2014 Dodge Avenger · symptom sheet

Seat belt or seat problems

60owner reports
78,000median miles
$500median quote
6involved a crash

Newest report Aug 11, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026

60 of the 193 complaints on this car describe seat belt. Only airbag is reported more often on this car.

Tick what matches of 60 reports

the belt will not latch or release

the belt locks or will not extend

there is a recall

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the buckle (6 reports) and the seat frame or track (5 reports).

Recalls and investigations

One recall on the seat belts covers the 2014 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.

16V-668Sep 15, 2016

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 and remedy

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.

NHTSA investigations into the seat belts on the Avenger

PE19-014opened Sep 9, 2019

Seats · model years 2011 to 2014

Active head rest inadvertent deployment. Closed feb 25, 2026.

NHTSA summary

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 in

What owners paid

5 of the 60 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $500 to $625.

$500$500$625

$0k$2k$4k$6k$8k

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 47,000 and 100,000 miles, from the 34 reports that gave a mileage.

416

2417

818

919

720

221

122

223

225

126

What owners wrote

“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.”
Filed Aug 11, 2026

“I was stopped at a red light, when the airbag in the headrest deployed on the driver side.”
Filed Oct 6, 2025

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 6 of 60 reports involved a crash and 4 people were hurt. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.

File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation.