This page covers 3 recalls, 552 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2012 Dodge Avenger.
22–24 mpg combined
9.8–10.7 L/100km
Midsize Cars
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 3 tested variants for this model year.
4/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Visibility and electrical issues dominate what owners of the 2012 Dodge Avenger report. The single most common complaint involves the HVAC system, where owners consistently describe heat and defrost airflow failing to reach the passenger side, warm air comes out of the driver's side vents normally, but the passenger side gets little to no output, leading to persistent windshield fogging. Owners frequently point to a clogged heater core as the diagnosis, with many reporting the problem returning after service. The electrical system draws the second-highest complaint volume, with owners describing intermittent stalling, no-start conditions, and failures that prove difficult to replicate or diagnose. Airbag complaints, particularly around inadvertent deployment of the passenger-side head restraint while the vehicle is in motion or even parked and off, make up the third notable cluster.
552
Total Complaints
34
Crash-Related
7
Fire-Related
30
With Injuries
By System
The 2012 Dodge Avenger has 3 recalls, all centered on the occupant restraint system, where various faults can prevent airbags, seatbelt pretensioners, and active headrests from deploying in a crash.
The most wide-ranging concern involves the occupant restraint control module, which can short circuit and disable the frontal airbags, side airbags, and seatbelt pretensioners all at once. In a crash, that means the belts will not snap tight against occupants and none of the airbags will inflate, leaving the driver and front passenger without the protection the system is designed to provide. The active headrest issue appears across two separate recalls, but both describe the same underlying problem: a component within the restraint controller can fail and prevent the front headrests from snapping forward during a rear-end collision. Those headrests are designed to reduce whiplash by moving toward the occupant's head at the moment of impact, and if they stay in their resting position, the risk of neck injury rises significantly.
At a glance
What can fail
A part in the occupant restraint controller may fail, preventing active headrests from deploying during a rear-end crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the occupant restraint controller at no cost.
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Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The Occupant Restraint Control module can short circuit, which prevents the front air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags from deploying during a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the Occupant Restraint Control module at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A resistor in the restraint control module can fail from electrical stress, preventing the active head restraints from deploying during rear-impact crashes.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the power module software or replace the restraint control module at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
