2012 Dodge Avenger Transmission Problems

Which parts fail

• Automatic transmission › Control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)
  1

Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  1243%
• 25k–50k
  311%
• 50k–75k
  414%
• 75k–100k
  311%
• 100k–150k
  518%
• 150k+
  14%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2012 Dodge Avenger owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

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 …

There is no heat on the passenger side but there is heat on the driver's side. There seems to be a mechanical defect with this vehicle because the vehicle stalled on a hill in park and started to roll down the hill and the brake and everything stopped working at that moment in the car. I also had another incident with the car stalling while driving and due to this it caused another accident. The car is also well kept, but it seems to have a mechanical defect

Ever since I purchased this vehicle brand new it has had issues with the shift points. I was told multiple times by hatch Dodge in show low az that the vehicle didn't shift right because it was learning how I drove and that it was my fault. When they re-flashed the transmission software the shift points changed dramatically back to stock condition which resulted in very predictable, smooth shifts. Once you have driven the vehicle over 200-300 miles the vehicle would start to "re-learn" your driving habits and the shift points of the transmission would begin to get sporadic again. Dodge corporate told me that they have no fix for this and that again, it was my fault because of how I drove the vehicle. …

Heater not working. (87,000 miles) took the car to the dealership where they gave me an estimate of $2500 to replace the entire coolant system (heater core, radiator, oil cooler, thermostat, water pump). The tech advised there was something restricting flow through the heater core. There is a 100,000 mile power train warranty on the car but they do not agree that the coolant system that cools the engine (power train) should be included. Where did the sediment/sludge come from? Possibly oil contamination from the engine (power train)? This problem has been noted in numerous models and Dodge has released a statement to their techs to replace the entire coolant system because they know something they did is wrong. …

Vehicle goes into transmission limp mode out no where causing vehicle to slow down and lock into 1st gear. While doing this the vehicle is incapable of picking up speed or maintains speed safely of over 20 to 25 miles per hour. Diagnostic code is p0882 on my code scanner stating possible loose pin connection or connections, low voltage to transmission control TIPM ( totally integrated power module ), TCM ( transmission control module ) etc., car was in motion on highway and would not accellerate to beyond 20-25 miles per hour max as car will not upshift. After checking all connections I reset and erased code and car drove a few miles normally and shifting properly before doing same again within 5 minutes. Had car towed 25 miles home at night. Spoke to service tech at local Dodge dealer. He stated this is a common issue with these model cars all the way thru the new Dodge challenger. …

Knocking sound coming from passenger side dash, found to be air blend door. Knocking occurs intermittently before, during, and after engine start. Vehicle has also lost heat to the passenger side, due to buildup of "sludge" in the heater core. The loss of heat to the passenger side creates the in-ability to de-frost/de-fog windshield and could pose a safety risk to driving conditions in low temperatures or high humidity. Currently customers are being asked to pay a cost ranging from $1,200-$2,000 to replace the heater core, coolant flush, and blend door replacement. Issue seems to be related to powertrain manufacturing (where else would sludge/debris come from in heater core?) but this issue is not being covered under warranty...

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Dodge Avenger. While driving 60 MPH, the vehicle downshifted to 10 MPH and lost power. Additionally, the vehicle jerked, skid, the steering wheel seized, and the traction control and throttle warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the brakes, sway bar, and battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to luther brookdale Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram (8188 brooklyn blvd, brooklyn park, mn 55445, [phone]), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and a voice message was left, but they failed to respond. The contact stated that she was terrified to drive the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Dodge Avenger. While the gear shifter was placed in reverse, the shift gear connector jumped off without warning. The vehicle stalled and there were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was towed to greenway Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram orlando (9051 e colonial dr, orlando, fl 32817, [phone]), but was not diagnosed. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic and the gear shifter was temporarily repaired. The contact stated that the failure recurred and the independent mechanic replaced the gear shifter. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that no recall was associated with the VIN. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

I have a 2012 Dodge Avenger with approximately 76200 miles on it. While accelerating from a stop light my transmission made a clunking sound and my vehicle would only go about 30 miles per hour but the rpms but jump up to about 7000 and stay there. I was on a four lane roadway going through a city when this happened. Ended up my transmission needed to be replaced with 76,000 miles on my vehicle. Transmission issues seem to be a common problem with the Dodge avengers. And of course when I called Dodge customer care they stated they can do nothing for me on any kind of reimbursement. Transmissions should last longer than 76000 miles! Very disappointed in Dodge customer service team.

Transmission complaints in other Avenger years