Head-to-head reliability
Dodge Avenger vs FORD F 150
How the Dodge Avenger and FORD F 150 compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Dodge Avenger vs FORD F 150: The Avenger averaged 291 complaints per year over 9 years, while the F-150 averaged 1,162 over 10 years. The Avenger’s top issue is electrical (552), the F-150’s is power train (3,648). Both have 1 death reported. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Dodge Avenger or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Dodge Avenger
The Dodge Avenger is a mid-size sedan that, based on owner complaints, demands patience and a repair budget. Over nine years it averaged about 291 complaints per year, with electrical and air-bag issues dominating the list. Owners describe intermittent electrical gremlins and air-bag warnings that can be hard to diagnose, making it a car you buy only after a thorough inspection.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with a much higher complaint volume—about 1,162 per year over ten years—but that reflects its huge sales numbers. The standout pattern is power-train trouble, especially transmission limp mode and lead-frame failures, plus electrical and lighting complaints. Buyers should expect that some model years carry known, recurring defects that can affect drivability.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Dodge Avenger | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 2,623 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 32 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 151 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 291.4 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 147 Better | 297 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 1 | 1 |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
Dodge Avenger
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM552
- 02AIR BAGS515
- 03ENGINE437
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER418
- 05POWER TRAIN366
Owners report erratic idle RPM (rising and falling 200–300), hard starting, and power windows that suddenly drop into the door. These symptoms can leave you stranded or unable to close a window, and multiple shops may fail to diagnose the root cause.
The air-bag light flickers on and off, often beeping, especially during left turns; some owners pull the fuse out of fear of deployment. This means the supplemental restraint may not work when needed, and the cause can be a steering-column clock-spring issue.
Complaints include unintended acceleration or revving that forces harder braking, plus bogging down between 40–65 mph. These behaviors are safety-relevant because they affect speed control and can surprise a driver in traffic.
While specific sample text is limited, the 366 power-train complaints suggest transmission or driveline issues that owners may face. A buyer should test-drive for shuddering, delayed engagement, or warning lights.
“2009 DODGE AVENGER RPMS WOULD RISE AND FALL 200-300 AT IDLE. EXHAUST/MUFFLER WOULD RATTLE. HAVE BEEN TO MULTIPLE SHOPS AND THEY CANNOT DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. IT IS TAKING LONGER TO START UP. THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED 2 MONTHS AGO. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED LA…”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE AVENGER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ROLL DOWN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW WHEN IT SUDDENLY SLID DOWN INTO THE DOOR. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO ROLL THE WINDOW BACK UP. THE CONTACT TOOK THE…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners describe a 'lead frame' issue that can cause the truck to enter limp mode or stick in 5th gear, sometimes nearly causing a collision. A 2017 V8 with the 6-speed automatic is specifically cited for daily limp-mode events, so test for harsh or delayed shifts.
The same lead-frame defect is also filed under electrical, and one owner reported a rear-window defroster short that shattered the back glass outward. These faults can disable the truck or create a sudden safety hazard.
A rear-window defroster short caused the back window to explode outward with no impact, according to one report. Such unexpected glass failure is a serious concern for passengers and should be checked on any used F-150.
With 1,224 complaints, lighting problems are common—likely including failing lamps or wiring. Poor lighting affects visibility and can lead to tickets or unsafe driving at night.
“This lead frame issue is never ending. Well over a decade without a proper remedy. I’m very familiar with it. but this one nearly ended my life. After the near collision I called my mechanic and bought a new ford lead frame from a dealership. It’s doing fine…”
“My 2017 Ford F-150 V8 with the 6-speed automatic transmission has been experiencing a serious and recurring transmission malfunction. The truck has consistently, almost on a daily basis, gone into limp mode and become stuck in 5th gear. It also frequently fai…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
Dodge Avenger — 32 recalls
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2012 Jeep Liberty and 2012-2013 Chrysler 200 and Dodge Avenger vehicles. A component within the occupant restraint controller (ORC) may fail and prevent the active headrests from deploying in the event of a rear-end crash.
The risk: If the active headrests do not deploy in certain rear-end crashes, the front seat occupants have an increased risk of injury.
The fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ORC as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 4, 2017. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is T56.
The defect: Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Sebring and 200 vehicles manufactured June 28, 2011, through December 13, 2012; model year 2011-2013 Dodge Avenger vehicles manufactured June 25, 2011, through January 14, 2013; model year 2011-2012 Dodge Nitro vehicles manufactured June 17, 2011,…
The risk: In the event of a crash necessitating the deployment of the active head restraints , their non-deployment could increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will flash the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) or replace the occupant restraint control module, as needed, free of charge. The recall began on November 19, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler…
The defect: CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011DODGE JOURNEY, JEEP WRANGLER, CHRYSLER 200, CHRYSLER 200 CONVERTIBLE, DODGE AVENGER, DODGE NITRO, JEEP LIBERTY, DODGE CALIBER, JEEP COMPASS, JEEP PATRIOT, DODGE GRAND CARAVAN AND CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUIL…
The risk: A MISSING OR INCORRECTLY INSTALLED RIVET COULD COMPROMISE THE ABILITY OF THE STEERING COLUMN TO SUPPORT THE OCCUPANT LOADS IN THE EVENT OF A FRONTAL CRASH, DECREASING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE FRONTAL IMPACT SAFETY SYSTEM. AS A RESULT, THE…
The fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR RIVET PRESENCE AND ALIGNMENT AND REPAIR THE STEERING COLUMN PIVOT AS REQUIRED, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 4, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
The defect: CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 CHRYSLER SEBRING; DODGE AVENGER AND NITRO; JEEP LIBERTY, COMMANDER AND GRAND CHEROKEE; AND MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 DODGE RAM TRUCK. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH AN IMPROPERLY FORMED OR MISSING BRAKE BOOSTER INPUT ROD RETAINING CLIP.
The risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN BRAKE FAILURE WITHOUT WARNING WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH.
The fix: CHRYSLER WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE BOOSTER INPUT ROD RETAINING CLIP FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING FEBRUARY 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
FORD F 150 — 151 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater. Water and contaminants may get into the block heater cable's splice connector causin…
The risk: When the heater is plugged in, prolonged corrosion could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring which can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the block heater cable, free of charge. Once parts are available, Dealers will replace the engine block heater cable, free of charge. The recall began June 3, 2019. Owners may contact Ford…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater and previously remedied under recall 18V894. During the previous repair, the block he…
The risk: A damaged cable could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the engine block heater from being used. When replacement cables become available, a second notice will be mailed and dealers will replace the engine block heater cord, free of charge. The…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford F-150 Regular Cab and SuperCrew Cab vehicles. If a front seat belt pretensioner deploys as the result of a crash, the sparks may ignite materials such as carpeting or insulation within the B-pillar area.
The risk: A vehicle fire could result if materials ignite inside the vehicle.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove the B-pillar insulation material and wiring harness tape, and install heat resistant tape, free of charge. The recall began September 28, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ford F-150, and 2017 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty trucks. The doors on these vehicles may have a bent or kinked actuation cable or the door latches may freeze after water gets into the latch. Either condition can result in the do…
The risk: A door that opens while driving can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the door latch actuation cables and repair if necessary, and install water shields over the door latches, free of charge. The recall began October 12, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer…
Buyer analysis
Dodge Avenger or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Dodge Avenger has far fewer complaints per year (about 291 vs. 1,162 for the F-150), but that partly reflects lower production. In practice, the Avenger’s issues cluster around electrical and air-bag warnings, while the F-150’s top problem is a power-train limp-mode defect that can strand you. Fewer complaints per year does not automatically mean fewer serious failures.
Key differences
- The Avenger’s most-reported area is electrical (552 complaints), with symptoms like erratic idle and windows falling into the door; the F-150’s is power train (3,648), with limp mode and stuck gears.
- Air-bag warnings are a top Avenger complaint (515), often tied to flickering lights and beeping; the F-150’s air-bag complaints are not in its top five, but its lead-frame issue appears under both power train and electrical.
- The F-150 has 151 recalls vs. 32 for the Avenger, meaning more campaign history to check for open recalls.
- The Avenger’s sample complaints include unintended acceleration/revving, while the F-150’s include a rear-window defroster short that shattered glass.
- Check the air-bag light: it should come on briefly with ignition and then go out—if it flickers, beeps, or stays on, walk away or budget for clock-spring repair.
- Test all power windows and listen for odd idle fluctuations; a window that drops into the door or an RPM that rises and falls at idle points to electrical faults.
- Scan for transmission codes (especially P0722) and test-drive for limp mode or sticking in 5th gear; the lead-frame defect is a known, recurring problem.
- Inspect the rear window and defroster operation—a short can shatter the glass—and check for open recalls on the VIN.
Before you buy
- Run a VIN-specific recall check for both vehicles and confirm all open recalls have been remedied.
- On the Avenger, have a mechanic check the air-bag system, idle stability, and all window regulators.
- On the F-150, insist on a transmission scan and a highway test drive that includes several stop-and-go cycles to provoke limp mode.
- Ask for service records showing whether the F-150’s lead frame or output-speed-sensor software update has been done.
- Budget for a pre-purchase inspection by a shop that knows the specific model’s common faults, not just a generic check.
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Dodge Avenger or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Dodge Avenger vs FORD F 150
- Dodge Avenger total complaints
- 2,623
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Dodge Avenger total recalls
- 32
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Dodge Avenger avg complaints/year
- 291.4
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Dodge Avenger
- Dodge Avenger top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN