Model year record

1995 Dodge Avenger

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 254 owner complaints on file.

Dodge Avenger, 1995–2000 generation
Pictured: the 1995–2000 generation. IFCAR, Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 00V421002

Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint

Component
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint
Manufacturer
DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
393,796
Reported to NHTSA
2000-12-18
Owners notified
2001-05-21

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE RUBBER BOOTS ON THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINTS OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION WERE DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY, DIRT AND WATER CAN INTRUDE. ALSO, MMC HAS ADDED THE POTENTIAL OF LEAKING MOISTURE, WHICH CAN CAUSE THE BALL STUD TO CORRODE.

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINT TO SEPARATE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH. THIS CAMPAIGN SUPERCEDES MMC'S PREVIOUS SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN, SEE 99V-066.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINT FOR WEAR. BALL JOINTS THAT EXHIBIT WEAR BEYOND THE ESTABLISHED TOLERANCE WILL BE REPLACED WITH NEWLY DESIGNED LATERAL ARM BALL JOINTS. BALL JOINTS THAT ARE WITHIN THE ESTABLISHED TOLERANCE WILL BE CLEANED AND A SPECIAL SEALANT WILL BE APPLIED TO PREVENT INTRUSION OF MOISTURE.

Recall campaignNHTSA 99V066003

Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint

Component
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint
Manufacturer
DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
165,857
Reported to NHTSA
1999-04-05
Owners notified
1999-08-02

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE RUBBER BOOTS ON THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINTS OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION WERE DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY, DIRT AND WATER CAN INTRUDE.

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINT TO SEPARATE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE RUBBER BOOTS, AND IF THE BOOT IS DAMAGED, THEY WILL REPLACE THE LOWER LATERAL ARM AND BALL JOINT ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint29109,478 mi
Air bags: frontal15—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline14—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip12—
Suspension: front: control arm12—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc10—
Power train: automatic transmission998,000 mi
Suspension: front9142,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition8170,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components7—
Suspension6—
Engine and engine cooling: engine5—
Seats5—
Service brakes, hydraulic5—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system5—
Power train: axle assembly4—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor4—
Structure: body: door4130,213 mi
Vehicle speed control4—
Air bags3—
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery3—
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system3—
Interior lighting3—
Seat belts: front: anchorage3—
Seats: front assembly: recliner3130,000 mi
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device3—
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly3113,080 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm375,000 mi
Unknown or other3113,080 mi
Visibility: windshield3—
Electrical system: wiring2—
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood2—
Seat belts2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads2—
Steering2—
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar2—
Suspension: front: control arm: upper arm2—
Suspension: front: macpherson strut2—
Suspension: rear2—
Tires: tread/belt2103,754 mi
Visibility: glass, side/rear2—
Electrical system1—
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator1—
Electrical system: ignition: module1—
Electrical system: starter assembly1—
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers1—
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash1—
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.1—
Exterior lighting: headlights1—
Exterior lighting: headlights: concealment devices160,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages1—
Parking brake: conventional1—
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch1—
Power train: axle hubs1—
Power train: clutch assembly1—
Power train: manual transmission1—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly1—
Seat belts: rear/other1—
Service brakes, air: disc: rotor1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper1—
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump1—
Steering: linkages1—
Steering: rack and pinion1—
Structure: body196,000 mi
Structure: body: bumpers1—
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments1—
Structure: body: trunk lid1—
Suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint1—
Tires1—
Tires: bead1—
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal1—
Visibility: power window devices and controls1—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer1—

The 1996 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Other Dodge Avenger model years

All Dodge Avenger recalls by year

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.