1997 Dodge Avenger problems
Owners have filed 109 complaints about the 1997 Dodge Avenger with NHTSA. Suspension accounts for 22% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of service brakes, hydraulic at 16.5%.
Complaints109
Crashes18
Fires0
Injuries23
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Suspension 22.0% · 24
Service brakes, hydraulic 16.5% · 18
Air bags 11.9% · 13
Engine and engine cooling 9.2% · 10
Wheels 6.4% · 7
Exterior lighting 5.5% · 6
Electrical system 4.6% · 5
Power train 3.7% · 4
Severity
Of those complaints, 18 describe a crash and 23 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 9 model years of the Dodge Avenger in this data, 1997 draws comparatively few complaints; 2008 is the outlier year.
Filings have fallen off, 9 in the last three years against 32 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 94,500 miles.
In owners' own words
1997 Dodge Avenger ran into a tree after ball joint broke causing the axel to break.***No answer required***. *Mr the accident occurred thirteen months after the ball joint recall was repaired. The consumer was not badly injured but is on muscle relaxants for whiplash. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection. The consumer was then told that the ball joints were never replaced just inspected. Suspension
Creaking noise from front suspension. Received recall 967 and dealer did not use any parts to correct problem. *Bf the dealer stated the parts on the vehicle were not damaged. Prior to the recall notice the consumer had the ball joint replaced on the left side. The consumer tried to get the other ball joint replaced, however the dealer stated the recall had already been performed. Suspension
While driving the lower lateral arm ball joint failed causing the driver to loose control of the vehicle, the vehicle hit a stone wall, was thrown into the air and landed on top of another vehicle, the drivers sustained injuries to his face and back, the passenger sustained a fractured sternum and has pain in her back, chest, legs and suffers from headaches. Nlm Suspension
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…