YearToAvoid

2012 Dodge Avenger Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

80/100

#2 most-complained of 6 Avenger years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2012 Dodge Avenger has 553 NHTSA complaints, a complaint index of 80, and ranks 2nd worst of 6 model years, with a verdict of Avoid relative to other Avenger years. Electrical System issues (114 complaints, 21% share) top the list, alongside 3 recalls covering airbags and restraint control.

Complaints
553
Recalls
3
Crashes / fires
34 / 7
Injuries / deaths
35 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
23
20 city / 29 hwy

Top 2012 Dodge Avenger problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Other163 (29%)
  2. Electrical System114 (21%)
  3. Airbags109 (20%)
  4. Engine103 (19%)
  5. Visibility & Wipers100 (18%)
  6. Brakes48 (9%)
  7. Seat Belts43 (8%)
  8. Structure & Body34 (6%)
  9. Transmission & Powertrain31 (6%)
  10. HVAC21 (4%)

What owners report

  • Owners report airbags failing to deploy in frontal or rear-end collisions, including cases with police reports filed and injuries sustained.
  • Some describe the center console or dashboard wiring catching fire hours after the vehicle was parked and turned off, with no crash involved.
  • Several report the engine stalling suddenly at low speed, including while driving uphill, causing loss of control.
  • Multiple owners say seat belt tensioners failed to tighten during collisions, resulting in occupants being thrown forward into the dashboard or steering wheel.
  • A few describe the vehicle catching fire and burning completely after a collision with a deer, with airbags failing to deploy.
  • One owner reported the steering wheel locking up mid-turn on a curved road, leading to a head-on crash.
2012 Dodge Avenger complaints: complaints filed per quarter672012 Q12013 Q42015 Q32017 Q22019 Q12020 Q42022 Q32024 Q3
821 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2012 Q1 to 2026 Q2; peak 2018 Q4 (67).

2012 Dodge Avenger recalls

3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 17V640000Oct 10, 2017Structure & Body363,930 vehicles

    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.

    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.

  2. NHTSA 16V668000Sep 15, 2016Airbags1,435,625 vehicles

    Air bags

    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.

    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.

  3. NHTSA 13V282000Jul 2, 2013Airbags442,320 vehicles

    Air bags

    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.

    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.

2012 Dodge Avenger fuel economy and fuel cost

City
20 MPG
Highway
29 MPG
Combined
23 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,800
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2012 compared with other Avenger years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100201020112012201320142015
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2010Good40163322
2011Best20209323
2012Avoid80553323
2013Avoid100548523
2014Caution60205123

All Dodge Avenger years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2012 Dodge Avenger reliable?
Compared to other Avenger years, the 2012 model ranks 2nd worst of 6 years tracked, with a complaint index of 80 and 553 NHTSA complaints, so it carries an Avoid verdict relative to other Avenger years.
What is the top problem area for the 2012 Dodge Avenger?
The Electrical System is the top problem area, with 114 complaints making up 21% of all complaints, including 5 reported fires.
Does the 2012 Dodge Avenger have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2012 Dodge Avenger, covering the occupant restraint controller (ORC) tied to airbag deployment and active headrest function.
How does the 2012 Avenger compare to the 2011 and 2013 model years?
The 2011 Avenger has a complaint index of 20 and is rated Best, while the 2013 Avenger has an index of 100 and is also rated Avoid, meaning 2012 sits between them but still ranks poorly overall.
At what mileage do 2012 Avenger problems typically show up?
The median mileage at failure across all reported issues is 70,000 miles, with Electrical System failures reported at a median of 70,521.5 miles.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.