I was driving to the store and out of nowhere my car completely shut down the lights engine everything my steering wheel locked and I couldn't apply my breaks
Dodge Avenger steering lock-up problems
25 of the 3,158 owner complaints about the Dodge Avenger describe steering wheel locks up, most of them for the 2013 model year.
- owner complaints
- 25
- worst model year
- 2013
- typical mileage
- 97,247
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
- 20143
- 20135
- 20124
- 20113
- 20101
- 20091
- 20084
- 19971
- 19961
- 19952
Often reported together
Stalling 8Engine failure 6Brake failure 3Won't start 2Warning lights 2Loss of power 2No deployment 2Pulling 1
What owners say
Vehicle shuts off while driving steering locks brakes lock this vehicle has 5 recalls but VIN only reports two recalls this is dangerous I drive highway to and from work please help
Engine shut off while driving brakes locked steering locked vehicle no start
Deployed airbag loss of power engine shut off while driving brakes lock steering lock no start
I was driving the car down the road when all of a sudden the wheels locked up and pulled hard left and my steering wheel locked up as well and I crashed
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 dodge avenger. While driving 60 MPH, the vehicle downshifted to 10 MPH and lost power. Additionally, the vehicle jerked, skid, the steering wheel seized, and the traction control and throttle warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the brakes, sway bar, and battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to luther brookdale chrysler jeep dodge ram (8188 brooklyn blvd, brooklyn park, mn 55445, (612) 326-3931), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and a voice message was left, but they failed to respond. The contact stated that she was terrified to drive the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 dodge avenger. The contact stated that the steering wheel locked and the vehicle crashed into a fence traveling at 30 MPH. The contact had tried to turn the steering wheel but failed when the accident occurred. As a result, the bumper was dislocated and the passenger side tire was damaged. There were no injuries and a police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the police station. The dealer thunderhawk auto sales located at 638 n interstate 35, cotulla, tx 78014 830‑399‑0559 stated that the vehicle was fine when he first sold the vehicle to the contact. The dealer later texted the contact to remind her to still make the vehicle payments. The vehicle had had many of mechanical issue since it was purchased. The failure mileage and VIN were not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 dodge avenger. The contact stated that while reversing out of her driveway, the steering seized and the brakes were inoperable. The vehicle was restarted and the vehicle operated as intended. The contact also stated that there was an abnormal vibration in the steering. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The failure mileage was 56,345.
Dashboard lights up without warning; dealer failed to correct or report when first purchased vehicle in 2011. Now in 2019, dealer denies record despite having given us loaner jeep and chrysler 200 in separate occasions. In 2019, car lights up randomly, engine stops while driving on freeway or in regular street traffic or turning at an intersection, and dealer reports unable to correct. Extremely hazardous. Worth a lawsuit. Dash lights up, engine shuts off, steering wheel locks, car sometimes starts again but not always. We paid the dealer to fully replace the crank sensor but that isn't fixing it. Tpm sensor warning appeared and isn't going away despite dealer stating it should. Replacing psi sensor did not correct this system warning either. Dealer said warning appeared 518 miles before we took it in but the error occurred on 5/12/19 and we took it in on 5/14/19, only driving about 15 miles from 5/12 - 5/12/19. Either dealer lied or info isn't being held on computer's memory. Tired of almost getting crashed into because the car randomly dies.
While driving my steering wheel locked up and the brake would not engage while the engine was still running. And this has happened about 4 times within a couple of months.
Related recalls
Steering: column
- What is wrong
- 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 built with a missing or incorrectly installed steering column pivot rivet.
- 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 condition may increase the potential for injury in a frontal crash.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 11V315000 · Recall details
Steering: electric power assist system
- What is wrong
- Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2010 chrysler sebring, 300, charger (lx) and dodge challenger (lc), avenger (js), and journey (jc), as well as model year 2011 dodge ram light duty pickup (ds) vehicles. Some of these vehicles may experience a separation at the crimped end of the power steering pressure hose assembly.
- Risk
- Leaked power steering fluid onto hot engine components could cause a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace as necessary the power steering pressure hoses free of charge. The safety recall began on december 20, 2010. Owners may contact chrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.
Recall number 10V475000 · Recall details
Questions about the Dodge Avenger steering lock-up
Which Dodge Avenger years have steering wheel locks up problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2013 (5 complaints), 2008 (4 complaints) and 2012 (4 complaints).
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