2000 Dodge Avenger

Routine

Owners filed 22 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the power train › automatic transmission. It has been recalled 5 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Unknown or Other4
000
Power Train › Automatic Transmission4
000
Suspension › Front2
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip2
000
Wheels1
000
Vehicle Speed Control1
000
Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint1
000
Suspension1
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Master Cylinder1
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic1
000

5 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Exterior Lighting › Headlights09E025000
Filed May 11, 200942,540 vehiclesDope, Inc.

Defect. 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.

Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

Exterior Lighting09E012000
Filed Apr 7, 200916,270 vehiclesSabersport

Defect. 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.

Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

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.

Exterior Lighting06E064000
Filed Jul 17, 20064,029 vehiclesTradesonic

Defect. 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.

Risk. LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner
Filed Aug 30, 2005IL

2000 DODGE AVENGER ES. AIR CONDITIONER EVAPORATOR BLEW OUT. $1200 REPAIR BILL. MY MECHANIC SAID THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS HAPPENING. *JB

Unknown or Other
Filed Apr 23, 200540,000 milesIN

THE PAINT IS FLAKING OFF THE CAR. APPEARS THAT THE WIND FROM GOING DOWN THE ROAD IS KNOCKING THE PAINT OFF. OR MAYBE THE SUN HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH IT. THE ENTIRE TOP NEEDS RE-PAINTED. *JB

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Aug 21, 200442,331 milesTX

SENSOR IN TRANSMISSION QUIT WORKING. THE FIRST TIME I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND IT COMPLETELY LOST SPEED. I EXITED AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. AFTER THAT, IT WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF FIRST GEAR. IT WAS REPAIRED BY A DEALERSHIP UNDER WARRANTY. THAT WAS AT AROUND 20000 MILES. TODAY, AT AROUND 42000 MILES, I STARTED THE VEHICLE AND WAS GOING ABOUT 20 MILES AN HOUR AND COULD FEEL THE TRANSMISSION BEGINNING TO SLIP. I STARTED INCREASING SPEED, AND IMMEDIATELY NOTICED THAT THE RPM'S WERE JUST CONTINUING TO GO UP. I HAVE SENT THE CAR TO A DEALERSHIP TO BE REPAIRED FOR THE SECOND TIME UNDER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. *JB

Power Train
Filed Jan 15, 200485,000 milesOH

I WAS GETTING ONTO THE INTERSTATE WHEN MY RPMS WOULD NOT DROP BELOW 5000 AND I REALIZED MY CAR LOCKED IN 2ND GEAR. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE A694/41TE TRANSMISSION THAT CHYSLER MADE.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jan 15, 200456,000 milesUN

SERPENTINE BELT WAS REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE BY THE DEALER, AND 10 DAYS LATER FLEW APART. THAT BELT WAS REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE BE ANOTHER DODGE DEALER, BUT THREE MONTHS LATER CAME OFF, BUT DID NOT BREAK. IT IS NOW THREE MONTHS LATER, AND THE BELT HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF FRAYING.

Unknown or Other
Filed Dec 18, 2003VA

I LOVE MY CAR. I BOUGHT THE CAR WHEN IT HAD 40 THOUSAND MILES ON IT, IN SEPT 2002. IN THE MONTH OF AUG. 2003 I CAME BACK HOME FROM IRAQ AFTER 7 MONTHS AND FOUND THAT MOST OF THE CLEARCOAT ON MY BLACK AVENGER ON THE TOP PANELS (HOOD, TOP, TRUNK) OF MY CAR WAS GONE. WHEN I LEFT THERE WAS ONLY A FEW SURFACE SCRATCHES ON THE CAR, THAT USUALLY BUFFED OUT. NOW MY CAR LOOKS LIKE ?!@#$% AND THE DEALER WILL NOT HELP ME OR THE MANUFACTURE. THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL ON THE BLACK PAINT JOBS IN 2000, BUT MY CAR IS NOT THE ONLY ONE I'VE SEEN WITH THIS PROBLEM. I LOVE DODGE BUT THIS IS THE LAST ONE ME OR ANYBODY IN MY FAMILY WILL EVER PURCHASE IF I DON'T GET SOME KIND OF HELP WITH THIS DEFECT. THE CAR IS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD AND IT LOOKS LIKE ITS 25 YEARS OLD. THIS IS NOT RIGHT. I ONLY DROVE THE CAR FOR 5 MONTHS BEFORE I DEPLOYED. IF THIS IS NOT A DEFECT THEN THE DEALERSHIP SOLD ME A CAR THAT HAD BEEN IN A WRECK OR SOMETHING AND LIED TO ME. *AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Oct 10, 200385,000 milesOH

I WAS GETTING ONTO THE INTERSTATE WHEN I NOTICED MY RPM WERE AROUND 5000 AND WOULD NOT GO DOWN. I REALIZED THE TRANSMISSION HAD LOCKED IN SECOND GEAR. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE JUNK A604/41TE TRANSMISSION THAT CHRYSLER MADE. *LA

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jun 10, 200352,874 milesCA

WHEN THE CAR WAS PURCHASED 11/01. I WAS INFORMED BY A DODGE TECH THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS GOING TO GO "OUT" AROUND 50,000 MILES. I HAVE HEARD THIS FROM NUMEROUS DODGE OWNERS AND MECHANICS. AT 52,874 THE TRANSMISSION QUIT SHIFTING AND WE HAD TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR ACCORDING TO THE EXTENDED SERVICE CONTRACT THAT I PURCHASED WITH THE CAR. THE CONTRACT WAS WITH AN OUTSIDE COMPANY. THE CONTRACT COMPANY WHEN CALLED ABOUT REPAIRS ALSO STATED THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH DODGE/CHRYSLER PRODUCTS. THE CAR WAS AT THE DEALER FOR 2 WEEKS AWAITING PARTS AND REPAIR.*AK

Suspension › Front
Filed May 27, 200369,000 milesPA

STRUTS, LATERAL ARM BALL JOINTS AND HUB ASSEMBLY FAILED AS A RESULT OF RECALL 00V421002 REPAIRS. MR *TT

Electrical System › 12v/24v/48v Battery › CablesFire
Filed May 22, 200388,954 milesOH

VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE DRIVING. FIRE LOCATED ON LEFT SIDE OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT NEAR LEFT FRONT CORNER OF VEHICLE. POSSIBLE BATTERY POWER CABLE SHORT TO GROUND AT BATTERY MOUNT PLATE UNDER BATTERY. *NLM

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint
Filed Feb 10, 2003PA

LOWER BALL JOINTS,DUPLICATE LETTER RESPONDED TO BY MICHAEL JORDON ON 4-1-03 REFERENCE 10004221. THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE AFTER THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED, HOWEVER THE DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER THE PROBLEMS HE WAS EXPERIENCING WERE NOT RELATED. *JB

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jan 31, 200336,262 milesFL

I HAVE 2 DODGE CARS, BOTH 2000, AN INTREPID AND AN AVENGER. THE SPEED SENSOR HAS GONE OUT IN BOTH CARS IN THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR 2002. BOTH HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY, CAUSING IMMEDIATE DECELERATION. I SENT A LETTER TO CHYRSLER IN JULY OF 2002, BUT GOT NO RESPONSE. I HAVE THE INVOICES FROM THE REPAIRS AND THE PART # IS THE SAME ON BOTH CARS. *JB

Suspension
Filed Jan 30, 2003PA

CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING THE BALL JOINTS, THE DEALER RESEALED THE BALL JOINTS, HOWEVER 5 MONTHS LATER THE HUB BEARINGS, STRUTS, THE UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS AND THE RIGHT SIDE LOWER BALL JOINT WAS REPLACED, CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER FAILED TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM WITH THE BALL JOINTS WHICH CAUSED NUMEROUS REPAIR BILLS, THE DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT NONE OF THE PROBLEMS WAS RELATED TO THE RECALL.*JB

Unknown or Other
Filed Sep 15, 2002FL

NO DESCRIPTION GIVIEN. NLM

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Sep 25, 2001MO

VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT GEARS, THE DEALER FOUND THAT TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS LEAKING THROUGH A CRACK IN THE TRANSMISSION CASE, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT IT CAME FROM THE FACTORY WITH THE CRACK AND THAT IT WOULD TAKE SEVERAL DAYS TO ORDER AND RECEIVE THE PART FOR REPAIR.*JB

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Aug 15, 200112,200 milesOH

HAVE ONLY 12000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. HAD TO REPLACE FRONT PADS AND HAD REAR ROTORS TURNED. INFORMED BY MECHANIC (NON DEALER) THAT REAR ROTORS WERE WARPED. UNSURE IF TURNING WILL DO ANY GOOD. DEFECT MATERIAL??? THIS IS UNUSUAL FOR A NEW CAR. AK *SCC ***DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS****750510

Suspension › Front
Filed Jul 9, 2001IN

WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH VEHICLES FRONT END STARTED TO SHAKE AND MAKE A HUMMING NOISE. CONSUMER SLOWED VEHICLE DOWN, AND CAR HYDROPLANED AND LANDED ON SIDE OF ROAD. THEN, CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO STOP CAR. CONSUMER HAS YET TO CONTACT DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Apr 26, 2001GA

WHILE DRIVING WOULD STEP ON BRAKES PEDAL TO STOP OR REDUCE SPEED, BUT BRAKES WOULD SUFFER EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *AK

Wheels
Filed Jan 23, 2001DE

BOTH FRONT WHEELS HAVE BENT NEAR THE RIM. BOTH TIMES, THE TIME AND DATE OF THE INITIAL FAILURE WAS UNKNOWN. THIS DAMAGE WAS NOTICED LATER, WHEN THE VEHICLE STARTED WOBBLING. THE LEFT WHEEL BENT SO SEVERLY THAT THE AIR WAS LET OUT. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN SAFELY AND NOT UNDER ANY UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCES. DODGE HAS OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. RIM APPEARS SUSCEPTIBLE TO DAMAGE, DISTORTION AND FAILURE UNDER NORMAL DRIVING. NO POTHOLES, CRACKS OR OTHER ANOMOLIES WERE NOTICED BEFORE DAMAGE OCCURED ON BOTH WHEELS.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jun 23, 2000OH

I WAS TRAVELING AROUND 80MPH ON I 75. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED. IT WAS LIKE HITTING A WALL. I WENT FROM 80 MPH TO LESS THEN 30 MPH. TRASMISSION IS NOW SLIPPING INFREQUENTLY. *AK

20 of 22 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
2000 — this page22510Routine
199962520Routine
199858610Routine
199783600Routine
1996157331Fatalities reported
1995196330Routine

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: May 11, 2009. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.