Advanced Field Action Communication ? N0202072013 Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) announced a safety recall on certain 2013 model year (JS) Dodge Avenger and Chrysler 200 (sedan and convertible) vehicles equipped with the non-Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (PZEV) fuel tank assembly. The above vehicles may experience fuel leakage at the rear of the vehicle and/or engine stall due to a fuel tank control valve that was damaged during the manufacturing process. Chrysler will conduct a voluntary safety recall on all affected vehicles to inspect the control valve located in the fuel tank. Vehicles found with a damaged control valve will have the fuel tank assembly and vapor canister replaced. Dealer
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 Dodge Avenger airbags problems
severe 129 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
129
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
16crashes
2fires
26injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 129 airbags complaints filed for the 2013 Dodge Avenger, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 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
Of the 7 model years of Dodge Avenger we track for airbags problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 129.
Owners have filed 129 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.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering airbags 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.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report their 2013 Dodge Avengers have persistent airbag warning lights that stay illuminated continuously or blink randomly during acceleration and highway driving. Diagnostic codes point to active headrest control circuit failures. Dealers quote $300–$400+ to replace the occupant restraint controller (ORC), but parts sit backordered for months or years. Chrysler issued recalls 16V668000 and 17V640000, yet many owners find their VINs excluded despite matching the exact symptoms described in recall literature.
Worse, some owners were in crashes—rear-end collisions, tree impacts, guardrail hits—at speeds ranging 15–70 mph where airbags should have deployed but didn't. Several sustained serious injuries: neck pain, whiplash, chest and rib fractures, head wounds. At least one rear-seat passenger urinated blood from impact trauma. Vehicles were destroyed; owners learned of the recall only after the crash.
Active headrests pop forward unexpectedly at low parking-lot speeds or on the highway without any impact—sometimes the spring ejects violently. One owner was hit in the head by a deploying headrest with their 1-year-old child in the back seat. Repair quotes run near $3,000, and dealers claim it's not covered under recall. One 30-year mechanic owner found a broken wire inside the headrest connector but the system still malfunctioned after the dealer performed the recall repair.
Same Dodge Avenger airbags reports on nearby years: 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2014
Failure modes owners describe
Airbag warning light illumination / system disabled
Airbag warning light remains on continuously or blinks intermittently. Dealers report the entire airbag system disables when the light is present. Owners report inability to clear the light despite dealer visits and repair attempts.
When: Various mileages: 23,000–110,000 miles; typically 3–8 years of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light on continuously; Airbag light blinks intermittently (especially during acceleration); Light comes on and goes off randomly while driving; Warning ding accompanying light illumination
Codes mentioned: B1C14 (Front driver's head rest circuit control defective)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers cite ~$300–$400+ labor to replace occupant restraint controller (ORC) or active headrest control module; parts frequently on backorder or unavailable
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recalls 16V668000 (Seat Belts, Air Bags) and 17V640000 (Seats, Air Bags) issued; however, many VINs excluded from recall eligibility despite identical symptoms. Recall remedy parts unavailable for extended periods (some owners report 2+ years waiting).
Airbags fail to deploy in crashes
Airbag system does not deploy during collisions at various speeds. Multiple incidents involve rear-end and front-end crashes where occupants suffered injuries without airbag protection. Some vehicles were included in recalls but remedy not yet available at time of crash.
When: At crash occurrence; vehicles ranged from 23,000 to 110,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: No airbag deployment on impact; Occupant head/neck/chest/rib injuries resulting; Vehicle destroyed in accidents; Seat belt failure often accompanying airbag non-deployment
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple vehicles destroyed; no repairs possible post-crash. Pre-crash diagnostics not performed on all vehicles.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recalls 16V668000 and 17V640000 mention airbag failure modes, but remedy unavailable before some crashes occurred. Some owners notified of recall after the fact with no prior notification.
Active headrest / anti-whiplash system erroneous deployment
Driver or passenger side active headrest deploys suddenly without crash or impact. Occurs at low speeds (15 mph while parking lot, 70 mph highway) and even while vehicle stationary. Spring may eject during deployment.
When: Mileage range 49,600–133,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Headrest pops forward suddenly without crash; Loud noise preceding deployment; Spring ejects during deployment; Neck injury from unexpected deployment; Headrest cannot be reset or locked in place after deployment
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers estimate ~$3,000 to repair; one owner repaired broken internal wiring themselves (black wire broken inside yellow connector 2 inches before connector); after recall repair, some systems still malfunction
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 17V640000 specifically addresses occupant restraint controller (ORC) failure preventing active headrest deployment, but erroneous deployment complaints suggest broader control circuit issue. Some VINs not included in recall despite identical symptoms.
Electrical / wiring disconnect in headrest circuit
Wiring or electrical connectors in active headrest circuit become disconnected or break. Owners report black wire fractured inside fiber insulation; yellow connectors show wear or disconnection.
When: Mileage varies; one incident noted at 50,000+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light illuminates; Headrest circuit shows open circuit condition; Electrical wires disconnected at connector
Codes mentioned: B1C14 (Front driver's head rest circuit control open)
Repairs/costs cited: One owner with 30-year mechanic experience repaired fractured black wire themselves by stripping and reattaching; dealer quoted ~$400 to fix; light remained on after recall repair suggesting deeper system issue
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recalls identify sensor/control module failure but do not explicitly address wiring harness defects. Some owners told wiring issues are not covered under recall.
Recall repair parts unavailable / extended delays
Owners receive recall notifications (16V668000, 17V640000) but parts for remedy are unavailable or backordered. Manufacturer unable to provide estimated delivery dates. Delays last months to 2+ years.
When: Recall notifications issued September 2016–December 2017; parts unavailable through 2018 and later
Symptoms owners cite: Dealers unable to order parts; No estimated repair timeline provided; Owners remain without airbag system protection while awaiting recall repair
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs completed; parts marked 'backordered' or 'unavailable'. Some dealers referred owners to call NHTSA to expedite part availability.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recalls 16V668000 and 17V640000 issued but remedy parts unavailable for extended periods. Manufacturer stated parts would be available September/August of following year but did not materialize. Some owners advised to contact NHTSA for part status.
Occupant restraint controller (ORC) failure / shift forward
Occupant restraint controller unit shifts forward or fails internally, disabling active headrest reset or control. Component requires replacement but may not be fully covered under all recall scenarios.
When: Mileage range 70,000–81,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: ORC shifts or moves forward during operation; Unable to reset headrest after shift; Abnormal noise inside vehicle preceding shift; Active headrest functionality lost
Repairs/costs cited: Requires full ORC replacement; parts unavailable during reported incidents
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 17V640000 addresses ORC failure for active headrest non-deployment; however, some VINs excluded despite failures matching recall description.
Synthesized from 129 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
My husband a I were driving down the highway and all of a sudden a loud sound a bam the air bag in the passenger seat blew open and dang near gave my husband whiplash. Also I have had the thermostat replaced 3 times in 2 years and the car is still overheating. The ABS sensor will not go off and its like the emergency brake is stuck. I can be driving and when I try to stop it is like its locking…
Takata recall air bag light won't go off I'm afraid the airbag won't deploy
The passenager head restraint system is throwing an error they cannot figure out. The local service department, and Chrysler's star team (engineers) cannot figure out the problem. They have had my car for five weeks. It's time for them to replace the defective vehicle.
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2013 Dodge avenger. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v668000 (air bags, seat belts); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN…
Air bag light illuminated. VIN not in recall range
Had airbags trouble with your 2013 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 2013 Dodge Avenger?
It's a meaningful issue. 129 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 67 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 42,000 and 110,000 miles, with the median around 67,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 42,000; a quarter make it past 110,000. 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/2013/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.