge Avenger R/T 4dr Sedan (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
6 of 10 people found this review helpful

This is the best car I have ever had. So much so I even bought 3 of them at one time at the same dealer!! It's fast too!! It beat a POS german BMW with lame blie white and red stripes on the grille. Never underestimate American engineering. The Germans have nothing on this. I have beaten so many other vehicles on the road that my front left wheel is throwing sparks from the insane speeds that this vehicle can reach. There is so much torque that I could tow half of Mississippi after free pancake day. If only Dodge still made this vehicle I would buy a fourth...maybe even a fifth! My heater also works every time each time. It has never leaked on me. German engineering can't match that. Also, purple cabbage is good for you.

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1 out of 5 stars

Got the Wobbles

Jon, 01/31/2016
2013 Dodge Avenger SE 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
6 of 11 people found this review helpful

Okay. So I have had my 2013 Avenger for about a year and a half. I'm sitting at 68,700 miles. A few months ago my brakes completely locked up and I couldn't even move my car. Cost my almost $1,000 to get it fixed. Now not even 3 months later my brakes are squeaking again. Terrible on brakes! Also a current issue.. I don't know if it's the transmission or what, but the entire car feels like it's vibrating and the steering wheel is especially wobbley. I hate it. It's so annoying! I will be trading this car in as soon as I can afford to and I will advise everyone who is looking for a new car not to purchase a Dodge Avenger. Terrible car!

Safety
2 out of 5 stars
Technology
1 out of 5 stars
Performance
2 out of 5 stars
Interior
2 out of 5 stars
Comfort
2 out of 5 stars
Reliability
1 out of 5 stars
Value
1 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
4.25 out of 5 stars

Buy it for the Motor - Drive it for the FUN!

bige44221, 03/17/2013
2012 Dodge Avenger R/T 4dr Sedan (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
5 of 9 people found this review helpful

I waited to write this owning my R/T for almost a year and having over 8,000 miles on it. This car does ROCK & some Mopor aftermarket parts (I added a performance throttle body) can increase the HP to over 300. Some other reviewer talks about smoking other cars and such and still getting 30mpg, this is BS. You can't be racey and fuel efficient at the same time. If you take it easy, you will get 28-30mpg. Over 30? No. The car performs great, handles will and is a lot of fun. I tested just about every car in this class - Malibu, Fusion, Altima, Camery - none of them have the power of this engine. If you are considering any of the cars above, check out the Avenger.

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1 out of 5 stars

Lemon

Anonymous, 02/05/2019
2013 Dodge Avenger SE 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
4 of 7 people found this review helpful

Stay away from Dodge Avenger 2013 SE carsThey have down shift problems. Too many sensor issues and actuator issues. They hide defects and don’t own up to warranties are a total rip off . In n out of the shop more than an old old car and was purchased new

Safety
1 out of 5 stars
Technology
1 out of 5 stars
Performance
1 out of 5 stars
Interior
1 out of 5 stars
Comfort
1 out of 5 stars
Reliability
1 out of 5 stars
Value
1 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
4 out of 5 stars

Handles like its on rails!

Edalb, 03/17/2016
2013 Dodge Avenger SE 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
3 of 5 people found this review helpful

Make sure your thermostats are working. Anyway this car handles awesome and the 4cyl is pretty quick too. The sound system is decent enough that I'm not going to change it until I blow a speaker. The trunk space is big too. Your tires are 225 which is awesome for a little car.

Safety
4 out of 5 stars
Technology
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Interior
4 out of 5 stars
Comfort
4 out of 5 stars
Reliability
4 out of 5 stars
Value
3 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
5 out of 5 stars

Great little brother to the charger

James Dupree, 05/13/2020
2013 Dodge Avenger SXT 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 6A)
2 of 4 people found this review helpful

I have owned my car for 2.5 years now and have had minor (typical) issues with it. But by and large, it has been amazing, I’ve been on numerous road trips with it (and gotten amazing gas mileage). It has random quirks, but none that really impact my love for my car. 💯

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Interior
3 out of 5 stars
Comfort
4 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
4.75 out of 5 stars

My favorite car I have ever owned.

kshizzle, 07/09/2014
2012 Dodge Avenger SXT Plus 4dr Sedan (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
2 of 4 people found this review helpful

This is the 6th car I have owned and I can honestly say that I am finally driving the exact car that I wanted to be driving. Before I bought my Avenger I had always settled for what was available (hand me down cars) as well as what was cheap and reliable. I drove a Corolla for 12 years and that made the decision to settle for nothing less then a 6 cylinder engine that much easier. I drove most the cars in this class (G6, Malibu, Camry etc...) as rental cars but when I rented the Avenger I was sold. Most people on the road do not understand that it has a 3.6 liter 283 hp engine inside. Easily enough to beat all of the cars in its class. Fun car for sure.

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4 out of 5 stars

Great car

Heather, 05/31/2019
2012 Dodge Avenger SE 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

I’ve had this car for 4 years now, a 2012 se, bought it at 3 years old with 64k miles on it. It has had a couple of issues, but mainly just expected repairs like changing the brake pads. I have been in 3 small wrecks with this vehicle, the largest one was when someone ran a stop sign and hit me right above the driver side tire leaving a large dent, and I’ve been backed into hitting the hood and after insurance fixed those dents I was surprised my trusty avenger had made it through it all, that was a couple years back and I still rarely have issues with it. I live in an area with lots of rough roads and this car has made it through some mud surprisingly well for a fwd sedan. I like the simple interior because I don’t like the large electronic screens that come in most newer cars, this of course is a preference some may want more technology but that can be found in the avenger rt. My favorite part of this car is probably the sound system. For a long time I thought the previous owner had added some speakers because the sound is great but after doing some digging around I have only found stock speakers but they have great bass. In terms of speed, it isn’t super fast but it definitely gets up and goes when you need it to. It isn’t super exhilarating to drive but it is quick enough with a little bit of engine noise that I would say is a small step above lots of other affordable midsize sedans. If you want an affordable but slightly fun car, I say go for this one.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
4 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
1 out of 5 stars

Never ending issues

Daniel Butler, 11/26/2021
2012 Dodge Avenger SE 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

So, in two days of having a 2012 dodge avenger my radiator went out. A month later my water pump was leaking. Another month later, my oil pan was leaking. The next month, my car was leaking gas. The month after that a cylinder misfired. It was never ending issues. I would never recommend a dodge to anyone.

Safety
1 out of 5 stars
Technology
1 out of 5 stars
Performance
1 out of 5 stars
Interior
3 out of 5 stars
Comfort
3 out of 5 stars
Reliability
1 out of 5 stars
Value
1 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
3 out of 5 stars

Hot yeah....no a/c. No room car seats

L W, 02/01/2017
2013 Dodge Avenger SXT 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 6A)
2 of 6 people found this review helpful

A/C goes out on these so we traded it in last week. Google and see goes out on this car. Also, forget car seats this car for three babies/toddlers....don't fit in.

Safety
3 out of 5 stars
Technology
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
3 out of 5 stars
Interior
4 out of 5 stars
Comfort
3 out of 5 stars
Reliability
3 out of 5 stars
Value
3 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
4 out of 5 stars

Better Than The Accord

AnthonC, 03/09/2023
2013 Dodge Avenger SE 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
1 of 2 people found this review helpful

Mine is the SE V6 model, but there is no option in the drop down for this trim level...Anyway, this is one of the best cars I have owned. The Pentastar V6 seems to be pretty solid and it has plenty of power. For a 6 cylinder I'd say mpg is about average. The transmission seems a little weak, but I also bought it used with 100k miles so it's been through some wear and tear. The trunk is roomy enough and the opening is very wide. The rear seats folds down 60/40 and has a passthrough behind the armrest for skis or 2x4's and whatnot. For being a base model the interior actually feels very nice with all upper dash and door panels finished with soft touch/padded materials. The technology is quite lacking, as it doesn't have factory Bluetooth, but at least it has an aux port for music. The backseat isn't huge by any means, but I fit comfortably at 5'10''. Reason I am comparing to an Accord is because I had a 2015 Accord LX before purchasing this vehicle. In my opinion, the interior is finished to a much higher standard and there are no rattles. Every interior panel in my Accord seemed to rattle over the tiniest bump. I give the Avenger 4 stars because there are some areas that are not the best. Old technology, plain steering feel and major rear blindspots. I definitely recommend getting blindspot mirror attachments. They've saved me multiple times. Overall it is a great car. Nothing special, but definitely gets the job done.

Safety
3 out of 5 stars
Technology
2 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Interior
4 out of 5 stars
Comfort
4 out of 5 stars
Reliability
4 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
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