Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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 stated that upon entering the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start as intended. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the catalytic converter. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 137,000.
This is a HUGE SAFETY issue!!!!!! The engine randomly shuts off, which also causes the brakes to stop working and to have no power steering. Anything connected to the battery is fine (lights, radio, dashboard, etc.). myself, any passenger, and those around me are put at risk by the car shutting off in the middle of the road. Someone could hit me because I am not moving, or I am trying to get out of the way. or I might end up hitting someone else because the brakes don't work. this is a huge risk to life and limb. Noone other than myself has tried to see what is going on with my car, specifically. i have already put out a lot of money on parts that research says it COULD be. other people have had the same complaint about their Dodge vehicles. they have even taken them to many repair shops, with no one finding a real answer as to why this is happening. …
My car dies while im driving down the street, making it difficult to steer and qhen you try to restart it, sometimes it starts and some times it don't. But this is not the first time its happened it was just the latest
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Dodge Avenger. While driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle suddenly stalled behind a commercial vehicle. When attempting to restart the vehicle, the truck in front suddenly moved and allowed the contact to notice another vehicle heading towards them at high speeds. The contact shifted into neutral, restarted the vehicle, but was unable to gain control. As a result, the vehicle landed in a ditch on the side of the road. The vehicle's front fender was damaged. The vehicle was not towed. A police report was filed. The contact did not receive any injuries. Approximately six months prior to this failure, the vehicle suddenly stalled while driving various speeds. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the TIPM, PCM, and orc failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle received a new PCM, but the failure recurred. …
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 …
Driving home from work at 5:40 pm, 3 deer ran out and after slamming on brakes the last one was struck, head on. The hood buckled and the entire engine of the car imploded in flames. No airbags went off and the car immediately died. I was able to pull car over to the side of the road and get out of car however, the car burned completely. The car engulfed in flames and the engine, windows, entire inside, everything burned. There is no dash, no steering wheel, seats, front tires, etc are gone. There is very little left and the manufacturer had an investigation done and will not tell me why this happened. My husband has a 2014 Avenger and we want to know if it is safe. But were told my manufacturer representative they would not tell me because they would not want it out in the public.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Dodge Avenger. While driving at 25 MPH uphill, the vehicle stalled without warning and rolled down the hill. Consequently, the vehicle struck a pole on the driver side door. The driver sustained minor injuries, but did not require medical attention. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was able to restart after one attempt. The failure did not recur. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 58,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, a clicking noise was heard from the front end. While driving at any speed, the contact smelled burning wires from somewhere within the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 61,000.
Engine complaints in other Avenger years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2012 Dodge Avenger?
NHTSA has 91 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2012 Dodge Avenger, 16% of the model year's 554 complaints. The component named most often is cooling system (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2012 Dodge Avenger engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 78,000 miles, and 4% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 6 fires and 3 injuries to engine & cooling 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.