2012 Dodge Avenger Engine Problems

NHTSA component category: ENGINE · data through 07/14/2026

86Engine complaints

15.6%Of all 553 complaints

#5Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How engine ranks on this vehicle

Unspecified / other163 · 29.5%

AIR BAGS108 · 19.5%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM107 · 19.3%

VISIBILITY/WIPER95 · 17.2%

ENGINE86 · 15.6%

Share of the 553 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2012 Dodge Avenger overview page.

What owners report

“WHILE DRIVING HOME WITH MY PREGNANT WIFE AT NIGHT, CAR ALL OF A SUDDEN STALLED. AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, CAR WAS PUT IN…”NHTSA complaint 10715941 — filed 05/12/2015

“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED BUT WOULD AUTOMATICALLY RESTART. AS A RESULT, THE ABS, THE SEAT…”NHTSA complaint 10681706 — filed 02/06/2015

“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE, THE TECHNICIAN NOTIFIED HER…”NHTSA complaint 10671722 — filed 01/12/2015

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Engine complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2012 Dodge Avenger have engine problems?

Engine is the #5 most-reported problem area on the 2012 Dodge Avenger: 86 of 553 complaints on file (15.6%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2012 Dodge Avenger have in total?

553 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 34 involved a crash, 7 involved a fire, 35 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's engine category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the ENGINE category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.