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Body, doors & structure

2012 Dodge Avenger Body problems

Owners have filed 20 complaints about the 2012 Dodge Avenger's body, doors & structure with NHTSA - 4% of all its complaints, most recently on March 25, 2023. They describe 7 crashes, 2 fires and 5 injuries. Doors, hoods and latches, frame rust, sunroofs, leaks, trim and structural failures.

Complaints
20
Recalls
0
Crashes
7
Fires
2
Injuries
5
Deaths
0

Body complaints

AirbagsBody, doors & structureCrash

Was hit from the rear emd amd air bags did not deploy. Back bumper was totally destroyed amd brakes go out fast

Filed Incident Air bags · Structure · Unknown or otherNHTSA 11513774
Body, doors & structure1 injury

The interior drivers side door handle sliced my finger when I opened the door.. It looks like the metal is separating and is sharp as a knife.... My other issue is .. There is a clicking noise in my passenger side dash board.. On the driver side the vents blow hot air and the passenger side vent blows cold air.

Filed Incident StructureNHTSA 11288775
Body, doors & structure

The front of the hood on the avengers has corrosion. Chrysler replaced some of them but not mine even though it was still under the extended warranty. They said it had to be claimed the first year. I think chrysler should recall all of the hoods because they're all corroded.

Filed Incident StructureNHTSA 11207743
Body, doors & structure

This cars hood has flown up and hit the windshield on multiple occasions, even after getting the safety latch replaced it is still flying up while driving at high to low speeds.

Filed Incident StructureNHTSA 11113665
Electrical systemBody, doors & structureEngine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 dodge avenger. While driving 25 mph, the vehicle stalled and the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The contact was able to coast the vehicle to the side of the road. The engine was restarted and the contact drove the vehicle home. The vehicle was later taken to autonation chrysler dodge jeep ram north fort worth (11200 n freeway, fort worth, tx 76177, (817) 642-7894) where it was diagnosed that the instrument cluster needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vin was not included in a recall. The approximate failure mileage was 97,000.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Structure · EngineNHTSA 11093991
Body, doors & structure

Door on driver side touches side bumber causing dent

Filed Incident StructureNHTSA 11082396
AirbagsBody, doors & structureCrash1 injury

Vehicle in total loss accident - struck by vehicle in accident on the driver's side near the door - dublin oh police dept incident # 18000499 - no air bags deployed. *Tt *js *tr

Filed Incident Air bags · StructureNHTSA 11080856
Body, doors & structureEngine & cooling

Climate control blows cold air on the passenger side and warm air on the drivers side when heat is on and driving. Engine temperature does not reach normal operating temperature when driving in cold weather. Took to my local trusted mechanic and he diagnosed the heater core is plugged with debris. Looked online and the dodge avenger have numerous complaints with that same issue. Called chrysler group and made a complaint and got a case number. I have an appointment later this week to have it diagnosed by a dodge dealership for the record.

Filed Incident Structure · Unknown or other · EngineNHTSA 11074161
Body, doors & structure

Front hood - paint has been bubbling now. Dealer notified, admits a problem with hood and needs to be replaced which costs 2,000.00. This a factory issue and I don't feel that consumer should pay for this. Rear trunk lid - water leaks in cargo area after every rain. This has been ongoing and dealer has also been notified. No solution given at this time.

Filed Incident StructureNHTSA 11022961
Body, doors & structureBrakesEngine & cooling

I have continuosly been having problems with my brakes and rotors, engine stalling while driving, and the lock to my drivers side door isnt working properly. I have had my brakes and rotors repaired three times within a 4 month time frame. This is ridiculous. I dont know what kind of mechanical meltdown this vehicle is having. But some needs to provide some answers.

Filed Incident Structure · Service brakes · EngineNHTSA 10823172
Visibility & wipersBody, doors & structure

When I turn on heat or air it make a on going noise while on. When air is on it makes ongoing noise and leaks water underneath glove compartment. *Tr

Filed Incident Visibility · StructureNHTSA 10713208
Electrical systemBody, doors & structure

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 dodge avenger. Upon using the vent controls for the heater or air conditioner, a knocking noise progressed near the area of the glove compartment. The contact also indicated that water poured in excess when the trunk was opened and that there may be a potential leak within a seal. Also, the front passenger side door handle was deteriorating without warning. The vehicle was not inspected or diagnosed. The vin was included in nhtsa campaign number: 13v282000 (air bags, electrical system)....

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The dealer was unable to determine when the part would become available to repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 20,000.

Filed Incident Electrical system · StructureNHTSA 10694053
Body, doors & structureBrakesEngine & coolingCrashFire1 injury

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...

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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. *Tr

Filed Incident Structure · Service brakes · EngineNHTSA 10692105
Electrical systemBody, doors & structureEngine & coolingCrashFire1 injury

Hit a deer at 60 mph the car started on fire and completely burned up no air bags went off dodge investigated but will not tell us why the car burned up. *Tr

Filed Incident Electrical system · Structure · EngineNHTSA 10691788
Body, doors & structureEngine & cooling

Tl* the contact rented a 2013 dodge avenger. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start on the first attempt. The contact had to make several attempts to start the vehicle. In addition, the contact stated that while driving approximately 65 mph, the under carriage became separated from the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The vin was unavailable. The approximate failure mileage was 30,000. Updated 01/20/15*lj updated 9/7/2017*cn

Filed Incident Structure · EngineNHTSA 10662469
AirbagsBody, doors & structureAcceleration & cruise controlCrash1 injury

I noticed several times before this date going down the hwy and the car accelerating on its own. I was at a dead stop and go on the hwy rush our I let off the brake to ease on up and my car went under into a truck doing over $7800.00 In damages no airbags none deployed I just got my car from the shop on 8/30. I got in the car started it and backed up put the car in drive and it jolted into drive no foot on the gas peddle I had to hit my brakes again then I proceeded home. Still noticed this a couple more times. I...

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didn't think about it at the time of the accident I was taken straight out by ems with a neckbrace. I've sit here confused for 2 months knowing how did this happen knowing it was a brake ease off and brake again traffic and the amount of damage done to the car. My 14 yr old daughter had to convince my mom I was not speeding because of the amount of damage. I will call the shop again on mon am but also dodge or chrysler re: this. I had to pay out over $4k in car rental (no I didn't know I did not have that coverage.) I'm now pissed off and confused at did this cause the collision? I've only had this car a year and until that point had never had an accident my fault in m life I did have one this last week in a rental it was my fault I own up to that but not the first in the avenger after starting it again yesterday at pickup and this immediately happening and I mean immediately happening again had the shop not already being closed for the weekend and my ride left I would have left the car at the shop. I know of the overhead airbag problems I have tried to call once before. I will call monday until my calls are returned please reply to this. I am also contacting my insurance agency re: this problem and the accident. Please contact me. [[redacted]] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.S.C. 552(B)(6). *Tr

Filed Incident Air bags · Structure · Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 10629581
LightsAirbagsBody, doors & structureCrash

We hit a deer and the front of the car was demolished. Upon inspection the next morning, I noticed that an airbag sensor was shattered and just hanging by the wire harness. Airbags did not deploy, I was concerned about this and never got a straight answer from anyone. Now I get a recall notice saying faulty restraint system, I'm not too happy... *Tr

Filed Incident Exterior lighting · Air bags · StructureNHTSA 10586878
SteeringBody, doors & structure

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 dodge avenger. The contact stated that the vehicle would vibrate excessively when traveling over road bumps. The contact also mentioned that the under carriage was loose and partially detaching from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, who stated that the failure was unknown. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 25,000. The vin was not available. The consumer stated there was a constant vibration coming from the vehicle. The dealer did not know, how to fix the problem. Updated 09/15/14

Filed Incident Steering · StructureNHTSA 10555826
Body, doors & structure

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 dodge avenger. The contact stated that when driving in inclement weather, water would drain into the vehicle, causing the trunk lights to fail. The contact also stated that the third brake light failed. The vehicle was not inspected by a dealer or an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was contacted and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 41,000. The current mileage was approximately 43,000. The vin was unavailable. *Tr

Filed Incident StructureNHTSA 10502122
SteeringBody, doors & structureCrash

I was on my way to work and cautiously preceded around the curvy road with my steering wheel held to the right. When I ended the curve and tried to turn my steering wheel back too the right it wouldn't turn back to the left. This caused me to crash head on into a tree. The air bags were deployed. *Tr

Filed Incident Steering · StructureNHTSA 10495165

Dodge Avenger body complaints by year

Avenger body problems, every year

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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