Speed Control Operates Intermittently
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 Dodge Avenger cruise control problems
severe 20 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $600 · see cruise control across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
20
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$600
1crash
1injury
What stands out
Among the 6 model years of Dodge Avenger in our records for cruise control problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering cruise control 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.
Speed Control Operates Intermittently
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Adaptive Cruise Control Sensor 1) If you are replacing this part due to the cluster displaying Clean Radar Sensor in Front of Vehicle or DTC C1266 ACC Sensor Blinded, please verify that there is no blockage in front of the sensor. Blockage can occur from mud, ice, snow, front end damage, bracket damage, the sensor not attached to the bracket properly or an aftermarket fascia installed. This fault can occur intermittently in muddy or icy/snowy conditions and is considered normal operation. Under some circumstances, a misaligned sensor can also cause the C1266 DTC, please complete an alignment procedure. No replacement is required.~ 2) If you are replacing this part due to the cluster displayi
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe a recurring pattern: throttle body failures that rob the engine of power without warning. The vehicle either won't accelerate when the gas pedal is pressed (pedal goes to the floor with no response), or it suddenly loses power and coasts down from highway speed to 10–20 mph. The Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) warning light is the red lightning bolt on the dash—it often flashes when this happens, along with the Check Engine light and sometimes the ESC warning. Incidents have been reported from 61,000 to 132,000 miles, at stop signs, traffic lights, city streets, and highways.
The core problem is the throttle body assembly failing to register driver input or hold a stable idle. One owner has had four throttle body replacements in two years (two by previous owner, two by current owner). Dealers and independent shops diagnose it consistently as throttle body failure, yet replacement doesn't always stick—one owner cleared the code, it came back, replaced the throttle body, and the problem continued.
Some owners report unintended acceleration: the engine revs and the vehicle accelerates even with the brake pressed or without foot on the accelerator. One vehicle flipped four times after uncontrolled acceleration into a curve. Others describe rough idle and stalling when shifting into Drive or moving from a stop. A few have found a temporary fix—an online throttle sensor reset (ignition on, pedal to floor slowly, back to idle, ignition off, restart)—but it lasts only hours before the warning light returns.
Same Dodge Avenger cruise control reports on nearby years: 2010
Failure modes owners describe
Throttle body failure—loss of power and unresponsive accelerator
Throttle body assembly fails to register or control acceleration. Gas pedal goes to the floor with no engine response, or engine loses power entirely and vehicle decelerates sharply without warning. Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) warning light frequently illuminates.
When: Reported from 61,000 miles to 132,000 miles; incidents occur at various speeds (city streets, stop signs, highway, 20–65 mph).
Symptoms owners cite: Gas pedal unresponsive—pedal travels to floor but engine does not accelerate; Sudden power loss—vehicle decelerates from 40–65 mph down to 10–20 mph without input; Slow or no takeoff from complete stop; ETC warning light flashing or illuminating; Check Engine/Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) illuminating; Hesitation when depressing accelerator
Codes mentioned: P2173
Repairs/costs cited: Throttle body replacement performed by dealer and independent shops; one owner reported replacement did not resolve the issue. Another owner states this is the 4th throttle body replacement (2 previous owner, 2 current) in 9 months.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer referred owners to NHTSA or Dodge dealers; one owner reported Dodge said they are 'on their own.' Recall #N52 mentioned by one owner as related to engine stall and pressure loss.
Rough idle and stalling
Engine idles roughly and stalls, especially when shifting into Drive or attempting to move from a stopped position. Idle quality degrades; vehicle acts as though it wants to shut off.
When: Incidents reported without specific mileage; occurs intermittently during normal operation and after traffic light stops.
Symptoms owners cite: Rough idle after loss-of-power event; Vehicle stalls when shifted into Drive; Engine wants to shut off when stopped; Vehicle shakes and stalls while turning off ignition; Stalling on highway
Repairs/costs cited: No specific repair costs cited. One owner reports maintaining regular oil change schedule; issue persists despite maintenance.
Unintended acceleration—engine surges and accelerates without pedal input
Engine revs and vehicle accelerates on its own with little or no accelerator pedal input. Vehicle surges while driving and will continue to accelerate even with brake pedal pressed. Occurs sporadically while driving or parked.
When: Reported from 61,000 miles onward; occurs at various times including highway speeds and while parked.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle accelerates on its own without accelerator input; Surging at highway speed without warning lights initially; Engine rev increase with brake pedal pressed; Erratic acceleration behavior; Uncontrolled acceleration into curve—vehicle flipped
Repairs/costs cited: One owner replaced throttle body after reading forums; unintended acceleration continued. One accident report: vehicle flipped four times after uncontrolled acceleration on a curve and landed in swamp.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Electronic Stability Control (ESC) mentioned; one owner attributes issue to malfunction in ESC.
ETC and ESC warning lights—intermittent illumination without clear resolution
ETC, ESC, and MIL warning lights illuminate intermittently during normal driving on dry pavement with no hazardous conditions present. Lights may clear temporarily but return repeatedly.
When: Intermittent; occurs while driving at various speeds and roadway conditions.
Symptoms owners cite: ETC warning light flashing or steady illumination; ESC warning light illumination; MIL/Check Engine light illumination; Red lightning bolt warning indicator on dashboard
Codes mentioned: P2173
Repairs/costs cited: Clearing codes and throttle body replacement do not permanently resolve the issue; codes return. One owner reports mechanic reset settings via computer and car ran fine temporarily.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall #N52 mentioned in relation to engine stall and pressure loss.
Engine surge with rough idle—recurring pattern
Engine surges and idles roughly; pattern repeats—vehicle runs for a period of time (half a day), then warning light reappears and power is lost again. Owner reports using throttle sensor reset procedure (ignition on, pedal to floor, back to idle, ignition off, restart) as temporary workaround.
When: Intermittent recurring episodes; no specific mileage cited.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine surges after restart; Rough idle with surging; Red lightning bolt warning light reappears hours after reset; Loss of power repeats at 10 mph and 60 mph
Repairs/costs cited: Owner uses DIY throttle sensor reset procedure found online; provides only temporary relief (half day before recurrence).
Synthesized from 20 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had cruise control trouble with your 2013 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 cruise control problem on the 2013 Dodge Avenger?
It's a meaningful issue. 20 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $600.
At what mileage does the cruise control typically fail?
Across the 19 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most cruise control failures cluster between 53,000 and 94,500 miles, with the median around 68,891. A quarter of owners report trouble before 53,000; a quarter make it past 94,500. 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 $600 for cruise control 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 cruise control?
No active recalls currently cover cruise control 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/2013/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.