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2012 Dodge Avenger: problems, recalls and fuel economy
NHTSA has 554 owner complaints on file for the 2012 Dodge Avenger[1]. It also has 3 recalls[2], ...all about the restraint system that controls air bags, seat belt pretensioners and head restraints[3][4][5]..., so check that every recall was done before you buy.
Most reported problems
Owners filed 554 complaints with NHTSA[1]. Of those, 34 mention a crash, 7 a fire and 35 injuries[1]. No deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name several components.
The biggest groups by complaint count:
| Component group | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Median miles at failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unknown or other[8] | 163 | 2 | 0 | 75,575 |
| Electrical system[9] | 109 | 5 | 5 | 70,521 |
| Air bags[10] | 109 | 22 | 0 | 60,000 |
| Visibility/wiper[11] | 95 | 1 | 0 | 73,500 |
| Engine[12] | 91 | 4 | 6 | 78,502 |
| Seat belts[13] | 43 | 8 | 0 | 65,000 |
| Power train[14] | 31 | 2 | 1 | 41,000 |
| Electronic stability control[15] | 25 | 0 | 0 | 85,000 |
Air bag complaints stand out for crashes (22) and injuries (23)[10]. Engine complaints include 6 fires[12].
We read a small sample of complaint texts for four groups. These are only samples, so they show what owners describe, not how common a problem is.
- Air bags. In a sample of 11 different complaints, 4 describe an air bag warning light that stayed on, and 4 describe air bags that did not deploy in a crash[10].
- Visibility/wiper. In a sample of 12, 6 describe wipers that stopped or ran on their own, and 6 describe no heat or defrost on the passenger side[11].
- Electrical system. In a sample of 12, 3 describe the car shutting off while driving, and 3 describe an air bag light or trouble getting a recall repair[9].
- Engine. In a sample of 12, 4 describe the car stalling or powering off while driving, and 2 describe weak or missing cabin heat[12].
Recalls
NHTSA lists three recalls that can apply to this car, newest first., newest first. The fix is free in each case.
- Active head restraints (17V640). Dated 2017-10-10[3]. A part inside the occupant restraint controller can fail, so the active headrests may not deploy in a rear-end crash. Front seat occupants then face a higher risk of injury. Dealers replace the controller as needed, free of charge. The recall began on December 4, 2017[3].
- Remedy pending
Restraint control module (16V668). Dated 2016-09-15[4]. The module can short circuit, which can stop the front air bags, seat belt pretensioners and side air bags from deploying in a crash. That raises the risk of injury. Dealers replace the module free of charge. Owners were first told that parts were not yet available, and the recall began on August 15, 2017[4]. - Air bags, head restraints (13V282). Dated 2013-07-02[5]. Electrical stress on a resistor in the occupant restraint control module may stop the active head restraints from deploying in a rear impact. Dealers flash the Totally Integrated Power Module or replace the control module, as needed, free of charge. The recall began on November 19, 2013[5].
Before buying, ask for proof that all three were completed.
Fuel economy
The EPA lists three versions, all front-wheel drive:
| Engine and transmission | City / highway / combined MPG | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd[6] | 21 / 29 / 24 | $2,800 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd[16] | 20 / 30 / 23 | $2,900 |
| 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Gasoline or E85[17] | 19 / 28 / 22 | $3,050 |
The annual cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new.
Safety ratings
NHTSA rated the 4 DR FWD version 4 stars overall[7]. Frontal, side and rollover ratings are also 4 stars each[7]. The rollover risk is 11.8%[7].
Engine and size
The EPA test car list rates the 2.4L 4-cylinder at 283 hp[18] and the 3.6L 6-cylinder at 283 hp[19].
Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.
| Measure | 4DR Sedan R/T | 4DR Sedan SX / SXT |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 193 in | 193 in |
| Width | 73 in | 73 in |
| Height | 58 in | 58 in |
| Wheelbase | 109 in | 109 in |
| Curb weight | 3,607 lb | 3,393 lb |
How 2012 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 196 | 2 |
| 1996 | 157 | 2 |
| 1997 | 83 | 2 |
| 1998 | 58 | 2 |
| 1999 | 62 | 1 |
| 2000 | 22 | 1 |
| 2008 | 844 | 6 |
| 2009 | 67 | 2 |
| 2010 | 163 | 3 |
| 2011 | 209 | 3 |
| 2012 | 554 | 3 |
| 2013 | 548 | 5 |
| 2014 | 205 | 1 |
NHTSA lists 554 complaints and 3 recalls for 2012[2]. Among the Avenger years in that list, Among the Avenger years in that list, only 2008 has more complaints (844)[2]. 2008 (6) and 2013 (5) both have more recalls than 2012[2].. 2013 is close behind with 548 complaints and 5 recalls[2]. The nearby years 2011 (209), 2014 (205) and 2010 (163) have far fewer complaints[2]. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold.
Should you buy a used 2012 Avenger?
The complaint count is high for this model line[2], and air bag complaints carry the most crashes and injuries[1][10]. Three recalls touch air bags, pretensioners and head restraints, so the first step is confirming each one was done[3][4][5]. Owners in our samples also describe wipers that act up and passenger-side heat that fails[11]. On the plus side, the EPA lists 28 to 30 highway mpg depending on engine[6][16][17] and NHTSA gives 4 stars overall[7]. Have a mechanic check the electrical and wiper systems and the heater before you pay.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Dodge Avenger?
- By complaint count, NHTSA's largest named groups are electrical system (109), air bags (109), visibility/wiper (95) and engine (91)[9][10][11][12]. In the samples we read, owners describe air bag warning lights, wipers acting up and passenger-side heat trouble.
- Does the 2012 Dodge Avenger have recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA lists 17V640, 16V668 and 13V282, all about air bags, pretensioners or active head restraints. Each has a free remedy[3][4][5].
- What is the gas mileage of a 2012 Dodge Avenger?
- The EPA lists 21 city and 29 highway for the 2.4L with a 4-speed automatic, 20 and 30 with the 6-speed, and 19 and 28 for the 3.6L[6][16][17].
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 554 owner complaints on file for the 2012 Dodge Avenger (34 mention a crash, 7 a fire, 35 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Dodge Avenger model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- Recall 17V640, filed October 10, 2017: Seats › Front Assembly › Head Restraint. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 16V668, filed September 15, 2016: Seat Belts › Pretensioner. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 13V282, filed July 2, 2013: Air Bags. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Avenger, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 29 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 4 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 11.8%. NHTSA vehicle records
- 163 complaints name the unknown or other component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 75,575). NHTSA vehicle records
- 109 complaints name the electrical system component group (5 crashes, 5 fires, 5 injuries, median mileage at failure 70,521). NHTSA vehicle records
- 109 complaints name the air bags component group (22 crashes, 0 fires, 23 injuries, median mileage at failure 60,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 95 complaints name the visibility/wiper component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 73,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- 91 complaints name the engine component group (4 crashes, 6 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 78,502). NHTSA vehicle records
- 43 complaints name the seat belts component group (8 crashes, 0 fires, 10 injuries, median mileage at failure 65,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 31 complaints name the power train component group (2 crashes, 1 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 41,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 25 complaints name the electronic stability control (esc) component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 85,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- EPA rating for Avenger, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 30 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Avenger, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Gasoline or E85, Front-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 28 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA Test Car List, 2012 Dodge Avenger with 2.4L 4-cylinder: rated 283 hp. www.epa.gov
- EPA Test Car List, 2012 Dodge Avenger with 3.6L 6-cylinder: rated 283 hp. www.epa.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, AVENGER 4DR SEDAN R/T: length 193 in, width 73 in, height 58 in, wheelbase 109 in, curb weight 3,607 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, AVENGER 4DR SEDAN SX CANADA VALUE PACKAGE/SXT: length 193 in, width 73 in, height 58 in, wheelbase 109 in, curb weight 3,393 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov