CarComplaints.com Notes: Consumer Reports road tests has noted deficiencies in the 2012 Avenger with regard to engine noise, acceleration, braking, handling, transmission, fuel economy, driving position and rear visibility. But at least it has a cool marketing campaign ... right?

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
7 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 0
Average Mileage:
50,578 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2012 Dodge Avenger body / paint problems

body / paint problem

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2012 Dodge Avenger Owner Comments

problem #17

Nov 192022

Avenger

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Was hit from the rear emd amd air bags did not deploy. Back bumper was totally destroyed amd brakes go out fast

- Kerman, CA, USA

problem #16

Dec 022019

Avenger

  • 89,600 miles
The interior drivers side door handle sliced my finger when I opened the door.. it looks like the metal is separating and is sharp as a knife.... my other issue is.. there is a clicking noise in my passenger side dash board.. on the driver side the vents blow hot air and the passenger side vent blows cold air.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #15

Sep 102018

Avenger

  • 58,000 miles
The front of the hood on the Avengers has corrosion. Chrysler replaced some of them but not mine even though it was still under the extended warranty. They said it had to be claimed the first year. I think Chrysler should recall all of the hoods because they're all corroded.

- Oregon, OH, USA

problem #14

Jul 032018

Avenger

  • 118,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

This cars hood has flown up and hit the windshield on multiple occasions, even after getting the safety latch replaced it is still flying up while driving at high to low speeds.

- Alexandria, VA, USA

problem #13

May 022018

Avenger

  • 97,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Avenger. While driving 25 mph, the vehicle stalled and the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The contact was able to coast the vehicle to the side of the road. The engine was restarted and the contact drove the vehicle home. The vehicle was later taken to autonation Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram North fort worth (11200 N freeway, fort worth, tx 76177, (817) 642-7894) where it was diagnosed that the instrument cluster needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The approximate failure mileage was 97,000.

- Keller, TX, USA

problem #12

Jan 222017

Avenger

  • 0 miles
Door on driver side touches side bumber causing dent

- Hobbs, NM, USA

problem #11

Feb 272018

Avenger 4-cyl

  • 90,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Vehicle in total loss accident - struck by vehicle in accident on the driver's side near the door - dublin oh police dept incident # 18000499 - no air bags deployed.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #10

Feb 212018

Avenger

  • 66,438 miles
Climate control blows cold air on the passenger side and warm air on the drivers side when heat is on and driving. Engine temperature does not reach normal operating temperature when driving in cold weather. Took to my local trusted mechanic and he diagnosed the heater core is plugged with debris. Looked online and the Dodge Avenger have numerous complaints with that same issue. Called Chrysler group and made a complaint and got a case number. I have an appointment later this week to have it diagnosed by a Dodge dealership for the record.

- Bushnell, IL, USA

problem #9

Jan 012014

Avenger

  • 15,000 miles
Front hood - paint has been bubbling now. Dealer notified, admits a problem with hood and needs to be replaced which costs $2,000. This a factory issue and I don't feel that consumer should pay for this. Rear trunk lid - water leaks in cargo area after every rain. This has been ongoing and dealer has also been notified. No solution given at this time.

- Neenah, WI, USA

problem #8

Jan 292016

Avenger

  • 119,000 miles
I have continuosly been having problems with my brakes and rotors, engine stalling while driving, and the lock to my drivers side door isnt working properly. I have had my brakes and rotors repaired three times within a 4 month time frame. This is ridiculous. I dont know what kind of mechanical meltdown this vehicle is having. But some needs to provide some answers.

- Lithonia, GA, USA

problem #7

Sep 052014

Avenger

  • 20,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Avenger. Upon using the vent controls for the heater or air conditioner, a knocking noise progressed near the area of the glove compartment. The contact also indicated that water poured in excess when the trunk was opened and that there may be a potential leak within a seal. Also, the front passenger side door handle was deteriorating without warning. The vehicle was not inspected or diagnosed. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 13V282000 (air bags, electrical system). The dealer was unable to determine when the part would become available to repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 20,000.

- Cordele, GA, USA

problem #6

Feb 052015

Avenger

  • 36,500 miles
Driving home from work at 5:40 pm, 3 deer ran out and after slamming on brakes the last one was struck, head on. The hood buckled and the entire engine of the car imploded in flames. No airbags went off and the car immediately died. I was able to pull car over to the side of the road and get out of car however, the car burned completely. The car engulfed in flames and the engine, windows, entire inside, everything burned. There is no dash, no steering wheel, seats, front tires, etc are gone. There is very little left and the manufacturer had an investigation done and will not tell me why this happened. My husband has a 2014 Avenger and we want to know if it is safe. But were told my manufacturer representative they would not tell me because they would not want it out in the public.

- Amherst, WI, USA

problem #5

Mar 132014

Avenger 6-cyl

  • 30,000 miles
Hit a deer at 60 mph the car started on fire and completely burned up no air bags went off Dodge investigated but will not tell us why the car burned up.

- Amherst, WI, USA

problem #4

Jul 032014

Avenger

  • 44,000 miles
I noticed several times before this date going down the hwy and the car accelerating on its own. I was at a dead stop and go on the hwy rush our I let off the brake to ease on up and my car went under into a truck doing over $7800 in damages no airbags none deployed I just got my car from the shop on 8/30. I got in the car started it and backed up put the car in drive and it jolted into drive no foot on the gas peddle I had to hit my brakes again then I proceeded home. Still noticed this a couple more times. I didn't think about it at the time of the accident I was taken straight out by ems with a neckbrace. I've sit here confused for 2 months knowing how did this happen knowing it was a brake ease off and brake again traffic and the amount of damage done to the car. My 14 yr old daughter had to convince my mom I was not speeding because of the amount of damage. I will call the shop again on mon am but also Dodge or Chrysler re: This. I had to pay out over $4K in car rental (no I didn't know I did not have that coverage.) I'm now pissed off and confused at did this cause the collision? I've only had this car a year and until that point had never had an accident my fault in M life I did have one this last week in a rental it was my fault I own up to that but not the first in the Avenger after starting it again yesterday at pickup and this immediately happening and I mean immediately happening again had the shop not already being closed for the weekend and my ride left I would have left the car at the shop. I know of the overhead airbag problems I have tried to call once before. I will call Monday until my calls are returned please reply to this. I am also contacting my insurance Agency re: This problem and the accident. Please contact me. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Simpsonville , SC, USA

problem #3

Mar 202014

Avenger 6-cyl

  • 35,284 miles
We hit a deer and the front of the car was demolished. Upon inspection the next morning, I noticed that an airbag sensor was shattered and just hanging by the wire harness. Airbags did not deploy, I was concerned about this and never got a straight answer from anyone. Now I get a recall notice saying faulty restraint system, I'm not too happy...

- Layton, UT, USA

problem #2

Feb 082013

Avenger

  • 41,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated that when driving in inclement weather, water would drain into the vehicle, causing the trunk lights to fail. The contact also stated that the third brake light failed. The vehicle was not inspected by a dealer or an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was contacted and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 41,000. The current mileage was approximately 43,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Bayminette, AL, USA

problem #1

Dec 272012

Avenger

  • miles
I was on my way to work and cautiously preceded around the curvy road with my steering wheel held to the right. When I ended the curve and tried to turn my steering wheel back too the right it wouldn't turn back to the left. This caused me to crash head on into a tree. The air bags were deployed.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

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