Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
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 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. …
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]
While driving for about 50miles, the electrical system failed, I lost power to the entire vehicle, steering was hard, brakes hard as well. as I pulled over, the car started back up. Next day car drove fine. Few days later the car cut off at red light in the middle of the intersection while other cars almost hitting me. Changed the fuel pump out because fuel pump would work at times. No one hurt, no incident report made. Car been intermittently cutting off after I think the car is running fine. No fault codes, no loose connections, no warning the car just cut off. I is becoming very dangerous and scary to drive but its the only vehicle i have and I have been spending money trying to figure this ghost out.
Window Defrost and Passenger Heat /Air. While either in motion or while driving, no heated air exits the passenger side of the windshield defroster, nor the passenger window defrost, lower and center console vents. Heated air only exits the driver's side windshield and driver's side dash vents. Problem persists through all cabin air modes, and circulations. This safety issue effects visibility and passenger safety by failing to defrost/defog windows and keeping cabin tempuratures near or below freezing during cold weather (blowing cold air into the cabin).
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.
My 2012 dodge avenger will shut off whenever it feels like and you lose control of power steering. It feels like it's not getting gas. It will crank back up when it feels like.The horn honks randomly.
This car is totally unsafe worse vehicle ever. While driving my car has lost all power making me almost loose control of the car while my kids were in it as well and driving on. The highway. It will be fine then just everything shuts off. It has shut off then not start or I?ve changed the engine one time and after that it was OK and now a year later is doing g the same exact thing. Car won?t start for some odd reason then starts fine 30 min later I was trying g to start my car n it blew up in my face n blew the air filter off as well this car has been so bad I?m scared to even drive it I also have videos of it driving g fine then just shutting down completely this is the worse vehicle ever way to unsafe the electrical system starts going hay wire flashing the light off n and the car alarm will go off when no body has touched it or done anything to make it go off there's more just really …
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Dodge Avenger. While driving 50 MPH, the contact observed smoke coming from the engine and the vehicle shook violently. The contact pulled the vehicle off the road and the check engine and electronic throttle control warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the radiator and coolant system failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. In addition, the alternator failed and had to be replaced a month prior. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.
We hit a patch of slush and ice, the rear tires locked and the car slammed head-on into a concrete pillar. The car's bumper, grille, support bar etc were severely damaged and the car was deemed a total loss. The radiator was folded into a "v". The driver's head hit the steering wheel resulting in a concussion. The airbag never deployed. Before the accident, the instrument panel was flashing on/off when we used the turn signal. The car didn't start or shut off at times. There is something seriously wrong with the electrical system/airbag. (recall related incident) ts
The vehicle was traveling straight forward down a flat three-lane road. The vehicle was going about 45-50 miles per hour. The driver fell asleep and it crossed two lanes and rolled multiple times down a 30 foot embankment. It came to a rest right side up. None of the airbags deployed despite extensive damage resulting in a total loss of the vehicle. In the six months prior to this there was intermittent electrical problems affecting interior lighting and power window functioning that couldn't be identified.
Electrical complaints in other Avenger years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2012 Dodge Avenger?
NHTSA has 109 complaints about the electrical system of the 2012 Dodge Avenger, 20% of the model year's 554 complaints. The component named most often is alternator/generator/regulator (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2012 Dodge Avenger electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2012 Dodge Avenger, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2012 Dodge Avenger electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 71,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 5 fires and 5 injuries to electrical system 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.