1995 Dodge Avenger

Routine

Owners filed 196 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the suspension › front › control arm › lower ball joint. It has been recalled 3 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint25
501
Air Bags › Frontal12
1007
Suspension › Front › Control Arm11
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip10
101
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline10
010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc9
000
Suspension › Front8
100
Power Train › Automatic Transmission7
000
Electrical System › Ignition7
000
Suspension6
000

3 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump07E055000
Filed Jul 26, 2007222 vehiclesAirtex Products

Defect. 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.

Risk. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FUEL LEAK COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

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
Filed Dec 18, 2000393,796 vehiclesDaimlerchrysler Corporation

Defect. 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.

Risk. 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.

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint99V066003
Filed Apr 5, 1999165,857 vehiclesDaimlerchrysler Corporation

Defect. 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.

Risk. THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINT TO SEPARATE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Suspension › Front
Filed Nov 26, 2008142,000 milesOH

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.

Structure › Body
Filed May 30, 200896,000 milesIL

DRIVERS SIDE DOOR HANDLE BREAKS OFF, MOST USED.... *TR

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Jul 21, 2007103,754 milesMO

TREAD COMING OFF OF TIRE. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Feb 21, 200798,000 milesMO

TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL OR UPGRADE TO 95-96. *JB

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Sep 18, 2006170,000 milesOK

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. *NM

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint
Filed Aug 18, 2006100,000 milesWA

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.

Steering › Linkages › Tie Rod Assembly
Filed Nov 20, 2005113,080 milesCA

1995 DODGE AVENGER HAS FAILURES THAT I RESEARCHED AND FOUND OUT WERE PROBLEMS/FAILURES THAT WERE RECALLED BY CHRYSLER/DODGE/DIAMONDSTAR MOTORS. *NM

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint
Filed Sep 20, 2005159,000 milesMI

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.*AK

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball JointCrash
Filed Aug 15, 2005109,478 milesMI

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. *NM

Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner
Filed Feb 18, 2005130,000 milesLA

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. *AK

Suspension
Filed Dec 22, 2004MI

I OWN A 1995 DODGE AVENGER HAS SAME PROBLEM AS 2000-2003 DODGE DURANGO, BALL JOINTS. I WOULD LIKE MY VEHICLE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE RECALL SHOULD INCLUDE THE CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES AND COMPRESSION ARMS BECAUSE THEY SUFFER PREMATURE AND UNDUE WEAR BY BEING COMPROMISED BY THE BAD BALL JOINT. THE CONSUMER HAD SEVERAL SUSPENSION COMPONETS REPLACED SUCH AS THE SWAY BARS AND SWAY BAR LINKS. *JB

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Jan 15, 2004104,000 milesCA

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 WROND

Suspension
Filed Jan 15, 2004KS

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 YEAR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Sep 25, 2003NC

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. *NLM

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Upper Arm
Filed Sep 24, 2003NY

VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER RECALL#00V421002 CONCERNING LOWER BALL JOINT BOOT. A PROBLEM WAS FOUND WITH THE LOWER BALL JOINT AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE DONE, AND THE BALL JOINTS HAVE TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. *AK

Exterior Lighting › Headlights › Concealment Devices
Filed Sep 3, 200360,000 milesTX

HEADLIGHT LIGHT PLASTIC COVER CHANGES COLOR AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME. WHEN THIS OCCURS, IT LESSENS THE ILLUMINATION OF THE LIGHT. COVER HAS TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT CANNOT BE CLEANED. *AK

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Arm
Filed Jul 24, 200375,000 milesMI

CONSUMER STATED THAT THE "INNER" LOWER CONTROL ARM HAS WORN OUT PREMATURELY. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT CONSUMER HAS HAD TO REPLACE COMPONENT. FIRST FAILURE OCCURRED AT APPROXIMATELY 75000 MILES. MANUFACTURER HAS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY FOR THE OUTER CONTROL ARM, BUT NOT THE INNER ONE.*AK

Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal
Filed Jun 25, 2003AK

CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT BRAKE PROBLEMS. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING GAS PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, AND CONSUMER HAD TO PHYSICALLY PULL IT OUT. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, AND STATED THAT THEY HAD NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS OR THEY DIDN'T HAVE ANY RECALLS.*AK

Suspension
Filed Apr 2, 2003CA

THE RIGHT BALL JOINT BROKE WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH. *JB

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint
Filed Mar 13, 2003154,756 milesWV

VEHICLES DRIVE SHAFT DROPPED TO THE ROAD WHILE DRIVING. THIS FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED PRIOR TO NOTIFICATION (RECALL # 99V006003 OR 00V421002). THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT BUT WAS DENIED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THE CONSUMER HAD NOT MET THE REQUIRED CONDITIONS OF THE RECALL. *NLM *JB

20 of 196 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2008
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20151000Routine
2014205130Above average
20135485100Above average
2012553370Above average
2011209320Above average
2010163380Routine
200967200Routine
20088316261Fatalities reported
20072400Routine
200022510Routine
199962520Routine
199858610Routine
199783600Routine
1996157331Fatalities reported
1995 — this page196330Routine

Compare every Avenger year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Jul 26, 2007. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.