NHTSA vehicle safety data

2012 Dodge Avenger Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2012 Dodge Avenger has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 554 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Dodge dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2012 Dodge Avenger, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2012 Dodge Avenger owner complaints

Owners have filed 554 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Dodge Avenger, describing incidents dated February 17, 2011 to September 25, 2026.

Most-cited components

Unknown or Other 163 complaints
Visibility/Wiper 119 complaints
Air Bags 109 complaints
Electrical System 109 complaints
Engine 91 complaints
Seat Belts 43 complaints

Of the 554 complaints on file, 34 report a crash and 7 a fire; across all 554 complaints, owners report 35 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11767606 · Filed September 28, 2026
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.
ODI #11739856 · Filed May 25, 2026
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
ODI #11699661 · Filed November 16, 2025
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…

Read all 554 complaints

Owner-reported

2012 Dodge Avenger mileage at failure

386 of the 554 complaints on file for the 2012 Dodge Avenger give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.

Mileage at failure by component, from owners' complaints to NHTSA
Component	Median	Middle half	Based on
Visibility/Wiper	Median 70,000 miles	Middle half 55,000–95,000 miles	Based on 84 complaints
Air Bags	Median 60,000 miles	Middle half 40,000–80,000 miles	Based on 61 complaints
Electrical System	Median 70,000 miles	Middle half 50,000–90,000 miles	Based on 80 complaints
Engine	Median 80,000 miles	Middle half 50,000–105,000 miles	Based on 73 complaints

A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.

Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.

These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.

Most complaints NHTSA received since May 17, 2021 give no mileage. So that they aren't undercounted, each one received since then that gives a mileage also stands in for those that gave none, which can put a component's median above most of the mileages it is based on.

Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2012 Dodge Avenger in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Preliminary Evaluation PE19-014: Active Head Rest Inadvertent Deployment
Closed February 25, 2026

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Active Headrests may not Deploy in a Crash

NHTSA #17V640000 · Seats — Front Assembly — Head Restraint · NHTSA notice

Reported October 10, 2017 · Chrysler (FCA US LLC)

Potentially affected: 363,930 vehicles

Repair completion: 35.94% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign T56 · Owners notified December 4, 2017 · Vehicles built June 25, 2011 – January 15, 2012 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

If the active headrests do not deploy in certain rear-end crashes, the front seat occupants have an increased risk of injury.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Air Bags/Seat Belt Pretensioners may be Disabled

NHTSA #16V668000 · Seat Belts — Pretensioner · NHTSA notice

Reported September 15, 2016 · Chrysler (FCA US LLC)

Potentially affected: 1,435,625 vehicles

Repair completion: 41.1% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign S61 · Owners notified August 15, 2017 · Vehicles built February 18, 2009 – February 14, 2014 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Non-Deployment of Head Restraints

NHTSA #13V282000 · Electrical System · NHTSA notice

Reported July 2, 2013 · Chrysler Group LLC

Potentially affected: 442,320 vehicles

Repair completion: 71.46% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign N38 · Owners notified November 19, 2013 · Vehicles built June 25, 2011 – January 14, 2013 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

In the event of a crash necessitating the deployment of the active head restraints , their non-deployment could increase the risk of injury.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

2012 Dodge Avenger 4 DR FWD

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Frontal Crash

Driver: 5, Passenger: 3

Side Crash

Driver: 3, Passenger: 5

Side Pole

Rollover

12% rollover risk

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control

1 investigation

554 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Dodge Avenger.

Steering; Electrical System; Engine

ODI #11767606

Incident: September 25, 2026 · Filed: September 28, 2026

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.

Engine

ODI #11739856

Incident: May 24, 2026 · Filed: May 25, 2026

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

Electrical System; Visibility/Wiper

ODI #11699661

Incident: November 15, 2025 · Filed: November 16, 2025

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).

Electrical System; Air Bags; Unknown or Other

ODI #11677692

Incident: July 18, 2025 · Filed: August 1, 2025

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 same thing. The horn also keeps beeping without warning and the airbag sign is on. I think all of these items are connected. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Seats

ODI #11656367

Incident: April 23, 2025 · Filed: April 23, 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.

Seats

ODI #11641713

Incident: August 25, 2017 · Filed: February 10, 2025

The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Avenger. The contact received notification of an undisclosed recall. The contact stated that while the vehicle was turned off, the front passenger’s side headrest deployed inadvertently. The contact stated that a handheld diagnostic machine retrieved DTC: U0184. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 125,900.

Seats

ODI #11633744

Incident: January 2, 2025 · Filed: January 2, 2025

The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front passenger's side headrest deployed inadvertently and struck the head of the front seat passenger. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under an undisclosed recall; however, the failure occurred. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and to Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Seminole County (750 Towne Center Blvd, Sanford, FL 32771), where a diagnostic testing fee was provided; however, the contact declined to pay the fee. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened; however, no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was unknown.

Unknown or Other

ODI #11633629

Incident: December 9, 2024 · Filed: January 2, 2025

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 Renard's andi can get frost bite and loose my feet or hands Not only is it a safety issue but a health issue can't upload my dealership note

Unknown or Other

ODI #11628015

Incident: November 1, 2024 · Filed: November 30, 2024

Blank

Engine; Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #11621501

Incident: October 23, 2024 · Filed: October 23, 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.

Other Dodge Avenger model years

Check your 2012 Dodge Avenger VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Dodge Avenger at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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