2013 Dodge Avenger airbags problems

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

33 owners have reported airbags problems with the 2013 Dodge Avenger, 20% of all complaints about this model year. The typical problem appeared around 129,277 mi.

Airbags complaints
33
Crashes
4
Fires
0
Injuries
6
Related recalls
3
Median mileage
129,277 mi

Specific components reported

Airbags covers: Frontal, side and curtain airbags, sensors and warning lights.

ComponentComplaints
Air bags33

Airbags complaints across Dodge Avenger years

72008220095201062011112012332013112014
Airbags complaints by model year. The 2013 is highlighted.

Mileage when the problem appeared

Under 10k110k–30k130k–60k360k–100k13100k–150k4150k+
Complaints that list mileage, grouped by odometer reading.

Related recalls

  • Recall 17V640000Oct 10, 2017363,930 vehicles
    AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE · 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.

    Risk: 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.

  • Recall 16V668000Sep 15, 20161,435,625 vehicles
    AIR BAGS · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE · 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.

    Risk: 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.

  • Recall 13V282000Jul 2, 2013442,320 vehicles
    AIR BAGS · 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.

    Risk: 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.

What owners say

  1. Filed Dec 1, 2025FLAirbagsOther / UnknownSeats & Seat Belts
    Both head rest which is attached to airbags or have airbags in them I don’t know but the exploded open. Headrest could have exploded while someone was in the seat and got head injuries. No problem has not been confirmed by anyone but myself,husband and self employed mechanic, I didn’t know what to do. No, no type of warning before it happen. Passenger one exploded January 2025, driver exploded about May 2025.
    NHTSA complaint #11702196 · source
  2. Filed Nov 8, 2024123,000 miTXAirbagsElectrical System
    The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the warning lights on the instrument panel flashed on and off. The contact stated that the horn was inadvertently honked while the vehicle was losing motive power. The vehicle was restarted; however, the failure recurred. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or…
    NHTSA complaint #11624283 · source
  3. Filed Oct 7, 2024PAAirbagsSeats & Seat Belts
    I was driving my car and the active headrests on the driver side and passenger side both deployed prematurely. I wasn't in any collisions and the headrests deployed. It was very unexpected when they went off as i was driving to school it put both my safety and my sisters safety at risk when they deployed. As stated previously i am unsure as to why they went off as i was never involved in any collisions. There were no warning lamps or any messages prior to them deploying.
    NHTSA complaint #11618401 · source
  4. Filed Sep 6, 2024NYAirbagsElectrical SystemFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    The TIPM failed causing the car to shut off and not start again. The problem has been confirmed by Upstate Auto. There was a recall on the TIPM but it was not replaced instead some occupant restraints were replaced instead and now the manufacturer does not make the TIPM part anymore.
    NHTSA complaint #11613149 · source
  5. Filed Sep 8, 2023AZAirbagsSeats & Seat Belts
    The headrest in front passenger side made a loud noise and opened. It's scared me, because I had no clue what the noise was from at the time. It was night time and all I can say is thank God no other cars were near me...I probably would have wrecked. I'm very thankful that my son was not sitting there when it happened. There were no lights or warnings and I never knew that could happen let alone know the headrests could pop open. The vehicle has not been looked at our…
    NHTSA complaint #11543514 · source
  6. Filed Dec 30, 2022FLAirbagsBrakesEngine
    My husband a I were driving down the highway and all of a sudden a loud sound a bam the air bag in the passenger seat blew open and dang near gave my husband whiplash. Also I have had the thermostat replaced 3 times in 2 years and the car is still overheating. The ABS sensor will not go off and its like the emergency brake is stuck. I can be driving and when I try to stop it is like its locking up.
    NHTSA complaint #11499479 · source
  7. Filed Oct 26, 2022133,000 miNC1 injuredAirbagsSeats & Seat Belts
    The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 mph, the driver seat headrest restraint was erroneously deployed. The contact indicated that during the incident the vehicle had not crashed or abruptly stopped to cause the headrest restraint to deploy. During the incident, the contact sustained an injured neck. No medical treatment was required. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were…
    NHTSA complaint #11491028 · source
  8. Filed Oct 4, 2021NYAirbags
    Purchased this car 3 yrs a go about 2 weeks ago the airbag light remains on constantly the car was parked but remains on constantly. The car has 107K I search for recall on this site and nothing even though there are over 485 complaints for the same issue. What does it take to get this NOTICED by MOPAR this is obviously a safety hazard. I bet if one of MOPAR's dependents was driving a 2013 Dodge Avenger they would get it fixed TODAY for free via a recall are you listening…
    NHTSA complaint #11435371 · source
  9. Filed Jun 14, 2021SCAirbags
    The air bag light turns on and off while driving, along with a ding, indicating that there is a problem with the air bag.
    NHTSA complaint #11420799 · source
  10. Filed Apr 30, 202123,000 miTXCrash1 injuredAirbagsSeats & Seat Belts
    Tl* the contact owned a 2013 dodge avenger. The contact stated that upon approaching a stop light at 10 mph, the driver behind her was on a cell phone and rear ended her vehicle. The contact stated that the driver seat belt failed to restrain her and the contact hit her head on the driver side window. The air bags also failed to deploy upon impact. The contact did not receive medical attention; however, she stated that she did have pain to her lower spine, neck, and left…
    NHTSA complaint #11414634 · source
  11. Filed Mar 31, 2021897,500 miMDAirbags
    When i start my car which is stationary the airbag light comes on & dings (like the seatbelt warning) it dings like 2 times. Then as i drive on city streets & highways, while the vehicle is in motion the light will come on & go off randomly. This doesn't happen every time the vehicle is stationary or in motion, however it does happen way more often than not. And i'm afraid for my safety & the safety of my passengers. What if the airbags do not deploy to help save anyone? I…
    NHTSA complaint #11405767 · source
  12. Filed Mar 25, 2021133,087 miFLAirbagsEngineVisibility & Wipers
    The airbag light don't go off at all upon driving when accelerating the engine jerks very badly like there is some power lost going in with the engine i have to press hard for acceleration then it drives smooth then the car shuts off on my an my husband from traveling an when raining the wipers get stuck an moves like a robot so we have to pull over because we can't see due to electric problems with the wiper an this isn't safe at all for nobody car stalling out plus wipers…
    NHTSA complaint #11404906 · source

Other 2013 Dodge Avenger problem areas

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology