Known Recalls

Model year record

1999 Dodge Avenger

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 96 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.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Power train: automatic transmission1085,000 mi
Air bags: frontal663,200 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor685,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint632,000 mi
Electrical system586,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc5—
Unknown or other535,423 mi
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments463,200 mi
Suspension485,000 mi
Suspension: front489,000 mi
Seats: front assembly: recliner354,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip3—
Structure: body: door385,000 mi
Wheels: rim3—
Engine and engine cooling: engine265,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline2—
Seats262,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic265,000 mi
Tires265,000 mi
Visibility: windshield2—
Air bags1108,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1—
Electrical system: ignition1—
Engine1173,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights155,000 mi
Seat belts: front: anchorage1—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly185,000 mi
Service brakes, air: disc: rotor1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum1—
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar1—
Suspension: front: macpherson strut1—
Suspension: rear1—
Tires: valve1—
Vehicle speed control162,000 mi
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs1—

The 1998 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. The 2000 model has 3 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.