IllustrationWHEN OPENING THE DOOR A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE DASH. CLOSED THE DOOR AND STAYED INSIDE A FEW MINUTES & IT STARTED CLICKING AGAIN. I HAD TO REPLACE THE TIE RODS AT 63,000 AND THE SWAY BAR CLIP IS BROKEN.
2012 Dodge Avenger
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Avenger years
Owner complaints for the 2012 Dodge Avenger are substantially higher than the model-year median of 157.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Avenger years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
370–25K
7225–50K
10650–75K
8775–100K
74100–150K
15150K+
391 reports with mileage · 162 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Air Bags. Review the 109 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 108 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Visibility/wiper. Review the 95 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
34 crash reports7 fire reports30 injury reports
Suspension complaints
10 reportsBOUGHT 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 WO…
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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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER, AND IF THERE WAS ANY WEIGHT ON THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD START SHAKING VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT RE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER, AND IF THERE WAS ANY WEIGHT ON THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD START SHAKING VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 26,000.
IT HAS A MANUFACTURES DEFECT IN THE REAR END IT HAS BEEN INTO THE DODGE AT LEAST 10 TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM DODGE HAS SENT A TECHNICIAN TO CHAMPAIGN TO LOOK AT THIS PROBLEM AND HE TOLD THE MECHANICS IT WAS A MANUFACTURES DEFECT WITH THE REAR END AND THEIR WAS NO FIX KNOWN. WE HAVE HAS TO HAVE THE UNDERCARRIAGE TIGHTENED ON THE …
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IT HAS A MANUFACTURES DEFECT IN THE REAR END IT HAS BEEN INTO THE DODGE AT LEAST 10 TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM DODGE HAS SENT A TECHNICIAN TO CHAMPAIGN TO LOOK AT THIS PROBLEM AND HE TOLD THE MECHANICS IT WAS A MANUFACTURES DEFECT WITH THE REAR END AND THEIR WAS NO FIX KNOWN. WE HAVE HAS TO HAVE THE UNDERCARRIAGE TIGHTENED ON THE CAR FOUR TIMES BECAUSE OF HOW THE CAR HANDLED AND VIBRATED IT ACTUALLY LOOSENS THE UNDERCARRIAGE WE HAVE PUT ROUGHLY 10 TO 12,000 MILES ON THE CAR WHEN WE GOT THE CAR IT HAD NEW TIRES ON IT WE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE TIRES ALREADY BECAUSE THEY GO OUT OF ROUND BECAUSE OF THE CAR AND OF THE WAY IT HANDLES THE DEALERSHIP I BOUGHT IT AT HAS A NEW OWNER NOW AND HE WONT RETURN MY CALLS AND WE WERE TOLD NOT TO BRING THE CAR BACK THERE ANYMORE I AM A 100 % DISABLED VETERAN AND I NEED A CAR TO GET BACK AND FORTH TO MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS I WANT THE CAR FIXED THE CAR COULD BE A DEATH TRAP THE WAY THAT IS NOW I KNOW DODGE DOESN'T CARE BUT I HOPE U DO MY CASE NUMBER WITH DODGE IS 24303490 I DO CALL THEM I WANT THE CAR FIXED THE VEHICLE HAS A MANUFACTURES DEFECT IN THE REAR END AND DODGE DOESN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT SO THEIR HOPING I WILL GO AWAY AND HOPEFULLY IT WILL BE OUT OF WARRANTY SO THEY DON'T HAVE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT I TALKED TO MR. LONG YESTERDAY ABOUT THIS YESTERDAY AND I TOLD HIM I WOULD HAVE THIS SENT TO YOU TODAY IF YOU NEED TO REACH ME PLEASE CALL ME ANYTIME. *TR
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 …
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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
THERE ARE 3 MEMBERS OF THIS FAMILY, USUALLY ONLY 2 ARE IN THE CAR AT ALL TIMES. THIS TIME, WE HAD 2 EXTRA PASSENGERS IN THE BACK PLUS THEIR CAR TIRE THAT NEEDED REPAIR IN THE TRUNK. WE WERE DRIVING AND HIT A DIP IN THE ROAD, NOT A BIG ONE, AND THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE RUBBED AGAINST THE CAR. IT IS NOT THE SHOCKS BECAUSE THEY…
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THERE ARE 3 MEMBERS OF THIS FAMILY, USUALLY ONLY 2 ARE IN THE CAR AT ALL TIMES. THIS TIME, WE HAD 2 EXTRA PASSENGERS IN THE BACK PLUS THEIR CAR TIRE THAT NEEDED REPAIR IN THE TRUNK. WE WERE DRIVING AND HIT A DIP IN THE ROAD, NOT A BIG ONE, AND THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE RUBBED AGAINST THE CAR. IT IS NOT THE SHOCKS BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT THERE TO HOLD UP THE CAR, ONLY TO ABSORB THE SHOCK. THE TIRE HAS MARKINGS LEFT BEHIND WHERE IT RUBBED. THAT IS A SUSPENSION ISSUE. I HAVE ONLY HAD THE CAR 4 WEEKS. THE SALESMAN TRIED TO CONVINCE ME IT IS A NORMAL THING ON ALL VEHICLES. I WASN'T BORN YESTERDAY. *TR
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 …
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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
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
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
07/07/12, 16,214 MILES: VEHICLE WENT INTO SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOR 16000 MILE ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, TO INCLUDE: LUBE, OIL, FILTER; TIRE ROTATION; AIR FILTER; INSPECT BRAKE LININGS; INSPECT EXHAUST SYSTEM; AND INSPECT THE FRONT SUSPENSION, TIE ROD ENDS AND BOOT SEALS FOR CRACKS OR LEAKS AND ALL PARTS FOR DAMAGE, WEAR, IMPROPER LOO…
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07/07/12, 16,214 MILES: VEHICLE WENT INTO SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOR 16000 MILE ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, TO INCLUDE: LUBE, OIL, FILTER; TIRE ROTATION; AIR FILTER; INSPECT BRAKE LININGS; INSPECT EXHAUST SYSTEM; AND INSPECT THE FRONT SUSPENSION, TIE ROD ENDS AND BOOT SEALS FOR CRACKS OR LEAKS AND ALL PARTS FOR DAMAGE, WEAR, IMPROPER LOOSENESS OR END PLAY. IT WAS DISCOVERED DURING THAT ROUTINE SERVICE THAT THE GOODYEAR EAGLE LSII TIRES ON MY CAR SHOWED SIGNS OF SIDEWALL SEPARATION. TIRES WERE REPLACED AT OWNER EXPENSE, 07/10/12 AT 16,463 MILEAGE. FOLLOWING THE TIRE REPLACEMENT (ONE WEEK LATER) HEARD A POPPING IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION (THAT WAS JUST INSPECTED ON 07/07/12), CALLED DEALERSHIP TO TAKE IT IN FOR DIAGNOSIS/REPAIR (WENT IN 07/19/12 AT 1:30PM). WAS SENT HOME, IN AFFECTED VEHICLE, STATING THAT THE MECHANISMS IN THE STEERING BOX WAS THE SOURCE OF THE NOISE. WAS TOLD AT THAT TIME THE VEHICLE WAS SAFE TO DRIVE, NO LOANER WOULD BE PROVIDED. THE PARTS WERE ON BACK ORDER, AND AN APPOINTMENT MADE FOR 07/30/12. CALLED THE DEALERSHIP ON 07/28/12 TO CONFIRM PARTS ARRIVAL AND SERVICE APPOINTMENT FOR 07/30/12: DURING PHONE CALL, MATT FROM THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE PARTS HAD NOT ARRIVED YET, THEREFORE WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR THE SCHEDULED APPOINTMENT. CANCELLED THE PRE-SCHEDULED APPOINTMENT AND SAID THEY WOULD CALL WHEN THE PARTS ARRIVED. WHEN ASKED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE, HE STATED "WE WOULD PREFER YOU NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE UNTIL WE CAN GET IT FIXED". AGAIN, ASKED THE DEALERSHIP FOR A LOANER/RENTAL, AS THIS IS A WARRANTY COVERED REPAIR AND WAS REFUSED. IN DRIVING THE VEHICLE FROM THE 7/19 APPOINTMENT TO PRESENT DAY, THE POPPING ON THE FRONT END CAN BE FELT IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE STEERING HAS BECOME LOOSER AND LESS RESPONSIVE. NOT TO MENTION THE POTENTIAL OF DAMAGE ON BRAND NEW TIRES FROM HAVING THE SUSPENSION MESSED UP. *JS
Official recalls
317V640000 · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE ; Seats:front Assembly:head Restraint
Oct 10, 2017
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2012 Jeep Liberty and 2012-2013 Chrysler 200 and Dodge Avenger vehicles. A component within the occupant restraint controller (ORC) may fail and prevent the active headrests from deploying in the event of a rear-end crash.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the active headrests do not deploy in certain rear-end crashes, the front seat occupants have an increased risk of injury.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ORC as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 4, 2017. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is T56.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Seats:front Assembly:head Restraint
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2012 Jeep Liberty and 2012-2013 Chrysler 200 and Dodge Avenger vehicles. A component within the occupant restraint controller (ORC) may fail and prevent the active headrests from deploying in the event of a rear-end crash.
Consequence: If the active headrests do not deploy in certain rear-end crashes, the front seat occupants have an increased risk of injury.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ORC as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 4, 2017. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is T56.
Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2012 Jeep Liberty and 2012-2013 Chrysler 200 and Dodge Avenger vehicles. A component within the occupant restraint controller (ORC) may fail and prevent the active headrests from deploying in the event of a rear-end crash.
Consequence: If the active headrests do not deploy in certain rear-end crashes, the front seat occupants have an increased risk of injury.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ORC as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 4, 2017. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is T56.
16V668000 · Air Bags; Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE ; Seat Belts:pretensioner
Sep 15, 2016
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Chrysler 200, 2010 Chrysler Sebring, 2010-2012 Dodge Caliber and 2010-2014 Jeep Patriot, Compass and Dodge Avenger vehicles. The Occupant Restraint Control (OCR) module may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags from deploying in the event of a crash.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the OCR, free of charge. Interim letters informing owners that parts are not available yet were mailed on October 26, 2016. The recall began on August 15, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S61.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Seat Belts:pretensioner
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Chrysler 200, 2010 Chrysler Sebring, 2010-2012 Dodge Caliber and 2010-2014 Jeep Patriot, Compass and Dodge Avenger vehicles. The Occupant Restraint Control (OCR) module may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags from deploying in the event of a crash.
Consequence: If the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the OCR, free of charge. Interim letters informing owners that parts are not available yet were mailed on October 26, 2016. The recall began on August 15, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S61.
Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Chrysler 200, 2010 Chrysler Sebring, 2010-2012 Dodge Caliber and 2010-2014 Jeep Patriot, Compass and Dodge Avenger vehicles. The Occupant Restraint Control (OCR) module may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags from deploying in the event of a crash.
Consequence: If the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the OCR, free of charge. Interim letters informing owners that parts are not available yet were mailed on October 26, 2016. The recall began on August 15, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S61.
Air Bags
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Chrysler 200, 2010 Chrysler Sebring, 2010-2012 Dodge Caliber and 2010-2014 Jeep Patriot, Compass and Dodge Avenger vehicles. The Occupant Restraint Control (OCR) module may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags from deploying in the event of a crash.
Consequence: If the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the OCR, free of charge. Interim letters informing owners that parts are not available yet were mailed on October 26, 2016. The recall began on August 15, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S61.
13V282000 · Air Bags; Electrical System
Jul 2, 2013
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Sebring and 200 vehicles manufactured June 28, 2011, through December 13, 2012; model year 2011-2013 Dodge Avenger vehicles manufactured June 25, 2011, through January 14, 2013; model year 2011-2012 Dodge Nitro vehicles manufactured June 17, 2011, through December 15, 2011; and model year 2011-2012 Jeep Liberty vehicles manufactured June 17, 2011, through August 15, 2012. Electrical over-stress of a resistor in the occupant restraint control module may lead to the non-deployment of the active head restraints during a rear impact collision.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating the deployment of the active head restraints , their non-deployment could increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will flash the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) or replace the occupant restraint control module, as needed, free of charge. The recall began on November 19, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N38.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Air Bags
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Sebring and 200 vehicles manufactured June 28, 2011, through December 13, 2012; model year 2011-2013 Dodge Avenger vehicles manufactured June 25, 2011, through January 14, 2013; model year 2011-2012 Dodge Nitro vehicles manufactured June 17, 2011, through December 15, 2011; and model year 2011-2012 Jeep Liberty vehicles manufactured June 17, 2011, through August 15, 2012. Electrical over-stress of a resistor in the occupant restraint control module may lead to the non-deployment of the active head restraints during a rear impact collision.
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating the deployment of the active head restraints , their non-deployment could increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will flash the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) or replace the occupant restraint control module, as needed, free of charge. The recall began on November 19, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N38.
Electrical System
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Sebring and 200 vehicles manufactured June 28, 2011, through December 13, 2012; model year 2011-2013 Dodge Avenger vehicles manufactured June 25, 2011, through January 14, 2013; model year 2011-2012 Dodge Nitro vehicles manufactured June 17, 2011, through December 15, 2011; and model year 2011-2012 Jeep Liberty vehicles manufactured June 17, 2011, through August 15, 2012. Electrical over-stress of a resistor in the occupant restraint control module may lead to the non-deployment of the active head restraints during a rear impact collision.
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating the deployment of the active head restraints , their non-deployment could increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will flash the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) or replace the occupant restraint control module, as needed, free of charge. The recall began on November 19, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N38.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1PE19014 · Active Head Rest Inadvertent Deployment
Opened Sep 9, 2019 · Closed Feb 25, 2026
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seats; Seats:front Assembly:head Restraint
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE19014 on September 9, 2019, to investigate 128 consumer complaints alleging that the Active Head Rest (AHR) inadvertently deployed without the occurrence of a crash or other rear impact event in model year (MY) 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles.When ODI opened the investigation, ODI was aware of thirteen alleged injuries.A small number of Early Warning Reports identified driver and/or passenger front seat AHR inadvertent deployments without a rear impact event.Reported safety consequences resulting from the AHR deployments include concussions, headaches, soft tissue injuries, disorientation, nausea, vomiting and/or loss of vehicle control as a result of being surprised and distracted by being struck in the head by the inadvertent AHR deployment. On September 24, 2019, ODI sent an Information Request (IR) letter to Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA).ODI requested certain detailed information from FCA related to the following subject vehicles: MY 2010-2014 Dodge Avenger 200, MY 2010-2014 Dodge Calber, MY 2010-2014 Chrysler Sebring, MY 2013-2015 Ram Tradesman, MY 2012 Ram Van, MY 2010-2019 Dodge Grand Caravan, MY 2010-2016 Chrysler Town and Country, MY 2010-2017 Jeep Compass, MY 2011-2020 Dodge Durango, MY 2011-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, MY 2010-2019 Dodge Journey, MY 2010-2012 Jeep Liberty, MY 2010-2011 Jeep Nitro, and MY 2010-2011 Jeep Patriot vehicles.On December 2, 2019, ODI received a response from FCA that included vehicle production data, consumer complaints, field reports, warranty claims, manufacturer actions, production changes, and other data related to the alleged defect from the start of production (2010) through September 24, 2019.On January 27, 2020, ODI received an update to the December 2, 2019, IR response from FCA.On September 22, 2020, ODI requested additional subject vehicle AHR information from FCA.ODI received FCA's response on October 21, 2020.ODI subsequently received an update to FCA's October 21, 2020, response on February 16, 2021.During the investigation, ODI requested updates to certain IR questions on two occasions.FCA provided updates to question #2 on March 5, 2021, and questions #2 and #5 on May 26, 2023. FCA’s IR response data identified approximately 7.5 million subject vehicles (with approximately 15 million AHR assemblies).Due to the large number of vehicles and failure reports, ODI focused its analysis on the FCA vehicle model with the highest failure rate to represent the worst-case scenario.For this purpose, ODI focused on MY 2012-2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles for its analysis.This population includes 710,890 vehicles that FCA manufactured between August 19, 2011, and August 8, 2015.ODI identified 2,839 alleged AHR failures within this limited population.ODI identified 263 alleged injuries that were caused by AHR failures in MY 2012-2015 Grand Cherokees vehicles.Of these alleged injuries, ODI categorized them as eighty-two (82) soft tissue (neck/whiplash, bruise) injuries, four (4) concussions, fifty-nine (59) headaches, and one hundred eighteen (118) without a specific injury description.Although complainants have alleged injuries, ODI has been unable to obtain evidence to substantiate or validate any injuries where medical treatment was required.Consumer outreach was conducted by ODI, where sixty-three (63) FCA complainants with alleged injuries were contacted.Twelve of the sixty-three FCA consumers responded and were interviewed by ODI.ODI requested medical records, however, only one response was provided. Attorneys representing the responding complainant provided a synopsis that indicated they had experienced prior neck-related injuries dating to the mid-1990s.ODI also contacted one hundred (100) consumers who submitted Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQ) in an attempt to validate alleged injuries. Despite the efforts of ODI, the office has been unsuccessful at obtaining substantive documentation/evidence supporting complaints that allege serious injuries (where pre-existing medical conditions did not already exist). In addition to the low severity of alleged injuries caused by AHR deployments, there have been eleven alleged crashes and two alleged lane departures within the entire subject vehicle population that has been in the field up to sixteen years (with over 8,500 AHR inadvertent deployments).ODI was not able to validate that the alleged crashes were the result of inadvertent head rest deployments, and the crashes were minor in nature. ODI has conducted a thorough investigation of the alleged safety defect and with up to sixteen years of exposure for some vehicles and over 8,500 inadvertent AHR deployments, no serious crashes or injuries could be validated in the sub-population of focus.The lack of serious injuries validated by ODI with such large period of field exposure is consistent with thework done by NHTSA’s Human Injury Research Division and the Biodynamic Research Corporation, which support that an inadvertent AHR deployment is not likely to cause serious injury.In addition to the low risk of injury, FCA released an extended warranty program that covers inadvertent AHR deployment for ten years / unlimited mileage from the vehicle's in-service date. PE19014 is closed with the FCA extended warranty program.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist, and the Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances. To review a complete closing summary, please the attached closing report. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Seats
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE19014 on September 9, 2019, to investigate 128 consumer complaints alleging that the Active Head Rest (AHR) inadvertently deployed without the occurrence of a crash or other rear impact event in model year (MY) 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles.When ODI opened the investigation, ODI was aware of thirteen alleged injuries.A small number of Early Warning Reports identified driver and/or passenger front seat AHR inadvertent deployments without a rear impact event.Reported safety consequences resulting from the AHR deployments include concussions, headaches, soft tissue injuries, disorientation, nausea, vomiting and/or loss of vehicle control as a result of being surprised and distracted by being struck in the head by the inadvertent AHR deployment. On September 24, 2019, ODI sent an Information Request (IR) letter to Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA).ODI requested certain detailed information from FCA related to the following subject vehicles: MY 2010-2014 Dodge Avenger 200, MY 2010-2014 Dodge Calber, MY 2010-2014 Chrysler Sebring, MY 2013-2015 Ram Tradesman, MY 2012 Ram Van, MY 2010-2019 Dodge Grand Caravan, MY 2010-2016 Chrysler Town and Country, MY 2010-2017 Jeep Compass, MY 2011-2020 Dodge Durango, MY 2011-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, MY 2010-2019 Dodge Journey, MY 2010-2012 Jeep Liberty, MY 2010-2011 Jeep Nitro, and MY 2010-2011 Jeep Patriot vehicles.On December 2, 2019, ODI received a response from FCA that included vehicle production data, consumer complaints, field reports, warranty claims, manufacturer actions, production changes, and other data related to the alleged defect from the start of production (2010) through September 24, 2019.On January 27, 2020, ODI received an update to the December 2, 2019, IR response from FCA.On September 22, 2020, ODI requested additional subject vehicle AHR information from FCA.ODI received FCA's response on October 21, 2020.ODI subsequently received an update to FCA's October 21, 2020, response on February 16, 2021.During the investigation, ODI requested updates to certain IR questions on two occasions.FCA provided updates to question #2 on March 5, 2021, and questions #2 and #5 on May 26, 2023. FCA’s IR response data identified approximately 7.5 million subject vehicles (with approximately 15 million AHR assemblies).Due to the large number of vehicles and failure reports, ODI focused its analysis on the FCA vehicle model with the highest failure rate to represent the worst-case scenario.For this purpose, ODI focused on MY 2012-2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles for its analysis.This population includes 710,890 vehicles that FCA manufactured between August 19, 2011, and August 8, 2015.ODI identified 2,839 alleged AHR failures within this limited population.ODI identified 263 alleged injuries that were caused by AHR failures in MY 2012-2015 Grand Cherokees vehicles.Of these alleged injuries, ODI categorized them as eighty-two (82) soft tissue (neck/whiplash, bruise) injuries, four (4) concussions, fifty-nine (59) headaches, and one hundred eighteen (118) without a specific injury description.Although complainants have alleged injuries, ODI has been unable to obtain evidence to substantiate or validate any injuries where medical treatment was required.Consumer outreach was conducted by ODI, where sixty-three (63) FCA complainants with alleged injuries were contacted.Twelve of the sixty-three FCA consumers responded and were interviewed by ODI.ODI requested medical records, however, only one response was provided. Attorneys representing the responding complainant provided a synopsis that indicated they had experienced prior neck-related injuries dating to the mid-1990s.ODI also contacted one hundred (100) consumers who submitted Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQ) in an attempt to validate alleged injuries. Despite the efforts of ODI, the office has been unsuccessful at obtaining substantive documentation/evidence supporting complaints that allege serious injuries (where pre-existing medical conditions did not already exist). In addition to the low severity of alleged injuries caused by AHR deployments, there have been eleven alleged crashes and two alleged lane departures within the entire subject vehicle population that has been in the field up to sixteen years (with over 8,500 AHR inadvertent deployments).ODI was not able to validate that the alleged crashes were the result of inadvertent head rest deployments, and the crashes were minor in nature. ODI has conducted a thorough investigation of the alleged safety defect and with up to sixteen years of exposure for some vehicles and over 8,500 inadvertent AHR deployments, no serious crashes or injuries could be validated in the sub-population of focus.The lack of serious injuries validated by ODI with such large period of field exposure is consistent with thework done by NHTSA’s Human Injury Research Division and the Biodynamic Research Corporation, which support that an inadvertent AHR deployment is not likely to cause serious injury.In addition to the low risk of injury, FCA released an extended warranty program that covers inadvertent AHR deployment for ten years / unlimited mileage from the vehicle's in-service date. PE19014 is closed with the FCA extended warranty program.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist, and the Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances. To review a complete closing summary, please the attached closing report. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
Seats:front Assembly:head Restraint
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE19014 on September 9, 2019, to investigate 128 consumer complaints alleging that the Active Head Rest (AHR) inadvertently deployed without the occurrence of a crash or other rear impact event in model year (MY) 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles.When ODI opened the investigation, ODI was aware of thirteen alleged injuries.A small number of Early Warning Reports identified driver and/or passenger front seat AHR inadvertent deployments without a rear impact event.Reported safety consequences resulting from the AHR deployments include concussions, headaches, soft tissue injuries, disorientation, nausea, vomiting and/or loss of vehicle control as a result of being surprised and distracted by being struck in the head by the inadvertent AHR deployment. On September 24, 2019, ODI sent an Information Request (IR) letter to Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA).ODI requested certain detailed information from FCA related to the following subject vehicles: MY 2010-2014 Dodge Avenger 200, MY 2010-2014 Dodge Calber, MY 2010-2014 Chrysler Sebring, MY 2013-2015 Ram Tradesman, MY 2012 Ram Van, MY 2010-2019 Dodge Grand Caravan, MY 2010-2016 Chrysler Town and Country, MY 2010-2017 Jeep Compass, MY 2011-2020 Dodge Durango, MY 2011-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, MY 2010-2019 Dodge Journey, MY 2010-2012 Jeep Liberty, MY 2010-2011 Jeep Nitro, and MY 2010-2011 Jeep Patriot vehicles.On December 2, 2019, ODI received a response from FCA that included vehicle production data, consumer complaints, field reports, warranty claims, manufacturer actions, production changes, and other data related to the alleged defect from the start of production (2010) through September 24, 2019.On January 27, 2020, ODI received an update to the December 2, 2019, IR response from FCA.On September 22, 2020, ODI requested additional subject vehicle AHR information from FCA.ODI received FCA's response on October 21, 2020.ODI subsequently received an update to FCA's October 21, 2020, response on February 16, 2021.During the investigation, ODI requested updates to certain IR questions on two occasions.FCA provided updates to question #2 on March 5, 2021, and questions #2 and #5 on May 26, 2023. FCA’s IR response data identified approximately 7.5 million subject vehicles (with approximately 15 million AHR assemblies).Due to the large number of vehicles and failure reports, ODI focused its analysis on the FCA vehicle model with the highest failure rate to represent the worst-case scenario.For this purpose, ODI focused on MY 2012-2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles for its analysis.This population includes 710,890 vehicles that FCA manufactured between August 19, 2011, and August 8, 2015.ODI identified 2,839 alleged AHR failures within this limited population.ODI identified 263 alleged injuries that were caused by AHR failures in MY 2012-2015 Grand Cherokees vehicles.Of these alleged injuries, ODI categorized them as eighty-two (82) soft tissue (neck/whiplash, bruise) injuries, four (4) concussions, fifty-nine (59) headaches, and one hundred eighteen (118) without a specific injury description.Although complainants have alleged injuries, ODI has been unable to obtain evidence to substantiate or validate any injuries where medical treatment was required.Consumer outreach was conducted by ODI, where sixty-three (63) FCA complainants with alleged injuries were contacted.Twelve of the sixty-three FCA consumers responded and were interviewed by ODI.ODI requested medical records, however, only one response was provided. Attorneys representing the responding complainant provided a synopsis that indicated they had experienced prior neck-related injuries dating to the mid-1990s.ODI also contacted one hundred (100) consumers who submitted Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQ) in an attempt to validate alleged injuries. Despite the efforts of ODI, the office has been unsuccessful at obtaining substantive documentation/evidence supporting complaints that allege serious injuries (where pre-existing medical conditions did not already exist). In addition to the low severity of alleged injuries caused by AHR deployments, there have been eleven alleged crashes and two alleged lane departures within the entire subject vehicle population that has been in the field up to sixteen years (with over 8,500 AHR inadvertent deployments).ODI was not able to validate that the alleged crashes were the result of inadvertent head rest deployments, and the crashes were minor in nature. ODI has conducted a thorough investigation of the alleged safety defect and with up to sixteen years of exposure for some vehicles and over 8,500 inadvertent AHR deployments, no serious crashes or injuries could be validated in the sub-population of focus.The lack of serious injuries validated by ODI with such large period of field exposure is consistent with thework done by NHTSA’s Human Injury Research Division and the Biodynamic Research Corporation, which support that an inadvertent AHR deployment is not likely to cause serious injury.In addition to the low risk of injury, FCA released an extended warranty program that covers inadvertent AHR deployment for ten years / unlimited mileage from the vehicle's in-service date. PE19014 is closed with the FCA extended warranty program.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist, and the Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances. To review a complete closing summary, please the attached closing report. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.