Authentic Mopar® Glass Replacement This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the recommended usage of Authentic Mopar® Glass.
View on NHTSA →2013 Dodge Avenger visibility problems
moderate 23 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $350 · see visibility across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
23
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$350
When does it fail?
Of the 23 visibility complaints filed for the 2013 Dodge Avenger, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 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
Among the 5 model years of Dodge Avenger in our records for visibility problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
No new NHTSA visibility complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 9 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering visibility 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.
Authentic Mopar® Glass Replacement This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the recommended usage of Authentic Mopar® Glass.
View on NHTSA →Washer Fluid Level Sensor Prior to replacing this part due to "Low Washer Fluid" tell tale light on the dash and the washer fluid bottle is full, please perform this inspection: Check if float sensor is rotated off location from the bottle anti-rotation fea
View on NHTSA →Washer Fluid Level Sensor Prior to replacing this part due to "Low Washer Fluid" tell tale light on the dash and the washer fluid bottle is full, please perform the this inspection. Inspect the sensor for a fluid coating on the sensor pins. Orange colored r
View on NHTSA →Wind Noise Left Front Door This bulletin involves installing foam at the upper rear corner of the left front door window run channel. The customer may note wind noise coming from the left front door.
View on NHTSA →Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe a clear pattern: the 2013 Dodge Avenger's heating system fails to deliver hot air to the passenger side of the cabin and windshield defroster, while the driver's side works normally. Complaints begin appearing around 57,000 to 69,000 miles but sometimes manifest earlier or later, with one reported at 8,600 miles (though that was a windshield wiper seizure, unrelated).
The core issue is insufficient or cold air blowing from passenger vents, center console vents, and passenger defroster outlets. In winter or cold weather, this leaves the passenger-side windshield fogged or iced over, creating a serious visibility hazard. Owners report being unable to see clearly while driving and having to lean across the cabin or pull over to manually clear windows.
Several owners say they replaced the heater core, only to have the problem recur within months once cold weather returned. One owner reports multiple temperature actuator replacements (three times) with no lasting fix. One states the dealership acknowledged a manufacturing defect but issued no recall.
Repair costs are significant enough that some owners did not proceed with heater core replacement. Warranty coverage was reportedly denied in at least one case. Owners characterize this as a widespread manufacturing defect affecting multiple Mopar vehicles, not an isolated failure.
Same Dodge Avenger visibility reports on nearby years: 2011 · 2012
Failure modes owners describe
Heater core failure / passenger-side heat loss
Passenger side of heating system fails to produce hot air; driver side functions normally. Results in cold air from passenger vents and defroster outlets while driver side remains warm.
When: 57,000–105,000+ miles; some failures early in vehicle life; recurrence observed months after repair
Symptoms owners cite: Cold or cool air from passenger-side dashboard vents; Cold air from passenger-side defroster vent; Cold air from center console vents; Passenger-side windshield fogging or icing over in cold weather; Unable to defrost passenger-side windows; No heat on passenger side while driver side is warm; Cabin temperature remains cold despite heater activation; Visibility impairment from fogged/iced windshield
Repairs/costs cited: Heater core replacement performed in several cases; flushing the system noted in at least one case. Repairs reported at $1,000+ range (owners cite repair cost as reason for not proceeding). Recurrence after repair within months when cold weather returns.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One owner reports dealership acknowledged it as a manufacturing defect but no recall issued. One owner reports manufacturer denied warranty coverage at 57,000 miles. Manufacturer contacted in multiple cases but did not assist according to owners.
Temperature actuator malfunction
Temperature actuator (located behind glove box) fails to control air temperature distribution; clicking noise reported. Requires multiple replacements.
When: 64,000 miles noted in one complaint; issue ongoing
Symptoms owners cite: Clicking noise from actuator; Failure to control air temperature; Hot air on driver side / cold air on passenger side; Inconsistent temperature between sides after actuator replacement; Recurrent failure after repair
Repairs/costs cited: Temperature actuator replaced three times in one vehicle with persistent issue. Owner states problem remains despite repeated replacements.
Windshield wiper seizure
Windshield wipers seized independently during operation; failure recurred twice.
When: 8,600 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Windshield wipers seized while driving
Synthesized from 23 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Tamara recall. Ok I have a problem with the heater core in my 2013 Dodge avenger. I've taken it to the dealership and they tell me that the heater core is plugged after further investigation on the internet I learned I'm not the only consumer with this problem. The dealership tells me it a defect in the manufacturing of the heater core from the factory but no recall has been issued at this time…
No heat on passenger side of vehicle. Cold air on passenger side when using defrost, so in winter months, passenger side of windshield remains foggy.
Had visibility 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 visibility problem on the 2013 Dodge Avenger?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 23 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $350 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the visibility typically fail?
Across the 17 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most visibility failures cluster between 60,000 and 100,000 miles, with the median around 82,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 60,000; a quarter make it past 100,000. 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 $350 for visibility 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 visibility?
No active recalls currently cover visibility 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.