Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Components: Seat belts › Pretensioner; Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive; Air bags
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA side barrier crash testNHTSA side pole crash test
2014 Dodge Avenger 4 DR FWD
Overall
★★★★★
Frontal crash
★★★★★
Side crash
★★★★★
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
11.8%
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
Avenger
24mpg combined
City / highway
21 / 29 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.4 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,800/year to fuel
Avenger
23mpg combined
City / highway
20 / 30 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.4 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel
Avenger FFV
22mpg combined
City / highway
19 / 28 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3.6 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Air bags
69
13
0
8
50,000 mi
Engine
42
2
0
1
51,100 mi
Seat belts Front
39
6
0
4
49,700 mi
Electrical system Horn
34
0
3
0
46,700 mi
Seats Front assembly › Head restraint
24
1
0
0
83,050 mi
Unknown or other
19
1
1
1
52,200 mi
Service brakes
16
3
1
1
20,639 mi
Vehicle speed control Throttle
15
1
0
0
40,500 mi
Steering
14
4
0
3
42,500 mi
Electronic stability control (esc)
12
1
0
2
56,700 mi
Power train
12
1
0
0
60,000 mi
Suspension Rear
7
1
0
0
23,590 mi
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Jul 16, 2026Seats › Front assembly › Head restraint My driver side head rest was fine the night before. When I came out to my car the next morning, the AHR had defected and the padded part had "popped". No damage had occurred on the exterior of my vehicle.
Sep 25, 2025Seats I was stopped at a red light, when the airbag in the headrest deployed on the driver side.
Apr 28, 2025Seats The contact's daughter owns a 2014 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving approximately 40 MPH, the occupant restraint controller in the driver's seat activated inadvertently, and the head restraint deployed. The contact stated that her daughter was struck in the back of the head by the head restraint. The contact stated that her daughter had not observed the warning light before or after the failure. The contact's daughter had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign…
Jul 14, 2024Air bags test
Jan 1, 2019 · 100,000 milesAir bags The contact owns a 2014 Dodge Avenger. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V668000 (Seat Belts, Air Bags) and the recall repair was performed; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that a year later when the vehicle was started, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a different dealer where it was diagnosed with occupant restraint control failure. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
Sep 14, 2023Engine I know the noise is coming from the lifters in the engine that has been nicknamed the hemi tick
Aug 5, 2023Electrical system horn not working, i move steering wheel to left side and it works, problem with horn and wheel radio controls. Clock spring failure
Jul 31, 2023 · 142,000 milesSeats › Front assembly › Head restraint The contact owns a 2014 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and coming to a stop, the driverâs side headrest deployed and pushed her head forward. The contact stated that the impact was like being rear-ended. The contact had a major headache from the impact of the headrest deployment. The contact inspected the headrest and became aware that the headrest spring had fractured. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 142,000.
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
PE19014 · opened Sep 9, 2019 · closed Feb 25, 2026Active Head Rest Inadvertent Deployment 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…
