6.9
fairly significant
AC / heater problem
We bought this car in good faith, it was good at first for the first 2 years. then we started having heater problems. The passenger side was blowing cold air with the heater on.we went to the dealer, they said the heater core is partly plugged & that it will need to be replaced at the cost of $1300. we took it for a second opinion to a mechanic. they said there is leftover sand from the engine cast when Dodge first put the car together. the sand made its way into the bottom half of the heater core that the passenger side uses for heat. I think Dodge should pay for their mistake.
- Ronald J S., Tonawanda, US
I noticed I only had heat on the driver side of the car. Took to the dealership and they said I needed a new heater core. I purchased the lifetime warranty from Chrysler and they said it was not a covered item therefore I have to pay out of pocket versus the deductible on the warranty. When you spend so much on a car and to pay additional for a warranty that should cover these types of things it makes me not want to buy the brand in the future. Needless to say this is disappointing and now I see that many others with this type of car have the same problem.
- Amanda J., Battle Creek, MI, US
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
very cold on cold days, must be a defect in the heaters. Looks like there is a lot of people with same problem.
- Cathy H., Chillicothe, US
Well, since it has gotten cold that's when I noticed the problem. I just started paying for the car and I noticed when you run the heater the passenger side is cold air coming out. I just don't know what is wrong. Should this car be recalled? I have read the other complaints and they say the same thing. It seems like Dodge should fix this with no charge to us since there are so many people complaining about the same thing. I practically live in my car and it is very cold without a good heater.
- Linda Darlene F., Hickory, NC, US
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The passenger front blows cold air all the time. I bought a heated seat insert for my wife!
- Jerry C., Dugger, IN, US
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
The heater on the passenger side stopped working. I had my dealership look at it and was told it would cost $1,002.00 to fix it. I have not had it fixed yet. I really don't have the money. I feel this should be a recall from Dodge.
- Anna A., Sevierville, TN, US
The passenger side blows cold air all the time when the heater is on. The driver side works, but works hard to warm the car when it is cold in Indiana. I got my wife a plug in heated seat so that at least she gets some heat for her body. The dealer wanted $1100 to fix it last year, I don't know what they would want now!
- Jerry C., Dugger, IN, US
I have a 2011 Dodge Avenger Mainstreet/Heat (love the car). The problem is the passenger side heat is only blowing out cold air (I have seen many complaints). I remote start my car 10-15 minutes before I leave for work and the car is still cold inside and the passenger side windshield is not defrosted and does not do so for about 25-30 miles of driving (I drive 50 miles one way to work) and I myself am still freezing when I get to work.
I have filed a complaint with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and there is also one other complaint in addition to mine for the same issue. I have also chatted with Chrysler about this issue and their response is there is no recall on this issue and until there is there is nothing that they can do. I have read a comment on here that someone had Chrysler/Dodge pay for the cost of almost all of the repairs (KUDOS to you, share how you did so please).
So please everyone that has this issue file a complaint with the NHTSA so that this issue can be recalled. We are driving nice vehicles, don't we deserve to drive a car that functions properly? The complaint is very easy to complete and only takes a couple of minutes. Please I want to be warm driving to work and when I have my grandkids with me I want them to be warm too.
- mcgrabutlr, Deshler, OH, US
I Live on east coast where the winters can, and most times are, very cold. It heats driver's side but passenger's side and center outlets blow cold air out .Now it's January and in the midst of another cold snap .The real problem is both me and the Mrs. like the car, like the look of it it and the engine is quite peppy .Any help would be great.The first two years we had this car it was just as dependable as my Ford SU.V.,now no.
- Frank L., Philadelphia, PA, US
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Looking online with ALL of the complaints on the Dodge Avengers from 2010-2012 and INCLUDING some of the same issues on 2013 models, you would think Dodge would take care of this issue. This is a COMMON problem and people having to shell out anywhere from almost $1k plus to fix. So beware if you start blowing cold air on the passenger side.... it's a bad heater core and will NEED to be replaced. Don't let the issue go as it could lead to further issues such as blowing your head gasket. This should be a RECALL issue Dodge!!! I would not recommend this car to anyone. I did buy it used, however, my vehicle is a 2011 and I've had the car just under 3yrs. I shouldn't have to shell out $1k to fix a KNOWN issue. Being a single mom with 2 kids, I bought a fairly used car and had expected routine maintenance costs but I wanted something reliable and turns out you just can't rely on Dodge. Please do your homework so you too don't get roped into this kind of cost. I've learned my lesson.
- Colleen H., Union Grove, WI, US
This has been reported over and over on this and many other sites. My 2011 Avenger blows out only warm air on the drivers side and cold on the passengers side. Called the dealer and they said its probably the heater core and radiator. With an approx. cost of 1,000- 1,900.
If Dodge knows this problem exists why won't they stand behind their product and recall it? Love the car, my first Dodge, might just stick with the Ford's from now on, they at least find problems and fix at no cost to the buyer.
- Joe C., Berkley, US
Coolant level is ok, but I still do not get heat from the heater.
- Cliff R., Hagersville, ON, Canada
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
If your heat isn't working, the problem is that you need a heater core flush. They run under $100, or you can do what I did and do it yourself via youtube. Look under 2011 Dodge Avenger heater core flush. Dodge isn't responsible for this, it's a basic car problem, particularly with older models.
- Bitter Truth S., Atlanta, GA, US