CarComplaints.com Notes: Consumer Reports road tests has noted deficiencies in the 2012 Avenger with regard to engine noise, acceleration, braking, handling, transmission, fuel economy, driving position and rear visibility. But at least it has a cool marketing campaign ... right?

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
43,354 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2012 Dodge Avenger drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2012 Dodge Avenger Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #30

Jan 212021

Avenger

  • 76,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have a 2012 Dodge Avenger with approximately 76200 miles on it. While accelerating from a stop light my transmission made a clunking sound and my vehicle would only go about 30 miles per hour but the rpms but jump up to about 7000 and stay there. I was on a four lane roadway going through a city when this happened. Ended up my transmission needed to be replaced with 76,000 miles on my vehicle. Transmission issues seem to be a common problem with the Dodge Avengers. And of course when I called Dodge customer care they stated they can do nothing for me on any kind of reimbursement. Transmissions should last longer than 76000 miles! very disappointed in Dodge customer service team.

- Lillington, NC, USA

problem #29

Nov 292020

Avenger

  • 122,630 miles
Vehicle in limp mode and won't shift gears property. Started after a purchase of the vehicle had no idea that this was going to be a issue until I had it for about a week and engine light came on and then started the limp mode and then driving it is very dangerous. Because it won't change gear and going up a hill is impossible when it won't change gears. Or speed up.. it slows down instead.

- Brewer, ME, USA

problem #28

Dec 312020

Avenger

  • 73,000 miles
Vehicle goes into transmission limp mode out no where causing vehicle to slow down and lock into 1st gear. While doing this the vehicle is incapable of picking up speed or maintains speed safely of over 20 to 25 miles per hour. Diagnostic code is P0882 on my code scanner stating possible loose pin connection or connections, low voltage to transmission control tipm ( totally integrated power module ), tcm ( transmission control module ) etc., car was in motion on highway and would not accellerate to beyond 20-25 miles per hour max as car will not upshift. After checking all connections I reset and erased code and car drove a few miles normally and shifting properly before doing same again within 5 minutes. Had car towed 25 miles home at night. Spoke to service tech at local Dodge dealer. He stated this is a common issue with these model cars all the way thru the new Dodge challenger. And myself I state this is a safety issue as you unexpectedly can not avoid slowing down and you can not speed up to avoid a rear end collision by others driving behind you

- Statesboro, GA, USA

problem #27

Mar 032020

Avenger

  • 167,070 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I was driving 35 mph on a street when the engine light popped on and the car stopped accelerating the wheel became very stiff and the brakes weren't working. I managed to turn the wheel enough to make a turn on a non busy street and managed to put it in park once it stopped rolling. I turned the car off for 10 minutes before starting it up to head to the mechanic up the road to the mechanic. Diagnostic says catalytic converter.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #26

Apr 012019

Avenger

  • 130,000 miles
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.

- Maple Grove, MN, USA

problem #25

Oct 142018

Avenger

  • 100,000 miles
This car is totally unsafe worse vehicle ever. While driving my car has lost all power making me almost loose control of the car while my kids were in it as well and driving on. The highway. It will be fine then just everything shuts off. It has shut off then not start or I"ve changed the engine one time and after that it was ok and now a year later is doing G the same exact thing. Car won?T start for some odd reason then starts fine 30 min later I was trying G to start my car N it blew up in my face N blew the air filter off as well this car has been so bad I"M scared to even drive it I also have videos of it driving G fine then just shutting down completely this is the worse vehicle ever way to unsafe the electrical system starts going hay wire flashing the light off N and the car alarm will go off when no body has touched it or done anything to make it go off there's more just really upset can't think of them.

- Denver, CO, USA

problem #24

Mar 152019

Avenger

  • 5 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

There is no heat on the passenger side but there is heat on the driver's side. There seems to be a mechanical defect with this vehicle because the vehicle stalled on a hill in park and started to roll down the hill and the brake and everything stopped working at that moment in the car. I also had another incident with the car stalling while driving and due to this it caused another accident. The car is also well kept, but it seems to have a mechanical defect

- Augusta, ME, USA

problem #23

Sep 152016

Avenger

  • 40,000 miles
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.

- Plainview, MN, USA

problem #22

Aug 012018

Avenger

  • 71,043 miles
I have been having issues with my horn sounding while driving and took it to the dealership and they could not diagnose the problem. The horn continued to sound while driving at different times without warning and on August 1, 2018 I was driving and it was raining and my horn started sounding and I had my windshield wipers on at the time and when the horn sounded the wipers stopped working for a few seconds and when the horn stopped sounding the wipers began working again. I was driving on a city street at the time.I took the car back to the dealership and they kept if for several days and then diagnosed the issue as total integrated power module.

- Panama City, FL, USA

problem #21

Jul 062018

Avenger

  • miles
Takata recall my car had been having this knocking sound, and then developed this sound like something was stretching inside the passenger side. The batter light cam on but the car was ok. The next day it came back on the air conditioning came on them went off all the other lights on the dash kept coming on and off. K stopped at an auto parts store to have them check it, and it would not start all the lights on the dash were on the fritz and reset. When driving on the road it would not let me go above 40 mph and the RPM went up to like 4.

- Bonner Springs, KS, USA

problem #20

Nov 152017

Avenger

  • 100,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Avenger. While the gear shifter was placed in reverse, the shift gear connector jumped off without warning. The vehicle stalled and there were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was towed to greenway Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram orlando (9051 E colonial dr, orlando, fl 32817, (888) 292-3985), but was not diagnosed. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic and the gear shifter was temporarily repaired. The contact stated that the failure recurred and the independent mechanic replaced the gear shifter. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that no recall was associated with the VIN. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

- Kissimmee, FL, USA

problem #19

Mar 012016

Avenger

  • 95,000 miles
My car hesitates and jerks viciously whenever I accelerate. I only had the car 9 months. I did research and noticed this year car has a recall on it but I have yet been notified by my dealer. I just want to know what's the problem and will I receive any recall assistants ??

- Olive Branch, MS, USA

problem #18

Jul 112016

Avenger

  • 10,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Avenger. While driving various speeds, the steering, brake, and accelerator pedal locked up without warning. The contact had to turn off and restart the vehicle in order for it to resume normal operation. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 10,000.

- Goshen, IN, USA

problem #17

Jun 102016

Avenger

  • 70,000 miles
Knocking sound coming from passenger side dash, found to be air blend door. Knocking occurs intermittently before, during, and after engine start. Vehicle has also lost heat to the passenger side, due to buildup of "sludge" in the heater core. The loss of heat to the passenger side creates the in-ability to de-frost/de-fog windshield and could pose a safety risk to driving conditions in low temperatures or high humidity. Currently customers are being asked to pay a cost ranging from $1,200-$2,000 to replace the heater core, coolant flush, and blend door replacement. Issue seems to be related to powertrain manufacturing (where else would sludge/debris come from in heater core?) but this issue is not being covered under warranty...

- Ypsilanti, MI, USA

problem #16

Jun 182012

Avenger

  • 300 miles
Ever since I purchased this vehicle brand new it has had issues with the shift points. I was told multiple times by hatch Dodge in show low AZ that the vehicle didn't shift right because it was learning how I drove and that it was my fault. When they re-flashed the transmission software the shift points changed dramatically back to stock condition which resulted in very predictable, smooth shifts. Once you have driven the vehicle over 200-300 miles the vehicle would start to "re-learn" your driving habits and the shift points of the transmission would begin to get sporadic again. Dodge corporate told me that they have no fix for this and that again, it was my fault because of how I drove the vehicle. Our local dealership confirmed that if the vehicle was either driven like a hot rod or very slowly all the time that the shift points may be consistent but with variable driving habits (I.e. city and highway driving) the shift points would also vary and you cannot predict them. I think that 2012 Dodge Avengers also need to be investigated along with the other vehicles in this class such as the Dodge charger and Chrysler 200 as they came with the same engine/transmission combo

- Show Low, AZ, USA

problem #15

Jan 162016

Avenger

  • miles
Heater not working. (65,000 miles) took the car to Firestone, where they did a flush which did not work and told me to take to the dealer and replace the heater core. Where they gave me an estimate of $2500 to replace the entire coolant system (heater core, radiator, oil cooler, thermostat, water pump). The tech advised there was something restricting flow through the heater core. There is a 100,000 mile power train warranty on the car but they do not agree that the coolant system that cools the engine (power train) should be included. Where did the sediment/sludge come from? possibly oil contamination from the engine (power train)? this problem has been noted in numerous models and Dodge has released a statement to their techs to replace the entire coolant system because they know something they did is wrong. This is very similar to the problem GM had with dex-cool why is there not a recall for this problem the consumer should not be burdened with the failures of the manufacturer to provide a quality product. I hope this matter is taken seriously as it truly is a safety issue. If the heat does not work it is not just uncomfortable for the driver/passengers but it will also reduce visibility through the windshield since the defrost/heat does not work.

- Chicago Ridge, IL, USA

problem #14

Dec 232015

Avenger

  • 87,000 miles
Heater not working. (87,000 miles) took the car to the dealership where they gave me an estimate of $2500 to replace the entire coolant system (heater core, radiator, oil cooler, thermostat, water pump). The tech advised there was something restricting flow through the heater core. There is a 100,000 mile power train warranty on the car but they do not agree that the coolant system that cools the engine (power train) should be included. Where did the sediment/sludge come from? possibly oil contamination from the engine (power train)? this problem has been noted in numerous models and Dodge has released a statement to their techs to replace the entire coolant system because they know something they did is wrong. This is very similar to the problem GM had with dex-cool why is there not a recall for this problem the consumer should not be burdened with the failures of the manufacturer to provide a quality product. I hope this matter is taken seriously as it truly is a safety issue. If the heat does not work it is not just uncomfortable for the driver/passengers but it will also reduce visibility through the windshield since the defrost/heat does not work.

- Higginsville, MO, USA

problem #13

Aug 102015

Avenger

  • 69,801 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced a complete loss of power while driving 20 mph. Occasionally, the vehicle would take 20 -30 minutes to start. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the crank sensor malfunctioned and needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic who was unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. There was a customer service for this issue for the PCM reprogramming; however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 69,801.

- Independence, MO, USA

problem #12

Aug 152013

Avenger 4-cyl

  • 25,000 miles
While driving through the mountains in Maryland, I applied the brakes and the entire car shuddered. The rotors were apparently warped and the car was difficult to slow down or stop. The more the brake temperature increased the more difficult it became to slow the vehicle down. Most of the mileage on the car is highway or country roads, as I live in a Suburban area. The brakes still act up in flat areas just not as bad as they did in the mountains. I have a six speed 2.4L, 4 cylinder in the Avenger. Before and after having the transmission flushed the transmission would downshift hard between 3rd and 2nd gear and 2nd and 1st gear. When I backed out and put the car in drive, if you didn't wait for about three seconds prior to accelerating the transmission would slip then bang into gear a take off. The entire transmission was rebuilt but you still have to wait for it to lock into drive before taking off. The transmission was rebuilt with 36,000 miles on it.

- Genoa, OH, USA

problem #11

Apr 292012

Avenger 4-cyl

  • 42,000 miles
Will not shift into drive until speed reaches 45 - 50 mph. Can not accelerate over 4000 RPM at any time. Unable to pass other slow moving vehicles at a reasonable speed. Have taken the vehicle into the Dodge service center, explained what was happening, and was told "nothing is wrong with it because there is no sensor light on".

- Victoria, TX, USA

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