2012 Dodge Avenger: stuck in gear or won't shift

5 of the 554 complaints about the 2012 Dodge Avenger describe stuck in gear or won't shift.

owner complaints: 5
of this car's complaints: 1%
typical mileage: 45,000
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 16 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Stuck in gear or won't shift by model year

2014
1
2013
1
2012
5
2011
2
2010
3
2009
1
2008
89
2000
2
1999
2
1995
2

What owners say

Filed Jan 25, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · 122,630 miles · ME

Vehicle in limp mode and won't shift gears property. Started after a purchase of the vehicle had no idea that this was going to be a issue until I had it for about a week and engine light came on and then started the limp mode and then driving it is very dangerous. Because it won't change gear and going up a hill is impossible when it won't change gears. Or speed up.. It slows down instead.

Filed Jan 19, 2021 · Electrical, Transmission · 73,000 miles · GA

Vehicle goes into transmission limp mode out no where causing vehicle to slow down and lock into 1st gear. While doing this the vehicle is incapable of picking up speed or maintains speed safely of over 20 to 25 miles per hour. Diagnostic code is p0882 on my code scanner stating possible loose pin connection or connections, low voltage to transmission control tipm ( totally integrated power module ), TCM ( transmission control module ) etc., car was in motion on highway and would not accellerate to beyond 20-25 miles per hour max as car will not upshift. After checking all connections I reset and erased code and car drove a few miles normally and shifting properly before doing same again within 5 minutes. Had car towed 25 miles home at night. Spoke to service tech at local dodge dealer. He stated this is a common issue with these model cars all the way thru the new dodge challenger. And myself I state this is a safety issue as you unexpectedly can not avoid slowing down and you can not speed up to avoid a rear end collision by others driving behind you

Filed Feb 8, 2016 · Transmission · 300 miles · AZ

Ever since I purchased this vehicle brand new it has had issues with the shift points. I was told multiple times by hatch dodge in show low az that the vehicle didn't shift right because it was learning how I drove and that it was my fault. When they re-flashed the transmission software the shift points changed dramatically back to stock condition which resulted in very predictable, smooth shifts. Once you have driven the vehicle over 200-300 miles the vehicle would start to "re-learn" your driving habits and the shift points of the transmission would begin to get sporadic again. Dodge corporate told me that they have no fix for this and that again, it was my fault because of how I drove the vehicle. Our local dealership confirmed that if the vehicle was either driven like a hot rod or very slowly all the time that the shift points may be consistent but with variable driving habits (I.e. City and highway driving) the shift points would also vary and you cannot predict them. I think that 2012 dodge avengers also need to be investigated along with the other vehicles in this class such as the dodge charger and chrysler 200 as they came with the same engine/transmission combo

Filed Jul 23, 2015 · 45,000 miles · HI

Shift knob is stuck in park.

Filed Aug 30, 2014 · Acceleration, Electrical · 42,000 miles · TX

Will not shift into drive until speed reaches 45 - 50 MPH. Can not accelerate over 4000 RPM at any time. Unable to pass other slow moving vehicles at a reasonable speed. Have taken the vehicle into the dodge service center, explained what was happening, and was told "nothing is wrong with it because there is no sensor light on" .