The Used Car Index

2012 Dodge Avenger problems

NHTSA lists 554 complaints for the 2012 Dodge Avenger, 34 of them mention a crash and 7 mention a fire. 30 complaints mention an injury, with 35 injuries and 0 deaths reported.

Data build 2026-10-08.

NHTSA lists this vehicle as DODGE AVENGER.

At a glance

Complaints
554
With crash
34
With fire
7
With injury (complaints)
30
Injuries
35
Deaths
0
Recalls
3
Do not drive recalls
0
Park outside recalls
0
Recall potential units (maximum)
1,435,625
Investigations
1
Open investigations
0
Manufacturer communications
108

Complaints per 100k sold unavailable. No sales source is available for this record.

Where the complaints are

Top systems
SystemComplaintsShare of this vehicle's complaints
UNKNOWN OR OTHER16329.4%
AIR BAGS10919.7%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM10919.7%
VISIBILITY/WIPER9517.1%
ENGINE8715.7%
SEAT BELTS437.8%
POWER TRAIN315.6%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)254.5%
VISIBILITY254.5%
SERVICE BRAKES213.8%
Top subsystems
SystemSubsystemComplaints
VISIBILITYDEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM21
STRUCTUREBODY17
SEATSFRONT ASSEMBLY7
AIR BAGSFRONTAL2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGCOOLING SYSTEM1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGEXHAUST SYSTEM1
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCEADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL1
LANE DEPARTUREASSIST1
POWER TRAINAUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION1

One complaint can name several systems, so shares can add to more than 100 percent.

Model-generated complaint tags

These labels are model-generated, not NHTSA data.

Failure modes
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
noise or comfort22944.8%0.86
restraint or airbag9518.6%0.88
electrical electronic5811.4%0.80
loss of control5310.4%0.81
mechanical failure316.1%0.76
visibility or lighting193.7%0.65
fire or overheating91.8%0.92
unclear91.8%0.77
fluid or fuel leak40.8%0.93
structural or corrosion40.8%0.98
Severities
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
moderate25449.7%0.83
low21441.9%0.80
high407.8%0.91
critical20.4%0.98
none10.2%0.41

Model: typesafe/jev-1.13-20260917; schema version: tag-v1. 511 tagged complaints of 554 complaints (92.2%).

Confidence is the model's own probability for the label it chose (0 to 1), not accuracy.

Model-generated labels on tagged complaints only. Model years 2013 and newer are tagged in full; 2012 in part (see tagged_share); earlier model years have no tags. NHTSA's own flags remain separate in the complaints block.

Recalls

See new recalls and investigations this week.

3 recalls.

17V640000

Date: 2017-10-10. Systems: AIR BAGS, SEATS.

Defect: 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.

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

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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

16V668000

Date: 2016-09-15. Systems: AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS.

Defect: 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.

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.

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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

13V282000

Date: 2013-07-02. Systems: AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

Defect: 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, (excerpt)

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

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. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

Investigations

1 investigations; 0 open.

PE19014

Opened: 2019-09-09. Closed: 2026-02-25.

Active Head Rest Inadvertent Deployment

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE19014 on September 9, 2019, to investigate 128 consumer complaints alleging that the Active Head Rest (AHR) inadvertently deployed without the occurrence of a crash or other rear impact event in model year (MY) 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles.When ODI opened the investigation, ODI was aware of thirteen alleged injuries.A small

Systems: SEATS.

Linked campaign numbers: None listed.

Manufacturer communications

108 manufacturer communications.

Communications by system
SystemCount
EQUIPMENT28
POWER TRAIN24
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM22
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING16
STRUCTURE15
SEATS9
PARKING BRAKE6
ENGINE4

11034343

Date: 2026-06-18. Type: Warranty Program/Extension. Systems: ENGINE.

Emissions Recall U67 - Catalytic Converter Efficiency - Dealer Notification (Revision 11)

11017435

Date: 2025-04-02. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

ACTUATOR - A/C AND HEATER

11017445

Date: 2025-04-02. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

ACTUATOR - A/C AND HEATER

10244356

Date: 2023-09-20. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: SUSPENSION.

LIFTER, Hydraulic Roller Deactivating Please do not replace MDS lifters because the disconnecting pin is not lined up, this is normal and not a defect.

10248517

Date: 2023-09-20. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EQUIPMENT.

LIFTER, Hydraulic Roller Deactivating Please do not replace MDS lifters because the disconnecting pin is not lined up, this is normal and not a defect.

10244348

Date: 2023-09-15. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website to confirm part number and applicability. There is an error with the wiring diagrams in Service Library that is causing the incorrect repair kit part number to populate. Please use

10248509

Date: 2023-09-15. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website to confirm part number and applicability. There is an error with the wiring diagrams in Service Library that is causing the incorrect repair kit part number to populate. Please use

10242717

Date: 2023-07-27. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EQUIPMENT.

Lubrication and Maintenance Fluids If MOPAR fluids and chemicals are not readily available, please review Service Library for specifications so a suitable alternative can be used

10236933

Date: 2023-04-15. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, EQUIPMENT.

wiTECH Small Leak Verification Test (SLVT) - P0456-EVAP SYSTEM SMALL LEAK

10247906

Date: 2023-02-22. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.

ADAPTER, Engine Oil Filter (Pentastar V6) For all 2014MY replace the Oil Filter Adapter (OFA). For any other MY review and follow instructions from the latest STAR Online S1809000007 available on Dealer Connect. Also, consider the following: 1) Remove OFA 2) Replace only the oil inlet O-ring and g

Notes on this record

  • Complaints from the API and bulk file are merged and deduplicated by ODI number; the API alone misses records.
  • System and subsystem counts are numbers of distinct complaints, recalls or communications that name them. One record can name several systems, so shares across systems can add to more than 100 percent; a single share never exceeds 100 percent.
  • Recalls are counted once per campaign, investigations once per action and manufacturer communications once per NHTSA id, even when NHTSA lists several model names for the same record.
  • A sales denominator is a calendar-year proxy, not the population of vehicles still in use. Rates are copied from verified pipeline output.

Other names NHTSA uses

None listed.

Matched NHTSA models

Matched labels and complaints
NHTSA model labelComplaints
AVENGER554

Same model, other years

All model years | All Dodge models

Other Dodge models, 2012

Sources

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