The Lemon Index
201120132nd generation
About average · most complaints: airbags
116 owner complaints, first 3 years 22–24 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2012 Toyota Camry 662012 Honda Accord 512012 Nissan Altima 34
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2012 Dodge Avenger
- Engine stalling33 complaintsmostly at 58,000–105,000 miles (93,000–169,000 km)
- Airbag light / sensor18 complaintsmostly at 42,000–70,000 miles (68,000–113,000 km)
- Alternator14 complaintsmostly at 45,000–69,000 miles (72,000–111,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 554 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Dodge Avenger (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 20,000 and 60,000 miles (32,000–96,000 km) (the middle half of the 104 complaints, of all 116 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 17V640000 (seats), 16V668000 (seat belts) and 13V282000 (electrical) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Dodge sent dealers 108 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “MIL Illumination: P0300, P0302, P0304 or P0306 (X56 Warranty Extension) This bulletin involves…”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Dodge's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 116 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 20K to 59K miles (32K to 96K km) on the car (104 of all 116 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Received notice of a recall on active head restraints. Vendor did not honor recall.
2012 Dodge Avenger owner · NHTSA complaint 10678689
More owner reports
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.
NHTSA complaint 10691788
Air bag light just came on for no reason.something is wrong with that
NHTSA complaint 10783924
Problems Dodge told dealers about
Dodge sent dealers 108 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- MIL Illumination: P0300, P0302, P0304 or P0306 (X56 Warranty Extension) This bulletin involves…
- Adaptive Cruise Control Sensor 1) If you are replacing this part due to the cluster displaying…
- Oil Pump Assembly If error code P06DD present on any Pentastar V6 application, please inspect…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 3
- Seats · recall issued 2017
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.
- Seat belts · recall issued 2016
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.
- Electrical · recall issued 2013
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.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- ClosedActive head rest inadvertent deployment2019–2026
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dodge Avenger 4 DR FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,500–$2,750 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.4L 4-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl.
Every Dodge Avenger year. 2012 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2012 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/dodge-avenger/?y=2012" title="Dodge Avenger reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="353" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/dodge-avenger/2012/">Lemon Index</a> (2012 Dodge Avenger reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2012 Dodge Avenger reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew about the average number of complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 110; 100 is average, lower is better). The Dodge Avenger year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2010.
What are the most common 2012 Dodge Avenger problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are airbags (33%), electrical (27%) and engine (15%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2012 Dodge Avenger have?
3 safety recalls (latest: seats). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Dodge Avenger get?
22 to 24 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2012 Dodge Avenger safe?
NHTSA gave it 4 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2012 Dodge Avenger problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 20,000 and 60,000 miles (32,000–96,000 km) (the middle half of the 104 complaints, of all 116 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2012 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2012 Dodge Avenger have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 11% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2012 Dodge Avenger cost in fuel a year?
About $2,500 to $2,750 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2012 Dodge Avenger have?
2.4L 4-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl.
What Dodge Avenger year is better than the 2012?
Nearby, the 2010 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (a bit over half as many complaints as the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works