Problem Lookup › Dodge › Avenger › 2012
Car problem report
2012 Dodge Avenger problems, recalls and owner complaints
What the 2012 Dodge Avenger has been recalled for and what owners report, from official government data. Updated October 25, 2026.
- 3safety recalls
- 554owner complaints
- 34crash reports
- 7fire reports
- 35injuries reported
The most complained-about Dodge Avenger year on file: 554 complaints, against an average of 376 for the other 2 model years.
Every Dodge Avenger model year with its number of owner complaints. Pick a year to compare.
What goes wrong with the 2012 Dodge Avenger?
The components named most often in the 554 owner complaints. One complaint can name several, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
What symptoms do 2012 Dodge Avenger owners describe?
Found by reading the text of all 554 owner complaints. Tap a symptom for the answer, a real owner quote and any related recall.
Has the 2012 Dodge Avenger been recalled?
3 U.S. safety recalls. Repairs are free at a franchised dealer; some are done over the air.
Seats: Front Assembly: Head Restraint 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.
Risk: If the active headrests do not deploy in certain rear-end crashes, the front seat occupants have an increased risk of injury.
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.
Seat Belts: Pretensioner Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Chrysler 200, 2010 Chrysler Sebring, 2010-2012 Dodge Caliber and 2010-2014 Jeep Patriot, Compass and Dodge Avenger vehicles. The Occupant Restraint Control (OCR) module may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags from deploying in the event of a crash.
Risk: If the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the OCR, free of charge. Interim letters informing owners that parts are not available yet were mailed on October 26, 2016. The recall began on August 15, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S61.
Electrical System 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, through December 15, 2011; and model year 2011-2012 Jeep Liberty vehicles manufactured June 17, 2011, through August 15, 2012. Electrical over-stress of a resistor in the occupant restraint control module may lead to the non-deployment of the active head restraints during a rear impact collision.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating the deployment of the active head restraints , their non-deployment could increase the risk of injury.
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 at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N38.
Is the 2012 Dodge Avenger recalled in the UK or Europe?
Recalls issued by the UK's DVSA and through the EU's Safety Gate system that cover this model and build period. European models can differ from U.S. ones, and "years estimated" means the recall gave no build dates, so confirm your own car with your registration or VIN.
EU Safety GateThere is an internal fault in the control module for the occupant restraint controller.In the event of an accident involving a rear-end collision, this may lead to the active head restraints not being triggered.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
What do 2012 Dodge Avenger owners report?
12 of the 554 complaints, the most recent for the most-reported components, as the owners wrote them. NHTSA removes names and VINs; long reports are trimmed. CarHooq has not verified individual claims.
My 2012 dodge avenger will shut off whenever it feels like and you lose control of power steering. It feels like it’s not getting gas. It will crank back up when it feels like.The horn honks randomly.
My car dies while im driving down the street, making it difficult to steer and qhen you try to restart it, sometimes it starts and some times it don't. But this is not the first time its happened it was just the latest
Window Defrost and Passenger Heat /Air. While either in motion or while driving, no heated air exits the passenger side of the windshield defroster, nor the passenger window defrost, lower and center console vents. Heated air only exits the driver's side windshield and driver's side dash vents. Problem persists through all cabin air modes, and circulations. This safety issue effects visibility and passenger safety by failing to defrost/defog windows and keeping cabin tempuratures near or below freezing during cold weather (blowing cold air into the cabin).
I was driving and I stopped at a stop sign. When I got ready to go, the car stalled and stopped and wouldn't start. After 30 minutes, it started but I ended up having it towed. My mechanic was able to replicate it after putting the car in the sun, running it for 10 minutes and then driving it. When the mechanic tried to look at it, he couldn't find anything to cause it to stop. I look it to the dealership. They were unable to replicate it or find the problem. It seems to happen when the car gets hot it stops without warning. Other people in the Dodge Avenger online group have experienced the…
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated that upon entering the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start as intended. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the catalytic converter. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 137,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an auto repair shop where it was diagnosed that there was an open circuit in the front driver’s side air bag squib. The contact was informed that the air bag squib needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 227,000.
I have been unable to get the safety belt part for the recall. Additionally, it keeps saying I need to replace the gas cap and even the dealership cant help me.
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated while driving at approximately 35 MPH and various other speeds, the passenger’s side of the windshield defroster blower was only blowing cold air. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the HVAC system and blower needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 66,122.
Window Defrost and Passenger Side Heat/Air. Either while in motion or while driving, no heated air exits the passenger side of the windshield defroster, nor the passenger window defrost, lower and center console vents. Heated air only exits the driver's side windshield and driver's side dash vents. This results in the passenger side of the front windshield being fogged up and low visibility. Problem persists through all cabin air modes and circulations. This safety issue effects visibility and passenger safety by failing to defrost/defog windows and keeping cabin tempuratures near or below…
On November 19, 2021 I was a passenger in the above vehicle, which was owned by my ex-husband. We were involved in a 3 car accident when another car cut us off while driving at the speed of 45 mph (posted), with cruise control set. Upon impact with the 2 other vehicles, my seat (the passenger side seat) broke and threw me forward into the front passenger side compartment. Even though the dash airbags deployed, I suffered a catastrophic injury to my leg/ankle that required immediate surgery---had I not had surgery, I would have never walked again. The above vehicle had to be towed due to being…
I HAVE A 2012 DODGE AVENGER WITH APPROXIMATELY 76200 MILES ON IT. WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP LIGHT MY TRANSMISSION MADE A CLUNKING SOUND AND MY VEHICLE WOULD ONLY GO ABOUT 30 MILES PER HOUR BUT THE RPMS BUT JUMP UP TO ABOUT 7000 AND STAY THERE. I WAS ON A FOUR LANE ROADWAY GOING THROUGH A CITY WHEN THIS HAPPENED. ENDED UP MY TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED WITH 76,000 MILES ON MY VEHICLE. TRANSMISSION ISSUES SEEM TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE DODGE AVENGERS. AND OF COURSE WHEN I CALLED DODGE CUSTOMER CARE THEY STATED THEY CAN DO NOTHING FOR ME ON ANY KIND OF REIMBURSEMENT…
THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKER AND DIM WHENEVER I ROLL THE WINDOWS UP AND THE CAR SEEMS TO PUTTER AT THE SAME TIME, THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE CAR DOESN'T BLOW HEAT WHEN THE CAR IS SET TO BLOW HEAT IT ONLY BLOWS COLD AIR ALL THE TIME, THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON A FEW WEEKS AGO FOR NO REASON AND WON'T GO AWAY AFTER ALL MAINTENANCE REPAIRS. THIS CAR HAS BEEN IN AND OUT OF THE SHOP MULTIPLE TIMES AND SEVERAL MECHANICS HAVE TOLD ME THEIR IS NO SEVERE ISSUES WITH THIS CAR. BUT ALL ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS KEEP HAPPENING AND I'VE ALREADY HAD TO REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR AND JUMP START THE BATTERY TWICE. I'VE…
2012 Dodge Avenger: questions owners ask
Is the 2012 Dodge Avenger reliable?
NHTSA data alone cannot rate reliability, but it shows what owners reported. Owners filed 554 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Dodge Avenger; the most common categories were air bags (109, 19.7%), electrical system (109, 19.7%), visibility/wiper (95, 17.1%). There are 3 safety recalls. 34 complaints mention a crash, 7 mention a fire, 35 injuries were reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Dodge Avenger?
Across 554 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the categories mentioned most often are air bags (19.7% of complaints), electrical system (19.7% of complaints), visibility/wiper (17.1% of complaints), engine (15.7% of complaints), seat belts (7.8% of complaints). One complaint can name several components.
Does the 2012 Dodge Avenger have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2012 Dodge Avenger; the most recent (campaign 17V640000, 2017-10-10) concerns Seats: Front Assembly: Head Restraint. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Why does the heater or defroster not work in my 2012 Dodge Avenger?
78 of the 554 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2012 Dodge Avenger (14.1%) describe the heater or defroster not working. One owner wrote: "Heater/Defrost, Yes it is available upon request. The defrost and passenger side heat only blows cold air I have changed everything possible and still the problem remains. I cannot see out of the windshield passenger side because it does not defrost." (NHTSA complaint 11456350, March 2022). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why is the airbag light on in my 2012 Dodge Avenger?
42 of the 554 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2012 Dodge Avenger (7.6%) describe airbag warning lights or airbag faults. A related recall exists: campaign 16V668000 (seat belts: pretensioner). The fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the OCR, free of charge. One owner wrote: "The vehicles may experience loss of air bag and seat belt pretensioner deployment capability in certain crash events due to a shorting condition resulting in a negative voltage transient that travels to the occupant restraint controller via the front impact…" (NHTSA complaint 11388702, January 2021). Recall repairs are free at a dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Why does my 2012 Dodge Avenger stall, lose power or shut off while driving?
40 of the 554 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2012 Dodge Avenger (7.2%) describe the engine stalling, losing power or shutting off while driving. One owner wrote: "My TIPM is failing. Due to this, my vehicle stalls randomly with no repair codes being shown after stalling. Everything from the battery to the catalytic converter has been replaced to no avail." (NHTSA complaint 11442655, December 2021). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Check your own Avenger
Counts are a starting point, not a verdict: popular models collect more complaints because more of them are on the road, and NHTSA does not verify individual reports. To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls (U.S.) or your registration at check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.uk (UK). Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations and recalls.
Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation recall and complaint databases (public domain), EU Safety Gate alerts (© European Union), retrieved October 25, 2026. Model year 2012 only.