SkipThatYearREAL DATA. SMARTER CAR DECISIONS.
← New search

1997 Dodge Avenger

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1997 Dodge Avenger do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 157.

About this comparison →
83Owner complaints

Model-year median: 157

2Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
196
1995157
199683
199758
199862
199922
2000
Compare all Avenger years →

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

What owners reported most

Suspension
19Service Brakes, Hydraulic
18Air Bags
13Engine And Engine Cooling
10Exterior Lighting
6
All reported categories
Wheels
6Electrical System
5Power Train
4Seat Belts
4Steering
4Structure
3Tires
3Visibility
3Equipment
2Unknown Or Other
2Latches/locks/linkages
1

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: 12 of 83 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 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

15 crash reports0 fire reports12 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

5 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Apr 12, 2001
Electrical System

WHILE DRIVING, ALL ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS IN DASHBOARD SHORTED OUT. A FEW SECONDS LATER, ENGINE WENT DEAD. DEALER SAID A WIRE MELTED AND REPLACED IT.*AK WIRES TO DOME LIGHT ALSO FAILED. *TT

NHTSA ODI #885774

Mileage unknown · Feb 2, 2001
Electrical SystemPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

TRANSMISSION WENT ON MAIN HIGHWAY, RIMS FELL PULLED AWAY FROM TIRESON BOTH FRONT ENDS CAUSING FLAT TIRES ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS NAD REPLACEMENT OF THEM. ALMOST CRASHED SEVERAL TIMES DUE TO THIS. DRIVE DOOR DOES NOT CLOSE PROPERLY ALL THE TIME, IT IS NOT ALIGNED CORRECTLY. BRAKES HAD TO BE FIXED SEVERAL TIMES AND NOW BALL BEARING…

Read full complaint

TRANSMISSION WENT ON MAIN HIGHWAY, RIMS FELL PULLED AWAY FROM TIRESON BOTH FRONT ENDS CAUSING FLAT TIRES ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS NAD REPLACEMENT OF THEM. ALMOST CRASHED SEVERAL TIMES DUE TO THIS. DRIVE DOOR DOES NOT CLOSE PROPERLY ALL THE TIME, IT IS NOT ALIGNED CORRECTLY. BRAKES HAD TO BE FIXED SEVERAL TIMES AND NOW BALL BEARINGS ARE WARN AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. BATTERY FREQUENTLY GETS CORRODED. ALL THESE PROBLEMS WITHIN THE PAST 3 YEARS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #740348

Mileage unknown · Oct 26, 1999
Electrical System

INITIAL PROBLEM CAR HESITATED , LIGHTS , A/C , RADIO AND OTHER ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS BEGAN TO BLINK AND GO ON AND OFF. CAR BEGAN TO HESITATE ,SHUT OFF ALL ELECTRICAL ITEMS AND TRIED TO MAKE IT HOME. CAR STALLED AS I ENTERED MY DRIVEWAY. HAD CAR TOWED TO DEALER. THEY SAID BATTERY WAS BAD.INSTALLED NEW BATTERY. DROVE CAR APPROX. 1…

Read full complaint

INITIAL PROBLEM CAR HESITATED , LIGHTS , A/C , RADIO AND OTHER ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS BEGAN TO BLINK AND GO ON AND OFF. CAR BEGAN TO HESITATE ,SHUT OFF ALL ELECTRICAL ITEMS AND TRIED TO MAKE IT HOME. CAR STALLED AS I ENTERED MY DRIVEWAY. HAD CAR TOWED TO DEALER. THEY SAID BATTERY WAS BAD.INSTALLED NEW BATTERY. DROVE CAR APPROX. 1/4 MILE FROM SERVICE DEPT. , BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON. RETURNED TO DEALER. CHECKED CAR AGAIN AND SAID FUSE BOX WAS BAD. INSTALLED NEW FUSE BOX, CAR WAS FINE FOR ABOUT THREE MONTHS. NEWLY INSTALLED FUSE BOX SHORTS OUT AND CATCHES FIRE AND ALSO BURNS WIRING HARNESS. THIS TIME THIRD FUSE BOX INSTALLED, WIRING HARNESS AND MANY RELAYS REPLACED.

NHTSA ODI #713901

Mileage unknown · Jan 9, 1999
Electrical System

IGNITION KEY WILL NOT RELEASE FROM KEYWAY WHEN PLACED IN "PARK.".....ALL SETS OF KEYS!

NHTSA ODI #702064

Mileage unknown · Aug 12, 1998
Electrical System

WIRING HARNESS WAS RUBBING ON HOOD INSULATION. THE INSULATION WAS RUBBED THROUGH AND THE WIRES WERE BARE.

NHTSA ODI #539807

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.

97V081002 · Seats:front Assembly:head Restraint

Aug 8, 1997

THE HEADREST GUIDE BRACKET WAS IMPROPERLY WELDED TO THE SEAT BACK FRAME ON THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BACK ASSEMBLIES ONLY.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE HEADREST SUPPORT BRACKET CAN BREAK, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PASSENGER SEAT BACK ASSEMBLY WITH A NEW ASSEMBLY.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.