Model year record

1996 Dodge Avenger

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

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.