Carlexica

1995 Dodge Avenger: problems, recalls and reliability

3 recalls and 196 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is suspension (27% of complaints); the 1997 model year looks more trouble-free.

Data updated weekly · latest recall Jul 2007

3
recalls
196
owner complaints
3
fire reports
109,478
typical failure mileage, mi

All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.

Problems tend to appear late (median 109,478 mi)Weak spot: suspension (27%)3 fire reports

Common problems

Computed from 196 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.

Suspension (shocks, springs, ride quality)27% · 53 complaints
Service Brakes, Hydraulic (brakes)17% · 33 complaints
Electrical System (battery, wiring, electronics)9% · 17 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling (engine, radiator, overheating)8% · 15 complaints
Air Bags (airbags and crash sensors)7% · 14 complaints
Power Train (transmission, axles, driveline)7% · 13 complaints
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.Owner report · Suspension · Nov 2008
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. *nmOwner report · Electrical System · Sep 2006
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.Owner report · Suspension · Aug 2006
Show 7 more owner reports
1995 dodge avenger has failures that I researched and found out were problems/failures that were recalled by chrysler/dodge/diamondstar motors. *nmOwner report · Unknown Or Other · Nov 2005
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.*akOwner report · Suspension · Sep 2005
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. *nmOwner report · Suspension · Aug 2005
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. *akOwner report · Seats · Feb 2005
Suspension&steering--- always has vibration in the front end at 60-70mph brakes--- can't keep brakes under it. Have to do brakes and rotors 2-3 times a yearOwner report · Suspension · Sep 2003
Brakes inadvertantly lock up for just a couple seconds then release. This has happened 3 times. I have taken it to a local shop and they could't find anything wrondOwner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Sep 2003
When attempting to stop the vehicle and depressing the brake pedal the brakes locked completely and caused extended stopping distance. The consumer has contacted the dealer. The cause of the problem has yet to be determined. Please provide any further details. *nlmOwner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Aug 2003

When filing, owners marked a crash in 23 of these complaints and injuries in 12 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.

Recalls - 3 campaigns

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP07E055000 · Jul 2007

CERTAIN AIRTEX FUEL PUMP MODULE ASSEMBLIES, P/N E7081H, SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE WALL OF THE FLARED FITTING OF THE FUEL PUMP IS NOT THICK ENOUGH TO PREVENT THE MATING THREADED FITTINGS FROM BOTTOMING OUT BEFORE AN ADEQUATE SEAL IS ACHIEVED. THIS CONDITION MAY RESULT IN LEAKAGE OF FUEL AT THE CONNECTION OF THE VEHICLE FUEL LINE AND THE FUEL PUMP MODULE ASSEMBLY.

Remedy: AIRTEX WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT AIRTEX AUTOMOTIVE AT 800-880-3056.

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT00V421002 · Dec 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.

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.

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT99V066003 · Apr 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.

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.

Specifications

Factory options offered for the 1995 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.

Drive typeFWD/Front-Wheel Drive

How other years compare

Check your exact Avenger by VIN

Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.

Open VIN decoder

Frequently asked questions

Is the 1995 Dodge Avenger reliable?

NHTSA has 196 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 1995 Dodge Avenger. The most complained-about area is suspension (27% of complaints).

At what mileage do 1995 Dodge Avenger problems usually appear?

Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 109,478 miles or less.

Does the 1995 Dodge Avenger have open recalls?

3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.