IllustrationTHE HEADLIGHTS OF THIS CAR ARE SO FOGGED OVER (MILKY) THAT I CAN NOT DRIVE THIS CAR AT NIGHT. IN THE EVENT THAT I DO DRIVE AT NIGHT I MUST USE MY HIGH BEAMS, BUT IT IS STILL VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE. *JB
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Avenger years →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: 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
Exterior Lighting complaints
6 reportsHEADLIGHTS LENS DEVELOPED A CLOUDY DISCOLORATION THAT REDUCED THE LIGHT ILLUMINATION. THE LENS COULD NOT BE CLEANED OR REPLACED BECAUSE IT WAS A SEALED UNIT. THE ENTIRE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE REPLACED, WHICH WAS VERY COSTLY.*AK
WHEN I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE IT HAD 53,925 MILES. I NOTICED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS HAD SOME TYPE OF HAZE (OR MOISTURE) INSIDE OF THEM. I WENT TO THE LOCAL DODGE DEALER AND ASKED ABOUT THE PROBLEM. THEY SAID THE LIGHTS ARE A SEALED UNIT AND THAT IF I WOULD LIKE TO PURCHASE NEW ONES THEY WOULD BE $325 EACH. THE PROBLEM WITH THE HEA…
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WHEN I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE IT HAD 53,925 MILES. I NOTICED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS HAD SOME TYPE OF HAZE (OR MOISTURE) INSIDE OF THEM. I WENT TO THE LOCAL DODGE DEALER AND ASKED ABOUT THE PROBLEM. THEY SAID THE LIGHTS ARE A SEALED UNIT AND THAT IF I WOULD LIKE TO PURCHASE NEW ONES THEY WOULD BE $325 EACH. THE PROBLEM WITH THE HEADLIGHTS IS NOT SO MUCH THAT THEY ARE AN EYE SORE, BUT THAT THEY ARE A SAFETY HAZARD. THE MOISTURE ON MY HEADLIGHTS NEVER GOES AWAY. THEREFORE, AFFECTING THE BRILLIANCE OF THE LIGHT EMITTING FROM THE BULB. I HAVE TO DRIVE WITH HIGH-BEAMS ON TO BE ABLE TO SEE THE ROAD. THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM WITH ONLY MY VEHICLE. I SEE MOISTURE INSIDE OF ABOUT 80 PERCENT OF THE AVENGERS I PASS ON THE ROAD. THE COVERAGE OVER THE HEADLIGHT LENSES JUST GETS WORSE AS TIME GOES BY. THE LIGHT EMITTING FROM THE HEADLIGHTS BECOMES DIMMER AND DIMMER. WITH REGULAR BEAMS AT NIGHT, IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE EVERYTHING A DRIVER IS SUPPOSED TO. THESE HEADLIGHTS ARE A BIG PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. THEY ARE A SAFETY HAZARD THAT SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF. PAYING $750 TO FIX A MANUFACTURERS' SAFETY DEFECT IS NOT REASONABLE. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS. MR
THE HOUSINGS FOR THE HEADLIGHTS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE SEALED. MOISTURE HAS FORMED INSIDE OF THE UNITS AND LIMITS THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE LIGHTS, CREATING AN UNSAFE DRIVING SITUATION AT NIGHT. THE ONLY WAY TO FIX THE PROBLEM,THE UNITS CANNOT BE OPPENED FOR CLEANING, IS TO BUY NEW UNITS FOR $300 EACH. THIS IS UNREASONABLE AND IRRESP…
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THE HOUSINGS FOR THE HEADLIGHTS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE SEALED. MOISTURE HAS FORMED INSIDE OF THE UNITS AND LIMITS THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE LIGHTS, CREATING AN UNSAFE DRIVING SITUATION AT NIGHT. THE ONLY WAY TO FIX THE PROBLEM,THE UNITS CANNOT BE OPPENED FOR CLEANING, IS TO BUY NEW UNITS FOR $300 EACH. THIS IS UNREASONABLE AND IRRESPONSIBLE DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING. *AK
HEADLIGHT SWITCH AND WIRING HAVE MELTED DOWN TO THE PLASTIC. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *AK
RIGHT TURN SIGNAL LIGHT FAILED.
Official recalls
200V421002 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.