1999 DODGE AVENGER AUTOMATIC: WONT SHIFT INTO DRIVE GEAR-RPMS REV UP AND DO NOT SHIFT IN NEXT GEAR ALSO ALARM SYSTEM -HORN, LIGHTS ALL GO ON FOR NO REASON. *TR
1999 Dodge Avenger
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Fewer warning signs than most model years
Owner complaints for the 1999 Dodge Avenger are lower than 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
20 reports with mileage · 42 unknown
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.
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Suspension. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
10 reportsI HAVE A 1999 DODGE AVENGER. I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2004 AND I HAD THE HEADS DONE ON IT. THE TRANSMISSION STARTED ACTING UP IN 2005 AND IS STILL GIVING ME PROBLEMS. SOMETIMES IT WON'T CHANGE INTO SECOND UNTIL I TURN THE CAR OFF AND RESTART IT. THE O2 SENSORS KEEP GOING OUT. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ALWAYS COMING ON. I AM A SINGLE …
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I HAVE A 1999 DODGE AVENGER. I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2004 AND I HAD THE HEADS DONE ON IT. THE TRANSMISSION STARTED ACTING UP IN 2005 AND IS STILL GIVING ME PROBLEMS. SOMETIMES IT WON'T CHANGE INTO SECOND UNTIL I TURN THE CAR OFF AND RESTART IT. THE O2 SENSORS KEEP GOING OUT. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ALWAYS COMING ON. I AM A SINGLE PARENT AND CANNOT AFFORD TO KEEP FIXING THIS CAR NOR CAN I AFFORD A NEW CAR. THE BRAKES KEEP WEARING OUT. I AM HAVING SO MANY PROBLEMS OUT THIS CAR THAT I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. THE SHOCKS AND STRUTS ARE OUT. THE HALF SHAFT IS MESSED UP AGAIN. I NEED SO HELP WITH SOME OF THIS REPAIRS. CHRYSLER AND DODGE KNEW THESE CARS WEREN'T MADE RIGHT NOW THEY NEED TO HELP THOSE OF US WHO HAVE THEM. *TR
HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION CASING IS CRACKED AND LEAKING TRANSMISSION OIL. THIS WAS FOUND DURING AN INSPECTION OF THE FRONT END, WHERE THERE WAS NOISE WHEN TURNING STEERING TOWARD THE LEFT. ALSO, INCLUDED IN DEFECTIVE RIM SETTLEMENT CLASS ACTION MATTER. *NM
I HAVE A 1999 DODGE AVENGER SPORT (2.5L AUTO). AT 48,000 MILES THE TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED ON MY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION (INFAMOUS A604 TRANSMISSION). DODGE REFUSED A GOODWILL REPAIR, THE CAR IS JUST OUT OF WARRANTY, AND I FEEL THAT IT IS RIDICULOUS FOR A CAR THAT IS 3 YEARS OLD WITH BARELY ANY MILEAGE TO REQUIRE A TRANSMISSION R…
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I HAVE A 1999 DODGE AVENGER SPORT (2.5L AUTO). AT 48,000 MILES THE TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED ON MY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION (INFAMOUS A604 TRANSMISSION). DODGE REFUSED A GOODWILL REPAIR, THE CAR IS JUST OUT OF WARRANTY, AND I FEEL THAT IT IS RIDICULOUS FOR A CAR THAT IS 3 YEARS OLD WITH BARELY ANY MILEAGE TO REQUIRE A TRANSMISSION REBUILD. I HAVE SEEN MANY PEOPLE HAVE SUFFERED FROM SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THEIR A604/41TE TRANSMISSION (LOOK TO BBS.ASOG.NET UNDER TRANSMISSION FORUM). I ALSO KNOW THIS TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN DEFECTIVE GOING BACK TO IT'S INTRODUCTION IN 1989. WHEN IS ENOUGH ENOUGH, AND WHEN WILL CHRYSLER BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS? NOT TO MENTION THAT I ALMOST DIED WHEN THE LIMP-HOME-MODE SWITCHED ON AS I WAS TRAVELING 70 MPH ON I-95 (THE CAR AUTOMATICALLY SWITCHED INTO SECOND GEAR FROM FOURTH, THE CAR BEHIND ME ALMOST CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF MY CAR, AND THIS CAUSED DAMAGE TO MY ENGINE). I DID NOT GET INTO AN ACCIDENT OR CAUSE ANY FATALITIES, BUT I CANNOT SEE HOW THIS TRANSMISSION OR LIMP-HOME-MODE IS SAFE. HOW CAN THEY SELL A TRANSMISSION THAT DIES UNDER 50,000 MILES? *JB
MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR SINCE PURCHASE. UNKNOWN ENGINE FAILURE PROBLEM (DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO PINPOINT PROBLEM), TRANSMISSION SENSORS FAILED, ROTORS REPLACED 8 TIMES IN 4 YEARS, BLACK TAR COMING FROM DOORS, NUMEROUS ALIGNMENT PROBLEMS, AND THE BIG PROBLEM - THE SEAT BELT BUCKLES KEEP FAILING. PASSENGER SIDE REPLACED…
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MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR SINCE PURCHASE. UNKNOWN ENGINE FAILURE PROBLEM (DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO PINPOINT PROBLEM), TRANSMISSION SENSORS FAILED, ROTORS REPLACED 8 TIMES IN 4 YEARS, BLACK TAR COMING FROM DOORS, NUMEROUS ALIGNMENT PROBLEMS, AND THE BIG PROBLEM - THE SEAT BELT BUCKLES KEEP FAILING. PASSENGER SIDE REPLACED BY DEALERSHIP UNDER WARRANTY. DRIVER SIDE NOW FAILING AS WELL. HUGE SAFETY HAZARD! DEALERSHIP SAYS "CAR NOT UNDER WARRANTY".*JB
TRANSMISSION SEALS FAILED WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE STOPPED SHIFTING CORRECTLY, JUST STUCK IN SECOND GEAR.*AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE BRAKES FAILED AND ROTORS WARPED AT 18000 MILES. *SLC
TRANSMISSION FAILED TO SHIFT OUT OF FIRST GEAR PROPERLY AND DOWNSHIFTED HARSHLY, TO THE POINT I CRINGED AT THE SOUND. UPON REPLACING ORIGINAL TIRES LOCAL MECHANIC NOTIFIED ME OF A WORN WHEEL BEARING AT RIGHT FRONT BEING ASE CERTIFIED MYSELF I INSPECTED THE PART AND CAME TO THE SAME CONCLUSION
TRANSMISSION WOULD BE SLUGGISH WHEN GAS PEDAL IS PRESSED. THERE ARE NO LEAKS. FAILS TO CHANGE GEARS PROPERLY. TOOK TO DEALER & HAD DIAGNOSTIC CHECK, WITH DYE, DONE. NO PROBLEM FOUND. MECHANIC REPLACED TRANSMISSION. ALSO HAD BRAKE DISC REPLACED DUE TO EXCESSIVE WEAR.*AK
WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD ABOUT 45MPH VEHICLE JERKS VIOLENTLY. IT FEELS LIKE DRIVER IS SLAMMING ON THE BRAKES, ALTHOUGH DRIVER IS NOT APPLYING THE BRAKES AT ALL. ALSO, CHECKED TRANSMISSION FLUID, AND NOTICED THAT THERE WAS FRAGMENTS OF METAL PIECES. CONTACTED DEALER, WILL HAVE VEHICLE TOWED. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME TH…
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WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD ABOUT 45MPH VEHICLE JERKS VIOLENTLY. IT FEELS LIKE DRIVER IS SLAMMING ON THE BRAKES, ALTHOUGH DRIVER IS NOT APPLYING THE BRAKES AT ALL. ALSO, CHECKED TRANSMISSION FLUID, AND NOTICED THAT THERE WAS FRAGMENTS OF METAL PIECES. CONTACTED DEALER, WILL HAVE VEHICLE TOWED. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. THE SECOND TIME IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND THEY REPLACED TRANSMISSION ON 03-APR-2000, AND NOW IT HAS TO GO BACK TO THE SHOP. *AK
THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN A COSTANT BURDEN SINCE THE DAY IT WAS DROVE OFF THE LOT. ROSS PARK DODGE CLAIMS SINCE THEY HAVE FIXED THE PROBLEMS THEY HAVE "FOUND" THE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR MY LOSS OF TIME OR ANY INCONVIENCES. I WAS TOLD BY THE MANAGER THAT SINCE THE PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR ARE COSMETIC HE INTENDS TO DO NOTHING. I RECOM…
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THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN A COSTANT BURDEN SINCE THE DAY IT WAS DROVE OFF THE LOT. ROSS PARK DODGE CLAIMS SINCE THEY HAVE FIXED THE PROBLEMS THEY HAVE "FOUND" THE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR MY LOSS OF TIME OR ANY INCONVIENCES. I WAS TOLD BY THE MANAGER THAT SINCE THE PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR ARE COSMETIC HE INTENDS TO DO NOTHING. I RECOMEND NO ONE WASTE VALUEABLE TIME OR MONEY WITH A DODGE AVENGER IT IS UNRELIABLE AND TRUELY A NIGHTMARE TO OWN. MY COMMENT IS THANK GOD IT IS LEASED! NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN THE SUMMARY. *AK
Official recalls
100V421002 · 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.
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.
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