The 2009 Dodge Avenger is a solid blend of Dodge power and family car practicality, and it’s priced to move, with typical listing prices under $5,000. But the Acura TL is a much better blend of power and practicality.
Is the 2009 Dodge Avenger a Good Used Car?
- Overall Rating 7/10 – The 2009 Dodge Avenger is a decent used car and a fair compromise of sporty and practical, but there are other cars that do the same, but better.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 7/10 – The Avenger’s cabin design is a bit awkward, and trunk space is tight.
- Reliability 8/10 – Maintenance costs are low, and major mechanical issues are rare for the first 200,000 miles.
- Safety 6/10 – Anti-lock brakes cost extra, and the car has an active safety warning on file with the NHTSA.
- Gas Mileage 8/10 – The entry level model gets 21/30 miles to the gallon, which is really good for a Dodge.
- Value 7/10 – It’s cheap, but you get what you pay for. Spend just a little extra and you could have an Acura TL, which does pretty much everything an Avenger does, but better.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the 2009 Dodge Avenger?
Consumer Reports were generally not impressed by the 2009 Avenger, ranking it at the bottom of its class thanks to the stiff ride, squeaky suspension, wide turns, cheap cabin trim, big blind spot, and cramped seats. They concede that it does deliver the quick, muscular acceleration you want from a Dodge, though.
Kelley Blue Book report the 2009 Dodge Avenger to be a fair compromise of muscle car performance and mid-size sedan practicality, calling it the most “NASCAR-esque” option in its category. They note that the car generally feels kind of cheap and unrefined from top to bottom, though.
Edmunds found the highway ride smooth and quiet, they liked the sporty R/T model and the wide assortment of onboard tech features, and they even found the car to be more fuel-efficient than you expect of a Dodge. They report that the base engine is underpowered, the interior trim feels cheap, and the brakes feel weak.
What Common Problems Does the 2009 Dodge Avenger Have?
The 2009 Dodge Avenger has generated just 65 complaints with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 11 of these are for airbags, with one driver reporting the airbags deploying when they bumped another car while parking.
There is an active safety warning listed on the Avenger’s NHTSA page regarding side impact. The driver door popped open during the NHTSA’s side impact test, increasing the likelihood of drivers being thrown from the vehicle.
A handful of engine and powertrain complaints see the car losing power or stalling out while in motion. In more cases than not, this likely has to do with a small recall issued in 2008 for failing powertrain control modules and fuel pump relays.
The 2009 Dodge Avenger has only been recalled twice.
How Long Will the 2009 Dodge Avenger Last?
A 2009 Dodge Avenger should last at least 200,000 miles with adequate maintenance, and up to a quarter million depending on your driving and maintenance habits. Some drivers report mileage closer to 300,000, but that takes a bit of luck in a used model.
Repairpal estimate an annual maintenance cost of around $520, with the most expensive common repair being a new timing chain tensioner, starting at around $688.
So far so good it is a very reliable vehicle in my opinion I only had it for a few months and the only problems I had was the radiator hoses.
The only problem I have had is a small coolant leak. Considering the fact that the car is ten years old, I am very happy with its condition.
I have experienced some problems with it my fourth year of having it. In the last few months the brakes have needed to be changed and the car needed a whole new steering system. Those repairs were very costly for how many miles are on the car. Last year, winter 2018, I also had to replace the tires. So I have put about $3,000 worth of work into the car combining those three things.
It is mostly reliable. It has a problem with the engine light sensor coming on and you go get it checked out and there is nothing wrong with the vehicle. The mechanics are baffled as to why it will not go off and stay off. The tires seem to wear a lot faster than previous cars that I have drove.
Yes, the only major problem we had with it was we had to have some transmission work done to it other than that nothing else.
I feel like it is. I've had none for 2 years and haven't had any problems. It has 4 doors which makes it easy for company to ride. The trunk is roomy for groceries or other things.
I feel like it’s been very reliable for me but I also work from home so don't drive it often. My only issue really with it is the rear tires make strange noises
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology in the 2009 Avenger is fairly basic. The car comes with a CD/MP3 player with four speakers, and no upgrade options.
Safety technology is even more basic. Anti-lock brakes cost extra no matter which model you go with.
Is the 2009 Dodge Avenger a Good Value?
The 2009 Dodge Avenger isn’t quite a muscle car, but it’s muscly, and it’s one of the more affordable cars in the almost-sporty category. An entry level SE typically lists for around $4,721, while a performance-oriented R/T goes for $5,366.
Cost of ownership is reasonable, with major repairs being few and far between, basic maintenance costs being nice and low, and fuel economy being better than you expect of a Dodge.
What are the Different Models of the 2009 Dodge Avenger?
The 2009 Dodge Avenger is offered in two trim levels across three models, from the base SE to the R/T performance model.
With the entry-level SE you’re getting:
- Remote keyless entry
- Cloth seating
- Manual air conditioning
- CD/MP3 player with 4 speakers
The high-end SXT and the sporty R/T add:
- Heated mirrors
- Leather seating
- Fog lights
- Heated front seats
What Engines Come In the 2009 Dodge Avenger?
- The base engine found in the SE and the SXTis a 2.4L inline-four delivering 173 horsepower and 166 lb.-ft. of torque. This is paired to a 4-speed automatic in front wheel drive, and it averages 21/30 miles to the gallon.
- In the R/T you’ll find a 3.5L V6 delivering 235 horsepower and 232 lb.-ft. of torque. This is paired to a 4-speed automatic in front wheel drive and it averages 19/27 miles to the gallon. The R/T hits zero to sixty in 7.1 seconds, so it’s not exactly a straight up muscle car, but it has a little more oomph than you might expect in a family sedan.
What Colors Does the 2009 Dodge Avenger Come In?
How Comfortable Is the 2009 Dodge Avenger?
The 2009 Dodge Avenger is not the most comfortable car on the road. You’ve got 53 inches of hip room, which isn’t bad, but interior layout has been poorly optimized to make the cabin feel smaller than it is, interior trim materials feel cheap, and suspension is rigid.
How Much Storage Space Does the 2009 Dodge Avenger Have?
The 2009 Avenger offers 13 cubic feet of space in the trunk. This is on the smaller side for a mid-size sedan, packing four medium suitcases and not much else.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
2009 was the second model year for the Dodge Avenger’s relaunch as a sedan, which would last from 2008 to 2014.
2008: Debuting as a replacement for the Dodge Stratus, the all-new Avenger premiered in three trim levels with two engines on the Chrysler/Mitsubishi JS platform.
2009: 2009 was the last year for the SE trim level.
2010: Dodge made anti-lock brakes standard for 2010.
2011: Interior trim materials got an upgrade for 2011, and the V6 was upgraded to a 3.6L.
How Does the 2009 Dodge Avenger Compare to the Competition?
The 2009 Dodge Avenger is cheaper than most of its competitors, but that doesn’t necessarily make it the best choice of the bunch.
If you’re buying a Dodge Avenger because you really want a Charger, an entry-level 2009 Charger is only a thousand dollars more.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for the perfect combination of sporty and practical, the 305 horsepower Acura TL is a lot more sporty than the Avenger, and a lot more practical, being built on a long-lasting Toyota powertrain. It’s a little pricier, typically starting at around $7,500, but worth it.
The Dodge Avenger isn’t a bad car, but there are both more powerful, and more practical options out there in the same price range.
Do Owners Recommend the 2009 Dodge Avenger?
Yes it is a very good vehicle and great on gas it is a really nice family car and parts are not outrageous.
It is sporty and reliable. It is low maintenance and gets pretty good gas mileage. It feels like it has a lot of power for its small size.
It is a reliable vehicle. It runs well with high mileage. Oil changes are affordable. It is easy to change the headlights on it. However, changing the battery on it is difficult because you have to remove the front tire. You cannot just take it to an auto parts store to get the battery changed. That is a simple inconvenience.
I think that it is an okay car. It is mostly reliable. It seems to have good fuel mileage. It is comfortable inside but could have a little more leg room. The engine light tends to go on and off for no reason.
Yes I like the Dodge Avenger as far as cars go. I also have had better cars such as the Mitsubishi galant. The gallant rode a lot better.
Yes it is. It has everything in it that makes the ride comfortable. Being a high performance it goes great down the road and on the freeway.
Yes I love the way it runs and has been good to me! I also love how smoothly it rides too. My only issue would be the tires and the weird noises that it makes
