FaultScore

Dodge Avenger airbag problems

570 of the 4,737 complaints filed about the Dodge Avenger are about the airbag system — 12% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2013.

570

Complaints

12%

Share of all complaints

149

Crashes

4

Fires

Airbags complaints by model year

1995 Avenger 18 3.2%
1996 Avenger 11 1.9%
1997 Avenger 13 2.3%

Median failure at 116,402 miles

1998 Avenger 8 1.4%
1999 Avenger 7 1.2%

Median failure at 85,600 miles

2008 Avenger 97 17.0%

Median failure at 72,500 miles

2009 Avenger 11 1.9%

Median failure at 63,500 miles

2010 Avenger 37 6.5%

Median failure at 95,000 miles

2011 Avenger 35 6.1%

Median failure at 97,000 miles

2012 Avenger 110 19.3%

Median failure at 60,000 miles

2013 Avenger 154 27.0%

Median failure at 64,000 miles

2014 Avenger 69 12.1%

Median failure at 50,000 miles

What owners said

2013 Dodge Avenger Hollywood, FL

AIR BAGS

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 to do. No, no type of warning before it happen. Passenger one exploded January 2025, driver exploded about May 2025.

NHTSA complaint #11702196 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Dodge Avenger Freedom, CA

AIR BAGS

My 2008 Dodge Avenger airbag light has been on for a while, I believe that’s something that is defective and should be fixed by the manufacture. I’d called a dealership and was told it was not a recall and therefore not covered. When the wipers are turned on in the morning and then turned off, they continue to wipe even turned off. When I use the right blinker, the light in the dashboard dims seems like an electrical problem. I believe other things might be wrong but I’m not a mechanic. I would like my car to get inspected for safety. Thank you.

NHTSA complaint #11698451 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2013 Dodge Avenger Warner Robins, GA

AIR BAGS

Powertrain fail , airbag failed to deploy

NHTSA complaint #11694624 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 Dodge Avenger Chicago, IL

AIR BAGS

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 mechanic tried to look at it, he couldn't find anything to cause it to stop. I look it to the dealership. They were unable to replicate it or find the problem. It seems to happen when the car gets hot it stops without warning. Other people in the Dodge Avenger online group have experienced the same thing. The horn also keeps beeping without warning and the airbag sign is on. I think all of these items are connected. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11677692 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2014 Dodge Avenger Thornton, CO

AIR BAGS

The contact's daughter owns a 2014 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving approximately 40 MPH, the occupant restraint controller in the driver's seat activated inadvertently, and the head restraint deployed. The contact stated that her daughter was struck in the back of the head by the head restraint. The contact stated that her daughter had not observed the warning light before or after the failure. The contact's daughter had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V640000 (Seats, Air Bags); however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA complaint #11657476 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2010 Dodge Avenger Lilburn, GA

AIR BAGS

Every time I start my car, the airbag lights stays on. It will not turn off.

NHTSA complaint #11632377 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2013 Dodge Avenger at 123,000 miles Bay City, TX

AIR BAGS

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 inadvertently honked while the vehicle was losing motive power. The vehicle was restarted; however, the failure recurred. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V282000 (Electrical System, Air Bags); and referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 123,000.

NHTSA complaint #11624283 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 Dodge Avenger at 227,000 miles Clarksville, MD

AIR BAGS

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 driver’s side air bag squib. The contact was informed that the air bag squib needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 227,000.

NHTSA complaint #11621230 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2013 Dodge Avenger Lebanon, PA

AIR BAGS

I was driving my car and the active headrests on the driver side and passenger side both deployed prematurely. I wasn't in any collisions and the headrests deployed. It was very unexpected when they went off as i was driving to school it put both my safety and my sisters safety at risk when they deployed. As stated previously i am unsure as to why they went off as i was never involved in any collisions. There were no warning lamps or any messages prior to them deploying.

NHTSA complaint #11618401 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2013 Dodge Avenger Ray Brook, NY

AIR BAGS

The TIPM failed causing the car to shut off and not start again. The problem has been confirmed by Upstate Auto. There was a recall on the TIPM but it was not replaced instead some occupant restraints were replaced instead and now the manufacturer does not make the TIPM part anymore.

NHTSA complaint #11613149 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 Dodge Avenger Santa Barbara, CA

AIR BAGS

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.

NHTSA complaint #11608207 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2014 Dodge Avenger Knoxville, TN

AIR BAGS

test

NHTSA complaint #11603821 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 Dodge Avenger at 117,206 miles Dothan, AL

AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Avenger. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V640000 (Seats, Air Bags). The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked at the residence, the contact entered the vehicle and observed that the headrest was uneven. The contact inspected the headrest from the rear of the vehicle where she observed that the headrest had separated but was still attached to the middle of the headrest. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 117,206.

NHTSA complaint #11587588 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2014 Dodge Avenger at 100,000 miles Streamwood, IL

AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2014 Dodge Avenger. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V668000 (Seat Belts, Air Bags) and the recall repair was performed; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that a year later when the vehicle was started, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a different dealer where it was diagnosed with occupant restraint control failure. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

NHTSA complaint #11584759 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Dodge Avenger Banning, CA

AIR BAGS

Air bag warning light and alarm on the dash board.

NHTSA complaint #11567680 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2010 Dodge Avenger San tan Valley, AZ

AIR BAGS

Airbag lights turns on and off and I think it's a manufacturer problem with the harness behind or under the seat. I read it's a common problem.

NHTSA complaint #11567251 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2013 Dodge Avenger Tucson, AZ

AIR BAGS

The headrest in front passenger side made a loud noise and opened. It's scared me, because I had no clue what the noise was from at the time. It was night time and all I can say is thank God no other cars were near me...I probably would have wrecked. I'm very thankful that my son was not sitting there when it happened. There were no lights or warnings and I never knew that could happen let alone know the headrests could pop open. The vehicle has not been looked at our inspected. I seen there was a recall on this but after entering my Vin, it says this car has no active recalls.

NHTSA complaint #11543514 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 Dodge Avenger Wilmington, NC 1 injured

AIR BAGS

My driver side Headrest suddenly deployed while sitting at a red light. It struck me in the back of my head, this caused me to lurch forward and almost being hit by oncoming traffic. Dodge denied me replacement saying it was out of any warranty. They did not even look at it and told me it would cost me $850 to replace. No warning lights or signs that this was going to happen before it deployed. I still need to call my Insurance company to see what can be done.

NHTSA complaint #11534927 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Dodge Avenger at 205,000 miles Leighton, AL

AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormal sound. Additionally, the passenger’s side seat headrest exploded. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 13V282000 (Electrical System, Air Bags) and 11V315000 (Steering). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 205,000.

NHTSA complaint #11530149 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2014 Dodge Avenger at 96,056 miles Elkland, MO

AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2014 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to her residence and then to the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V668000 (Seat Belts, Air Bags) however, the dealer informed the contact that the recall repair was completed by the previous owner in November 2022. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 96,056.

NHTSA complaint #11523983 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Dodge Avenger problems