DODGE: WHEN DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES AND WOULD TURN STEERING WHEEL, A CLICKING/POPPING NOISE OCCURS AND CAN BE HEARD AT 25MPH OR WHILE STOPPED. MODEL 2012-2013 AVENGER/200. *PE
View on NHTSA →2013 Dodge Avenger steering problems
severe 19 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
19
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
3crashes
2injuries
What stands out
Among the 6 model years of Dodge Avenger in our records for steering problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering 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.
SUMMARY TO BE PROVIDED ON A FUTURE DATE.
View on NHTSA →SUMMARY TO BE PROVIDED ON A FUTURE DATE.
View on NHTSA →Steering Wheel Off Center 3.1 To 12 Degrees This bulletin involves centering the vehicles steering wheel. Steering wheel off center 3.1 to 12 degrees.
View on NHTSA →Steering Wheel Off Center 3.1 To 12 Degrees This bulletin involves centering the vehicles steering wheel. Steering wheel off center 3.1 to 12 degrees.
View on NHTSA →Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Steering on the 2013 Avenger starts failing early and doesn't quit. Out of the box, multiple owners report the car pulling relentlessly to the right—shops tell them the suspension is manufactured wrong and alignment can't be corrected. One owner went through tires yearly for three years trying to deal with it.
Noises from the steering column plague owners: thumping, clicking, creaking sounds during turns and cold weather. Dealerships work on these for months without finding a fix or admitting what's wrong.
When owners accelerate or pass, the front end fishtails like the car's on ice. One shop called it "torque steer" and claimed it's normal, but even after alignment and new tires, it's back in two weeks. Owners say steering feels loose and the car becomes hard to control above 45 mph.
Power steering flat-out fails on some vehicles—one owner lost it completely at 50–55 mph and had to muscle the wheel to the roadside. Another needed a $2,000 rack-and-pinion replacement less than six months after purchase. Even pump replacements didn't solve it for some.
In the worst cases, steering locks solid or becomes completely unresponsive, with at least one incident resulting in a rollover. One owner's brakes and steering both froze during normal city driving. These aren't isolated oddities—multiple dealerships report seeing the same failures across multiple Avengers the same day.
Same Dodge Avenger steering reports on nearby years: 2011 · 2012 · 2014
Failure modes owners describe
Steering Column Noises (Thump, Click, Creak)
Loud thumping, clicking, and creaking sounds from steering column or surrounding area, particularly during turns, backing, or in cold conditions. Owners report dealerships unable to diagnose or fix the problem despite months of attempts.
When: Early in ownership; within first few weeks to months of purchase
Symptoms owners cite: Thumping or clicking noise from steering column during sharp turns; Creaking/clicking noise during backing and turning; Faint clicking sound to left of steering column; Creaking noises under normal operation; Noise worse in cold conditions
Repairs/costs cited: One narrative mentions inner tie rods as suspected cause needing replacement; most repairs unsuccessful despite dealership attempts
Torque Steer and Loose Steering Sensation
Vehicle pulls sharply to the right during acceleration or passing, feeling like front-end fishtailing or loss of control. Dealerships perform alignment and adjustments, but problem recurs within weeks. Owners report steering feels loose at speeds above 45 mph.
When: From early ownership; recurring even after dealer intervention
Symptoms owners cite: Sharp pull to the right during acceleration or passing; Front-end fishtailing sensation; Loose steering feel at speeds above 45 mph; Hard to control vehicle at highway speeds; Difficulty maintaining lane control
Repairs/costs cited: Alignment performed, best tires placed on front; issue returns within 2 weeks. One narrative mentions torque steer is 'normal' per dealership but owner disputes this.
Power Steering Loss
Complete loss of power steering function, either temporary during stalls or permanent/semi-permanent requiring replacement of pump or rack-and-pinion assembly. One owner reported loss at highway speed (50-55 mph) resulting in loss of steering control.
When: At 162,000 miles (one narrative); under 6 months after purchase (one narrative); during normal operation
Symptoms owners cite: Total loss of power steering while driving; Vehicle stalled and power steering failed simultaneously; Required manual steering force to control vehicle; Vehicle required multiple restart attempts
Repairs/costs cited: Pump replacement performed; issue persisted. One owner quoted $2000 for rack-and-pinion replacement.
Vehicle Pulling Right (Alignment Issue)
Vehicle pulls to the right from purchase; dealerships unable to permanently correct. Multiple shops advise suspension design is faulty and alignment cannot be corrected. Owner experienced tire wear requiring replacement every year.
When: Within days of purchase; persistent across 3+ years of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Continuous pull to the right; Pull returns after alignment is performed; Excessive tire wear (requiring new tires annually)
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple alignment attempts by multiple shops unsuccessful. Suspension design cited as cause by independent shops.
Hard or Stiff Steering Wheel During Turns
Steering wheel becomes hard or stiff, particularly during sharp or right turns, making it difficult to turn. Problem appears intermittent and may self-resolve temporarily.
When: At various mileage and time points during ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel becomes hard when making sharp turns; Loss of power assist during turning; Intermittent nature of failure
Steering Lock or Complete Loss of Steering Control
Steering locked up or became completely unresponsive while driving, resulting in inability to steer vehicle. One narrative reports brakes and steering both froze simultaneously. Another reports steering locked during attempted lane change resulting in collision.
When: During normal driving operation
Symptoms owners cite: Steering locked completely; Total loss of steering control; Both brakes and steering frozen simultaneously (one report); No steering response during evasive maneuver
Repairs/costs cited: One vehicle was total loss; other resulted in collision/rollover
Wheel Alignment Issues and Rear Veer
Vehicle rear veers to left during driving at low speeds (25-35 mph) early in ownership. Alignment recommended as fix but not performed. Separate narrative mentions wheel not staying in alignment after alignment service.
When: Around 5,000 miles; recurring issues throughout ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Rear of vehicle veers to left while driving; Wheel loses alignment shortly after alignment service; Recurring alignment issues
Repairs/costs cited: Alignment service recommended but not completed in one narrative; alignment performed but does not hold in another
Synthesized from 19 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had steering 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 steering problem on the 2013 Dodge Avenger?
It's a meaningful issue. 19 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 11 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 5,000 and 62,000 miles, with the median around 42,317. A quarter of owners report trouble before 5,000; a quarter make it past 62,000. 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 $700 for steering 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 steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering 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.