1996 Dodge Avenger: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 157 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is suspension (32% of complaints); the 1997 and 1998 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jul 2007
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 157 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“I was driving and the right front control lowerball joint broke. This is the third time this has happened. I called dodge dealer.they said they fix it once. They won't do it again. Well if the problem still having they need to fix it right. I could of been killed. Something needs to be done about this. Now I was on the hwy”Owner report · Suspension · Mar 2016
“The lower control arm on the left side is going and I've gone to deluca chrysler in haverhill ma twice and both times told me that it was already serviced and when I asked him what side was serviced he couldn't answer me and I asked him if they could check my since it should still be covered under recall warranty he told me no and just today I was told that any repair like control arms, tie rods, ball joints and struts are supposed to be repaired in pairs and they only repaired the right side on 8/6/02. *tr”Owner report · Suspension · Nov 2007
“Per two separate recall notice I received from daimler chrysler, I brought my 1996 dodge avenger into a dealership to have the lower lateral arm ball joints inspected and resealed. Upon taking it to the dealership they inspected and both times they told me no further work was needed. Specific instructions from daimler chrysler say,if the ball joints are not damaged or worn, the ball joints will be sealed. This was not done to my vehicle and on 11/21/05 while driving I lost the ability to steer when the ball joint separated. *jb”Owner report · Suspension · Nov 2005
Show 7 more owner reports
“Dodge avenger 1996, ball joint and axle broke. *bf recall campaign# 99v066003. This problem occurred while the vehicle was in motion. The consumer expects reimbursement. *sc the consumer received the recall letter in the mail 1 year later. The consumer was denied reimbursement because the receipt was not typed it was hand written. *jb”Owner report · Suspension · Mar 2005
“While driving consumer noticed that the both driver's side and passenger's side headlights failed to see due to lens having a cloudy residue on them. This caused poor visibility, consumer was unable to see. Consumer took vehicle to dealer for inspection, and mechanic stated that the parts for lens were not on recall. Consumer was responsible for the parts and labor. *ak”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Oct 2004
“I was driving on the side streetwhen my front wheel bent inward and my car dropped to the ground. Had it towed to dealership and he claimed to fixed it. So about 1 week later, while on the express way going about 65mp my lt. Drivers side tire bent inward causing my to be all over the road in rush hour. But somehow I mananged to control the car and not have any vehicle crash nor damanges. It is a wounder I and here to talk about it. Still fussing with carlot!*ak”Owner report · Suspension · Apr 2004
“While driving 55 mph, the lower later arm ball joint separated and caused the front left wheel to detach. The vehicle wasinvolved in a collision. Tthe driver lost control and the vehicle hit a bridge. The lower lateral arm ball joints were inspected twice befrore this failure, once on on 6/5/2001 under NHTSA recall# 00v421002. During the inspection the dealer's technician found no problem and no repairs were done. *jb”Owner report · Suspension · Jan 2004
“While driving 30 mph front ball joints failed. Consumer pulled over to check. Then, consumer managed to drive home. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. *ak”Owner report · Suspension · Jan 2004
“At any given time while driving and at any speed vehicle will stall. After a few minutes vehicle can be restarted as if nothing happened.*ak”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Aug 2003
“NHTSA#99-v-066-003 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. Consumer has the same problem. However this vehicle was not unde rrecall due to the VIN. *ak”Owner report · Suspension · Jun 2003
When filing, owners marked a crash in 19 of these complaints and injuries in 14 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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 decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1996 Dodge Avenger reliable?
NHTSA has 157 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 1996 Dodge Avenger. The most complained-about area is suspension (32% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1996 Dodge Avenger problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 128,000 miles or less.
Does the 1996 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.