YearToAvoid

2012 Dodge Avenger Engine Problems

Engine complaints account for 103 of 553 total complaints (19%) filed against the 2012 Dodge Avenger, with a median failure mileage of 78,004. No related recalls are listed for this engine issue.

Engine complaints
103
19% of 553
Crashes reported
5
Fires reported
6
Injuries reported
4
Median mileage
78,004 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Vehicle stalls suddenly while driving at moderate speeds, sometimes rolling or losing control before the driver can restart it.
  • After restarting, some vehicles fail to regain power quickly enough to avoid a hazardous situation on the road.
  • Owners describe smoke coming from the engine along with violent shaking, followed by illuminated check engine and electronic throttle control warnings.
  • Some vehicles stall repeatedly at various speeds with the instrument panel flashing intermittently during the failure.
  • One owner reported a cold-start noise from the engine along with hard, surging transmission shifts.

When 2012 Dodge Avenger engine complaints were filed

First complaint Apr 3, 2013, latest May 25, 2026.

2012 Dodge Avenger engine complaints: complaints filed per quarter92013 Q22015 Q12016 Q32017 Q42019 Q12020 Q22024 Q2
103 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2013 Q2 to 2026 Q2; peak 2019 Q1 (9).

Engine recalls for the 2012 Dodge Avenger

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Avenger model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 201051 (31%)
  2. 201150 (24%)
  3. 2012103 (19%)
  4. 2013146 (27%)
  5. 201452 (25%)
  6. 20150 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are engine complaints on the 2012 Dodge Avenger?
NHTSA lists 103 engine complaints for the 2012 Avenger, which is 19% of the 553 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2012 Dodge Avenger engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no related recalls tied to the engine complaints for the 2012 Avenger.
At what mileage do 2012 Avenger engine problems typically show up?
The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this engine issue is 78,004 miles.
Are the engine complaints linked to crashes or fires?
Across the 2012 Avenger's engine-area complaints, NHTSA logs 5 crashes, 6 fires, and 4 injuries.
How does the 2012 Avenger compare to other Avenger years for engine complaints?
The 2012 Avenger's engine share is 19%, lower than 2010 (31%), 2011 (24%), 2013 (27%), and 2014 (25%), based on NHTSA complaint data.

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.