DodgeAvenger20092.0L L4 Diesel/dodge/avenger/2009/2-0l-l4-diesel/
JS platform

2009 Dodge Avenger — 2.0L L4 Diesel

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2009 Avenger 2.0L L4 Diesel. Covers both the standard and High Output 2.0L L4 Diesel.

Body PASSENGER CAREngine 2.0L L4 Diesel

Built on the JS platform as a passenger car and powered by a 2.0L L4 diesel engine, the 2009 Dodge Avenger logged 67 owner complaints driven primarily by air bag issues alongside two recalls. When placed within the broader 1995-2015 model history, this year sits far below the 844 complaints that plagued the 2008 model and much closer to the 2015 low of a single complaint. Consequently, the 2009 model represents a substantial improvement in reliability over the previous year, offering researchers a clear turning point in the vehicle's overall reliability trajectory.

Model year200920082007

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Lug nut torque85-115 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses OE oil filter 04884899AC. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Tail / brake / turnLAMPOEM · verified
Tire sizeP215-65R16OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter04884899AC alt 04892339BH
Engine air filter04891926AB alt 04891713AB
Spark plugSP0ZFR5F11 alt SP00ZFR5AP
BatteryBB34A901AA alt BB86F101AA
Front wiper bladesWBF00024AB alt WBF00022AB
Serpentine belt04891935AC alt 04891721AB
Thermostat68273161AA alt 55111016AC
Cabin air filter05058693AA

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length190.9 in
Overall width71.7 in
Overall height58.7 in
Wheelbase109.1 in
Curb weight3400 lb
Track (front / rear)61.8 / 61.4 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)62/38

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 85-115 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 21.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF+4
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity5
Brake FluidDOT 3

Engine torques

Cylinder Head StepsIf your bolt has the short head
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug21.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts85-115 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub118 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.00 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity3.40 oz

Service checks

Intake Valve LashHydraulic in
Exhaust Valve LashHydraulic in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket32 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle52 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket32 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle80 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.040; Rear: 0.040 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0006 in / 0.0002 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.0024 in / 0.0016 in / 0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.386 in / 1.02 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages
1Bolts 1-8 to 48 N##m (35 ft. lbs.)35 ft. lbs
2Bolts 1-8 to 75 N##m (55 ft. lbs.)55 ft. lbs
3Bolts 1-8 to 75 N##m (55 ft. lbs.)55 ft. lbs
4Bolts 1-8 to +90 degrees Turn Do not use a torque wrench for this step.90 degrees
5Bolts 9-11 to 28 N##m (250 in. lbs.)250 in

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 6,000 mi; coolant every 100,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 100,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 6,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
At 12,000 miCV Joint Boot (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 12,000 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 24,000 miCV Joint Boot (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect) · Tie Rod (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 90,000 miPCV Valve (inspect)
Every 100,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 102,000 miTransmission Fluid & Filter (replace)

Owner how-tos

Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.

Common procedures

Key fob — remote (RKE) programming programming new fob buttons Dealer tool OEM · verified
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
WhyTransmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module
Anti-theft (SKIS) — module initialization after immobilizer module replacement Dealer tool OEM · verified
When neededAfter Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool
Also requiredThe vehicle's four-digit PIN code

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2009 Dodge Avenger sits in the middle of the second-generation run (2008–2014) and stands out as a relative low point in complaints and recalls. The 2008 model year had a very high 844 complaints and 6 recalls, suggesting a problematic launch. In contrast, the 2009 dropped sharply to just 67 complaints and 2 recalls, with zero investigations—the best safety record of any year in this generation. However, complaints then rose again in 2010 (163) and peaked in 2012–2013 (553 and 547, respectively), indicating that the 2009’s low numbers may reflect early production refinements rather than a fundamentally improved design. The top complaint areas for 2009 are air bags (7), unknown/other (5), engine (4), and power train (4), with only 3 crash complaints and no fire complaints. **Overall, the 2009 is the best year to buy within this generation based on the federal record, as it has the fewest complaints and recalls, but you should still budget for potential issues given the model’s later-year troubles.**

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
37
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
67
Owner complaints
3 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 67 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags7
Unknown Or Other5
Engine4
Power Train4
Visibility/Wiper3
Fuel/Propulsion System3
Service Brakes, Hydraulic3
Seat Belts2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

09V047000Fuel System, Other:Storage:Fuel Gauge SystemReported 04/02/2009

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 91 MY 2009 SEBRING AND DODGE AVENGER EQUIPPED WITH 2.4L ENGINE PASSENGER VEHICLES. A COMPATIBILITY ISSUE BETWEEN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER SOFTWARE AND FUEL PUMP MODULE CAN RESULT IN THE FUEL GAUGE… Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MARCH 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

08V528000Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm)Reported 09/10/2008

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 712 MY 2009 SEBRING, DODGE CALIBER, AVENGER, JOURNEY, JEEP PATRIOT, AND COMPASS VEHICLES. A NEW ADHESIVE USED IN THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) MANUFACTURING PROCESS CAN CAUSE THE PRINTED… Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PCM FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 10, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 37 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
1039542025-04-02Unknown Or OtherACTUATOR - A/C AND HEATER
1040872025-04-02Unknown Or OtherACTUATOR - A/C AND HEATER
91002262023-09-15Electrical SystemConnector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar…
91002262023-09-15Electrical SystemConnector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar…
90040092021-04-07Power TrainTransmission Kit with Torque Converter 1. All Promaster (VF) 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P2002
Diesel particulate filter efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0401
Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) flow insufficient
P20EE
SCR NOx catalyst efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0087
Fuel rail / system pressure too low
P0299
Turbocharger / supercharger underboost condition

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Avenger. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 2009 Avenger have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.