Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2014 Dodge Avenger owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2014 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated that while her husband was reversing the vehicle out of a parking space, the driver's side air bag was independently deployed without incident. The contact stated that a grayish-colored smoke was coming from underneath the steering wheel after the deployment. The contact initially called her insurance provider who referred her to a local dealer; the dealer then referred her to the manufacturer and a claim was filed. The vehicle was taken to Bakersfield Chrysler Jeep (3101 Cattle Dr, Bakersfield, CA 93313) where an inspector was sent from the manufacturer to investigate the failure. The contact then received an email from the manufacturer that stated that her claim was denied and that the failure was a result of normal wear and tear. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 117,000.
The contact owns a 2014 Dodge Avenger. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V668000 (Seat Belts, Air Bags) and the recall repair was performed; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that a year later when the vehicle was started, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a different dealer where it was diagnosed with occupant restraint control failure. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
The contact owns a 2014 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to her residence and then to the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V668000 (Seat Belts, Air Bags) however, the dealer informed the contact that the recall repair was completed by the previous owner in November 2022. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 96,056.
The contact's daughter owns a 2014 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving approximately 40 MPH, the occupant restraint controller in the driver's seat activated inadvertently, and the head restraint deployed. The contact stated that her daughter was struck in the back of the head by the head restraint. The contact stated that her daughter had not observed the warning light before or after the failure. The contact's daughter had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V640000 (Seats, Air Bags); however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was unknown.
The active head restrains (AHR) deployed without vehicle being involved in collision. This could have caused injury and even death if anyone was operating the vehicle while it deployed. No warning lamps are active, but the system is clearly deployed.
Tl* the contact owned a 2014 Dodge Avenger. While driving 40 MPH, the contact's vehicle was rear ended by another vehicle. The rear of the vehicle and passenger door were damaged. All the air bags failed to deploy. The contact stated that no warning indicators were illuminated prior to the collision. After the crash, the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The driver sustained injuries to the right side of the body, lower back, and whiplash. The front passenger sustained lower back, right knee, and shoulder injuries. The passenger in the rear passenger side seat sustained leg and back injuries. No one received medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to Chevrolet Cadillac of santa fe (4450 cerrillos rd, santa fe, nm 87507 [phone]), but was not inspected for the air bag failure. The vehicle was deemed a total loss. …
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2014 Dodge Avenger. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V668000 (seat belts, 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 dealer was contacted (security Dodge in amityville, ny) where it was confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and was not able to confirm when the parts were to become available. The contact stated that the air bag indicator illuminated prior to receiving the recall notice. While in traffic, the contact's vehicle was rear ended by another vehicle. The crash caused the contact's vehicle to crash into a guard rail. A police report was filed and there were no injuries. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 Dodge Avenger. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the driver lost control of the steering wheel and crashed into a tree. The air bags failed to deploy and the seat belt failed to restrain the driver. As a result, the driver's face struck the steering wheel. The driver sustained head and face injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed and was not repaired. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 16V668000 (seat belts, air bags). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 47,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 Dodge Avenger. The contact rear ended another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was driven home and then to a collision shop. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V668000 (air bags, seat belts); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 Dodge Avenger. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the driver lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a tree. During the crash, the front end was severely damaged; however, the air bags did not deploy. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to an undisclosed location. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 42,000.
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.
Airbag complaints in other Avenger years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2014 Dodge Avenger?
NHTSA has 69 complaints about the air bags of the 2014 Dodge Avenger, 34% of the model year's 205 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2014 Dodge Avenger airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 16V-668 (air bags, Sep 15, 2016). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2014 Dodge Avenger airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 50,000 miles, and 16% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 13 crashes, 0 fires and 8 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.