2012 Dodge Avenger: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 553 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is visibility/wiper (19% of complaints); the 2010 and 2011 and 2014 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2017
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 553 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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”Owner report · Engine · May 2026
“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).”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2025
“The contact called on behalf of her son who owns a 2012 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated that while her son was exiting a parking lot, upon driving over a speed bump, the passenger's side head restraint unintendedly deployed. There was no warning light illuminated. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.”Owner report · Seats · Apr 2025
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“My car has no heat on the passenger side causing window fogging this is the 3 time I have had the car in at the dealers and they say it's a clogged heater core I have the extended warranty. The dealer said the warranty is no longer covering heater cores when it should a recall with so many complaints. Barkau Chrysler Dodge jeep Ram at 700 East South Street Freeport IL 61032 1-815-232-5141. Please help as I have [XXX] and I can get frost bite and lose my feet or hands Not only is it a safety issue but a health issue can't upload my dealership note. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Dec 2024
“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.”Owner report · Engine · Oct 2024
“The vehicle has intermittent (brake) (ABS) and (Traction control) lights. I took the vehicle to Airport dodge in Orlando Florida. They advised the ABS module and pump are faulty however there are no repairs available at this time. The most concerning was they advised to continue to drive the vehicle without ABS.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jun 2024
“The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Avenger. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V640000 (Seats, Air Bags). The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked at the residence, the contact entered the vehicle and observed that the headrest was uneven. The contact inspected the headrest from the rear of the vehicle where she observed that the headrest had separated but was still attached to the middle of the headrest. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 117,206.”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2024
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Feb 2024
“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”Owner report · Electrical System · Jan 2024
“My driver side Headrest suddenly deployed while sitting at a red light. It struck me in the back of my head, this caused me to lurch forward and almost being hit by oncoming traffic. Dodge denied me replacement saying it was out of any warranty. They did not even look at it and told me it would cost me $850 to replace. No warning lights or signs that this was going to happen before it deployed. I still need to call my Insurance company to see what can be done.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2023
When filing, owners marked a crash in 34 of these complaints and injuries in 35 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
How other years compare
Check your exact Avenger by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2012 Dodge Avenger reliable?
NHTSA has 553 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2012 Dodge Avenger. The most complained-about area is visibility/wiper (19% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2012 Dodge Avenger problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 70,000 miles or less.
Does the 2012 Dodge Avenger have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning air bags. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.