Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Dodge avenger. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 50 MPH, an unknown animal was hit by the vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an unknown location and was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact received a notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v668000 (air bags) however, the part to do the…
2012 Dodge Avenger airbags problems
severe Owners of the 2012 Dodge Avenger have filed 87 NHTSA complaints about the airbags, typically surfacing around 60,000 miles at roughly $1,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
87
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
| Model year | airbags complaints |
|---|---|
| 2008 Avenger | 71 |
| 2009 Avenger | 11 |
| 2010 Avenger | 36 |
| 2011 Avenger | 27 |
| 2012 Avenger (this page) | 87 |
| 2013 Avenger | 129 |
| 2014 Avenger | 67 |
18crashes
19injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 87 airbags complaints filed for the 2012 Dodge Avenger, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 87 airbags complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Among the 7 model years of Dodge Avenger in our records for airbags problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
The failure pattern owners describe
Across 87 complaints, 2012 Dodge Avenger owners describe a cascade of airbag and restraint failures tied to a defective Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) module, faulty Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM), and seat belt pretensioner wiring issues. The core problem: airbags and seat belt pretensioners fail to deploy during crashes despite sufficient impact severity. Multiple owners were in collisions at speeds ranging from 10 to 65 mph and struck steering wheels, dashboards, and windows with nothing to stop them—some sustained head trauma, concussions, fractures, and whiplash injuries that might have been prevented by functioning restraints.
Owners also report persistent airbag warning lights that reappear weeks or months after dealer service, including TIPM reprogramming and ORC module replacement. One owner had the airbag light return twice after repairs, another went six months with the light on while recall parts remained unavailable. Some dealers refused to diagnose further problems without diagnostic fees once the recall remedy could not be completed.
A separate failure mode involves active head restraints deploying without warning while parked or at highway speeds, striking occupants in the back of the head with enough force to cause occupants to lurch forward. Spontaneous deployment occurred with no crash or impact, and dealers quoted $850 for replacement.
Critical gap: recall notices for 16V668000 (Takata—seat belts and airbags) and 17V640000 (seats, air bags) were issued but parts remained unavailable for many months, some stamped "no fix" available. Owners lost thousands in trade-in value and were left driving vehicles the manufacturer acknowledged as defective but could not repair.
Same Dodge Avenger airbags reports on nearby years: 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2013 · 2014
Failure modes owners describe
Airbag non-deployment in crashes
Airbags and/or seat belt pretensioners fail to deploy during frontal, side, or rear-end collisions despite sufficient impact severity. Some complaints cite electrical faults in the occupant restraint controller (ORC) or seat belt sensor failures that disable the deployment circuit.
When: Various mileage points from 38,800 to 227,000 miles; events occur during actual crashes
Symptoms owners cite: No airbag deployment during collision; Seat belts fail to engage or pretension; Occupants strike steering wheel, dashboard, or windows causing injuries; Multiple impacts in single crash due to lack of restraint; Injuries including concussions, fractures, whiplash, head trauma
Codes mentioned: B1C1A (wiring issue under seat to head restraint), ORC module not communicating with vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: ORC module replacement ($385 reported in one case); seat belt sensor replacement; some cases remain unrepaired due to dealer liability concerns or vehicle declared total loss
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recalls 13V282000, 16V668000, 17V640000 issued but parts unavailable for extended periods; owners report manufacturer stated 'no fix' available on some vehicles; TIPM reprogramming performed per recall but does not resolve ongoing airbag light or deployment failures
Persistent airbag warning light illumination
Airbag warning lamp remains continuously or intermittently on despite recall attempts, TIPM reprogramming, and ORC module replacement. Owners report the light reappears days to months after dealer service, rendering airbags non-functional per manufacturer guidance.
When: Begins at various mileages (40,000–117,000 miles) and persists for months to years; often triggered after recall service
Symptoms owners cite: Continuous or intermittent airbag warning light; Light reappears 2 weeks to months after dealer repair; Light alternates on/off regardless of seat occupancy; Unable to pass vehicle inspection with light on
Codes mentioned: ORC module internal failure, TIPM short circuit (related to wiper/window control module), Wiring faults in headrest circuits
Repairs/costs cited: TIPM reprogramming per recall N38 ineffective; ORC module replacement ($385) temporary—light returns; headrest wiring connector repair ($128) temporary; some dealers refuse to diagnose without diagnostic fee when recall remedy unavailable
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 13V282000 and related campaigns attempt TIPM flash, but multiple owners report light persists post-recall; manufacturer acknowledged internally but no permanent fix identified; dealers state further repairs outside recall scope
Active headrest spontaneous deployment
Driver- or passenger-side active head restraints deploy without warning while vehicle is parked or during normal driving at highway speeds. No impact or collision triggers deployment.
When: Occurs while parked in driveway or while driving at highway speeds; no specific mileage pattern noted
Symptoms owners cite: Headrest deploys while vehicle parked; Headrest deploys at 65 mph driving; Occupant struck in back of head; Occupant lurches forward into traffic danger
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer estimate $850 for headrest replacement; owners declined repair or vehicle towed post-incident; one case involved headrest separation while still partially attached
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 17V640000 (Seats, Air Bags) applies but manufacturer denied warranty coverage in one case; no structured remedy offered
Airbag and seat belt pretensioner parts unavailability under recall
Owners receive recall notices (16V668000, 17V640000) but dealers confirm replacement parts are not available, sometimes for 6+ months. Manufacturers provide no estimated arrival date and exceed reasonable timeframe for remedy. Some recalls stamped 'no fix' available.
When: Recalls issued; failure mileage typically 45,000–101,000 miles at time of recall notice
Symptoms owners cite: Recall notice received but parts unavailable at dealer; Repeated visits to dealer yield no progress; Manufacturer unable to confirm parts arrival date; Airbag warning light remains on during parts delay
Repairs/costs cited: No repair completed; some manufacturers offered loaner/rental vehicles (owner must use credit card and seek reimbursement in one case); owners report trade-in value loss of $7,000+ due to 'no fix' recall stamp
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 16V668000 (Seat Belts, Air Bags—Takata) and 17V640000 issued with extended parts delays documented through 2017; manufacturers stated parts not designed or available; some dealers charged diagnostic fees despite recall non-availability; Chrysler offered rental reimbursement program
Delayed or partial airbag deployment
Airbags deploy after a noticeable delay following impact, or only some airbags deploy (e.g., curtain bags deploy but not frontal bags or side bags). Owner strikes steering wheel or dashboard before airbag inflation.
When: During crash events; mileage varies
Symptoms owners cite: Occupant strikes steering wheel before airbag deploys; Occupant suffers forehead/upper left impact to steering wheel; Only passenger-side curtain airbags deploy in frontal crash; Driver-side and side impact airbags do not deploy; Occupant knocked unconscious or suffers concussion during or after delayed deployment
Codes mentioned: Front driver-side air bag squib open circuit
Repairs/costs cited: Air bag squib replacement needed but not completed in reported case; one vehicle destroyed after crash
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No direct response documented; crash occurred before recall parts available in some cases
TIPM electrical module faults affecting airbag control
Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) shorting condition causes airbag light, wiper failures, and power window issues. TIPM reprogramming per recall ineffective; some owners and dealers believe ORC module replacement also required for 2012 models despite recall specifying TIPM flash only.
When: Issues arise around 40,000–80,000 miles; wiper and window failures often precede airbag light
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag light remains on after TIPM reprogramming; Windshield wipers randomly stop and restart; Power windows fail intermittently; Internal short in TIPM diagnosed at dealer
Codes mentioned: TIPM internal short, TIPM electrical fault
Repairs/costs cited: TIPM reprogramming performed per recall; ORC module replacement ($385) pursued by owners dissatisfied with reprogramming alone; neither permanently resolves airbag light
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall N38 and others specify TIPM reprogramming for 2012 JS models but not ORC replacement; discrepancy between 2011 models (ORC replaced) and 2012 models (TIPM flashed) noted by owners; recall documentation shows 2011/2012 KA vehicles require ORC replacement, creating confusion about 2012 JS applicability
Synthesized from 87 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
My air bag light came on december 16,2014 I reported it on december 18,2014. I took it in to be fixed on 12/21/2014 but my airbag light is still on due to the fact that he said the occupant restraint control module needs to be replaced. I feel this is a defect and should be part of the recalls. How do I know that he reprogrammed it if the light is still on. Also my trunk holds water when it rains…
Had airbags trouble with your 2012 Dodge Avenger?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2012 Dodge Avenger?
It's a meaningful issue. 87 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?
Across the 45 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 42,208 and 81,000 miles, with the median around 60,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 42,208; a quarter make it past 81,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
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.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2012/Dodge/Avenger.
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. Some links on this page are affiliate links.