A Look At The Dodge Avenger Throttle Body Recalls

Amy S C
Jan 19, 2021

The throttle body is part of the air intake system, it controls the amount of air that’s allowed to flow into the engine. If this amount is too little or too much, it can throw the entire system out of balance.

Are there any Dodge Avenger throttle body recalls?  

As of September 2020, Dodge hasn’t issued any safety recalls for Avenger throttle bodies. However, some Avenger owners have noted complaints about the car’s throttle body

Black 2014 Dodge Avenger From Front Side

Thankfully, in this article, we’ll these complaints in more detail.

Dodge Avenger Throttle Body Complaints

An owner of a 2010 Dodge Avenger with over 80,000 miles noticed that the check engine light came on. The initial diagnosis said the crankshaft sensor should be replaced. The owner had the work completed, but the check engine light came on a second time and the engine started knocking.

This Avenger’s engine shut down at a red light and when restarted, would not go over 35 mph. The crankshaft sensor was changed again, the throttle body was cleaned, and the problem continued.

Other problems related to the Avenger’s throttle body include:

  • Random illumination of the electronic throttle control light
  • Engine misfires
  • Unpredictable power losses and stalls

The above issues were noted by several owners of 2010 Avengers and other model years, including 2013.

One owner of a 2013 Avenger in Missouri noticed that his Avenger was surging in speed while driving down the highway, illuminating warning lights and showing a P2173 Code when checking the dash light codes. The car also idled roughly and surged unpredictably while at idle.

The owner replaced the throttle body, but the problem recurred.

What Does the Lightning Bolt Mean on My Dodge Avenger Dash?

The lightning bolt indicator on the Avenger’s dash is the Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) light. It signifies a problem with the throttle system that controls the amount of fuel provided to the engine.

Problems with the throttle body sensor and the throttle body can cause the lightning bolt to illuminate. The throttle body may need to be replaced, or the powertrain control module may need to be reprogrammed or replaced.

Are there any Related Problems that Have a Safety Recall for Avenger?

In 2008, Dodge recalled 712 Dodge and Jeep models, including Avenger, because their powertrain control modules (PCM) could fail while the cars were on the road. The NHTSA recall number for this campaign is 08V528000.

Symptoms of the PCM failure are similar to the problems described by Avenger owners with throttle body problems.

How Do You Handle an Open Recall on a Dodge Avenger?

Although there aren’t any throttle body recalls for Dodge Avenger, you can check the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration site for other recalls that affect the fuel supply and fuel system along with investigations.

General Motors also has a Chevrolet Recall Center that will allow you to search for recalls on your Avenger using its VIN (vehicle identification number).

Owner Reviews

accountCircle Nelson,T on December 11, 2023
Don’t buy
I have had the car two years, looks really great. I just moved back to my home state and lost my truck to a fire. Credit then was bad. 10.5K to own the car. Cool,January 23 radiator froze $900 parts and labor. March 2023 Alternator went bad understand second year it was time. $550 altogether. August. I drive literally two mins from work to home for lunch and my car suddenly dies in the driveway. Crank it back upflashing red light, idle rougher than any way I’ve even known, engine knocking, it is jerking forward andI give it a little gas it jerks off. I jam my brakes for I was about to hit some kids in the apartments crossing to throw trash. I replaced the camshaft $45(3) 3 banks2,2 2,1 and 1,2 something like that, the crankshaft ($25), the battery($250 although with labor) and the accelerator pedal position (gaspetal) ($128) which took me all day and a missed funeral tofinally replace at 9pm because of the bolts. Here I am in December and have finally found a shop who charged me $189 to do diagnostics but has told me the throttle body i got from another car won’t work. I need a brand new one and fridge is the only place i can buy it they’ll pick it up and then take the car to dodge to be programmed and that’s another $525 for a throttle, $155or 65 to be programmed to my car. But the best is yet to come. I’ll also need a new PCM (computer) which luckily dodge isagain the only place to get one for a whopping $925 plus labor. Nearly another $1400 for parts and another $1k for parts. This is so much for someone who lives right, pay all of my own bills, no sick days allowed because i can’t afford it, and manage to get my credit all the way up paying off all debt. And I make under 12 and that’s me selling because of depression. I just wanted to vent that out to a bunch of strangers because it’s driving me insane. And, I know I could get a car with my credit but I don’t want to jump into a situation where I can’t afford it or I get sick or I’m just to afraid I might fail and have nothing again and terrible credit again. Merry Christmas to whoeverdealing with car issues like I.
accountCircle Jim on July 23, 2023
2009 dodge avenger on #4
Bought this carr in '10 with 44K KM. Had a shop change throttle body in 2012, about 85,000KM, cost about $250.00 Canadian. Replaced with a part from Chrysler $ 130.00 aprox. 2014. Replaced it again with a napa part. Cost about $ 70.00 CDN. Still working at 191.000km.= 118,000 miles 2023. The light comes on in the winter if I have let it idle to warm up for several consecutive days when the temp is below -25C (- 13 F)
accountCircle Tamica on September 23, 2022
I've had my throttle body changed 2 times
First time Iwas in a trip out of town and the car stalled in the middle of the free way....second time had it replaced because dodge said extra wires were added now I'm Gonna have it cleaned because dodge dealer says part on back order This is costing a lot of money I've almost spent half of what I paid for the car in throttle bodies
accountCircle Wendy on January 27, 2023
Throttle body
Well had the recall for the throttle body done back in 2018,now in 2022 same issue,jerks forward then slows to a crawl lightning bolt shows up with all other lights,almost caused me to have an accident, this needs to be recalled again. So many people having same issues,gotta be something with the parts... Ready to ditch the dodge.
accountCircle Wanda on February 17, 2022
Dodge 2013 Avenger SE
I had the engine light & bolt light come on car took off slow. Had it checked 2 times on a scanner at AutoZone it stated I needed to have PCV valve changed. Took to my mechanic he says has scanner didn't read that. He reset it did the bolt again now they checked it's the throttle needs to be replaced.
avatar Amy S C
Amy Casil loves cars, offroading, and auto racing, and is the happy owner of a 2006 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon. She has also published many books on science, tech, and health topics.
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