I was hit by another car that ran a stop sign and none of my airbags deployed. The accident resulted in a total loss due to the hard hit. As a result I do not feel safe at all knowing that I could be hit so hard that my 2014 Dodge avenger was totaled but no air bags deployed to do the job they were suppose to do.
2014 Dodge Avenger airbags problems
severe Owners of the 2014 Dodge Avenger have filed 67 NHTSA complaints about the airbags, typically surfacing around 50,000 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
67
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
| Model year | airbags complaints |
|---|---|
| 2010 Avenger | 36 |
| 2011 Avenger | 27 |
| 2012 Avenger | 87 |
| 2013 Avenger | 129 |
| 2014 Avenger (this page) | 67 |
12crashes
6injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 67 airbags complaints filed for the 2014 Dodge Avenger, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 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
Airbags accounts for 33% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 10 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 67 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.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2014 Dodge Avengers describe widespread airbag system problems. The primary complaint is airbag warning lights appearing suddenly and staying on—sometimes flashing on and off, other times solid—with dealers unable to fix them permanently. Multiple owners had the Occupant Restraint Controller sensor replaced, only to see the light return weeks or months later.
More serious are non-deployment failures. Owners report being in crashes—rear-end collisions, front-end impacts, even rollovers—where the airbags never deployed, leaving occupants with head, neck, back, and face injuries that airbags should have prevented. One owner's husband was T-boned and suffered neck and back injuries when his airbags failed to deploy.
Head restraints are another major issue. Several owners report the headrest padding separating from the seat frame while driving, or the head restraint system deploying on its own—sometimes while parked, sometimes at a traffic light. In one case, the occupant was struck in the back of the head by the deploying restraint.
The recall situation adds to the frustration. Owners received NHTSA Campaign 16V668000 notices for airbag and seat belt defects, but dealers confirmed parts were not available—some for over a year. Owners felt trapped driving vehicles they knew were unsafe but couldn't get fixed under warranty. One owner reported a manufacturer claim denial for a deployment at 117,000 miles, citing "normal wear and tear."
Same Dodge Avenger airbags reports on nearby years: 2011 · 2012 · 2013
Failure modes owners describe
Airbag warning light illumination
Airbag warning light flashing on and off or remaining continuously illuminated without a crash or verified malfunction. Owners report the light appearing suddenly and persisting; some unable to reset it. Dealer diagnostics often inconclusive or attribute it to secondary issues like headrest separation.
When: Various mileages from 9,000 to 100,000+ miles; incidents reported during normal driving and after recall repairs
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light flashing intermittently; Airbag light remaining continuously illuminated; Light appearing without prior warning indicator; Light persisting after recall repair attempts
Codes mentioned: ORC (Occupant Restraint Controller) sensor fault, Airbag system fault codes
Repairs/costs cited: Owners cite replacement of ORC sensor (performed twice in some cases), headrest airbag replacement attempted. Costs mentioned include $500+ for headrest replacement; diagnostic charges $89.95 at some dealers. Repairs often ineffective—light returns.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 16V668000 (Seat Belts, Air Bags) issued. Manufacturer advised keeping receipts for possible reimbursement if future recall issued. Dealers unable to complete repair due to parts unavailability for extended periods.
Airbags fail to deploy in crashes
Complete failure of airbags to deploy during vehicle collisions of varying severity. Occupants sustained injuries that airbags should have prevented. Incidents include rear-end collisions, front-end crashes, and rollovers. No warning lights observed before incidents in most cases.
When: Mileages 21,000 to 117,000 miles; incidents occurred during normal driving and traffic situations
Symptoms owners cite: No airbag deployment on impact; No warning lights prior to collision; Multiple crash types—rear-end, front-end, rollover; Occupants sustained head, face, back, neck, and leg injuries
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicles not repaired post-crash; most deemed total losses. One owner denied warranty claim by manufacturer, citing 'normal wear and tear' at 117,000 miles.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer referred owners to NHTSA. NHTSA Campaign 16V668000 identified as applicable. Claim denial noted in one case. No recalls or TSBs directly addressing non-deployment failures reported.
Head restraint/headrest unintended deployment and separation
Head restraint airbag system deploying without crash or collision. Includes spring-loaded headrest padding separating from frame while vehicle in motion or at rest. In one case, restraint struck occupant in back of head. Padding fails to relatch after separation.
When: Various mileages from 25,000 to 78,000 miles; events occur during normal driving, stopped at traffic lights, and parked situations
Symptoms owners cite: Headrest padding separates from frame while driving; Head restraint deploys without collision; Grayish-colored smoke from under steering wheel noted in one deployment; Padding will not relatch after separation; Occupant struck in back of head by deploying restraint
Repairs/costs cited: Owners quote repair costs of $500+ for headrest replacement. Dealerships confirmed this is not covered under Takata recall. Some owners unable to afford repair; safety concerns noted.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer claim denial in one case (normal wear and tear). Owners report dealer acknowledgment of online complaints but no recall issued. One owner notes issue affected 2010–2013 models and 2014 continues same problem.
Recall repair parts unavailable for extended periods
Owners receive NHTSA Campaign 16V668000 recall notice but dealers confirm repair parts are not available. Extended delays—some reports spanning months to over a year—with manufacturers unable to confirm when parts will be available. Owners left with known defective vehicles unable to be serviced under recall.
When: Recall notices issued 2016 onwards; delays reported through 2017–2018; owners report waiting 6+ months to over a year
Symptoms owners cite: Recall notice received; Dealer confirms parts unavailable; Manufacturer unable to provide availability timeline; Vehicle remains unsafe pending repair completion; Owners express concern about driving recalled vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: No repair completed due to parts shortage. VIN tool confirms parts not available for many vehicles. One owner reported manufacturer said parts would be available August/September 2017.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 16V668000 (Seat Belts, Air Bags). TK Holdings (Takata supplier) filed for bankruptcy. Manufacturer stated parts unavailable; offered second recall notice when remedy available. One owner told June 2017 target; another told August/September 2017—timelines appear to have slipped.
Occupant Restraint Controller failure
ORC sensor and related control electronics malfunction, triggering airbag warning light and loss of airbag system functionality. Multiple repair attempts ineffective; issues recur after initial repair.
When: Mileages 49,400 to 100,000+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: ORC sensor fault illuminating warning light; Multiple warning light illuminations after repair; Airbag system non-functional despite ORC replacement; System failure recurring after initial dealer repair
Codes mentioned: ORC sensor code, Occupant Restraint Controller failure
Repairs/costs cited: ORC sensor replaced; in one case replaced twice at dealer Bergstrom Chrysler of Kaukauna. Headrest airbag also replaced in one instance. Repairs did not resolve recurring faults.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer stated unable to assist; advised owner to keep receipts for possible reimbursement if recall issued. No ongoing support for recurring failures.
Synthesized from 67 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 8 most recent
Takata air bags unsafe I dont want to be killed due to bad building!!!!!!
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 Dodge avenger. The contact received a recall notification for the air bags. The dealer stated that the parts for the repair were unavailable. The NHTSA campaign number was unknown. The contact had not experienced a failure.
It is the airbags but I'm not sure if it's considered the takata recall. But I've received two to three different letters about the recall and I've gone to the dealership numerous times. Everytime they say they don't have the parts to fix and now the airbag light keeps going on and off. I called to schedule an appointment for one of the two recalls and not they are saying there is no record of a…
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 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 manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 Dodge avenger. The contact rear ended another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was driven home and then to a collision shop. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v668000 (air bags, seat belts); however, the part to do the repair was…
Takata recall. Seat belts will not click and come undone randomly. My car went limp and would not drive over 10 miles per hour due to mechanical failure while driving. Also the car shut off another day while on the highway in motion. Car needed to be towed to vip. Suspension system required replacement.
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 Dodge avenger. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v668000 (air bags, seat belts). The part to do the repair was not available. 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 tool confirms parts not…
Had airbags trouble with your 2014 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 2014 Dodge Avenger?
It's a meaningful issue. 67 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 29 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 36,000 and 89,000 miles, with the median around 50,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 36,000; a quarter make it past 89,000. 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/2014/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.