2012 Dodge Avenger Steering Problems

This is a HUGE SAFETY issue!!!!!! The engine randomly shuts off, which also causes the brakes to stop working and to have no power steering. Anything connected to the battery is fine (lights, radio, dashboard, etc.). myself, any passenger, and those around me are put at risk by the car shutting off in the middle of the road. Someone could hit me because I am not moving, or I am trying to get out of the way. or I might end up hitting someone else because the brakes don't work. this is a huge risk to life and limb. Noone other than myself has tried to see what is going on with my car, specifically. i have already put out a lot of money on parts that research says it COULD be. other people have had the same complaint about their Dodge vehicles. they have even taken them to many repair shops, with no one finding a real answer as to why this is happening. i would just like a car the safe to drive with my kids in it. as it is i fear for their safety if they were to ride in it. they are no warning lights or messages. I fear for my safety, the safety of my children, and the safety of others on the road around me. This car should really not be on the road without a definite answer to the problem.

NHTSA ID

11587560

Incident

Apr 3, 2024

Power steering pressure line keeps breaking or coming off

NHTSA ID

11441375

Incident

Nov 21, 2021

THE DASH BOARD LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING. MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR TURNED OFF THE STEERING WAS NOT WORKING AND THE BRAKES WERE PRESSED TO THE FLOORBOARD . I ALMOST HIT A MAILBOX . THANK GOODNESS THERE WAS NO CHILD NEAR THE SCHOOL ZONE THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES NOW . THE MECHANIC SAYS IT COULD BE THE ABS

NHTSA ID

11341991

Incident

Jul 5, 2020

Mileage

127,000 mi

THE HORN HAS A ELECTRICAL SHORTAGE, WHICH CONTINUES TO HONK, WHILE DRIVING, OR STANDING STILL. YOUR DODGE JEEP CHRYSLER DEALER IN GLENDALE, NOW TELLS ME, THAT THERE IS A SHORT, AND HE KNOWS THAT THE SWITCH IS BAD, AS IT CONTINUES TO HONK WHEN THE HORN IS CONNECTED. NOW THIS DEALER IS CHARGING ME ANOTHER $900., BUT NOT SURE IT WILL FIX PROBLEMS. THIS IS THE WORST VEHICLE I HAVE EVER OWNED, IT IS A DEATH TRAP, WAITING TO HAPPEN. *TR

NHTSA ID

11325150

Incident

May 19, 2020

Mileage

77,111 mi

MY CASE# [XXX], SHOP WAS NOT ABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND THERE APPEARS TO BE A SHORT SOME WHERE IN THE COLUMN OF THE STEERING WHEEL. MY HORN HAD TO BE DISCONNECTED JUST SO IT DOESN'T CONTINUE TO BLOW WHILE I AM DRIVING. MY NERVES HAVE GOTTEN VERY BAD, LISTEN TO THIS HORN CONTINUALLY BLOWING, CAR CAN BE PARKED, OR MOVING. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

11323451

Incident

Mar 11, 2020

Mileage

76,900 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE AVENGER. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE DOWNSHIFTED TO 10 MPH AND LOST POWER. ADDITIONALLY, THE VEHICLE JERKED, SKID, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED, AND THE TRACTION CONTROL AND THROTTLE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE BRAKES, SWAY BAR, AND BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LUTHER BROOKDALE CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM (8188 BROOKLYN BLVD, BROOKLYN PARK, MN 55445, (612) 326-3931), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND A VOICE MESSAGE WAS LEFT, BUT THEY FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS TERRIFIED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000.

NHTSA ID

11270858

Incident

Apr 1, 2019

Mileage

130,000 mi

DRIVING AT 50-55 MPH AND CHECK ENGINE AND OTHER DASHBOARD LIGHTS FLASHED AND STARTED LOSING POWER. PULLED OFF TO SIDE STREET A FEW FEET AWAY. I WAS LUCKY TO BE ABLE TO GET IN CENTER TURN LANE WHERE THE CAR DIED COMPLETELY. POWER STEERING ALSO WAS LOST. WE PUSHED CAR OFF ROAD WHERE IT RESTARTED ABOUT 1/2 HOUR LATER. DRIVING HOME LESS THEN 5 MILES IT DIED BUT STARTED AGAIN.

NHTSA ID

11083551

Incident

Apr 5, 2018

Mileage

103,280 mi

ON MY 2012 DODGE AVENGER, I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY ALTERNATOR AND HAD TO REPLACE IT 3 TIMES, 2 TIMES IN THE LAST 2 YRS. I HAVE GOTTEN IT CHECKED AND THE WARNING WAS DETECTED THAT IT WAS THE CHARGING SYSTEM, AND WIRING SYSTEM. THE FIRST TIME I EXPERIENCED THIS, MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR STALLED IMMEDIATELY WITH ALMOST NO WARNING EXCEPT THE LIGHT POPS ON DECELERATION AND STALLED ON THE INTERSTATE. THE NEXT TIME I EXPERIENCED IT WAS WHEN I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK BATTERY LIGHT THEN CHECK ENGINE LIGHT THEN THE NEXT DAY I NEEDED A BATTERY BUT I WAS TOLD AT THE DODGE DEALERSHIP THAT THE CODE WAS FOR THE CHARGING SYSTEM NOT CHARGING PROPERLY MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT ONE OF THE VINS THAT IS A RECALL FOR MY CAR, HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE WHEN I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS TIME AFTER TIME. I SEE WHERE SEVERAL CUSTOMERS HAVE REPORTED FOR THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL. WHY IS THIS NOT A RECALL FOR MY VIN AS WELL. SEE ALSO 11081253

NHTSA ID

11081233

Incident

Mar 26, 2018

Mileage

45,000 mi

MARCH 12, 2017 HEADING SOUTH, DOWN VETERAN PARKWAY SPRINGFIELD IL. WHEN I NOTICED MY CAR RED 2012 DODHE AVENGER R/T TURNED OFF MID MOTION AROUND 45MPH. NO WARNING!! NO ACCELERATION, NO BRAKES, NO POWER STEARING!? NO CONTROL OF THE CAR! STAYING CALM BUT CLUELESS, I WAS ABLE TO TURN TO A SIDE ROAD AND CAUTIOUSLY TURNED INTO A PARKING LOT NEXT TO OFFICE MAX AND WAITED 1 HR FOR A TOW.STREET NAME ILSE AVE. TOWED TO GREEN DODGE SPRINGFIELD IL THE SAME DAY. MONDAY, MARCH 13 THE TECH DIAGNOSES FUEL PUMP NOT WORKING, (2CD DIAGNOSIS OF FUEL PUMP FAILURE THIS YEAR. 1ST TIME IN JANUARY 2017 TECH DIAGNOSED SHORTAGE IN WIRE TO FUEL PUMP FRIED THE FUEL PUMP. DO THEY ORDERED THE PART AND FIXED THE PROBLEM ( SO THEY THOUGHT) NOW THIS 2CD DIAGNOSIS WAS NEW FUEL PUMP. SO THEY ORDERED THE PART. WELL THE FUEL PUMP WORKED BUT CAR DID NOT RUN. FURTHER DIAGNOSIS BY THE TECH FROM GREEN DODGE, IS FAULTY TIPM MODULE! NOT THE FUEL PUMP, NOT A SHORTAGE IN WIRE FROM PREVIOUS DIAGNOSIS THEY DID. SHOULDN'T THE TIPM SHOULD HAVE BEEN NOTICED THE FIRST TIME. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH ON THE TIPM SETTLEMENT FOR CHRYSLER LAWSUIT FOR INSTALLING FAULTY TIPM MODULES IN THOUSANDS OF VEHICLES AND I BELIEVE THIS INCLUDES MY VEHICLE HERE RED 2012 DODGE AVENGER R/T, AND I BELIEVE GREEN DODGE TOOK ADVANTAGE OF ME AS A VALUED CUSTOMER AS THEY SAY , MY MONEY , AND MY TIME IN NEED OF HELP! I HAVE PAYED 1400$ ALMOST TO GET THIS PROBLEM FIXED AND ALMOST 3 MONTHS TIME SPAN FOR SAME ISSUE THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED THE FIRST TIME!

NHTSA ID

10966545

Incident

Mar 12, 2017

BOUGHT A BRAND NEW 2012 AVENGER SE WITH A 3.6L. THE CAR HAS SHAKEN VIOLENTLY AT SPEEDS ABOVE 45 MPH. IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER UNDER WARRANTY 6 TIMES FOR THE ISSUE, AND NO FAULTS WE'RE FOUND. THE CAR IS PAST IT'S WARRANTY, AND THE DEALER NOW WANTS AN ARM AND A LEG TO DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE. THE VIBRATION IS ONLY GETTING WORSE AND WORSE. THE FRONT SUSPENSION HAS BEEN CHECKED NUMEROUS TIMES, AND EVERYTHING SEEMS FINE, THE REAR STRUTS WE'RE JUST REPLACED, WHICH HELPED THE VIBRATION UNDER 60 MPH, HOWEVER IT STILL VIBRATES. CAR WENT TO THE DEALER WITH 8000 MILES ON IT DUE TO PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW ISSUES, WHERE THE DEALER ONCE AGAIN FOUND NOTHING WRONG. LEFT THE DEALERSHIP, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON FOR AN O2 SENSOR. THE WIRES HAD BEEN PINCHED SO BAD, THAT IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS WELL. WE HAVE BEEN THROUGH 6 SETS OF TIRES IN 4 YEARS. CAR CURRENTLY HAS 90,000 MILES ON IT, AND VIBRATION GETS WORSE EVERY DAY.

NHTSA ID

10897271

Incident

Aug 17, 2015

CAR HAS ONLY 50,000 MILES AND HAVE HAD TO REPLACE RACK AND PINION SEVEN MONTHS AGO. NOW THE CLOCK SPRING IS BAD IN STEERING RESULTING IN BORROWED TIME FOR AIR BAG. SO, IF WE DO NOT REPLACE THIS FOR THE COST OF $500, MY AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, RESULTING IN POSSIBLE DEATH. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE WITH DODGE AVENGERS (2012). THERE SHOULD BE NO REASON MY STEERING WHEEL SHOULD HAVE THIS MANY ISSUES STARTING AT 35,000 MILES AND STILL CONTINUING. IF AN AIR BAG DOES NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT AND MYSELF, OR MY CHILD, OR SOMEONE DIES AS A RESULT OF THE FAULTY CLOCK SPRING AND AIR BAGS, IT WILL NOT BE A VERY GOOD SITUATION. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT IMMEDIATELY. MY CAR IS CURRENTLY AT THE DODGE AUTO SHOP AND I PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FROM MASTERTECH WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, BUT APPARENTLY, MY WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER AIR BAGS. THIS IS SOMETHING I FEEL THAT NEEDS TO BE COVERED ON ALL WARRANTIES, PEOPLE'S LIVES ARE WORTH COVERING. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS SAFETY ISSUE WITH MY CAR, AND OTHERS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ID

10853594

Incident

Apr 5, 2016

Mileage

35,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE DOING ABOUT 65MPH AT 5AM, I DISENGAGED THE CRUISE CONTROL ON MY VEHICLE, MY CAR ALL THE SUDDEN TURNED OFF AND LOST COMPLETE POWER, INCLUDING STEERING, BRAKES, AND ACCELERATION. THE KEY WAS STILL IN THE ON POSITION. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD! HAD I NOT BEEN ABLE TO COAST AND ENGAGE THE EMERGENCY BREAK, I WOULD HAVE CRASHED AND MOST LIKELY SUFFERED SERIOUS BODILY INJURIES OR DEATH. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME AND I HAVE READ THIS HAS HAPPENED TO OTHERS ALREADY AS WELL. THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED BECAUSE MY ENGINE TURNED OFF AS WELL AS THE DASHBOARD COMPLETELY WENT DARK TO INCLUDE HEADLIGHTS, TURN SIGNALS, AND THE HAZARD LIGHTS. MY VEHICLE HAS STOPPED IN MOTION ALL THE SUDDEN FOR NO APPARENT REASON TWO TIMES IN ONE WEEK. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALERSHIP TO GET THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED BUT I AM STILL AFRAID TO DRIVE TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE IT MAY HAPPEN AGAIN WHILE DRIVING EITHER ON THE HIGHWAY, INTERSTATE, OR ON ANY STREET. I AM NOT 100% CERTAIN WHAT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO TURN OFF WHILE IN MOTION 3 TIMES ALREADY IN ONE WEEK BUT IT HAS CREATED A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD FOR MYSELF AND OTHER MOTORIST ON THE HIGHWAY/INTERSTATE. I BELIEVE IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM OR ENGINE BECAUSE THE LOST OF COMPLETE POWER IS WHAT OCCURS EACH TIME.

NHTSA ID

10807307

Incident

Nov 27, 2015

Mileage

54,320 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE EXCESSIVELY WHEN TRAVELING OVER ROAD BUMPS. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE UNDER CARRIAGE WAS LOOSE AND PARTIALLY DETACHING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS UNKNOWN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A CONSTANT VIBRATION COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER DID NOT KNOW, HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 09/15/14

NHTSA ID

10555826

Incident

Nov 1, 2012

Mileage

25,000 mi

IN LATE JUNE GOT A FLAT TIRE. WHEN I WENT TO PUT ON THE SPARE NOTICED BOTH REAR TIRES HAD WORN THRU THE STEEL ON THE INSIDE SHOULDER. TOOK TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME MUST BE THE ALIGNMENT. CAR WAS JUST UNDER THE 1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY DATE BUT JUST OVER THE MILEAGE FOR THE WARRANTY. I HAD TO PAY FOR AN ALIGNMENT AND NEW TIRES. ALIGNMENT SHOWED THREE OF THE WHEELS IN SPEC AND THE FOURTH .03 DEGREES OUT OF SPEC WHICH THE DEALER SAID WASN'T ENOUGH OUT TO CAUSE THAT BAD OF WEAR ON THE TIRES. CONTACTED CHRYSLER BUT NO HELP. WENT TO OREGON IN NOVEMBER AND GOT JUST NORTH OF WHERE I WAS GOING AND STOPPED FOR A BREAK AND NOTICED BOTH REAR TIRES WERE WEARING ON THE INSIDE SHOULDERS LIKE BEFORE. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP ANOTHER ALIGNMENT AND SET OF TIRES THAT I HAD TO PAY FOR. ALIGNMENT WAS OUT AND HAD TO HAVE CAMBER KITS INSTALLED TO GET ALIGNMENT FIXED. ONCE AGAIN NO HELP FROM CHRYSLER YET. ON MY WAY HOME FROM OREGON WENT THRU A SNOW STORM, NOT A LOT OF SNOW MOSTLY BLOWING SNOW ACROSS ROAD. COULDN'T GO OVER 32 MPH BECAUSE THE REAR OF THE CAR WAS SWAYING SO BAD. COULD HARDLY KEEP CAR ON ROAD. TOOK IN TO LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY NEED TO DO ANOTHER ALIGNMENT AT MY COST. CONTACTED CHRYSLER ONCE AGAIN NO HELP. FIRST SET OF TIRES 13400 MILES, SECOND SET 21400 MILES NOW ON THIRD. WAITING FOR 12/9/13 TO GET CAR INTO SHOP. *TR

NHTSA ID

10555108

Incident

Jun 24, 2013

Mileage

13,400 mi

VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW ON JANUARY 28,2012. THE VEHICLES TIRES WORE VERY FAST AND THE FRONT TIRES HAD TO BE REPLACED WITHIN 15,000 MILES. ON MAY 6,2013, BOTH TIE RODS HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 25,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE IS AT 30,000 MILES AND WILL HAVE TO GO BACK TO THE SHOP DUE TO STRANGE NOISE WHILE STEERING. *TR

NHTSA ID

10522899

Incident

May 10, 2013

Mileage

25,987 mi

VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW ON JANUARY 28, 2012. THE TIRES WENT COMPLETELY BALD BY 12,000 MILES. ON MAY 28,2013 AT 33,000 MILES, BOTH TIE RODS HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WERE WRAPPED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE TIRES WILL WEAR VERY FAST AND POSES A SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

NHTSA ID

10522896

Incident

Apr 23, 2013

Mileage

32,000 mi

VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW ON MAY 29,2012, VEHICLE WAS ONE OF THREE AVENGERS PURCHASED. THE OTHER TWO HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS. ON NOVEMBER 28, 2012 AT 12,940 MILES BOTH FRONT TIRES WORN COMPLETELY DOWN. ON JANUARY 15,2013, AT 16,892 MILES THE ENTIRE RACK AND PINION HAD TO BE REPLACED. ON JANUARY 30, 2013 AT 17,365 MILES , TWO SENSORS HAD TO BE REPLACED. ON JANUARY 30, 2013 AT 17,365 , BOTH FRONT TIES WENT BALD AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. ON APRIL 30, 2013 AT 25,597 MILES, BOTH LOWER TIE RODS HAD TO BE REPLACED. ON JUNE 21,2013 AT 29,526 MILES THE ENTIRE ENGINE WENT OUT AND HAS YET TO BE REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10522886

Incident

Jan 15, 2013

Mileage

16,892 mi

I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK AND CAUTIOUSLY PRECEDED AROUND THE CURVY ROAD WITH MY STEERING WHEEL HELD TO THE RIGHT. WHEN I ENDED THE CURVE AND TRIED TO TURN MY STEERING WHEEL BACK TOO THE RIGHT IT WOULDN'T TURN BACK TO THE LEFT. THIS CAUSED ME TO CRASH HEAD ON INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS WERE DEPLOYED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10495165

Incident

Dec 27, 2012

THE POWER STEERING FLUID IS LEAKING, THE RESEVOIR WAS COMPLETELY EMPTY AND I HAD ALL THE FLUID ALL UNDER THE MY CAR AND THE STEERING WHEEL IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN.. I LIVE FIVE TO 10 MILES FROM THE DEALERSHIP, SO I WENT TO GENE'S DODGE OF FAIRBANKS ON 11/27/2012 AT 5:30 PM ALASKA TIME. ONE OF THE MECHANIC CAME TO LOOK AT MY CAR AND WHEN I STARTED TO HE KNEW JUST BY THE SOUND IT WAS TO POWER STEERING RESEVOIR WAS COMPLETELY EMPTY AND NOTICED THAT THERE WAS ALSO A LEAK. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR 12/06/2012 AND WAS TOP OFF WITH ATF+4. THE NEXT DAY I WENT TO WORK NO ISSUES, IT WASN'T 3PM ON 11/28/2012, MY CAR WAS MAKING THE SAME NOISE AND WHEN I CHECKED AND SAW THAT MY POWER STEERING WAS OUT OF FLUID AGAIN SO WHEN I REFILLED IT IT TOOK A WHOLE QUART. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP RIGHT AWAY AND TOOK THE CAR TO THEM AND GOT A RENTAL COVERED UNDER MY WARRANTY. THE NEXT DAY ON 11/29/2012 I PICK UP MY CAR AND WAS TOLD THAT THE POWER STEERING HIGHT PRESSURE HOSE CRACKED AND WAS REPLACED AND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND THAT IS WHY THEY KEEP THE PART IN STOCK ALSO THAT THEY WILL SEE ME BEFORE WINTER IS OVER. ON 11/30/2012 FROM 9AM I AM TO WORK A 24HR SHIFT AND SO I DROVE TO WORK NO ISSUES, HOWEVER, BETWEEN 9AM ON 6PM ALL MY FULID FROM MY POWER STEERING TANK WAS GONE AND SO I PUT SOME MORE FLIUD IN BECAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND WOULD NOT TURN. AS I WENT TO TURN THE WHEEL TO GET THE FLUID FLOWING I RETUNED TO HOOD TO CLOSE IT AND AS I WAS PUTTING THE CAP BACK ON THE TANK I HEARD THE NOISE AGAIN AS IF THE TANK WAS ENPTY AND AS I LOOK THE POWEERING TANK WAS EMPTY AND ALL THE FLUID WAS ON THE GROUND, ANY REASONS WHY THIS MAY HAVE HAPPENED OTHER THEN IT WAS -30 TO -35 DEGREES OVER THE NIGHT? *TR

NHTSA ID

10486636

Incident

Nov 27, 2012

Mileage

5,586 mi