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:
5 / 5
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 0
Average Mileage:
58,969 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 electrical problems

electrical problem

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2012 Dodge Avenger Owner Comments (Page 1 of 6)

problem #102

Aug 312022

Avenger

  • miles

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

Was driving and horn just start going off

- Statesville, NC, USA

problem #101

Jan 202022

Avenger

  • miles
The vehicle will shut off in the middle of driving and you lose complete power to the vehicle. Then after it sits for a few hours it will start back up with no issue. I had my vehicle at the dodge dealership 2 times for them to tell me they can't figure it out and that they get alot of avengers with the same issue. But since it's not throwing a code they aren't able to fix it. I also explained that when it shuts off when you are trying to start the car it sounds like it is going to start but it just keeps turning over but won't start and the lightening bolt light comes on at that time. The dealership said they checked everything to see if it was my battery or alternator but everything they checked was good. They said this is a known problem with these cars and the only thing they can advise is to get rid if the vehicle because there isn't a fix for it. Someone is going to get hurt from this issue I have almost been hit numerous times when the vehicle shuts off with no warning. This has been happening a few times a year the whole time I have had this vehicle

- Johnstown, PA, USA

problem #100

Dec 042021

Avenger

  • miles
My TIPM is failing. Due to this, my vehicle stalls randomly with no repair codes being shown after stalling. Everything from the battery to the catalytic converter has been replaced to no avail. I even almost was killed on the freeway coming home from work one morning because the vehicle stalled after running fine for a couple of weeks. This has been going on for almost a year and I have replaced so many things on this car I basically should have just cut my losses and purchased a new one.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #99

Sep 302021

Avenger

  • miles

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

My wipers stop in the middle of the windshield when it-€™s pouring outside. Now my horn won-€™t turn off! I was told that it-€™s the TIPM and it-€™s a known issue with my car.

- Puyallup, WA, USA

problem #98

Feb 012021

Avenger

  • 79,000 miles
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.

- Canton, OH, USA

problem #97

Nov 292020

Avenger

  • 122,630 miles
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.

- Brewer, ME, USA

problem #96

Apr 012020

Avenger

  • miles

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

My 2012 Dodge Avenger has continued electrical problems, the first is the front driver and passenger windows. They won't roll down or once down won't roll up. Second my interior lights will all of a sudden turn on by themselves and flicker, third, flickering. I have tried replacing these possible broken parts but it hasn't fixed the problems.

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

problem #95

Dec 312020

Avenger

  • 73,000 miles
Vehicle goes into transmission limp mode out no where causing vehicle to slow down and lock into 1st gear. While doing this the vehicle is incapable of picking up speed or maintains speed safely of over 20 to 25 miles per hour. Diagnostic code is P0882 on my code scanner stating possible loose pin connection or connections, low voltage to transmission control tipm ( totally integrated power module ), tcm ( transmission control module ) etc., car was in motion on highway and would not accellerate to beyond 20-25 miles per hour max as car will not upshift. After checking all connections I reset and erased code and car drove a few miles normally and shifting properly before doing same again within 5 minutes. Had car towed 25 miles home at night. Spoke to service tech at local Dodge dealer. He stated this is a common issue with these model cars all the way thru the new Dodge challenger. And myself I state this is a safety issue as you unexpectedly can not avoid slowing down and you can not speed up to avoid a rear end collision by others driving behind you

- Statesboro, GA, USA

problem #94

Nov 012019

Avenger

  • 126,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated while driving, the passenger's side vent was not providing warm air. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and an unknown component was repaired. The vehicle was repaired, but continued to experience the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of failure. The failure mileage was approximately 126,000.

- Lindale, TX, USA

problem #93

Aug 102020

Avenger

  • miles
The headlights flicker and dim whenever I roll the windows up and the car seems to putter at the same time, the right side of the car doesn't blow heat when the car is set to blow heat it only blows cold air all the time, the traction control light came on a few weeks ago for no reason and won't go away after all maintenance repairs. This car has been in and out of the shop multiple times and several mechanics have told me their is no severe issues with this car. But all electrical problems keep happening and I've already had to replace the alternator and jump start the battery twice. I've come to the conclusion of just filing a complaint on this website.

- Cleveland, OH, USA

problem #92

Oct 012018

Avenger

  • 132,000 miles

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

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

- Eau Claire, WI, USA

problem #91

Mar 112020

Avenger

  • 155,000 miles
My ac has stop blowing cold I have changed compressor, actuators, N control module and still air isn't blowing cold. Car was in motion when ac stop working properly.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #90

May 192020

Avenger 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 77,111 miles
Hello, the above mentioned vehicle, was at glendale Dodge Chrysler Jeep, in glendale, ca, for a total of seven full days. They were trying to find out why the (horn), continues to go off either, moving or standing still. They put in the following parts: (switch speed) for $50 (switch horn) for $127.60 (harness steer) for $158 plus the cost of diagnosis $195 after all of this I was finally told that the vehicle needs a (tipmcgw), which I was given an estimate of $1,900, plus labor. I was told this part is located under the fuse box, and controls all the functions in the vehicle. This does not seem to be a wear and tear part, especially where it is located, not sure why it would go out unless faulty. This is a recurring problem with the horn. It's a safety issue to have the horn connected, because it keeps going off. It's also a safety issue not having the horn connected, while driving. Can someone please help me this this issue the consumer stated the horn isn't working and consumer doesn't have an additional $1,900 to fix the problem.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #89

May 192020

Avenger 4-cyl

  • 77,111 miles
The horn has a electrical shortage, which continues to honk, while driving, or standing still. Your Dodge Jeep Chrysler dealer in glendale, now tells me, that there is a short, and he knows that the switch is bad, as it continues to honk when the horn is connected. Now this dealer is charging me another $900., but not sure it will fix problems. This is the worst vehicle I have ever owned, it is a death trap, waiting to happen.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #88

Mar 112020

Avenger 4-cyl

  • 76,900 miles
My case# [xxx], shop was not able to fix the problem and there appears to be a short some where in the column of the steering wheel. My horn had to be disconnected just so it doesn't continue to blow while I am driving. My nerves have gotten very bad, listen to this horn continually blowing, car can be parked, or moving. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #87

Apr 072020

Avenger

  • 105,000 miles
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.

- Chula Vista, CA, USA

problem #86

Jan 252020

Avenger

  • 160,127 miles
I changed the 3 blend door actuators and I'm not still not getting heat air on the passenger side of my car, only drivers side. The dealership will not fix the problem.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #85

Feb 062020

Avenger

  • 103,000 miles
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

- Chula Vista, CA, USA

problem #84

Dec 012018

Avenger

  • miles
When heat is on driver side vent blows hot air. Passenger side and front window defrost does not.

- Howe, IN, USA

problem #83

Jan 012019

Avenger

  • 88,000 miles
2012 Avenger SE with just under 100K miles. The heat is not working. Blowing cold on the passenger side and barely heating up on the driver side. After researching this on several message boards, this is due to a manufacturer issue with the heater core. I have flushed the system multiple times and it is not getting better. This issue is not due to not maintaining the car. This is a manufacture defect and I have called Dodge and was not given any assistance. I feel that this should be a recall as there are a lot of these cars having this exact same issue.

- Lebanon, TN, USA

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