THE PCMCIA LIGHT COMES ON THEN GOES OFF.CAR WILL SOME TIMES CHUGS AND WANTS TO SHUT OFF IN MOTION
2009 Dodge Avenger airbags problems
severe 11 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Crashes
3
Avg fix
$1,100
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
WHILE DRIVING A 2009 DODGE AVENGER FROM NATIONAL CAR RENTAL (~11,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE) AT 70 MPH ON A FLORIDA TOLL WAY, THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THERE WAS NO COLLISION OR CONTACT WITH ANYTHING (ANIMAL, ROAD DEBRIS, ETC.), THE ROAD WAS FLAT AND STRAIGHT, AND THERE WERE NO CIRCUMSTANCES OR EVENTS THAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED THE AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY. I WAS TALKING ON A CELL PHONE USING A BLUETOOTH HEADS…
AIR BAGS BLEW UP WHEN PARRELL PARKING BUMPED A CAR IN FRONT OF ME AT 1 MILE PER HOUR AND BOOM.
IT BEGAN WITH THE AIR BAG LIGHT GOING ON AND OFF AS WELL AS THE AIR BAG SOUND. IT BECAME MORE FREQUENT AND OCCURRED MOSTLY WHEN TAKING A LEFT HAND TURN. CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAGS MIGHT DEPLOY, I PULLED THE FUSE. WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL, THERE IS A SPRING NOISE BEHIND THE STEERING WHEEL THAT PINGS IN EITHER DIRECTION.
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND GETTING BACK TO SPEED AND HEARD A BANG. DIDN'T HIT ANYTHING AND THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I WAS NOT INJURED AND INJURED NO-ONE ELSE. MY WINDSHIELD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS SEVERLY CRACKED. NOW I'M BETWEEN A ROCK AND HARD PLACE, MY INSURANCE SAYS THAT IT MAY NOT BE COVERED SINCE I DIDN'T COLLIDE WITH ANYONE, AND I'M OVER MY 36000 MILES…
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2009 Dodge Avenger?
It's a meaningful issue. 11 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
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