2014 Dodge Avenger powertrain problems
moderate 11 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2014 Dodge Avenger has a serious and unresolved electronic throttle control and transmission issue that causes sudden power loss, stalling, and dangerous acceleration lapses at low and highway speeds. Multiple owners report replacing throttle bodies, sensors, and fuel caps with no permanent fix; some suspect PCM failure. This is a safety hazard worth walking away from.
Owners of the 2014 Dodge Avenger describe a pattern of throttle control failures that create acute safety risks. The electronic throttle control (ETC) light blinks or stays steady, then the engine loses all power—limiting the car to 13–20 mph or causing complete stalling. This happens without pattern: mid-turn, at traffic lights, during highway driving, or after sitting idle. One owner was almost rear-ended when power dropped; another ran a red light when the car accelerated instead of braking.
Dealers and independent mechanics have replaced throttle bodies, MAP sensors, and crankshaft position sensors, but relief is temporary or nonexistent. Scan tools often show no codes or conflicting codes that don't fix the problem when addressed. One mechanic suspected a faulty PCM, a common Dodge issue. Rough idle, transmission engagement problems (refusal to shift into reverse), unwanted acceleration, and sudden stalling at speed compound the hazard. Engine ticking and persistent oil leaks (despite gasket replacement) suggest additional internal wear. Owners note similar complaints online across many Avengers, but no recall has addressed these failures.
Same Dodge Avenger powertrain reports on nearby years: 2011 · 2012 · 2013
Failure modes owners describe
Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) malfunction with power loss and stalling
Throttle control warning light illuminates (often blinking) accompanied by sudden loss of engine power, severe speed limitation (13–20 mph tops), rough idle, stalling, and inability to accelerate. Occurs randomly during normal driving, at traffic lights, or during turns. Dealer and independent scans often reveal no codes or conflicting codes (MAP sensor, crankshaft position sensor, vacuum). Mechanics have replaced throttle body, MAP sensor, and crankshaft position sensor with only temporary relief; some suspect PCM failure.
When: Random; ranges from early ownership to 58,000+ miles; can occur multiple times over weeks or disappear intermittently
Symptoms owners cite: Throttle control warning light flashing or steady; Sudden loss of engine power; vehicle limited to 13–20 mph; Rough idle; RPMs drop to 200 or stall entirely; Vehicle stalls mid-turn or mid-intersection; Unresponsive gas pedal despite full depression; Traction control light also illuminates; Check engine light may or may not appear; Power returns after restart, sometimes only temporarily
Codes mentioned: P0133 (crankshaft position sensor), P0122 (throttle position sensor), MAP sensor codes, Vacuum codes (later ruled out), Often no codes detected
Repairs/costs cited: Throttle body replacement ($unknown); MAP sensor replacement ($unknown); crankshaft position sensor replacement ($unknown); PCM replacement considered. Dealer diagnostic charge cited as $100. None resolved the issue permanently.
Unwanted acceleration or inability to brake
Vehicle accelerates on its own without driver input, or accelerates when driver expects braking. One complaint reports automatic acceleration after stall restart. Another describes the car slamming into reverse gear unexpectedly when light pressure applied to accelerator while in reverse position.
When: Sporadic; one instance tied to stall recovery; one during low-speed reversal maneuver
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle accelerates without foot on gas pedal; Vehicle continues to accelerate when driver is braking; Forced acceleration after engine restart; Sudden slam into reverse gear during low-speed reversal
Transmission shift/engagement failure (neutral/reverse)
Vehicle refuses to shift into reverse or fails to engage reverse gear; instead moves forward even after driver selects reverse. One complaint describes difficulty getting car into reverse, followed by sudden violent engagement ('slammed into reverse') when light throttle applied. Another reports car would not reverse on command but drove normally once shift to drive was selected.
When: Low-speed maneuvers (U-turn, driveway backing); one incident at ~55,000 miles per complaint #7 context
Symptoms owners cite: Reverse gear will not engage; car moves forward instead; Delayed or violent engagement into reverse when throttle applied; Gear shift into reverse met with resistance or no response
Engine stalling without warning at speed
Engine cuts off completely while driving at any speed (35–65 mph). Vehicle must be shifted to neutral and restarted. Stalling often occurs at traffic lights or in busy intersections, creating acute safety hazard. Can happen repeatedly over short periods. Check engine light rarely illuminates before stall; multiple codes thrown afterward are often unrelated or conflicting.
When: Unpredictable; multiple incidents within days to weeks; one complaint mentions 'everyday at anytime'
Symptoms owners cite: Complete engine shutdown while driving; No warning lights prior to stall in many instances; Must shift to neutral to restart; Sometimes won't restart on first attempt; Stalling at traffic lights and intersections poses collision risk; Check engine light may appear after stall but codes are inconsistent
Codes mentioned: Crankshaft position sensor codes (P0335 implied), Throttle position sensor codes, Random/conflicting codes post-stall
Repairs/costs cited: Crankshaft position sensor replaced; throttle body position sensor replaced. No resolution.
Rough idle and transmission engagement issues
Engine idles rough with RPMs dropping dangerously low (~200 rpm). Complaint #2 reports transmission engagement problem (difficulty shifting into reverse followed by violent engagement) paired with rough idle and ETC light. One complaint mentions tapping/ticking engine noise and oil leak after valve cover gasket and oil pan gasket replacement, suggesting possible internal wear or continued seal failure.
When: During low-speed driving and gear engagement; complaint #3 mentions oil loss ongoing after repairs
Symptoms owners cite: Rough, unstable idle; RPMs drop toward stall threshold; Engine ticking or tapping noise; Transmission slow to engage or engages violently; Oil leak persisting despite gasket replacement; Oil visible on engine exterior
Repairs/costs cited: Valve cover gasket and oil pan gasket replaced; ticking persists and oil leak continues.
Poor acceleration and jerking during turns and take-off
Vehicle struggles to accelerate at intersections, during turns, and after stops. Jerks violently, loses power randomly regardless of RPM or driving conditions. Makes passing maneuvers unsafe. One complaint ties poor acceleration to loss of power ('loses acceleration randomly no matter high RPMs or low RPMs').
When: Ongoing; occurs on highway and street; unpredictable timing
Symptoms owners cite: Hesitation and jerking during acceleration from stops; Power loss during left and right turns; Inability to accelerate to highway speed safely; Random loss of acceleration at any RPM; Unsafe for passing or lane changes
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One owner states belief that Dodge acknowledges the issues but refuses to fix them; unverified.
Engine overheating and heater core failure
Heater core failure reported at 58,000 miles leading to engine overheating. One year of ownership with no accidents reported.
When: 58,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of heat function; Engine overheating
Repairs/costs cited: Heater core failure; cost not cited.
Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2014 Dodge Avenger?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 11 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 58,000 and 89,000 miles, with the median around 75,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 58,000; a quarter make it past 89,000. 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 $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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.