2012 Dodge Avenger Air Bags Problems
Owners have filed 109 complaints with NHTSA about air bags problems on the 2012 Dodge Avenger, 20% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 60,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “air bag” (32% of reports).
- 109air bags complaints
- 60,000median miles at failure
- 22mention a crash
- 19mention an injury
- 3related recalls
- 40%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Air bag: mentioned in 35 of 109 complaints (32%)
- Seat belts: mentioned in 22 of 109 complaints (20%)
- Occupant restraint: mentioned in 10 of 109 complaints (9%)
- Bags electrical: mentioned in 8 of 109 complaints (7%)
At what mileage do air bags problems happen?
Based on 61 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 109 complaints, 22 mention a crash, 19 an injury.
Dodge Avenger air bags complaints by model year
| Model year | Air Bags complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 Avenger | 69 | 34% | 50,000 |
| 2013 Avenger | 154 | 28% | 64,000 |
| 2012 Avenger | 109 | 20% | 60,000 |
| 2011 Avenger | 35 | 17% | 97,000 |
| 2010 Avenger | 37 | 23% | 95,000 |
| 2009 Avenger | 11 | 16% | 63,500 |
| 2008 Avenger | 96 | 12% | 75,000 |
| 1999 Avenger | 7 | 11% | 85,600 |
| 1998 Avenger | 8 | 14% | — |
| 1997 Avenger | 13 | 16% | 116,403 |
| 1996 Avenger | 10 | 6% | — |
| 1995 Avenger | 15 | 8% | — |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (3)
Seats:front assembly:head restraint; air bags:frontal:sensor/control module-inactive
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2012 Jeep Liberty and 2012-2013 Chrysler 200 and Dodge Avenger vehicles. A component within the occupant restraint controller (ORC) may fail and prevent the active headrests from deploying in the event of a rear-end crash.
Risk: If the active headrests do not deploy in certain rear-end crashes, the front seat occupants have an increased risk of injury.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ORC as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 4, 2017. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is T56.
Air bags; seat belts:pretensioner; air bags:frontal:sensor/control module-inactive
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Chrysler 200, 2010 Chrysler Sebring, 2010-2012 Dodge Caliber and 2010-2014 Jeep Patriot, Compass and Dodge Avenger vehicles. The Occupant Restraint Control (OCR) module may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags from deploying in the event of a crash.
Risk: If the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the OCR, free of charge. Interim letters informing owners that parts are not available yet were mailed on October 26, 2016. The recall began on August 15, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S61.
Air bags; electrical system
Problem: Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Sebring and 200 vehicles manufactured June 28, 2011, through December 13, 2012; model year 2011-2013 Dodge Avenger vehicles manufactured June 25, 2011, through January 14, 2013; model year 2011-2012 Dodge Nitro vehicles manufactured June 17, 2011, through December 15, 2011; and model year 2011-2012 Jeep Liberty vehicles manufactured June 17, 2011, through August 15, 2012. Electrical over-stress of a resistor in the occupant restraint control module may lead to the non-deployment of the active head restraints during a rear impact collision.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating the deployment of the active head restraints , their non-deployment could increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will flash the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) or replace the occupant restraint control module, as needed, free of charge. The recall began on November 19, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N38.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
I was driving and I stopped at a stop sign. When I got ready to go, the car stalled and stopped and wouldn't start. After 30 minutes, it started but I ended up having it towed. My mechanic was able to replicate it after putting the car in the sun, running it for 10 minutes and then driving it. When…
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an auto repair shop where it was diagnosed that there was an open circuit in the front driverâs side air bag squib. The…
I have been unable to get the safety belt part for the recall. Additionally, it keeps saying I need to replace the gas cap and even the dealership cant help me.
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2012 Dodge Avengers have air bags problems?
No. NHTSA has 109 owner complaints about air bags for the 2012 Dodge Avenger (20% of the 554 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2012 Dodge Avenger air bags?
Yes: 3 safety recalls list air bags. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do air bags problems start?
The median reported mileage is 60,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about air bags problems on the 2012 Dodge Avenger?
The most frequent phrase is “air bag”, in 35 of 109 complaints, followed by “seat belts” (22).
Other 2012 Dodge Avenger problems
See all 2012 Dodge Avenger problems or air bags problems across all Avenger years.