YearToAvoid

2012 Dodge Avenger HVAC Problems

NHTSA lists 21 HVAC complaints for the 2012 Dodge Avenger, 4% of its 553 total complaints and the highest share among Avenger model years. Median failure mileage is 60,000. There is no related recall.

HVAC complaints
21
4% of 553
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
1
Median mileage
60,000 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical HVAC symptoms owners report

  • Heat blows on the driver side but stays cold on the passenger side, leaving the passenger defroster ineffective.
  • A knocking noise comes from near the glove compartment when the heater or AC is switched on, in some cases continuing after the vehicle is shut off.
  • Owners report water leaking underneath the glove compartment area when the AC is running.
  • The heater core fails and needs replacement, sometimes along with a corroded core tube, causing loss of heat and defrost on the passenger side.
  • Passenger-side defrost stops working entirely, making it hard to clear the windshield in cold weather.

When 2012 Dodge Avenger HVAC complaints were filed

First complaint Jan 8, 2015, latest Jan 3, 2023.

2012 Dodge Avenger hvac complaints: complaints filed per month2Jan 2015May 2015Jan 2017Oct 2018Mar 2019Dec 2020
21 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jan 2015 to Jan 2023; peak Apr 2015 (2).

HVAC recalls for the 2012 Dodge Avenger

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

HVAC complaints by Avenger model year

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

  1. 20101 (1%)
  2. 20112 (1%)
  3. 201221 (4%)
  4. 20138 (1%)
  5. 20141 (0%)
  6. 20150 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are HVAC complaints on the 2012 Dodge Avenger?
NHTSA logged 21 HVAC complaints for the 2012 Avenger, 4% of the 553 total complaints filed for that model year, the highest HVAC share of any Avenger year listed.
Is there a recall for the 2012 Dodge Avenger HVAC system?
No. The data shows no related recalls tied to HVAC complaints for this model year.
At what mileage do HVAC problems typically show up?
The median mileage at failure among reported HVAC complaints is 60,000 miles.
What is the most commonly reported HVAC issue?
The most frequent pattern is uneven heat, with warm air on the driver side and cold or no heat on the passenger side, often paired with a failed passenger defroster.
Did any HVAC complaints involve safety incidents?
Out of 21 HVAC complaints, NHTSA records show 1 crash and 1 injury linked to this area, with no fires reported.

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.