2012 Dodge Avenger Airbags Problems

I was driving and I stopped at a stop sign. When I got ready to go, the car stalled and stopped and wouldn't start. After 30 minutes, it started but I ended up having it towed. My mechanic was able to replicate it after putting the car in the sun, running it for 10 minutes and then driving it. When the mechanic tried to look at it, he couldn't find anything to cause it to stop. I look it to the dealership. They were unable to replicate it or find the problem. It seems to happen when the car gets hot it stops without warning. Other people in the Dodge Avenger online group have experienced the same thing. The horn also keeps beeping without warning and the airbag sign is on. I think all of these items are connected. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11677692

Incident

Jul 18, 2025

The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an auto repair shop where it was diagnosed that there was an open circuit in the front driver’s side air bag squib. The contact was informed that the air bag squib needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 227,000.

NHTSA ID

11621230

Incident

Feb 22, 2024

Mileage

227,000 mi

I have been unable to get the safety belt part for the recall. Additionally, it keeps saying I need to replace the gas cap and even the dealership cant help me.

NHTSA ID

11608207

Incident

Aug 1, 2014

The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Avenger. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V640000 (Seats, Air Bags). The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked at the residence, the contact entered the vehicle and observed that the headrest was uneven. The contact inspected the headrest from the rear of the vehicle where she observed that the headrest had separated but was still attached to the middle of the headrest. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 117,206.

NHTSA ID

11587588

Incident

May 8, 2024

Mileage

117,206 mi

My driver side Headrest suddenly deployed while sitting at a red light. It struck me in the back of my head, this caused me to lurch forward and almost being hit by oncoming traffic. Dodge denied me replacement saying it was out of any warranty. They did not even look at it and told me it would cost me $850 to replace. No warning lights or signs that this was going to happen before it deployed. I still need to call my Insurance company to see what can be done.

NHTSA ID

11534927

Incident

Jul 25, 2023

Was hit from the rear emd amd air bags did not deploy. Back bumper was totally destroyed amd brakes go out fast

NHTSA ID

11513774

Incident

Nov 19, 2022

Air Bags from Steering Wheel did not deploy in a at fault rear end accident. Driver suffered from neck and back injuries. Problem has not been inspected. No warning lamps.

NHTSA ID

11444286

Incident

Dec 8, 2021

The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated while 35 MPH, the passenger’s side air bag deployed without incident or warning. The contact was not injured. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed nor repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 284,000.

NHTSA ID

11423580

Incident

Jul 1, 2021

Mileage

284,000 mi

THE VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE LOSS OF AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER DEPLOYMENT CAPABILITY IN CERTAIN CRASH EVENTS DUE TO A SHORTING CONDITION RESULTING IN A NEGATIVE VOLTAGE TRANSIENT THAT TRAVELS TO THE OCCUPANT RESTRAINT CONTROLLER VIA THE FRONT IMPACT SENSOR WIRES. THE OCCUPANT RESTRAINT CONTROLLER (ORC) MAY CAUSE AN ILLUMINATED AIRBAG WARNING LAMP DUE TO AN INTERNAL FAILURE IN THE ORC WHICH MAY RESULT IN THE INABILITY TO DEPLOY ACTIVE HEADRESTS (AHR) DURING CERTAIN REAR-END CRASHES. I PURCHASED THIS CAR 02/2017

NHTSA ID

11388702

Incident

Feb 28, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE FRONTAL PASSENGER'S SEAT HEADREST DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED TO CHECK FOR RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SUBJECTED TO A RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FERMAN CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM ' WESLEY CHAPEL (24314 FL-54, LUTZ, FL 33559) AND THE CONTACT WAS PROVIDED AN ESTIMATE FOR THE REPAIR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DECLINED THE REPAIR. ADDITIONALLY, THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADREST DEPLOYED WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V640000 (SEATS, AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID

11330402

Incident

Jan 15, 2020

AIRBAG ISSUES HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A PROBLEM AND CAR WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW. DRIVER SIDE HEAD RESTRAINT IS FAULTY AGAIN AND REPAIRS WILL COST 1100 TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE HEAD REST.*DT *TR CONSUMER STATED AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON WITHIN HAVING THE CAR FOR ABOUT A YEAR.*JB

NHTSA ID

11321432

Incident

Apr 17, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE AVENGER. WHILE THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AT A YIELD SIGN, IT WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS PUSHED INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELTS NEVER ENGAGED AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS KNOCKED UNCONSCIOUS AND SUSTAINED A HEAD CONTUSION, CONCUSSION, NECK SPRAIN, AND BACK INJURIES. THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT AND UNDERWENT SEVERAL BRAIN SCANS. SHE WAS ALSO CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING MINOR SEIZURES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS INITIALLY TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO LITHIA CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM OF CORPUS CHRISTI (4313 S STAPLES ST, CORPUS CHRISTI, TX 78411, 361-288-2510) WHERE IT WAS KEPT FOR TWO MONTHS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER PERFORMED AN UNKNOWN RECALL REPAIR REGARDING THE ACTIVE HEAD RESTRAINT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN THEIR POSSESSION. THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY PAID FOR ALL THE REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE, BUT A LEAK WAS STILL PRESENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WAS NOT DETERMINED. AFTER REVIEWING THE CARFAX REPORT, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 17V640000 (SEATS, AIR BAGS) AND 16V668000 (SEAT BELTS, AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, SHE NEVER RECEIVED ANY NOTIFICATIONS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000.

NHTSA ID

11252978

Incident

May 22, 2016

Mileage

60,000 mi

VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR AIRBAG RECALLS HOWEVER THE LIGHT STAYS ON CONSTANTLY. NOT LONG AFTER BUYING THE VEHICLE, I WOULD PUT USE THE TURN SIGNAL AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD COME ON, THEY STILL DO FROM TIME TO TIME. I TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICE AT THE DEALER AND THEY COULD NOT FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. ALSO, FROM TIME TO TIME, THE AIR CONDITIONER BUTTON WILL NOT WORK. THE ONLY WAY TO GET IT TO WORK IS TO RAPIDLY TURN THE KNOB FROM SIDE TO SIDE. IT HAS SOMETIMES TAKEN UP TO 5 MINUTES TO GET IT TO WORK.

NHTSA ID

11252105

Incident

Aug 28, 2019

AIR BAG LIGHT WAS COMING ON AND OFF FOR DRIVERS HEAD REST AIR BAG WAS TAKEN IN FOR THAT RECALL NOW SAME PROBLEM IS HAPPENING AGAIN ALSO HAVE THAT AWESOME DODGE DEFECT WERE THE HEATER BLOWS HOT ON DRIVERS SIDE AND ICE ICE COLD ON PASSENGER SIDE THESE ARE PRETTY MAJOR DEFECTS WITCH DODGE HAS KNOWN ABOUT AND SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE

NHTSA ID

11241434

Incident

Aug 2, 2019

Mileage

35,000 mi

HAD RECALLS DONE ON VEHICLE BUT DASH LIGHT FOR AIRBAGS IS ON AND STAYS ON FOR LAST 3 YEARS NOW

NHTSA ID

11230848

Incident

Mar 10, 2017

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS A PASSENGER IN A 2012 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END CRASH AND THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INCORRECTLY, WHICH INJURED THE CONTACT. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS RECEIVED. THE AIR BAGS WERE REPLACED FROM THE ORIGINAL TAKATA AIR BAGS. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER'S INSURANCE COMPANY TOWED THE VEHICLE AND DECLARED IT DESTROYED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN. *TT*JB CONSUMER STATED VIN UPDATED, CONSUMER WAS A PASSENGER NOT THE OWNER. *JB *DT PHOTOS ATTACHED 'PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'*JB

NHTSA ID

11161946

Incident

Mar 12, 2018

TAKATA RECALL ALSO HEATER CORE ISSUE. HEAT ONLY BLOWS ON DRIVERS SIDE WHEN SET TO HEAT AND COLD AIR BLOWS ON PASSENGER SIDE. SEEMS TO BE A KNOWN ISSUE WITH CHRYSLER BUT THEY DO NOT WANT TO FORCE A RECALL. TRANSMISSION ALSO SLAMS INTO GEAR WHEN STOPPING AND AT TIMES BEFORE ACCELERATION. NO DIP STICK TO VERIFY FLUID LEVEL. DEALER STATES NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. THEY STATED THEY FLUSHED HEATER CORE AND STILL HAVE SAME ISSUE. THIS HAPPENS DRIVING IN WINTER OR SUMMER ON HIGHWAY, CITY STREETS.

NHTSA ID

11143378

Incident

Sep 15, 2016

Mileage

40,000 mi

WHILE SITTING IN THE STATIONARY VEHICLE THE DRIVER SIDE ACTIVE HEADREST DEPLOYED WITH OUT BEING IN A COLLISION.

NHTSA ID

11123049

Incident

Aug 22, 2018

S61 AIRBAG RECALL- I'VE HAD THIS ISSUES FIXED TWICE ALREADY AND I STILL HAVE THE ISSUE OF THE STANDING AIRBAG LIGHT. I'VE BEEN TOLD AS LONG AS THE LIGHT IS ON MY AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THE CASES OF AN ACCIDENT. I WAS TOLD NUMEROUS TIMES THAT BECAUSE THE S61 RECALL WAS COMPLETED. I SHOULD BE OK, BUT HOW CAN I BE SURE WHEN THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS STILL ON. THE FIRST TIME I GOT THIS ITEM FIXED IT TOOK TWO WEEKS FOR THE AIRBAG LIGHT TO COME BACK ON. THE SECOND TIME I GOT THIS ISSUE FIXED IT TOOK A MONTH OR SO SO FOR THE AIRBAG LIGHT TO START COMING BACK ON INTERMITTENTLY. I'M SPENDING A LOT MORE TIME ON THE ROAD NOW AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON ALL THE TIME NOW. I'VE TAKEN IT IN FOR THE THIRD TIME, BUT TO A DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP. THEY REFUSED TO FIX THE THE ISSUE, BECAUSE THEY WEREN'T THE ONES WHO DID THE FIRST TWO RECALLS. WHEN I AS FOR THEM TO PROVIDE ME WITH SOMETHING IN WRITING INCASE I GET IN A ACCIDENT AND MY AIRBAG DOESN'T DEPLOY STATING WHY THEY WOULDN'T FIX IT THEY AGREE TO DO SO, BUT I HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR THE DIAGNOSIS AND ANY REPAIRS THAT WOULD NEED TO BE COMPLETED. IM NOT SURE IF THERE ARE OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD ISSUE WITH THIS TYPE OF RECALL, JUST HOPING SOMEONE CAN LOOK IT TO IT.

NHTSA ID

11104848

Incident

Jun 30, 2018

Mileage

145,000 mi

TAKATA RECALL" I HAVE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE ALTERNATOR 3 TIMES, THIS VEHICLE IS A 2012 DODGE AVENGER, THE MILEAGE THAT I STARTED RECEIVING PROBLEMS WERE PROBALY 67,000 AND 80,000. I HAVE REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR 3 TIMES, 2 TIMES IN THE LAST 2 YEARS. THE PROBLEM STARTED WHEN THE EGINE LIGHT ALERTED ME THERE WAS A PROBLEM I THEN TOOK THE CAR TO GET IT CHECKED AND THEY SAID THAT THE CHARGING SYSTEM WAS NOT CHARGING THE ALTERNATOR PROPERLY, THEN IT RESULTED IN BATTERY ISSUES DRAINING THE BATTERY, IF I TURNED MY LIGHTS OR WIPERS ON OR ANYTHING ELECTRICAL THE PROBLEM WAS WORSE. THEN THE CAR STALLED ON THE INTERSTATE, FROM THERE I WAS TOWED TO A CAR MAX. THERE THEY CHARGED ME FOR THE LABOR ON THE ALTERNATOR BECAUSE I HAD AN EXTTENDED WARRANTY AT THE TIME OF THIS PARTICULAR FAILURE. THE NEXT INCIDENT I HAD TO GET THE BATTERY REPLACED AND IT WAS THE ALTERNATOR AGAIN AFTER I REPLACED THE BATTERY. TOOK THE CAR TO REPLACE AGAIN ANOTHER ALTERNATOR FAILURE. I WAS DRIVING EVERY TIME I EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS. SEE ALSO 11081233

NHTSA ID

11081253

Incident

Mar 26, 2018

Mileage

67,000 mi

VEHICLE IN TOTAL LOSS ACCIDENT - STRUCK BY VEHICLE IN ACCIDENT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE NEAR THE DOOR - DUBLIN OH POLICE DEPT INCIDENT # 18000499 - NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. *TT *JS *TR

NHTSA ID

11080856

Incident

Feb 27, 2018

Mileage

90,000 mi

MY ELECTRICAL STABILITY LIGHT AND AIR BAG LIGHT COME ON DAILY NOW FOR 1 WEEK WHILE DRIVING. MY INTERIOR LIGHTS FLICKER AND MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON BUT NOT REGISTERING. THE RECALLS AND MY VIN IS NOT LISTED

NHTSA ID

11075770

Incident

Feb 1, 2018

Mileage

168,000 mi

OFFICIALLY WRITTEN COMPLAINT REGARDING UNREASONABLE DELAY BY DEALERSHIP TO REPAIR RECALLED PART. FIRST NOTICE WAS ISSUED OVER A YEAR AGO, HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED BY DEALERSHIP TO REPAIR THE AIRBAG. IN MEAN TIME HAVE RECEIVED 2ND RECALL FOR SEATBELT MALFUNCTION.

NHTSA ID

11032260

Incident

Sep 13, 2016

WE RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL FOR OUR 2012 DODGE AVENGER THAT OUR SEATBELTS AND AIRBAGS MAY NOT WORK IN A CRASH. OF COURSE WE WERE VERY CONCERNED AS THIS WAS OUR ONLY CAR. WHEN WE CALLED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THIS VERY DANGEROUS SAFETY RECALL FIXED, THEY LIED AND TOLD US IT WOULD TAKE A WHILE FOR THE PARTS TO BECOME AVAILABLE. WE GOT TIRED OF WAITING AND WENT TO TRADE THIS CAR IN FOR A TOYOTA. WE WERE SHOCKED TO HEAR THAT THIS SAFELY RECALL WAS STAMPED WITH "NO FIX" AVAILABLE. DODGE WILL NOT FIX THIS ISSUE AND WE LOST OVER $7,000 IN TRADE IN VALUE DUE TO THIS "NO FIX" SAFETY RECALL. HOW CAN THESE COMPANIES GET AWAY WITH NOT FIXING SUCH A DANGEROUS SAFETY RECALLS AT THE EXPENSE OF THE CONSUMER?

NHTSA ID

11019337

Incident

Aug 5, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE AVENGER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE ENGINE OVERHEATED AND THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (FRANK FLETCHER DODGE IN SHERWOOD, AR: 501-834-7700) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TECHNICIAN ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL AND THAT THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V668000 (SEAT BELTS, AIR BAGS). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 101,246. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID

11016044

Incident

Aug 16, 2017

Mileage

101,246 mi