2013 Dodge Avenger Air Bags Problems

Source: NHTSA · Updated Aug 6, 2026 · 154 complaints analyzed

Owners have filed 154 complaints with NHTSA about air bags problems on the 2013 Dodge Avenger, 28% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 64,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “seat belts air” (13% of reports).

What owners describe

Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.

  • Seat belts air: mentioned in 20 of 154 complaints (13%)
  • Head rest: mentioned in 13 of 154 complaints (8%)
  • Chrysler jeep ram: mentioned in 11 of 154 complaints (7%)
  • Bag indicator: mentioned in 10 of 154 complaints (6%)

At what mileage do air bags problems happen?

Based on 85 complaints that reported the odometer reading.

Under 10k miles4 · 5%
10k–25k miles2 · 2%
25k–50k miles23 · 27%
50k–75k miles17 · 20%
75k–100k miles16 · 19%
100k–150k miles18 · 21%
150k+ miles5 · 6%

How serious are the reports?

Of 154 complaints, 19 mention a crash, 3 a fire, 17 an injury.

Dodge Avenger air bags complaints by model year

Peak: 2013, with 154 complaints
1995: 151995151996: 101996101997: 131997131998: 8199881999: 7199972008: 962008962009: 112009112010: 372010372011: 352011352012: 10920121092013: 15420131542014: 69201469

n = 564 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Model yearAir Bags complaintsShare of that yearMedian miles
2014 Avenger6934%50,000
2013 Avenger15428%64,000
2012 Avenger10920%60,000
2011 Avenger3517%97,000
2010 Avenger3723%95,000
2009 Avenger1116%63,500
2008 Avenger9612%75,000
1999 Avenger711%85,600
1998 Avenger814%—
1997 Avenger1316%116,403
1996 Avenger106%—
1995 Avenger158%—

When owners reported it

Peak: 2017, with 60 complaints
2012: 1201212013: 2201322014: 3201432015: 102015102016: 252016252017: 602017602018: 102018102019: 102019102020: 142020142021: 102021102022: 3202232023: 1202312024: 3202432025: 220252

n = 154 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Related recalls (3)

Seats:front assembly:head restraint; air bags:frontal:sensor/control module-inactiveOct 10, 2017 · NHTSA campaign 17V640000 · 363,930 vehicles

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-inactiveSep 15, 2016 · NHTSA campaign 16V668000 · 1,435,625 vehicles

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 systemJul 2, 2013 · NHTSA campaign 13V282000 · 442,320 vehicles

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.

Both head rest which is attached to airbags or have airbags in them I don’t know but the exploded open. Headrest could have exploded while someone was in the seat and got head injuries. No problem has not been confirmed by anyone but myself,husband and self employed mechanic, I didn’t know what…

Received Dec 1, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11702196

Powertrain fail , airbag failed to deploy

Received Oct 20, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11694624

The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the warning lights on the instrument panel flashed on and off. The contact stated that the horn was…

Received Nov 8, 2024 · NHTSA complaint 11624283
Dodge Avenger
2008-2009 Dodge Avenger photographed in College Park, Maryland , USA.. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

Frequently asked questions

Do all 2013 Dodge Avengers have air bags problems?

No. NHTSA has 154 owner complaints about air bags for the 2013 Dodge Avenger (28% of the 548 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 2013 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 64,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.

What do owners say about air bags problems on the 2013 Dodge Avenger?

The most frequent phrase is “seat belts air”, in 20 of 154 complaints, followed by “head rest” (13).

Other 2013 Dodge Avenger problems

See all 2013 Dodge Avenger problems or air bags problems across all Avenger years.