Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website to confirm part number and applicability. There is an error with the wiring diagrams in Service Library that is causing the incorrect repair kit part number to populate. Please use the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website until this issue is resolved.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2011 Dodge Avenger electrical problems
severe 38 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
38
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
1crash
1fire
When does it fail?
Of the 38 electrical complaints filed for the 2011 Dodge Avenger, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 38 electrical complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Electrical accounts for 18% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 12 categories tracked.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website to confirm part number and applicability. There is an error with the wiring diagrams in Service Library that is causing the incorrect repair kit part number to populate. Please use the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website until this issue is resolved.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗(Revision A) No Start No Crank ? Starter Will Not Engage And There Are No Related Codes Or Concerns
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗(Revision A) No Start No Crank ? Starter Will Not Engage And There Are No Related Codes Or Concerns
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Charging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin discusses using the correct test equipment for testing batteries and charging systems, and also warranty reimbursement when battery replacements are necessary.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe the 2011 Avenger as prone to cascading electrical failures that can strike without warning. The most dangerous complaint is Electronic Throttle Control failures: the car loses power and drops to 10–20 mph limp mode without notice, sometimes at highway speeds or in traffic. One owner had the throttle assembly replaced three times and the problem came right back, pointing toward a deeper power module issue. Throttle response lag of 1–2 seconds is another widespread complaint that makes normal acceleration feel unpredictable—the driver presses the pedal, nothing happens, then the car lurches forward abruptly.
Electrical gremlins cascade across multiple systems: power windows jam open, door locks won't unlock, warning lights (ABS, airbag, battery, engine) all illuminate together, the horn honks on its own, and instrument clusters flicker. Several owners mention TIPM (the vehicle's main electrical control module) as the likely culprit, and NHTSA has an ongoing investigation into it.
Passenger-side heating is broken on many units—driver gets warm air, passenger gets cold—even after flushing coolant and replacing thermostats. It doesn't defrost either, which is a visibility hazard. The trunk lid leaks water around the third brake light seal; Chrysler's official fix (removing drain plugs) actually makes water damage worse by eliminating drainage paths while leaving the leak open.
Owners report over $1,000–$2,000 in repair attempts that don't stick. Dealerships often can't diagnose the problem, and some VINs fall outside the limited recalls issued for electrical and airbag issues.
Same Dodge Avenger electrical reports on nearby years: 2008 · 2010 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014
Failure modes owners describe
Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) loss of power / stalling
Vehicle loses power without warning while driving; throttle unresponsiveness; multiple owners report limp mode restricting speed to 10-20 mph. One owner replaced ETC three times with no lasting fix, suspecting TIPM involvement. Narratives describe plastic gear wear inside throttle assembly causing ECM to lose throttle position tracking.
When: 13,000-170,000 miles; some cold-weather correlation noted; some occurrence while driving at highway speeds
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of power while driving; Severe speed limitation (10-20 mph limp mode); 1-2 second delay in throttle response from idle; Electronic Throttle Control warning light illumination and blinking; Traction control light activation; RPM variation between 1200-1500 rpm; Need to turn vehicle off and restart to regain normal function
Codes mentioned: Electronic Throttle Control (ETC)
Repairs/costs cited: Throttle body and electronic throttle assembly replacement performed, but failures recurred on multiple vehicles; one owner paid out-of-pocket for three replacements; another owner reported over $2000 in repairs across five service visits to three dealerships
Throttle pedal delay and input lag
Consistent 1-2 second delay between driver input and vehicle response across multiple controls: gas pedal acceleration, horn, and starter engagement. Owner reports this affects vehicle control and safety in intersection crossings.
When: Ongoing issue across ownership period
Symptoms owners cite: 1-2 second delay when pressing gas pedal; 1-2 second delay in horn response; 1-2 second delay before starter engages; Abrupt acceleration after delayed response; Loss of driver control sensation
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer claimed delays are normal and implemented by Chrysler for safety reasons; manufacturer did not address owner's safety concerns
Trunk lid water leak at third brake light seal
Water intrusion into trunk through improperly sealed third brake light (CHMSL) assembly. Water enters between outer and inner trunk panels, exits through latch assembly. Chrysler acknowledged problem across 2008+ model years (Avenger, Stratus, Sebring, PT Cruiser) but TSB 23-016-12 correction (removing drain plugs) only worsens the problem by eliminating drainage while leaving water path open. Water contact with power terminals on trunk latch and stagnation promoting mold growth.
When: Reported across 2008+ model years; multiple years of persistent issue
Symptoms owners cite: Water visible in trunk inner panels; Water exiting through latch assembly after drain plug removal; Mold growth from stagnant water; Water in contact with electrical terminals
Repairs/costs cited: TSB 23-016-12 calls for removal of two rubber drain plugs only; owner reports this increases hazard rather than correcting it
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler issued TSB 23-016-12 acknowledging the issue; assigned open case history; declined further action despite owner notification of hazard
Electrical system failures with multiple component malfunctions
Widespread electrical faults causing simultaneous or cascading failures across multiple vehicle systems: warning lights illuminate together, windows fail, starters malfunction, brake lights stay on, power windows will not close after opening, transmission shift capability lost, horn activates independently.
When: 64,000-170,000 miles; some failures while driving at speed (45-70 mph)
Symptoms owners cite: Multiple warning lights illuminated at once (ABS, airbag, engine, battery, traction control, brake); Power window failure (inoperable or stuck open); Inability to shift gears; Brake lights staying on continuously; Horn self-activation while parked; Instrument cluster flickering on and off; Turn signals and wipers independently activating; Steering column and gear shifter failure; Seatbelt and airbag warning lights
Codes mentioned: TIPM (Totally Integrated Power Module) suspected in multiple narratives
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reported horn assembly, speed sensor, and TIPM replacement performed but failure recurred; another stated TIPM suspected but not yet replaced; vehicles generally not repaired due to lack of dealer diagnosis or diagnosis without confirmed recall coverage
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer did not offer assistance on vehicles not included in recall 13V282000 (Electrical System, Air Bags) or 11V315000 (Steering) or 16V668000 (Seat Belts, Air Bags); NHTSA investigation into TIPM known but no recall issued for this population
Passenger-side climate control failure (heater core and air distribution)
Asymmetrical heating and defrosting: driver side blows warm/hot air while passenger side blows cold or no air. Affects both regular heating and windshield defrost modes. Persists across multiple HVAC settings and circulation modes. Owners report it as a widespread known issue across 2011 Avenger population not addressed by manufacturer despite multiple reports and service bulletin mentions.
When: 66,000-112,000 miles; some reports of late-onset ticking noise preceding heat loss
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger-side vents blow cold air while driver side is warm or hot; Passenger windshield defrost fails (cold air only); Driver windshield defrosts normally; Symptom persists in all cabin modes and circulation settings; Problem occurs whether vehicle moving or stationary; Reduced windshield visibility from lack of defrost; Ticking noise from behind steering column when changing AC settings (reported once)
Repairs/costs cited: Some owners have had heater core and coolant system flushed, thermostats and water pump replaced without resolution; one estimate exceeded $1000; repairs generally not completed due to cost and lack of manufacturer acknowledgment
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer stated no other complaints on record and offered no assistance; dealerships acknowledge known issue but cannot correct; some narratives note manufacturer awareness but continued use of same trunk lid and light assemblies across multiple model years without fix
Power window malfunction
Power windows fail to operate in multiple modes: unable to close after opening, complete inoperability, or driver-side window control non-responsive. May occur in conjunction with broader electrical faults.
When: 27,000-110,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Power windows inoperable (will not go up or down); Windows stuck open after opening; Unable to close windows after opening; Driver-side window control unresponsive
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs completed in narratives provided
Alternator failure
Alternator stops charging, causing vehicle to lose electrical power and shut down while driving. One owner stranded in heavy traffic.
When: 45,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle dies while driving; Loss of electrical power
Repairs/costs cited: Alternator replacement required; total cost with towing $1,000
Battery and starter electrical issues
Cold-weather starting difficulties; battery warning light illumination; starter delay on ignition; multiple warning lights activating together suggesting broader power distribution fault.
When: Cold weather conditions; 64,000+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: Difficulty starting in cold weather; Battery warning light illumination; 1-2 second delay before starter engages; Multiple warning lights (battery, ABS, engine, brake) illuminating together
Codes mentioned: TIPM suspected
Repairs/costs cited: Battery and alternator replacement performed on some vehicles without resolving recurrent issues; brake switch sensor also replaced on one vehicle
Rear turn signal inoperability
Rear turn signals fail to emit light with no warning indicator on dash. Occurs at low speeds.
When: 27,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Rear turn signals inoperable; No warning light illumination; Failure at low speeds (5 mph)
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle not diagnosed or repaired
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner associated failure with recall 13V282000 (Electrical System, Air Bags) but VIN not included in recall
Air bag system malfunctions
Air bag warning light illumination with no accident; unexpected headrest deployment; air bags failed to deploy in accident involving rear-end collision despite Takata recall involvement.
When: 57,000 miles and above; one failure during actual accident
Symptoms owners cite: Air bag warning light illumination during normal driving; Unexpected headrest deployment; Air bags did not deploy in rear-end collision accident
Repairs/costs cited: Repairs not completed; one accident involved rear-end impact with non-deployment of safety restraints
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 13V282000 (Air Bags, Electrical System) exists but some VINs excluded from recall coverage; manufacturer offered no assistance to out-of-warranty owners on excluded VINs
Door lock electronic actuation failure
Electronic door locks fail to unlock approximately 90% of the time except on driver door. Rear seat passengers unable to unlock doors easily, creating emergency exit hazard.
When: Ongoing issue
Symptoms owners cite: Doors fail to unlock on button activation (90% failure rate except driver door); Rear seat door unlock difficult to access or activate; Manual unlock not easily visible to passengers
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer confirmed problem but could not correct
Instrument cluster and electrical indicator malfunctions
Instrument cluster lights dim unexpectedly or flicker on and off; multiple warning lights illuminate simultaneously; battery and alternator warning indicators activate without clear electrical failure.
When: 57,000+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: Instrument cluster lights sudden dimming; Instrument cluster flickering on and off; Multiple warning lights illuminating together (battery, ABS, brake, check engine, tire pressure, traction); Interior lights malfunction; Turn signal lights fail to operate properly; Warning lights remain illuminated or cycle on and off erratically
Codes mentioned: TIPM suspected in multiple narratives
Unresponsive or sticky throttle control with repeated failures
Throttle body requires multiple replacements (three replacements on one vehicle in one narrative) with continued poor acceleration, stalling, and warning light issues recurrence. Electronic pedal also replaced on at least one vehicle without resolution.
When: Ongoing across ownership period; multiple repair cycles
Symptoms owners cite: Poor acceleration; Stalling out of nowhere; Electronic Throttle Control light illumination; Recurrent stalling after multiple repairs; Vehicle behavior unsafe and unpredictable
Repairs/costs cited: Throttle body changed three times; electronic pedal changed once; lighting signs still come on and stall recurs; owner reports very frustrated and unsafe conditions
Electrical module failure causing mechanical noise
Mechanical clicking noise at low speeds caused by electric module failure.
When: Occurrence at low speed driving
Symptoms owners cite: Mechanical clicking noise at low speeds
Synthesized from 38 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 6 most recent
I was driving my 2011 avenger, and whenever I would go over 2000 RPM my electronic throttle control light would come on. Then it would turn off, then it would come back on if I went over 2000 RPM, and then my throttle light would start blinking and my traction control light would come on. I couldn't go over 10 MPH, unless I pulled over and turned my car off, and turned it back on. I took it…
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Dodge avenger. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to emit heat on the passenger side. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to NHTSA. The approximate failure mileage was 112,000.
The known issue of the passenger side heat going out. Not able to heat up in the cold weather of maryland's winters. One month ago car started ticking but now the heat is starting to fade away.
I bought a 2011 Dodge avenger mainstreet three years ago. At 13k miles my car started giving me problems with the electronic throttle control. The car basically loses power with no warning. I have taken the car to my local Dodge dealer 5 times since february 2013 due to this problem and on two occasions they said they replaced the etc. Recently the car was giving me problems again with the etc…
Known issue that manufacturer refuses to address. Unsafe to drive during very cold temperatures. This vehicle only produces heat on the driver side vent. Temperature fluctuates and turns heat to cool while driving. Does not properly defrost. Has ticking issues coming from behind the steering column when changing ac settings.
At less than 45000 miles my alternator stopped working, this cause my car to "die" in the middle of a heavy traffic area. Unable to move it I had to push it to a safe spot then wait for a tow truck. Total cost of repairs with towing $1000
Had electrical trouble with your 2011 Dodge Avenger?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2011 Dodge Avenger?
It's a meaningful issue. 38 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 25 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 40,000 and 99,999 miles, with the median around 72,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 40,000; a quarter make it past 99,999. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2011/Dodge/Avenger.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.