Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 15 of 196 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Suspension. Review the 59 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 36 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
23 crash reports3 fire reports11 injury reports
What owners actually said
196 reports
142,000 miles · Nov 26, 2008
Suspension
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 DODGE AVENGER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 4 MPH, THE VEHICLE SPONTANEOUSLY DROPPED ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT CONTROL ARM FRACTURED FROM SEVERE CORROSION, WHICH CAUSED THE BALL JOINT TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 DODGE AVENGER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 4 MPH, THE VEHICLE SPONTANEOUSLY DROPPED ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT CONTROL ARM FRACTURED FROM SEVERE CORROSION, WHICH CAUSED THE BALL JOINT TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND HE IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER IN REFERENCE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 99V066003 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT). THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 142,000.
NHTSA ODI #10249973
96,000 miles · May 30, 2008
Structure
DRIVERS SIDE DOOR HANDLE BREAKS OFF, MOST USED.... *TR
NHTSA ODI #10229302
103,754 miles · Jul 21, 2007
Tires
TREAD COMING OFF OF TIRE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10197123
98,000 miles · Feb 21, 2007
Power Train
TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL OR UPGRADE TO 95-96. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10183123
170,000 miles · Sep 18, 2006
Electrical System
ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, CAR STALLS AND DIES NOW WONT START, WHEN DRIVING ON RAINY DAY CAR SUCKS WATER INTO THE AIR FILTER AND INTO THE ENGINE, DASH LIGHTS FLASH. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10168537
100,000 miles · Aug 18, 2006
Suspension
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAD A NHTSA RECALL # 99V066003, REGARDING THE SUSPENSION: FRONT: CONTROL ARM: LOWER BALL JOINT THAT WAS NOT PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALER FOR 90 DAYS AND DID NOT EXPRESS WHY THE RECALL WAS NOT PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #10165932
113,080 miles · Nov 20, 2005
Power TrainSteeringUnknown Or Other
1995 DODGE AVENGER HAS FAILURES THAT I RESEARCHED AND FOUND OUT WERE PROBLEMS/FAILURES THAT WERE RECALLED BY CHRYSLER/DODGE/DIAMONDSTAR MOTORS. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10143292
159,000 miles · Sep 20, 2005
Suspension
DT: THE CALLER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER CONCERNING LOWER BALL JOINT FAILURE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER LAST WEDNESDAY, AND THE DEALER HAD IT FOR A WEEK AND NOTHING WAS DONE TO THE VEHICLE. SHE CALLED THE DEALER EVERY DAY. THEY TOLD HER THEY WERE WAITING FOR A MANAGER TO APPROVE THE WORK. MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTA…
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DT: THE CALLER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER CONCERNING LOWER BALL JOINT FAILURE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER LAST WEDNESDAY, AND THE DEALER HAD IT FOR A WEEK AND NOTHING WAS DONE TO THE VEHICLE. SHE CALLED THE DEALER EVERY DAY. THEY TOLD HER THEY WERE WAITING FOR A MANAGER TO APPROVE THE WORK. MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10137054
109,478 miles · Aug 15, 2005
SuspensionCrash
NORMAL USE OF THE CAR....DRIVING AROUND TOWN ETC........THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL BEARING CAME LOOSE AND THE WHEEL/TIRE ASSEMBLY CAME OFF THE CAR AND CAR CAME DOWN ON THE WHEEL CAUSING FENDER DAMAGE. REPLACED BOTH LOWER BALL JOINTS AT THE AUTOMOTIVE SHOP TO AVOID ANY MORE LOSS OF CAR CONTROL. OLD PART IS AVAILABLE. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10132924
130,000 miles · Feb 18, 2005
Seats
WHILE DRIVING THE BACK OF DRIVER'S SEAT FRAME COLLAPSED. OWNER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND HAD TO HAVE THE SEAT WELDED. *AK
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
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.
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINT TO SEPARATE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
3
DP03002 · Steering Column Separation
Opened May 7, 2003 · Closed Jul 22, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering:column
MR. LARRY A. SACKEY SUBMITTED A PETITION TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) BY LETTER DATED APRIL 18, 2003, REQUESTING THAT NHTSAFURTHER INVESTIGATE THE DEFECTIVE COLLAPSIBLE STEERING SHAFT SYSTEM ON 1987-1995 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY THE DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION.IN PART BECAUSE OF 49 CFR ? 30120(G), NHTSA HAS DECIDED TO LIMIT THE SCOPE OF THE PETITION VEHICLES TO 1993-1995 MODELS, EXCLUDING THE 1993 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE AND 1994-1995 DODGE RAM SERIES TRUCKS THAT WERE RECALLED (93V210 & 96V230) FOR STEERING COLUMN FAILURE.IF THE ANALYSIS OF THESE VEHICLES HAD IDENTIFIED A POTENTIAL PROBLEM, THE SCOPE COULD HAVE BEEN EXPANDED IN AN INVESTIGATION.A REVIEW OF ODI'S DATA BASE SHOWS NO RECENT COMPLAINTS AND A LACK OF A COMPLAINT TREND CONCERNING THE SUBJECT ISSUE ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AS A WHOLE OR BY INDIVIDUAL MODELS.THEREFORE, THE PETITION IS DENIED.FOR DETAILS, SEE FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE VOLUME 68, NO. 130, JULY 8, 2003.
RQ00015 · Lower Contrtol Arm Ball Joint
Opened Aug 2, 2000 · Closed Apr 20, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
There is no summary currently available
Additional source detail variants (3)
Suspension
There is no summary currently available
Suspension
There is no summary currently available
Suspension
There is no summary currently available
PE99008 · Ball Joint
Opened Feb 1, 1999 · Closed Apr 13, 1999
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
allege failure of front ball joints may cause the driver to loose control of the vehicle as the front suspension collapses on one side.this loss of control increases the risk of a vehicle crash.
Additional source detail variants (4)
Suspension
allege failure of front ball joints may cause the driver to loose control of the vehicle as the front suspension collapses on one side.this loss of control increases the risk of a vehicle crash.
Suspension
allege failure of front ball joints may cause the driver to loose control of the vehicle as the front suspension collapses on one side.this loss of control increases the risk of a vehicle crash.
Suspension
allege failure of front ball joints may cause the driver to loose control of the vehicle as the front suspension collapses on one side.this loss of control increases the risk of a vehicle crash.
Suspension
allege failure of front ball joints may cause the driver to loose control of the vehicle as the front suspension collapses on one side.this loss of control increases the risk of a vehicle crash.
1995 Dodge Avenger Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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