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1996 Dodge Avenger

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1996 Dodge Avenger do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 157.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

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: 9 of 157 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 →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

19 crash reports3 fire reports9 injury reports

Steering complaints

8 reports
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131,000 miles · Dec 18, 2003
Service Brakes, AirSteeringSuspensionCrashInjury

IN THE AM ON 9/15/03 ON THE FREEWAY TRAVELING ABOUT 65 MPH, LATERAL ARM BROKE OFF ON THE LEFT SIDE OF MY CAR, CAUSING THE LEFT TIRE TO PUSH UPWARDS INTO THE FENDER AND THE AXLE TO SNAP IN HALF. I HAD TO PUT THE CAR INTO PARK AT 40 MPH TO GET IT TO STOP SO I WOULD NOT HIT THE CONCRETE BARRIER OR THE I-5 SIGN. DODGE DID PAY FOR T…

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IN THE AM ON 9/15/03 ON THE FREEWAY TRAVELING ABOUT 65 MPH, LATERAL ARM BROKE OFF ON THE LEFT SIDE OF MY CAR, CAUSING THE LEFT TIRE TO PUSH UPWARDS INTO THE FENDER AND THE AXLE TO SNAP IN HALF. I HAD TO PUT THE CAR INTO PARK AT 40 MPH TO GET IT TO STOP SO I WOULD NOT HIT THE CONCRETE BARRIER OR THE I-5 SIGN. DODGE DID PAY FOR THE CAR TO BE REPAIRED, BUT NOT MORE THAN 2 WEEKS LATER THE CAR BEGAN TO MAKE A NOISE WHILE REVERSING AND WHILE GOING OVER BUMPS IN THE ROAD, THEY TOLD ME THIS IS THE BRAKES, BUT ANOTHER MECHANIC SAID THAT IT IS THE LATERAL ARM AGAIN. DODGE IS REFUSING TO PAY TO FIX IT AND WHEN I BROUGHT THEM THE CAR THEY DID NOT VISUALLY INSPECT THE CAR, THEY ONLY TOOK IT ON A TEST DRIVE. I HAVE BEEN HAVING ANXIETY ATTACKS EVERYTIME I HEAR THAT NOISE, MY BACK AND SHOULDER HAVE BEEN IN PAIN AND I HAVE SEEN A SPECIALIST BECAUSE OF THIS. AND TO BE QUITE HONEST I JUST DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE MYSELF. ALSO, THE FRONT BRAKE ROTARS ARE WARPED AND THIS IS THE 2ND TIME THAT THEY HAVE BEEN REPLACED IN THE 3 1/2 YEARS I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE. I THINK THAT IS A BIT MUCH.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10050711

Mileage unknown · Mar 20, 2001
Power TrainSteeringSuspension

FRONT INNER TIE ROD/ FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS,AND SUSPENSION OF THE VEHICLE HE JUST PURCHASED MALFUNCTIONED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #883550

Mileage unknown · Apr 7, 2000
Steering

PANIC ALARM MALFUNCTION. DEPLOYED ON ITS OWN. COULD NOT TURN OFF. WENT OFF AFTER 3 MINUTES. DEPLOYED AGAIN WHEN OPENING DRIVERS DOOR. ON FOR ANOTHER 3 MINUTES. AGAIN WHILE DRIVING; AGAIN WHEN TURNING LEFT. DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE AFTER ONCE AT DEALERSHIP. WERE NOT ABLE TO FIND PROBLEM. SHIMMED BUTTON UNDER HOOD.…

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PANIC ALARM MALFUNCTION. DEPLOYED ON ITS OWN. COULD NOT TURN OFF. WENT OFF AFTER 3 MINUTES. DEPLOYED AGAIN WHEN OPENING DRIVERS DOOR. ON FOR ANOTHER 3 MINUTES. AGAIN WHILE DRIVING; AGAIN WHEN TURNING LEFT. DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE AFTER ONCE AT DEALERSHIP. WERE NOT ABLE TO FIND PROBLEM. SHIMMED BUTTON UNDER HOOD. *AK

NHTSA ODI #711105

Mileage unknown · Jan 24, 2000
Steering

ANTI-THEFT DEVICE GOES OFF. CONSUMER HAS PROBLEM WITH ACCESS TO VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #855489

Mileage unknown · Dec 28, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolineSteering

I HAD TO HAVE MY FUEL PUMP REPLACED AT ONLY 53,000 MILES. THEN NOT EVEN A WEEK LATER MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. I TOOK IT TO THE SAME DODGE DEALERSHIP COUNTRYSIDE MOTORS IN LAWRENCEBURG, KY 40342. AFTER REPLACING MY FUEL PUMP, NOW I NEEDED A NEW DOWN STREAM OXYGEN SENSOR REPLACED. WAS IT THE SENSOR THE WHOLE TIME? WITH O…

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I HAD TO HAVE MY FUEL PUMP REPLACED AT ONLY 53,000 MILES. THEN NOT EVEN A WEEK LATER MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. I TOOK IT TO THE SAME DODGE DEALERSHIP COUNTRYSIDE MOTORS IN LAWRENCEBURG, KY 40342. AFTER REPLACING MY FUEL PUMP, NOW I NEEDED A NEW DOWN STREAM OXYGEN SENSOR REPLACED. WAS IT THE SENSOR THE WHOLE TIME? WITH ONLY 53,000 MILES ON MY CAR I FIND THIS HARD TO BELIEVE I NEEDED BOTH!!!

NHTSA ODI #716543

Mileage unknown · Jul 19, 1999
Steering

WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT STEERING BECOMES HARD OR DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. VEHICLE FEELS LIKE METAL RUBBING TOGETHER. *AK

NHTSA ODI #842572

Mileage unknown · Dec 12, 1996
Steering

PULLED INTO PARKING LOT, STEERING WENT OUT COMPLETELY, HAD IT TOWED TO GARAGE, WAS INFORMED STEERING BELT BOLT WAS LOOSE/BROKE POWER STEERING BELT. WILL PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (INVOICE). *AK

NHTSA ODI #806274

Mileage unknown · Sep 10, 1996
Electrical SystemExterior LightingPower Train

HORN MALFUNCTIONED PRIOR TO/AFTER RECALL.

NHTSA ODI #508476

Official recalls

2

00V421002 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint

Dec 18, 2000

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.

99V066003 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint

Apr 5, 1999

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

1

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