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 87 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
87
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
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.
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.