YearToAvoid

2012 Dodge Avenger Steering Problems

NHTSA lists 19 steering complaints for the 2012 Dodge Avenger, 3% of its 553 total complaints for the year. One crash was linked to steering, with no fires or injuries reported. There are no related recalls for this issue.

Steering complaints
19
3% of 553
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
40,000 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical steering symptoms owners report

  • Owners report the rack and pinion failing and needing full replacement, sometimes paired with rapid, uneven front tire wear.
  • Multiple reports describe tie rods wearing out or breaking well before expected, often accompanied by fast tire wear on the front end.
  • Some owners describe violent shaking or vibration in the steering wheel at highway speeds above 45 mph that dealers could not diagnose.
  • A few complaints describe the steering wheel becoming difficult or impossible to turn, in one case leading to a head-on crash.
  • Owners also report power steering assist cutting out unexpectedly during driving, sometimes alongside a full loss of engine power.

When 2012 Dodge Avenger steering complaints were filed

First complaint Dec 1, 2012, latest May 7, 2024.

2012 Dodge Avenger steering complaints: complaints filed per month3Dec 2012Jul 2013Nov 2015Aug 2016Mar 2018Oct 2019Jul 2020May 2024
19 complaints filed with NHTSA from Dec 2012 to May 2024; peak Jul 2013 (3).

Steering recalls for the 2012 Dodge Avenger

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Steering complaints by Avenger model year

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

  1. 20109 (6%)
  2. 201110 (5%)
  3. 201219 (3%)
  4. 201319 (3%)
  5. 201414 (7%)
  6. 20150 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

How many steering complaints does the 2012 Dodge Avenger have?
NHTSA lists 19 steering complaints for the 2012 Avenger, making up 3% of the 553 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a steering recall for the 2012 Dodge Avenger?
No. The data shows no related recalls tied to steering complaints for the 2012 Avenger.
At what mileage do steering problems typically show up?
The median mileage at failure for steering complaints on the 2012 Avenger is 40,000 miles.
Did steering problems cause any crashes or injuries?
NHTSA data shows 1 crash linked to steering complaints on the 2012 Avenger, with no fires and no injuries reported.
Is the 2012 Avenger worse than other years for steering complaints?
Its 3% share of complaints tied to steering is lower than the 2010 (6%), 2011 (5%), and 2014 (7%) model years, though the 2012 has the highest raw count at 19 complaints alongside the 2013.

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.