2012 Dodge Avenger Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 87about this part
- Share
- 16%of 554 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 78,502miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 87 complaints about the engine of the 2012 Dodge Avenger, 16% of the 554 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 78,502 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved and 6 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was on a hill about to turn onto the freeway when my vehicle turned off/stalled. I was moving about 10 miles per hour and when I went to turn right I found it difficult to move the steering wheel, at which point I realized my vehicle had stalled. This is the third time I have had this issue with my vehicle within the last year.”
NHTSA complaint #11176499, filed 2019-02, 90,220 miles“My Dodge Avenger recently started stalling/shutting down while in motion. It has happened 4 times in the last 3 months. I loose all power to the steering wheel and brakes, I cannot control the car. Thankfully this has only happened on local roads. I am terrified if it happens while I am on the highway which I travel everyday on my way to work and back.”
NHTSA complaint #11118226, filed 2018-08, 133,000 miles“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 complaint #11083551, filed 2018-04, 103,280 miles“My heater is not blowing out hot air. I was told that casting sand was in the cooling reservoir that's causing the heater to not blow out hot air and that the casting sand will cause sludge in my cooling system. Even though this is no fault of my making and this happened at the manufacturing plant Dodge will not fix their mistake nor is it covered by my lifetime added care plus warranty.”
NHTSA complaint #11155611, filed 2018-12, 53,568 miles“I have continuosly been having problems with my brakes and rotors, engine stalling while driving, and the lock to my drivers side door isnt working properly. I have had my brakes and rotors repaired three times within a 4 month time frame. This is ridiculous. I dont know what kind of mechanical meltdown this vehicle is having. But some needs to provide some answers.”
NHTSA complaint #10823172, filed 2016-01, 119,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11034343Jun 18, 2026Emissions Recall U67 - Catalytic Converter Efficiency - Dealer Notification (Revision 11)
- 10180221Aug 19, 2020(Revision A) No Start No Crank ? Starter Will Not Engage And There Are No Related Codes Or Concerns
- 10177457Jun 24, 2020THROTTLE BODY For clarification, only use 68414676A$ on 2010 & earlier vehicles as supply is limited.
- 10176476May 20, 2020Remanufactured Transmission Assembly 1. All Promaster (VF) 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles: a) If the transmission bracket to the transmission case fasteners are removed during…
Engine: other model years
Other parts of the 2012 Dodge Avenger
164 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
119 complaintsAir bags
109 complaintsElectrical system
109 complaintsSeat belts
43 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
31 complaintsElectronic stability control
25 complaintsBrakes
23 complaintsSteering
20 complaintsBody and structure
20 complaintsFuel system
19 complaintsVehicle speed control
16 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Dodge Avenger
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology