The Lemon Index

All cars · Dodge Avenger · 2012

2012 Dodge Avenger. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index110100 = average car
Complaints116NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold96,890U.S. model year
Per 100K sold120complaints
Complaint rank#3 of 6among the 6 scored Dodge Avenger model years (2008–2014); #1 = fewest complaints per car sold, not the YouTube rank

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 20,000 and 59,700 miles. Median 41,920, from 104 complaints with a mileage.

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Airbags33%
Electrical27%
Engine15%
Transmission & drivetrain11%
Body structure9%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
1161641402

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 3

  • 17V640000 Oct 2017 Seats / Front Assembly / Head Restraint

    Defect. Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2012 Jeep Liberty and 2012-2013 Chrysler 200 and Dodge Avenger vehicles. 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.

    Risk. If the active headrests do not deploy in certain rear-end crashes, the front seat occupants have an increased risk of injury.

    Remedy. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ORC as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 4, 2017. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is T56.

  • 16V668000 Sep 2016 Seat Belts / Pretensioner

    Defect. Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Chrysler 200, 2010 Chrysler Sebring, 2010-2012 Dodge Caliber and 2010-2014 Jeep Patriot, Compass and Dodge Avenger vehicles. 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.

    Risk. If the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.

    Remedy. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the OCR, free of charge. Interim letters informing owners that parts are not available yet were mailed on October 26, 2016. The recall began on August 15, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S61.

  • 13V282000 Jul 2013 Electrical System

    Defect. Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Sebring and 200 vehicles manufactured June 28, 2011, through December 13, 2012; model year 2011-2013 Dodge Avenger vehicles manufactured June 25, 2011, through January 14, 2013; model year 2011-2012 Dodge Nitro vehicles manufactured June 17, 2011, through December 15, 2011; and model year 2011-2012 Jeep Liberty vehicles manufactured June 17, 2011, through August 15, 2012. 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.

    Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating the deployment of the active head restraints , their non-deployment could increase the risk of injury.

    Remedy. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will flash the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) or replace the occupant restraint control module, as needed, free of charge. The recall began on November 19, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N38.

NHTSA investigations

StatusSubjectOpenedClosed
ClosedActive head rest inadvertent deployment20192026

Manufacturer communications 108

Dodge filed 108 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • 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…

Crash ratings by version

VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Dodge Avenger 4 DR FWD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★☆

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
StandardNoNo

Engines and drivetrains 3

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
2.4L 4-cylAuto 4-spdFWD21 / 29 / 24Regular$2,600
2.4L 4-cylAuto 6-spdFWD20 / 30 / 23Regular$2,700
3.6L 6-cylAuto 6-spdFWD19 / 28 / 22Regular$2,850

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
2009–1538,922Brakes
2010573250,923Electrical
2011654964,023Electrical
201211011696,890Airbags
201311113193,842Airbags
201417110152,973Airbags

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated · Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Get the data

Spot a mistake or have an idea? Tell us

How can we make Lemon Index better?