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full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2012 Dodge Avenger engine problems
severe 36 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
36
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
1crash
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 36 engine complaints filed for the 2012 Dodge Avenger, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 125,000-150,000 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 36 engine 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 engine problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
ADAPTER, Engine Oil Filter (Pentastar V6) For all 2014MY replace the Oil Filter Adapter (OFA). For any other MY review and follow instructions from the latest STAR Online S1809000007 available on Dealer Connect. Also, consider the following: 1) Remove OFA 2) Replace only the oil inlet O-ring and gaskets (seals kit in SOL above). 3) Re-install the OFA. For 2023MY and beyond use black O-ring. For 2022MY and prior use red O-ring. Note: When replacing OFA, it may be necessary to transfer the Oil Temp/Pressure Sensor from the old OFA to the new OFA.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗ADAPTER, Engine Oil Filter (Pentastar V6) For all 2014MY replace the Oil Filter Adapter (OFA). For any other MY review and follow instructions from the latest STAR Online S1809000007 available on Dealer Connect. Also, consider the following: 1) Remove OFA 2) Replace only the oil inlet O-ring and gaskets (seals kit in SOL above). 3) Re-install the OFA. For 2023MY and beyond use black O-ring. For 2022MY and prior use red O-ring. Note: When replacing OFA, it may be necessary to transfer the Oil Temp/Pressure Sensor from the old OFA to the new OFA.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗ADAPTER, Engine Oil Filter (Pentastar V6) For all 2014MY replace the Oil Filter Adapter (OFA). For any other MY (with mileage above 30,000) review and follow instructions from STAR Online S1809000007 REV. C available on Dealer Connect. Also, consider the following: 1) Remove OFA 2) Replace only the oil inlet O-ring and gaskets (seals kit in SOL above). 3) Re-install the OFA. For 2023MY and beyond use black O-ring. For 2022MY and prior use red O-ring. Note: When replacing OFA, it may be necessary to transfer the Oil Temp/Pressure Sensor from the old OFA to the new OFA.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some of the above-involved vehicles may exceed NOx (Oxides of Nitrogen) emission level standards due to loss of catalytic converter efficiency
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2012 Dodge Avenger shows two distinct engine-related failure patterns. The first is unexpected stalling at highway and city speeds. Owners report the engine shutting off without warning while driving 25–70 mph, sometimes requiring towing. Check Engine lights illuminate after stalling; vehicles typically restart but may stall again. One owner experienced a crankshaft sensor malfunction diagnosed at 80,000 miles that persisted even after sensor replacement and attempted electrical resets. Another reported stalling at 46,000 miles that progressed to a no-start condition; a third noted stalling with no warning lights, hitting a pole and injuring the driver.
The second pattern is cooling-system sludge buildup causing heater failure. Owners across a wide mileage range—from 34,600 to 137,000 miles—report the passenger-side heater blowing cold air while the driver side works normally. Mechanics consistently identify casting sand from the aluminum engine block contaminating the cooling system and clogging the heater core, radiator, and oil cooler. Multiple owners note this is a known Chrysler defect; repair shops have documented it. Windshield defrosting fails on the passenger side, creating a safety hazard in winter driving. System flushes provide temporary relief or no relief. Full repairs—radiator, heater core, oil cooler replacement, and coolant system flush—cost $1,200 to $2,900 at dealerships, and Chrysler has denied coverage under powertrain warranty.
Same Dodge Avenger engine reports on nearby years: 2010 · 2011 · 2013 · 2014
Failure modes owners describe
Engine stalling at speed
Engine shuts off without warning while driving at various speeds (25–70 mph), often requiring restart. Check Engine light may illuminate. Crankshaft position sensor malfunction identified in at least one case but replacement did not resolve the issue.
When: 80,000 miles (case #1); 58,000 miles (case #10); 46,000 miles (case #19); unknown mileage (cases #14, #30, #31)
Symptoms owners cite: Engine cuts off while driving without warning; Vehicle rolls or coasts after stalling; Check Engine light illuminates after stall; Vehicle restarts but failure recurs; Can stall at specific speeds (reported at 70 mph in case #1)
Codes mentioned: P0335 (crankshaft position sensor malfunction, case #1), P0513 (invalid SKIM key, case #26), B1A25 (invalid key, case #26)
Repairs/costs cited: Case #1: Crankshaft sensor replaced but failure persisted; original sensor reinstalled and reset procedure attempted three times without success. Case #26: Diagnosed with invalid key codes. Case #10: Stalled at 25 mph uphill, struck pole, minor driver injury; towed but not diagnosed at dealer.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Case #1: Manufacturer referred contact to NHTSA when contacted. Case #19: Manufacturer notified of incident.
Cooling-system sludge and heater core blockage
Casting sand from aluminum engine block contaminates the cooling system, creating sludge buildup that clogs the heater core, radiator, and oil cooler. This causes the passenger-side heater to blow cold air while the driver side works normally. Windshield defrosting fails on the passenger side, creating a winter driving safety hazard. Multiple owners and dealers confirm this is a known Chrysler manufacturing defect; flushes provide no lasting relief.
When: 34,600 miles (case #6); 47,700 miles (case #24); 50,000 miles (case #27); 63,000 miles (case #5); 90,000 miles (case #15); 112,000 miles (case #11); 126,135 miles (case #9); various unknown mileages (cases #3, #4, #7, #12, #18, #20, #21, #22, #23, #25, #28, #29, #32, #33)
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger-side vents blow only cold air; driver side blows hot air; Passenger-side windshield does not defrost; ice and snow accumulate; Windshield visibility reduced on passenger side (winter safety hazard); No heat in passenger compartment or floor vents; Check Engine light illuminated (case #11); Heat output inconsistent across vehicle
Codes mentioned: Thermostat code (case #11, exact code not specified)
Repairs/costs cited: Radiator replacement: $2,235–$2,900 (cases #7, #18, #22); heater core replacement: $1,200–$2,500 (cases #2, #3, #4, #7, #12, #18); system flush with multiple flushes ineffective (case #5); blend door actuator and thermostat replacement did not resolve issue (case #15); repairs include radiator, heater core, oil cooler replacement, and full cooling-system flush (cases #6, #7, #9). Case #28: Heater core replaced multiple times, sludge buildup recurs.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Case #2: Not covered under powertrain warranty; Dodge documented complaint but did not provide assistance. Case #3: Not covered under powertrain warranty; repair cost $2,500 with no guarantee; appears in multiple complaints suggesting known defect. Case #6: Manufacturer notified; no assistance offered. Case #12: Dodge admitted casting problem. Case #7: Chrysler Group LLC identified as having no documented cause for sludge but acknowledged the condition requires costly repairs at owner expense. Case #18: Dodge service acknowledged as known Chrysler issue; Chrysler refused coverage claiming not a known issue. Case #20: Not covered under lifetime warranty. Case #21: Manufacturer aware of problem.
Synthesized from 36 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Engine keeps stalling
Had engine 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 engine problem on the 2012 Dodge Avenger?
It's a meaningful issue. 36 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 28 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 46,000 and 90,000 miles, with the median around 65,384. A quarter of owners report trouble before 46,000; a quarter make it past 90,000. 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 $3,100 for engine 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 engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine 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.