2012 Dodge Avenger Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2012 Dodge Avenger ranks 2nd worst of 9 model years, with a complaint index of 88 and 553 complaints logged with NHTSA. It carries an Avoid verdict, driven mainly by Electrical System and Airbag complaints plus three recall campaigns.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 88/100
- #2 of 9 Avenger years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 553
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 34
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 7
- Injuries
- 35
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 23
- 20 city / 29 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 35 / 0
Top 2012 Dodge Avenger problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Other163 (29%)
- Electrical System114 (21%)
- Airbags109 (20%)
- Engine103 (19%)
- Visibility & Wipers100 (18%)
- Brakes48 (9%)
- Seat Belts43 (8%)
- Structure & Body34 (6%)
- Transmission & Powertrain31 (6%)
- HVAC21 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report airbags failing to deploy in frontal and rear-end crashes, sometimes with no front air bag deployment at all.
- Some describe engine stalling without warning at low speed, including one case where the car rolled backward downhill after stalling.
- Several report sudden under-hood or interior fires, including a melted center console found hours after parking with no clear cause identified.
- Multiple owners describe seat belt pretensioners failing to tighten during collisions, leading to occupants being thrown into the dashboard or steering wheel.
- A few report vehicles catching fire and burning completely after animal-strike collisions, with airbags failing to deploy in the same incidents.
2012 Dodge Avenger recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2012 Dodge Avenger reliable?
- Compared to other Avenger model years, the 2012 ranks poorly. It has a complaint index of 88, the second-highest among the 9 model years with data, and carries an Avoid verdict.
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Dodge Avenger?
- NHTSA complaint data shows Electrical System issues lead at 114 complaints (21% share), followed by Airbags at 109 complaints (20%) and Engine problems at 103 complaints (19%).
- Does the 2012 Dodge Avenger have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists three recall campaigns for the 2012 Avenger, covering the occupant restraint controller and Totally Integrated Power Module tied to airbag deployment and headrest function.
- How does the 2012 Avenger compare to other years?
- The 2012 model's complaint index of 88 is worse than most other Avenger years; only the 2008 model (index 100) ranks worse. The 2009 and 2011 model years earned Good verdicts by comparison.
- What mileage do problems typically show up at on the 2012 Avenger?
- NHTSA data lists a median mileage at failure of 70,000 miles for the 2012 Avenger overall, with the Electrical System problem area showing a median of 70,521.5 miles.