Dodge Avenger problems
553 owners have filed defect reports on this one. That's not a small number. No active recalls — patterns come from the complaint record.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Repair exposure runs above average — only with money set aside and eyes open.
- Electrical system: 96 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 57,000–94,000 mi
- Engine: 36 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 46,000–90,000 mi
- Reliability score 7.0/10 — around the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
Window Defrost and Passenger Heat /Air. While either in motion or while driving, no heated air exits the passenger side of the windshield defroster, nor the passenger window defrost, lower and center console vents. Heated air only exits the driver's side windshield and driver's…
My Dodge avenger has started to cut off while I am driving down the highway or while sitting in a line waiting on food. I also experience the right side of my vehicle not heating at all. There is also a clicking noise in my car that has worsened over time. There are a lot off…
The vehicle blows hot air on the drivers side, but cold air on the passenger side. Since it is blowing only cold air on one half of the windshield the windows ice up, freeze up and fog up. This is a driving hazard, since this impairs visibilty.
While driving for about 50miles, the electrical system failed, I lost power to the entire vehicle, steering was hard, brakes hard as well. as I pulled over, the car started back up. Next day car drove fine. Few days later the car cut off at red light in the middle of the…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2012 Dodge Avenger reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.0 out of 10 based on 553 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2012 Dodge Avenger is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2012 Dodge Avenger?
The 2012 Dodge Avenger is a higher-risk ownership prospect. Repair exposure runs above average — only with money set aside and eyes open. The record behind that call: Electrical system: 96 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 57,000–94,000 mi; Engine: 36 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 46,000–90,000 mi; Reliability score 7.0/10 — around the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What's the most common problem on the 2012 Dodge Avenger?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 96 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 77,807 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The electrical is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 77,807 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Dodge Avenger has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2012 Dodge Avenger?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 553 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $850, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.