What 553 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Dodge Avenger

The vehicle has intermittent (brake) (ABS) and (Traction control) lights. I took the vehicle to Airport dodge in Orlando Florida. They advised the ABS module and pump are faulty however there are no repairs available at this time. The most concerning was they advised to continue to drive the vehicle without ABS.

NHTSA ODI 11594107

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 ODI 11587560

While driving for about 50miles, the electrical system failed, I lost power to the entire vehicle, steering was hard, brakes hard as well. as I pulled over, the car started back up. Next day car drove fine. Few days later the car cut off at red light in the middle of the intersection while other cars almost hitting me. Changed the fuel pump out because fuel pump would work at times. No one hurt, no incident report made. Car been intermittently cutting off after I think the car is running fine. No fault codes, no loose connections, no warning the car just cut off. I is becoming very dangerous and scary to drive but its the only vehicle i have and I have been spending money trying to figure this ghost out.

NHTSA ODI 11562756

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 ODI 11341991

MY 2012 DODGE AVENGER CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE FWY. I COULD NOT STOP THE CAR BECAUSE THE BRAKE BECAME LOCKED IN PLACE AND I COULDNT PRESS IT DOWN WITH MY FOOT. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE DID NOT WORK. IT WAS UNSAFE TO GET OUT OF THE MOVING CAR, SO I WAS TRAPPED IN THE CAR AS THE FIRE UNDER THE HOOD GREW RAPIDLY. I WAS ABLE TO GET OFF AT THE NEXT EXIT AND WITH QUICK THINKING, I USED THE CURB AT THE END OF THE FWY OFF RAMP TO HELP ME STOP THE CAR. WHEN FIREFIGHTERS ARRIVED, THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF MY CAR WAS FULLY ENGULFED. FROM MY UNDERSTANDING, CHRYSLER/DODGE HAS HAD REAPEATED COMPLAINTS REGARDING SIMILAR INCIDENTS.

NHTSA ODI 11173834

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 DODGE AVENGER. WHILE DRIVING UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED, BUT FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TREE AND A TELEPHONE POLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS BY THE INSURANCE AGENCY. THE CONTACT CALLED HILL-KELLY DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP RAM (6171 PENSACOLA BLVD, PENSACOLA, FL 32505, (850) 972-2050) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BEYOND REPAIR. THE CAUSE OF THE BRAKE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TT*JB

NHTSA ODI 11162770

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 ODI 11118226

BRAKE RECALL: THE BRAKES GRAB OR SLOW TO STOP CAUSING IT TO NOT STOP IN A STRAIGHT LINE OR JUMP, FLUTTER OR HESITATE TO BRAKE. ENGINE RECALL: GOT CAR 6/2017 CLINGING NOISE, AFTER 70,000 MILES, ALL OIL CHANGES 1000 MILES BEFORE ITS DUE, STARTED AFTER THE 2 OIL CHANGE. SMALL OF BURNING WIRE SMELL. (OIL CHANGE 4 DAYS GO NOW ENGINE LIGHT ON) FUEL PROPUSION SYSTEM RECALL: CAR SEEMS TO SHIFT FUNNY WHEN PUSHING GAS, STRUGGLING FOR GAS TO FLOW WHEN PUSHING THE GAS.

NHTSA ODI 11046554

1ST COMPLAINT IS THE SEATBELT WILL RANDOMLY LOCK AND RESTRAIN YOU AND AND TAKE SEVERAL SECONDS TO RELEASE. 2ND COMPLAINT IS MY DRIVER SIDE FLOOR IS CONSTANTLY DRENCHED WITH A FLUID WHEN IT RAINS. 3RD COMPLAINT IS THE CAR SHUDDERS AND VIBRATES WHEN DRIVING ABOVE 40MPH. 4TH COMPLAINT I WAS INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT AND MY AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY.

NHTSA ODI 11012229

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 ODI 10966545

WE HIT A PATCH OF SLUSH AND ICE, THE REAR TIRES LOCKED AND THE CAR SLAMMED HEAD-ON INTO A CONCRETE PILLAR. THE CAR'S BUMPER, GRILLE, SUPPORT BAR ETC WERE SEVERELY DAMAGED AND THE CAR WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. THE RADIATOR WAS FOLDED INTO A "V". THE DRIVER'S HEAD HIT THE STEERING WHEEL RESULTING IN A CONCUSSION. THE AIRBAG NEVER DEPLOYED. BEFORE THE ACCIDENT, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS FLASHING ON/OFF WHEN WE USED THE TURN SIGNAL. THE CAR DIDN'T START OR SHUT OFF AT TIMES. THERE IS SOMETHING SERIOUSLY WRONG WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM/AIRBAG. (RECALL RELATED INCIDENT) TS

NHTSA ODI 10957805

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 ODI 10823172

I WAS IN ACCIDENT THE BRAKES FAILED DURING HARD BRAKING. I HIT THE BRAKE PEDAL SO HARD I BENT THE PEDAL ASSEMBLY. THE SEATBELT RESTRAINTS DIDN'T LOCKUP AND THREW ME FORWARD SO I HIT MY HEAD ON THE ROOF LINE THE POINT OF IMPACT WAS THE SUN VISOR. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND I HIT THE STEERING WHEEL WITH MY CHEST. I HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME WHEN THE BRAKES FAILED THE CAR KEEP ROLLING TO THE POINT OF IMPACT WITH THE CADILLAC ESCALADE MY CAR WENT UNDER HIS BUMPER SO THE CAR HAD TO DIVE DOWN JUST TO ROLL UNDER HIS CAR. THE DRIVER IN THE VEHICLE WAS NOT HURT. I WOULD UP WITH A SMALL CONCUSSION AND MY RIGHT FOOT IS STILL IN PAIN.

NHTSA ODI 10810670

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON, THE CRUISE SHUT OFF, THE BRAKE LIGHT, ABS LIGHT AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN LOSE OF POWER AND WAS BRAKING ITSELF. THE SUDDEN LOSE OF SPEED AND BRAKING OUT OF THE DRIVER'S CONTROL ON THE INTERSTATE DURING RUSH HOUR CREATED A SAFETY HAZARD.

NHTSA ODI 10789116

DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AT 5:40 PM, 3 DEER RAN OUT AND AFTER SLAMMING ON BRAKES THE LAST ONE WAS STRUCK, HEAD ON. THE HOOD BUCKLED AND THE ENTIRE ENGINE OF THE CAR IMPLODED IN FLAMES. NO AIRBAGS WENT OFF AND THE CAR IMMEDIATELY DIED. I WAS ABLE TO PULL CAR OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND GET OUT OF CAR HOWEVER, THE CAR BURNED COMPLETELY. THE CAR ENGULFED IN FLAMES AND THE ENGINE, WINDOWS, ENTIRE INSIDE, EVERYTHING BURNED. THERE IS NO DASH, NO STEERING WHEEL, SEATS, FRONT TIRES, ETC ARE GONE. THERE IS VERY LITTLE LEFT AND THE MANUFACTURER HAD AN INVESTIGATION DONE AND WILL NOT TELL ME WHY THIS HAPPENED. MY HUSBAND HAS A 2014 AVENGER AND WE WANT TO KNOW IF IT IS SAFE. BUT WERE TOLD MY MANUFACTURER REPRESENTATIVE THEY WOULD NOT TELL ME BECAUSE THEY WOULD NOT WANT IT OUT IN THE PUBLIC. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10692105

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE THIS VEHICLE'S POWER STEERING AND ANTI LOCK BRAKES STOPPED WORKING AND THE VEHICLES RPMS WERE AS HIGH AS COULD BE MEASURED BY THE VEHICLE. THIS ISSUES MADE IT VERY DIFFICULT TO NAVIGATE THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROADWAY SAFELY. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP AND THE ALTERNATOR WAS DIAGNOSED AS THE PRIMARY ISSUE. THE CONCERN WITH THIS VEHICLE IS THAT IT HAS THE SAME SIZE ENGINE AND AMP ALTERNATOR AS THE CHRYSLER VEHICLES THAT ARE ALREADY UNDER RECALL FOR ALTERNATOR FAILURE 3.6L ENGINE WITH A 160 AMP ALTERNATOR AND THE DEALERSHIP REPAIRING THIS VEHICLE STATES IT IS THE SAME TYPE OF FAILURE. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS VEHICLES ALTERNATOR SHOULD ALSO BE RECALLED AS IT POSES A DANGER TO THE PEOPLE DRIVING IT AND ANY OTHER VEHICLES ON THE ROAD NEAR THIS VEHICLE WHEN THIS FAILURE OCCURS. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10669774

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. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10637380

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES FAILED TO ENGAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000.

NHTSA ODI 10597369

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN REVERSING OR MOVING FORWARD WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, A LIGHT NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO DEALERS FOR INSPECTION. THE FIRST DEALER CLEANED THE BRAKE SYSTEM BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE SECOND DEALER STATED THAT THE BRAKING SYSTEM WAS OPERATING NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,288 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 37,000.

NHTSA ODI 10553162

13400 MILES ON CAR WHEN RIGHT REAR TIRE WENT FLAT. WHEN I TOOK OFF FLAT INSIDE SHOULDER OF TIRE HAD WORN THRU CORDS. TOOK TO DODGE DEALER IN COVINGTON, TN AND THEY SAID ALIGNMENT MUST BE OUT. NOTICED LEFT REAR TIRE ALSO SHOWING STEEL CORDS ON INNER SHOULDER. TECH SAID DIDN'T LOOK LIKE CAR HAD ALIGNMENT AT FACTORY. DID ALIGNMENT AND ALIGNMENT WAS .03 DEGREASE OFF ON ONE TIRE THE REST WERE WITHIN SPEC. DEALERSHIP CANT EXPLAIN WHAT HAPPENED, NO ONE IVE TALKED TO CAN EXPLAIN WHAT HAPPENED. 2000 MILES FROM HOME IN A NEW CAR AND HAVE TO SPEND 400.00 ON TIRES AND ALIGNMENT.....NOT HAPPY. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10523200

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 ODI 10522896

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 2 MPH A SCREECHING NOISE EMITTED WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES WHO DIAGNOSE THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO BRAKE DUST ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND BRAKE PADS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 11,400.

NHTSA ODI 10472750

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE WOULD EXHIBIT AN ABNORMAL SOUND. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER BUT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE A FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE WITH THE BRAKES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,600. UPDATED 05/11/12*LJ

NHTSA ODI 10453388