Model year record

1996 Dodge Avenger

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 235 owner complaints on file.

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 joint28130,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission15
Suspension: front: control arm12160,250 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine11
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline1078,000 mi
Air bags: frontal9
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip9
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor9
Exterior lighting: headlights6
Suspension619,856 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint6160,250 mi
Vehicle speed control6
Electrical system: horn4
Service brakes, air: disc: rotor4131,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc4
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm4121,251 mi
Unknown or other4
Electrical system: ignition3
Seat belts: front: anchorage3
Structure: body: door3
Suspension: front3
Suspension: front: control arm: upper arm3
Electrical system: ignition: module2
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood2
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor2
Power train: manual transmission2
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly2
Seat belts: front: retractor2
Seats: front assembly: recliner2
Service brakes, air: disc: pads2
Steering2131,000 mi
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device2
Suspension: front: wheel bearing2
Vehicle speed control: cruise control2
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system2
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly2
Visibility: windshield2
Wheels2
Air bags1
Air bags: side/window1
Child seat1
Electrical system1
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1
Electrical system: wiring1
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers1
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash1
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly1
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control1
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.1
Exterior lighting: fog lights1
Exterior lighting: headlights: concealment devices1
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump1
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift1
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch1
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter1
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft1
Power train: driveline: driveshaft1121,251 mi
Seat belts1
Seat belts: front1
Seat belts: rear/other1
Seats1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: hydraulic1
Steering: hydraulic power assist system1
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump1
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly1
Steering: rack and pinion1
Structure: body1
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments1
Suspension: front: macpherson strut1
Suspension: rear1
Suspension: rear: shock absorber1
Tires1
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: interior1
Wheels: rim1

The 1995 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 1997 model has 2 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

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.