Known Recalls

Model year record

1997 Dodge Avenger

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 109 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 97V081002

Seats: front assembly: head restraint

Component
Seats: front assembly: head restraint
Manufacturer
CHRYSLER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
1,083
Reported to NHTSA
1997-08-08
Owners notified
1997-07-31

Defect description

THE HEADREST GUIDE BRACKET WAS IMPROPERLY WELDED TO THE SEAT BACK FRAME ON THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BACK ASSEMBLIES ONLY.

Safety risk

THE HEADREST SUPPORT BRACKET CAN BREAK, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PASSENGER SEAT BACK ASSEMBLY WITH A NEW ASSEMBLY.

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 joint1185,000 mi
Air bags: frontal10139,805 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc5—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline4—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor4—
Suspension4140,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint4100,000 mi
Wheels496,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine370,999 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights330,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission3—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip3—
Tires393,000 mi
Air bags293,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood2—
Seat belts: front: anchorage2—
Service brakes, hydraulic293,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm2—
Unknown or other293,000 mi
Visibility: windshield2—
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs2—
Air bags: side/window1—
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1—
Electrical system: ignition: switch1—
Electrical system: wiring1—
Engine and engine cooling1140,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1—
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner1—
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.1—
Exterior lighting: headlights: concealment devices16,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch1—
Exterior lighting: turn signal1—
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch1—
Power train: clutch assembly1—
Seat belts: front: retractor1—
Seat belts: front: webbing1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module182,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum1—
Steering193,000 mi
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device1—
Steering: linkages1—
Steering: rack and pinion1—
Structure1109,000 mi
Structure: body: door1—
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments1—
Suspension: front: control arm: upper arm1145,050 mi
Suspension: front: macpherson strut1—
Suspension: rear1—
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly1—
Wheels: rim1—

The 1996 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 1998 model has about 1.5 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.