1998 Dodge Avenger: problems, recalls and reliability
6 recalls and 58 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is suspension (26% of complaints); the 2000 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 58 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 dodge avenger. While the vehicle was stationary, it would not turn off when the ignition key was removed. The failure occurred after having the ignition switch replaced. The vehicle was diagnosed as needing the tipm replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 185,000. The VIN was not available.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jan 2017
“When filling a empty gas tank, I can get about $2.00 of gas in before gas splash back occurs. This causes large amounts of gas to pour onto the ground and on my shoes and clothes. I have tried 6 different gas stations and each gas station does the same thing. So its not the pumps. It takes in upwards to 10 minutes just to pump $7.00 in gas into the vehicle while still splashing gas on the ground. Im told this has to do with faulty rollover protection valves sticking. When filling up via gas can this problem does not present itself. Its just when filling up via gas pumps. This is very dangerous to not only the car and any person/sputting gas into the car. But also to the environment. *tr”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Apr 2012
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 dodge avenger. While driving approximately 35 mph, the contact heard a loud clunking noise emitting outside of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who stated that the a-frame support was completely rusted. The technician also stated that the vehicle was beyond repair as a result of the extensive damage. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 205,000.”Owner report · Structure · Jan 2012
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl*the contact owns a 1998 dodge avenger. The contact stated that since 2010, both lower ball joints failed. The contact was driving 35 mph when the driver side ball joint failed and the tire began to lean. After having the driver side repaired, the passenger side failed when the contact was driving 45 mph, causing the contact to spin around and end up facing oncoming traffic. The contact referenced recall 00v421002 (suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint) but had never been notified. The failure mileage was unknown. The current mileage was approximately 140,000.”Owner report · Suspension · Dec 2010
“Tl*the contact owns a 1998 dodge avenger. While the contact was driving 55 mph the vehicle hit a bump causing the lower control arm to snap and the suspension to hit the tire and the fender. The vehicle was towed. The vehicle was not inspected by a dealer nor was it repaired. The failure mileage was 114,000. Updated 01/14/11*lj”Owner report · Suspension · Nov 2010
“In the year of 2001-2002 was the first time that my door handle on the driver side of my 1998 dodge avenger broke. I went to a dodge mechanic shop and they fixed it. In the year of 2003 the passenger door handle broke off and later on in 2004 the driver side of the door handle broke again. I got someone to fix it. It is now 2006 and my driver side of my door handle has broken off again and the passenger door handle will not open the door from the outside. This has caused me to be locked out of my car multiple times. I don't understand why the handles keep breaking off. There has to be a defect because they are easily broken. *nm”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Oct 2006
“Dt: caller states that headlight lens covers are not clear they are foggy and inturn the head lights are poor or dim. Cant see at night very good.*ak”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Mar 2005
“Transmission jumps in and out of gear when ever it feels like it causing the front tires to lock up and the passengers to be tossed around . It will continully do this until I stop the car then its fine for a minute then it does it again . No matter what I do it keeps happening . *ak”Owner report · Power Train · Dec 2004
“Within one year of each other, both the drivers and then the pasengers door handles broke off. This seems to be a manufactures defect, as several sebring and avenger cars in our area have all experienced the same failure.*ak”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Jan 2004
“While driving consumer heard a loud noise coming from the front end. Dealership mechanic informed consumer that front lower arm ball joint wore out. But the problem was not yet resolved. *ak”Owner report · Suspension · Dec 2003
When filing, owners marked a crash in 14 of these complaints and injuries in 12 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 6 campaigns
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE DASH PANEL PAD CAN SHIFT INTERFERRING WITH THE THROTTLE CABLE CONTROL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE A PORTION OF THE DASH PANEL PAD SO IT CANNOT INTERFERE WITH THE THROTTLE CABLE CONTROL.
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.
CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Remedy: TRADESONIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRADESONIC AT 626-934-8884.
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.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1998 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
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 1998 Dodge Avenger reliable?
NHTSA has 58 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 1998 Dodge Avenger. The most complained-about area is suspension (26% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1998 Dodge Avenger problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 83,000 miles or less.
Does the 1998 Dodge Avenger have open recalls?
6 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting:headlights. 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.