2013 Dodge Avenger Seat Problems

60 owners have reported seats problems with the 2013 Dodge Avenger to NHTSA — 11% of all 548 complaints for this model year. The typical failure happened around 87,000 miles. That ranks #1 of 8 Avenger model years for seat complaints (a typical year has 6). One related recall has been issued.

60complaints
87ktypical miles
1related recalls
0crashes
0fires
7injuries

Which parts fail

  • Front assembly › Head restraint
    13

Components named in complaints (seat frames, recliners, heated seats and seat tracks).

Mileage when the problem started

  • Under 25k
    25%
  • 25k–50k
    513%
  • 50k–75k
    821%
  • 75k–100k
    1026%
  • 100k–150k
    1026%
  • 150k+
    410%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2013 Dodge Avenger owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 mph, the driver seat headrest restraint was erroneously deployed. The contact indicated that during the incident the vehicle had not crashed or abruptly stopped to cause the headrest restraint to deploy. During the incident, the contact sustained an injured neck. No medical treatment was required. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 133,000.

133,000 miles · Oct 2022 · 1 injury

The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated that while her son was driving approximately 40 MPH, the front driver's side headrest restraint deployed. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not yet contacted. The contact stated that the same failure had previously occurred on the front passenger's side headrest restraint. The cause of the previous failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000.

Front assembly › Head restraint · 90,000 miles · May 2024

The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the passenger's side headrest deployed aggressively, striking the passenger in the head. The passenger did not receive medical attention. The contact stated that the plastic inside the headrest bent the bar, causing the headrest to deploy. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 37,600.

Front assembly › Head restraint · 38,000 miles · Apr 2024

The Contact owns a 2013 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated while driving approximately 25-30 mph, the driver's side head restraint was inadvertently deployed. There was no warning light illuminated before or after the deployment of the head restraint. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 50,230.

Front assembly › Head restraint · 50,000 miles · Jul 2021

On May 10, 2024 my passenger headrest deployed on its own. I went to work, came back to my car for lunch and heard a pop and saw my passenger headrest deployed. No accident, no one hit my car, just my car parked. I did some research and found a recall for my make and model. I contacted the dealership that I bought the car and was told there's no recall and my problem is mechanical. I contacted another dealership and they couldn't find the recall, but was willing to set up an appointment. I took my car to the dealership and was told, yes there was a recall, but the headrests were fixed. They also stated my car was out of warranty so the repair would be at my expense. The headrests are obviously a continuous problem. I am now concerned that my headrest could pop while I am driving and result in injury to my head and neck. …

May 2024

The headrest in front passenger side made a loud noise and opened. It's scared me, because I had no clue what the noise was from at the time. It was night time and all I can say is thank God no other cars were near me...I probably would have wrecked. I'm very thankful that my son was not sitting there when it happened. There were no lights or warnings and I never knew that could happen let alone know the headrests could pop open. The vehicle has not been looked at our inspected. I seen there was a recall on this but after entering my Vin, it says this car has no active recalls.

Apr 2023

The contact's cousin owns a 2013 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated while she was sitting in the front passenger's side seat, the headrest air bag was deployed independently. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact sustained a concussion and a cervical sprain and sought medical attention the following day. No Police report was filed. The contact continued driving to the destination. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Front assembly › Head restraint · Jul 2023 · 1 injury

I was driving my car and the active headrests on the driver side and passenger side both deployed prematurely. I wasn't in any collisions and the headrests deployed. It was very unexpected when they went off as i was driving to school it put both my safety and my sisters safety at risk when they deployed. As stated previously i am unsure as to why they went off as i was never involved in any collisions. There were no warning lamps or any messages prior to them deploying.

Oct 2024

Both head rest which is attached to airbags or have airbags in them I don't know but the exploded open. Headrest could have exploded while someone was in the seat and got head injuries. No problem has not been confirmed by anyone but myself,husband and self employed mechanic, I didn't know what to do. No, no type of warning before it happen. Passenger one exploded January 2025, driver exploded about May 2025.

Jan 2025

While the car was parked the driver's seat headrest sprung open and will not click into place again. The car has not had any collisions or impacts recently. I went to check for recalls and realized this is a common problem with 2013 dodge avengers. Luckily, this did not happen while I was driving the vehicle.

Oct 2021

Related recalls

Seats › Front assembly › Head restraint

NHTSA recall 17V-640 · Oct 10, 2017 · 363,930 vehicles

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.

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.

NHTSA investigations

Active Head Rest Inadvertent Deployment

NHTSA investigation PE19014 · opened Sep 9, 2019 · closed Feb 25, 2026

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE19014 on September 9, 2019, to investigate 128 consumer complaints alleging that the Active Head Rest (AHR) inadvertently deployed without the occurrence of a crash or other rear impact event in model year (MY) 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles.When ODI opened the investigation, ODI was aware of thirteen alleged injuries.A small number of Early…

Seat complaints in other Avenger years

1995199619971998199920002007200820092010201120122013201483461146024
Seat complaints per model year, Dodge Avenger.

Frequently asked questions

How common are seat problems on the 2013 Dodge Avenger?

NHTSA has 60 complaints about the seats of the 2013 Dodge Avenger, 11% of the model year's 548 complaints. The component named most often is front assembly › head restraint (13 mentions).

Is there a recall for 2013 Dodge Avenger seat problems?

Yes — NHTSA recall 17V-640 (head restraint, Oct 10, 2017). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

At what mileage do 2013 Dodge Avenger seat problems start?

Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 87,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.

Is it dangerous?

Owners linked 0 crashes, 0 fires and 7 injuries to seats 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.