Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2012 Dodge Avenger owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
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.
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated while 35 MPH, the passenger's side air bag deployed without incident or warning. The contact was not injured. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed nor repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 284,000.
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. [redacted]
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Dodge Avenger. While the contact's vehicle was stopped at a yield sign, it was rear ended by another vehicle traveling approximately 60 MPH. The contact's vehicle was pushed into oncoming traffic. The contact stated that the seat belts never engaged and the air bags did not deploy. The contact was knocked unconscious and sustained a head contusion, concussion, neck sprain, and back injuries. The contact's daughter sustained minor injuries that did not require medical attention. The contact was taken to the hospital for medical treatment and underwent several brain scans. She was also currently experiencing minor seizures. A police report was filed. The vehicle was initially towed to the contact's home. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Dodge Avenger. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V668000 (air bags, seat belts). The part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. While driving 10 MPH, another vehicle ran a stop sign and collided with the front passenger side of the contact's vehicle. The driver's side air bag did not deploy. The contact believed that the seat belt failed to restrain her. A police report was not filed. The contact experienced muscle stiffness, back pain, and bruises on her chest, which required medical attention. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000. …
I recently was in car accident and my air bags never deployed. I checked into this with Chrysler company. According to them there was a recall, but I never was notified of the recall. My car is sitting in fingerlakes collision body shop untouched because of liability issues. Chrysler took my information down but has responded with my complaint. My complaint number with Chrysler is [redacted]. The body shop number is [phone]. [redacted] replied that it takes a lot of power to have the bags go off. I said the seat belts hurt us, tot he point of bruises around neck, shoulders, and back. I have talk to several attorneys and because we are not dead or have a limb missing they cant help us.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 50 MPH, an unknown animal was hit by the vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an unknown location and was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact received a notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V668000 (air bags) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 83,000.
I was in accident the brakes failed during hard braking. I hit the brake pedal so hard I bent the pedal assembly. The seatbelt restraints didn't lockup and threw me forward so I hit my head on the roof line the point of impact was the sun visor. The airbags did not deploy and I hit the steering wheel with my chest. I hit the car in front of me when the brakes failed the car keep rolling to the point of impact with the Cadillac escalade my car went under his bumper so the car had to dive down just to roll under his car. The driver in the vehicle was not hurt. I would up with a small concussion and my right foot is still in pain.
Related recalls
Air bags
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.
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.
Air bags
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…
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.
Airbag complaints in other Avenger years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2012 Dodge Avenger?
NHTSA has 109 complaints about the air bags of the 2012 Dodge Avenger, 20% of the model year's 554 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2012 Dodge Avenger airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 16V-668 (air bags, Sep 15, 2016); NHTSA recall 13V-282 (air bags, Jul 2, 2013). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2012 Dodge Avenger airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 3% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 22 crashes, 0 fires and 23 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.