1996 Dodge Avenger problems
Owners have filed 235 complaints about the 1996 Dodge Avenger with NHTSA. Suspension accounts for 28.5% of them — the clear leader, ahead of engine and engine cooling at 11.5%.
Complaints235
Crashes28
Fires3
Injuries24
Deaths1
What owners report breaking
Suspension 28.5% · 67
Engine and engine cooling 11.5% · 27
Service brakes, hydraulic 11.1% · 26
Power train 9.4% · 22
Electrical system 6.8% · 16
Air bags 4.7% · 11
Seat belts 4.3% · 10
Exterior lighting 3.4% · 8
Severity
Of those complaints, 28 describe a crash, 3 describe a fire, 24 report an injury and 1 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 9 model years of the Dodge Avenger in this data, 1996 draws comparatively few complaints; 2008 is the outlier year.
Filings have fallen off, 4 in the last three years against 26 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 131,000 miles.
In owners' own words
The vehicle was inspected for recall of the lower ball joints (99v-066), less than four months (4-aug-00) later the vehicle was taken to the dealer for another problem when the mechanic informed the consumer that the vehicle was in need of front lower ball joint, the consumer was forced to pay for the repair because the dealer stated this problem was not covered under recall. Nlm Suspension
Received recall notice #00v421002. Contacted and then visited dealership. Mechanic inspected vehicle and provided a sheet of paper, indicating nothing wrong. Everything has been taken care off. Two months later, vehicle involved in an accident due to ball joint causing arm and axle to break. Vehicle was totaled, but at repair shop being repaired. No injuries. Suspension
I received a recall for my cars lower ball joints because of excessvie wear. My car started making noise in the front end. When I took it in they said it was upper ball joints. I wanted to make sure this was reported in case upper ball joints should be included in recall. It was also odd that a recall on lower ball joints comes out and my upper ball joints go out. Suspension
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…