91 of the 837 complaints about the 2012 Dodge Avenger are about the engine — 11% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 78,502 miles.
91
Complaints
4
Crashes
6
Fires
3
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
ENGINE
My car dies while im driving down the street, making it difficult to steer and qhen you try to restart it, sometimes it starts and some times it don't. But this is not the first time its happened it was just the latest
NHTSA complaint #11739856 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated that upon entering the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start as intended. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the catalytic converter. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 137,000.
NHTSA complaint #11621501 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated that upon entering the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start as intended. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the catalytic converter. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 137,000.
NHTSA complaint #11621501 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
This is a HUGE SAFETY issue!!!!!! The engine randomly shuts off, which also causes the brakes to stop working and to have no power steering. Anything connected to the battery is fine (lights, radio, dashboard, etc.). myself, any passenger, and those around me are put at risk by the car shutting off in the middle of the road. Someone could hit me because I am not moving, or I am trying to get out of the way. or I might end up hitting someone else because the brakes don't work. this is a huge risk to life and limb. Noone other than myself has tried to see what is going on with my car, specifically. i have already put out a lot of money on parts that research says it COULD be. other people have had the same complaint about their Dodge vehicles. they have even taken them to many repair shops, with no one finding a real answer as to why this is happening. i would just like a car the safe to drive with my kids in it. as it is i fear for their safety if they were to ride in it. they are no warning lights or messages. I fear for my safety, the safety of my children, and the safety of others on the road around me. This car should really not be on the road without a definite answer to the problem.
NHTSA complaint #11587560 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
I was driving to the store and out of nowhere my car completely shut down the lights engine everything my steering wheel locked and I couldn't apply my breaks
NHTSA complaint #11578375 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE HEATER FAILED TO DISTRIBUTE AIR AND THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO SEE OUT THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ACTUATOR, PANEL, AND KNOB NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WALLY ARMOUR CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (1950 W STATE ST, ALLIANCE, OH 44601, (330) 422-8602) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS SLUDGE IN THE HEATER CORE. THE HEATER CORE, THERMOSTAT AND ACTUATOR WERE REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. AFTER A SECONDARY DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000.
NHTSA complaint #11398413 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
VEHICLE IN LIMP MODE AND WON'T SHIFT GEARS PROPERTY. STARTED AFTER A PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE HAD NO IDEA THAT THIS WAS GOING TO BE A ISSUE UNTIL I HAD IT FOR ABOUT A WEEK AND ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN STARTED THE LIMP MODE AND THEN DRIVING IT IS VERY DANGEROUS. BECAUSE IT WON'T CHANGE GEAR AND GOING UP A HILL IS IMPOSSIBLE WHEN IT WON'T CHANGE GEARS. OR SPEED UP.. IT SLOWS DOWN INSTEAD.
NHTSA complaint #11389904 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
NO HEAT ON PASSENGER SIDE. AFFECTS DEFROSTING AND CREATES A SAFETY ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #11383248 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
PASSENGER SIDE BLOWS COLD AIR, NO HEAT
NHTSA complaint #11375838 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING WITH THE HEATER IN OPERATION, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE LIGHT INDICATED THAT THE THERMOSTAT NEEDED TO BE CHECKED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT, HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE HEATER CORE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000.
NHTSA complaint #11372672 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
THE CAR RANDOMLY DIES AND JUST SHUTS OFF. VEHICLE HAS SHUT OFF BOTH WHILE BEING STATIONARY AND ON THE ROAD.
NHTSA complaint #11359903 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
PURCHASED 2012 DODGE SXT PLUS AT AUCTION. RECHARGED A/C BUT LOSE COLD AIR AFTER 3 DAYS. EVALUATIONS BY 2 MECHANICS, DYE, PRESSURE TESTS, SHOWS NO FREON LEAKS. HEATER CORE IS LEAKING AND POSSIBLE EVAPORATOR ISSUE, SAME AS WHAT'S SEEN IN OTHER COMPLAINTS FOR AVENGERS. FRUSTRATING THAT THE HEATER CORE LEAK IS SO COMMON ON AVENGERS, MECHANICS ALL STATE IS MANUFACTURING ISSUE, BUT NO RECALL ON IT. EXPENSIVE TO REPLACE AND NO GUARANTEE THAT IT WON'T GO OUT AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #11343112 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
MY CAR IS BLOWING COLD AIR OUT OF THE PASSAGE SIDE VENTS, THEN WARM ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE, WHEN I RUN THE AC, AT IDLE OR DRIVING. THE AC NOW ONLY BLOWS COOL AIR OUT THE PASSENGER SIDE, AND WARM OUT THE DRIVER'S SIDE. WHEN I TURN THE CONTROL KNOBS, THE FAN WILL BLOW HIGH ON NUMBER 1. I BELIEVE THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE AS WELL, WHEN I HAVE ON THE HEADLIGHTS, AND ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW, THE LIGHTS DIM, THEN RETURN TO REGULAR BRIGHTNESS. THERE IS A CLICKING NOISE FOR ABOUT 10 SECONDS IN THE PASSENGER SIDE DASH FOR THE FIRST 10 SECONDS, WHEN STARTING THE CAR. MY BEST GUESS IS HEATER CORE OR ACTUATOR ISSUES. I KNOW THAT THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THESE CARS, PLEASE RECALL THE 2012 DODGE AVENGER SXT PLUS, TO FIX THE ISSUES AT HAND. THANK YOU
NHTSA complaint #11341469 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
BANK 2 CATALYTIC CONVERTER IS SHOWING THAT THE CONVERTER CANNOT HANDLE THE EMISSIONS FROM BANK 2 OF THE ENGINE, CAUSING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO REPEATEDLY COME ON. THIS VEHICLE IS A 2012 DODGE AVENGER AND 2011-2014 DODGE AVENGERS HAVE A RECALL FOR PROBLEMS WITH THE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS. BUT WHEN CHECKING THE VIN NUMBER, CHRYSLER IS CLAIMING THERE ISN'T ANY RECALL ON THAT VIN NUMBER. THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM AS MY CHRYSLER 200 THAT HAS THE SAME RECALL. WHAT IS CHRYSLER TRYING TO COVER UP?
NHTSA complaint #11328069 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
ON APRIL 7TH 2020 I WAS DRIVING UP A HILL IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA. WHEN I GOT TO THE PEAK OF THE HILL AND I WENT TO TURN LEFT, THE CAR SHUT OFF AND THERE WAS NO POWER. I HAD TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND RESTART THE ENGINE. IT STARTED IMMEDIATELY. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME IT HAS HAPPENED ON THIS HILL, AT ALMOST THE SAME TIME IN THE MORNING. IT'S ALWAYS WHEN IT'S COLD AND HAS BEEN RAINING. IN TOTAL MY CAR HAS STALLED OVER 6 TIMES, ALWAYS EARLY MORNING, ON A HILL, AND IT'S COLD AND/OR RAINING.
NHTSA complaint #11321479 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
IN THE LAST 3 YEARS MY VEHICLE HAS STALLED 5 TIMES. TODAY WAS THE 5TH TIME. I WAS ON A HILL ABOUT TO TURN ONTO ANOTHER STREET, AND AS I STARTED TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL, THE CAR TURNED OFF. IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER WITH NO POWER. I TURNED THE CORNER THEN PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL TO START IT UP AGAIN. I WAS DRIVING ONLY ABUT 5 MILES PER HOUR ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET THANKFULLY. THE WEATHER WAS COLD BUT NOT RAINING. ALL 5 TIMES THAT THE CAR HAS STALLED IT HAS BEEN A COLD MORNING, AND I WAS ON AN INCLINE
NHTSA complaint #11307457 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE VEHICLE HEATING SYSTEM OPERATED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. THE CONTACT RECENTLY HAD THE BLEND DOOR ACTUATOR AND THERMOSTAT REPLACED HOWEVER THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIRS, HOWEVER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000.
NHTSA complaint #11302379 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
MY DODGE AVENGER HAS STARTED TO CUT OFF WHILE I AM DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY OR WHILE SITTING IN A LINE WAITING ON FOOD. I ALSO EXPERIENCE THE RIGHT SIDE OF MY VEHICLE NOT HEATING AT ALL. THERE IS ALSO A CLICKING NOISE IN MY CAR THAT HAS WORSENED OVER TIME. THERE ARE A LOT OFF ISSUES WITH THIS CAR AND TO MANY PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME THING. I AM SO AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW WHEN ITS GOING TO CUT OFF. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO THE SHOP BUT STILL EXPERIENCE THESE ISSUES. IF SOMEONE COULD PLEASE CONTACT ME BECAUSE SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT OUR UNSAFE VEHICLES.
NHTSA complaint #11292227 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
I HAVE HAD MY 2012 DODGE AVENGER FOR A LITTLE OVER A YEAR. THE HEAT DOES NOT WORK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND I WAS TOLD BY THE MECHANIC I PURCHASED FROM THAT IT WAS AN ISSUE WITH ALL THESE CARS AND NOTHING COULD BE DONE. ALSO IN THE PAST 6 MONTHS MY CAR HAS WENT DEAD WHILE DRIVING AND WOULD NOT CRANK FOR AT LEAST 3 TO 4 HOURS. I WAS JUST ON THIS INTERSTATE FRIDAY NIGHT GOING 60 AND MY CAR WENT DEAD AND HAD TO COAST OF THE INTERSTATE IN A REALLY BAD PART OF TOWN. I SEE THAT THERE ARE MANY ISSUES WITH BOTH OF THESE AND CANNOT BELIEVE THAT NOTHING IS BEING DONE ABOUT THIS. THANKS DODGE.
NHTSA complaint #11290842 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
MY VEHICLE IS STALLING OUT AT ANY SPEEDS WHILE DRIVING THERE ARE NO ENGINE LIGHTS VEHICLE ALWAYS STARTS BACK UP
NHTSA complaint #11290375 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
I HAVE NO HEAT COMING FROM MY VENTS NO MATTER WHAT SETTING. I'VE BROUGHT THE CAR IN TO LOCAL REPAIR SHOPS AND NO ONE CAN FIGURE OUT WHAT'S WRONG. AFTER SEEING DOZENS OF COMPLAINTS ON THE SAME ISSUE IN DIFFERENT FORUMS I DECIDED TO FILE A COMPLAINT.
NHTSA complaint #11277654 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE AVENGER. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE DOWNSHIFTED TO 10 MPH AND LOST POWER. ADDITIONALLY, THE VEHICLE JERKED, SKID, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED, AND THE TRACTION CONTROL AND THROTTLE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE BRAKES, SWAY BAR, AND BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LUTHER BROOKDALE CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM (8188 BROOKLYN BLVD, BROOKLYN PARK, MN 55445, (612) 326-3931), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND A VOICE MESSAGE WAS LEFT, BUT THEY FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS TERRIFIED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000.
NHTSA complaint #11270858 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
HEATER CORE ISSUE. REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES YET STILL GETTING BUILD UP CAUSING HOT AIR TO BLOW ON DRIVER SIDE BUT COLD AIR TO BLOW ON PASSENGER SIDE.
NHTSA complaint #11269584 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
MY CAR JUST STARTED DOING THIS. WITH THE HEAT ON, THE DRIVER SIDE BLOWS HOT AIR, PASSENGER SIDE IS COOL AIR. TOOK IT TO DODGE TODAY, THEY ARE SAYING MY COOLANT IS SLUDGY AND THEY NEED TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR, HEATING CORE, OIL FILTER HOUSING, AND FLUSH. FOR ALMOST $2900.
NHTSA complaint #11267195 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
DODGE LEFT RESIDUAL MACHINING DEBRIS IN THE AVENGER ENGINE BLOCKS THAT FLOWS WITH COOLANT INTO THE HEATER CORE AND RADIATOR CAUSING THE HEATER CORE TO CLOG UP AND BLOCKS HEAT TO PASSENGER SIDE IN THE WINTER CAUSING UNSAFE OR UNFIT TO OPERATE IN COLD WEATHER.
NHTSA complaint #11265540 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE AVENGER. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND RESTARTED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR MALFUNCTIONED. THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE ORIGINAL CRANK SHAFT SENSOR WAS INSTALLED BACK IN THE VEHICLE AND THE MECHANIC ATTEMPTED TO RESET THE SENSOR BY DRIVING TO 70 MPH AND IDLING DOWN. THIS PROCESS WAS ATTEMPTED THREE TIMES, BUT IT STILL DID NOT WORK AND THE FAILURE RECURRED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD OPERATE AS LONG AS IT DID NOT REACH 70 MPH. THE CONTACT SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH BREWBAKER DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP RAM FIAT OF MONTGOMERY (300 EASTERN BLVD, MONTGOMERY, AL 36117, (334) 279-0174) FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
NHTSA complaint #11252864 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
HEATER CORE CLOGGED, CAUSING WINDOWS TO FOG UP IN COLD CONDITIONS, EVENTUALLY LEADING TO HEATER CORE AND COOLANT SYSTEM FAILURE DUE TO OVERPRESSURE, RESULTING IN ENGINE OVERHEATING.
NHTSA complaint #11244320 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
THIS CAR IS TOTALLY UNSAFE WORSE VEHICLE EVER. WHILE DRIVING MY CAR HAS LOST ALL POWER MAKING ME ALMOST LOOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR WHILE MY KIDS WERE IN IT AS WELL AND DRIVING ON. THE HIGHWAY. IT WILL BE FINE THEN JUST EVERYTHING SHUTS OFF. IT HAS SHUT OFF THEN NOT START OR I?VE CHANGED THE ENGINE ONE TIME AND AFTER THAT IT WAS OK AND NOW A YEAR LATER IS DOING G THE SAME EXACT THING. CAR WON?T START FOR SOME ODD REASON THEN STARTS FINE 30 MIN LATER I WAS TRYING G TO START MY CAR N IT BLEW UP IN MY FACE N BLEW THE AIR FILTER OFF AS WELL THIS CAR HAS BEEN SO BAD I?M SCARED TO EVEN DRIVE IT I ALSO HAVE VIDEOS OF IT DRIVING G FINE THEN JUST SHUTTING DOWN COMPLETELY THIS IS THE WORSE VEHICLE EVER WAY TO UNSAFE THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM STARTS GOING HAY WIRE FLASHING THE LIGHT OFF N AND THE CAR ALARM WILL GO OFF WHEN NO BODY HAS TOUCHED IT OR DONE ANYTHING TO MAKE IT GO OFF THERE'S MORE JUST REALLY UPSET CAN'T THINK OF THEM.
NHTSA complaint #11234331 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
DODGE LEFT RESIDUAL MACHINING DEBRIS IN THE AVENGER ENGINE BLOCKS THAT FLOWS WITH COOLANT INTO THE HEATER CORE AND RADIATOR CAUSING THE HEATER CORE TO CLOG UP AND BLOCKS HEAT TO PASSENGER SIDE IN THE WINTER CAUSING UNSAFE OR UNFIT TO OPERATE IN COLD WEATHER. I'VE HAD MY AVENGER IN DODGE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY CONFIRM MY HEATER CORE IS BLOCKED. IT COSTS OVER 2K TO FIX THIS ISSUE CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE OR LACK OF DODGE FACTORY ENGINE INSPECTIONS. I'VE SPOKEN TO FCA THE DODGE PARENT COMPANY AND THEIR ANSWER IS WE SHOULD'VE HAD EXTENDED WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH I'M WITHIN THE MILEAGE FOR THE FACTORY WARRANTY BUT OUT OF AMOUNT OF YEARS COVERAGE . MY AVENGER HAD EXTENDED WARRANTY FROM AN OUTSIDE SOURCE BUT THAT COMPANY WILL NOT COVER DODGE CREATED MALFUNCTIONS. THE ATTACHED INFO SHOWS MY AVENGER AT THE DODGE DEALERSHIP ON 03-06-2019. I ALSO HAD IT SERVICED IN WICHITA AT PR AUTOGLASS AND AUTO SERVICES JUST PRIOR TO BRINGING IT TO DODGE DEALERSHIP. PR AUTOGLASS AND SERVICES STATED IT IS THE HEATER CORE AND THAT THE PROBLEM CANNOT BE FLUSHED OUT AS IT HAS ACCUMULATED IN THE HEATER CORE BLOCKING IT FROM BEING PROFESSIONALLY FLUSHED. THE RESIDUE WAS ALSO EVIDENT IN THE RADIATOR BUT FLUSHING DID REMOVE THAT THE BEST WE CAN TELL. DODGE HAS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH HAVING LEFT THIS DEBRIS IN THE ENGINE BLOCKS DURING THE MACHINING PROCESSES ON AVENGERS.
NHTSA complaint #11219788 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
CADILLAC CONVERTER RECALL- WHEN THE CADILLAC CONVERTER WENT OUT THE CAR MADE A HORRIBLE NOISE AND LOST POWER TO ACCELERATE. COME TO FIND OUT THE PRESSURE BLEW BACK AND POPPED HOSES OF AND BROKE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE FLAP CANT OPEN AND CLOSE. CHRYSLER SAID THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS NOT DUE TO THE CADILLAC CONVERTER BUT TEO AUTO MACANICA SAID IT WAS. THIS IS A $700 REPAIR DUE TO A RECALL! HAD BEEN DRIVING CAR AROUND TOWN ALL DAY. STOPPED TO TURN AND LOUD NOISE HAPPENED. LUCKLY COASTED TO BLOCKS TO HOUSE AND HAD TOW TRUCK TAKE TO REPAIR SHOP.
NHTSA complaint #11207359 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.