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 issues with this car and to many people are experiencing the same thing. I am so afraid to drive my car because I don't…
2012 Dodge Avenger electrical problems
severe 96 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
96
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
5crashes
4fires
5injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 96 electrical complaints filed for the 2012 Dodge Avenger, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 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 96 electrical 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 electrical problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
What owners are reporting 7 most recent
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 intersection while other cars almost hitting me. Changed the fuel pump out because fuel pump would work at times. No one hurt,…
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Dodge avenger. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, a clicking noise was heard from the front end. While driving at any speed, the contact smelled burning wires from somewhere within the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 61,000.
Took car in for a coolant flush and only have heat on the drivers side. Passenger side blows cool air. Car is only 3 years old with 72,000 miles on it. Had heat before the dealership recommended the coolant flush. Took car into dealership to have it looked at and they tell me the heater core is partially plugged. Heat worked fine before flush, now it does not. *js
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Dodge avenger. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to emit heat on the front passenger side. The vehicle was taken to greenville Dodge Chrysler (5401 I-30 frontage rd, greenville, tx 75402) where it was diagnosed that the heater core needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the repair fees. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate…
The dashboard console lights keeps going out and flickering at inconsistent times. All other interior lights are working fine. Vehicle has less than 40k miles on it. This issue occurs often.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Dodge avenger. The contact stated that the air bag warning light continuously illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the occupant restraint control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired; however, the tipm was reset. The failure persisted. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 13v282000 (air…
Had electrical 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 electrical problem on the 2012 Dodge Avenger?
It's a meaningful issue. 96 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 68 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 57,000 and 94,000 miles, with the median around 70,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 57,000; a quarter make it past 94,000. 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 $850 for electrical 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 electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical 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.