1996 Dodge Avenger

157 complaints on file, page 1 of 8.

1. Filed Mar 2, 2016Failure Mar 1, 201619,856 milesToutle, WASuspension

   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

   NHTSA complaint 10839333
2. Filed Nov 21, 2007Failure Nov 21, 200789,500 milesHaverhill, MALower ball joint

   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

   NHTSA complaint 10209672
3. Filed Oct 4, 2007Failure Jun 1, 2005128,000 milesAcampo, CALower ball jointCrash

   TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 DODGE AVENGER. IN 2005, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL AND THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT. SHE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A DIRT HILL. SHE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS FAILED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT PAID FOR THE REPAIR. ONE YEAR LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY PARKED AT HER RESIDENCE. DODGE WANTS TO CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION ON HER VEHICLE, HOWEVER, THEY ARE ASKING HER TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CONTACT REFUSES BECAUSE SHE BELIEVES THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, AND NUMBER OF CYLINDERS WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

   NHTSA complaint 10205038
4. Filed Dec 23, 2006Failure Dec 19, 2006143,000 milesCharlotte, NCLower ball joint

   I WAS DRIVING OUT OF A FAST FOOD RESTAURANT, AND WITHOUT ANY SIGN OR WARNING MY TIRE SNAPPED OFF MY AXLE! THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT THE LOCAL DODGE DEALERSHIP WAS CLOSED SO I HAD TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED TO ANOTHER PLACE THAT ALSO WORKS ON MY CAR WHENEVER I HAVE PROBLEMS. THE PART THAT NEEDED TO BE FIXED WAS THE "LOWER ARM CONTROL" ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF MY CAR. I WAS VERY LUCKY THAT DAY, BECAUSE NOT MORE THAN 15 MINUTES BEFORE THIS INCIDENT I HAD JUST DRIVEN HOME, APPROX. 10 MILES, ON THE HIGHWAY IN 5 O'CLOCK TRAFFIC!! I DID NOT GET HURT!! I WAS NEVER MAILED A RECALL NOTICE ABOUT THE LOWER ARM CONTROL; NOT EVEN IN 1999 OR 2000!!!!!!!!! I BOUGHT MY CAR BRAND NEW FROM DODGE, SO I FEEL LIKE I SHOULD HAVE BEEN IN SOMEBODY'S COMPUTER SYSTEM TO BE ABLE TO RECEIVE RECALL NOTICES!!!! NOW, THAT I HAD TO PAY FOR THE PART TO BE FIXED OUT OF MY POCKET, HOW DO I GO ABOUT GETTING REIMBURSED? I GOT BOTH THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE LOWER ARM CONTROLS REPLACED. *NM

   NHTSA complaint 10176863
5. Filed Nov 21, 2005Failure Nov 21, 2005Osawatomie, KSLower ball joint

   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

   NHTSA complaint 10143330
6. Filed Mar 8, 2005Failure Mar 1, 2005Memphis, TNLower ball joint

   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

   NHTSA complaint 10113801
7. Filed Feb 22, 2005Failure Feb 26, 2004121,251 milesHighland, NYDriveshaft, Lower arm

   I AM THE OWNER OF A 1996 DODGE AVENGER. I RECEIVED THIS CAR FROM MY FATHER. ON FEBRUARY 26 2004 AS I WAS LEAVING WORK, SOMETHING BROKE. UPON HAVING THE CAR TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP, I HAD TO HAVE THE CV SHAFT, AND THE LOWER CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLY, REPLACED. THIS COST ME OUT OF POCKET, $629.45. THEN ON 10/1/04 I HAD TO HAVE THE SPINDLE ASSEMBLY REPLACED. WHICH COST ANOTHER $ 325.16. I NOW REALIZE THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE PROBLEM WITH MY CAR. I ASKED MY FATHER, WHO WAS THE OWNER OF THE CAR AT THE TIME OF THE RECALL, IF HE WAS EVER NOTIFIED ABOUT THE RECALL AND HE SAID NO. I AM UPSET NOW TO FIND OUT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL AND I HAD TO PAY FOR ALL THE REPAIRS OUT OF MY OWN POCKET. I AM ASKING IF THERE IS ANY WAY TO BE REIMBERSED FOR SOME OR ALL OF THE EXPENSE THAT I INCURRED.*AK

   NHTSA complaint 10111978
8. Filed Oct 25, 2004Failure Oct 25, 2004West Bend, WIHeadlights

   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

   NHTSA complaint 10097656
9. Filed Aug 31, 2004Failure Jan 29, 2004130,000 milesCamden, ARLower ball jointCrash

   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

   NHTSA complaint 10064920
10. Filed Apr 28, 2004Failure Jan 1, 2004Prince George, VAGasoline, Headlights

    REPEATED HEAD GASKET FAILURE ON ENGINE. A RECALL NEEDS TO BE INITIATED AS THIS IS A PREVALENT PROBLEM WITH THIS AUTOMOBILE! AWAITING THIRD REPAIR. ADDITIONALLY, TWICE DEALTH WITH TENSIONER AND PULLY PROBLEMS. A DEFECT RECALL NEEDS TO BE INITATED ON THESE PARTS. DEFECTIVE HEADLIGHT LENSES RESULTING IN EXTREME VISABILITY REDUCTION. A REPLACEMENT RECALL NEEDED ON THESE PARTS. THE ASOG (ADVENGER/SEABRING OWNERS GROUP) INTERNET MEMBERS GROUP REPEATEDLY IDENTIFYING THE ENGINE GASKET PROBLEMS! CRYSLER INITIATED A RECALL CHANGE TO THE DODGE NEON'S, BUT DISCONTINUED THE ADVENDER MODEL WITHOUT RECALL AND REPLACEMENT OF DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKETS. PLEASE DO SOMETHING FOR THE CONSUMER PUBLIC WITH THESE THREE MAJOR AREAS OF DEFECTIVE WORKMANSHIP. THANKS FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE.

    NHTSA complaint 10067976
11. Filed Apr 7, 2004Failure Apr 6, 2004Columbus, OHLower ball joint

    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

    NHTSA complaint 10065701
12. Filed Feb 6, 2004Failure Jan 21, 2004College Park, GAUpper ball joint, Lower ball joint

    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

    NHTSA complaint 10057672
13. Filed Jan 15, 2004Failure Feb 15, 2003Bethany, OKUnknown or other

    MY PAINT IS FOGGING, I HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING TO KEEP IN GOOD CONDITION BUT TO NO AVAIL! I AM REALLY UPSET OVER THIS!! AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST MY CAR AND THEN I STARTED TO NOTICE THAT OTHER DODGE AVENGERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM!! WHEN MY FRIEND BOUGHT HIS AVENGER AND IT HAD THE SAME FOGGING EFFECT I HAD REACHED THE END OF MY ROPE!!! I WAS INFORMED IT IS GOING TO COST ANYWHERE FROM $500- $1500 TO FIX IT! WHY SHOULD I PAY TO FIX THIS PROBLEM WHEN I HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING TO KEEP MY CAR IN GOOD CONDITION? PLEASE HELP!!!

    NHTSA complaint 10069248
14. Filed Dec 18, 2003Failure Sep 15, 2003131,000 milesKeizer, ORService brakes, Rotor, Steering, Lower ball jointCrash1 injured

    IN THE AM ON 9/15/03 ON THE FREEWAY TRAVELING ABOUT 65 MPH, LATERAL ARM BROKE OFF ON THE LEFT SIDE OF MY CAR, CAUSING THE LEFT TIRE TO PUSH UPWARDS INTO THE FENDER AND THE AXLE TO SNAP IN HALF. I HAD TO PUT THE CAR INTO PARK AT 40 MPH TO GET IT TO STOP SO I WOULD NOT HIT THE CONCRETE BARRIER OR THE I-5 SIGN. DODGE DID PAY FOR THE CAR TO BE REPAIRED, BUT NOT MORE THAN 2 WEEKS LATER THE CAR BEGAN TO MAKE A NOISE WHILE REVERSING AND WHILE GOING OVER BUMPS IN THE ROAD, THEY TOLD ME THIS IS THE BRAKES, BUT ANOTHER MECHANIC SAID THAT IT IS THE LATERAL ARM AGAIN. DODGE IS REFUSING TO PAY TO FIX IT AND WHEN I BROUGHT THEM THE CAR THEY DID NOT VISUALLY INSPECT THE CAR, THEY ONLY TOOK IT ON A TEST DRIVE. I HAVE BEEN HAVING ANXIETY ATTACKS EVERYTIME I HEAR THAT NOISE, MY BACK AND SHOULDER HAVE BEEN IN PAIN AND I HAVE SEEN A SPECIALIST BECAUSE OF THIS. AND TO BE QUITE HONEST I JUST DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE MYSELF. ALSO, THE FRONT BRAKE ROTARS ARE WARPED AND THIS IS THE 2ND TIME THAT THEY HAVE BEEN REPLACED IN THE 3 1/2 YEARS I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE. I THINK THAT IS A BIT MUCH.*AK

    NHTSA complaint 10050711
15. Filed Oct 22, 2003Failure Sep 26, 2003160,250 milesMidland, MIControl arm, Lower ball joint, Upper ball joint

    THE CAR (1996 DODGE AVENGER ES) WAS IN TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE. THE DEALER CALLED TO INFORM ME THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE READY TO FALL OFF THE CAR AND NEEDED REPLACED AT A COST OF $260. I ASKED IF THIS WAS THE SAME BALL JOINT THAT WAS COVERED IN AN EARLIER RECALL. AFTER A LONG PAUSE, THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT IT WAS, AND THAT THEY WOULD TAKE CARE OF IT (FIX AT NO COST TO ME). A SECOND SERVICE APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED FOR A WEEK LATER. THE CAR WENT IN, AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS. WHEN I PICKED THE CAR UP, I DROVE OFF THE LOT AND IMMEDIATELY HEARD A CLANKING NOISE WHEN EVER I HIT A BUMP WITH THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL. I INSPECTED THE CAR MYSELF AND FOUND A LARGE CRACK IN THE FRAME AROUND THE FRONT-MOST UPPER CONTROL ARM MOUNTING BOLT ON THE RIGHT FRONT STRUT TOWER. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER AND THE SERVICE WRITER REMARKED BOY, THAT IS THE LARGEST CRACK I'VE EVER SEEN. YOU SHOULDNT DRIVE THAT CAR BECAUSE THE WHEEL COULD FALL OFF. I SUPPOSE THE BALL JOINTS BEING BAD AND HAMMERING THE SUSPENSION CAUSED THAT [FRAME] TO CRACK. HOWEVER, THE SERVICE WRITER HAD NO ANSWER WHEN ASKED HOW THEY MISSED THE CRACK DURING THE WORK ON THE LOWER CONTROL ARM THE DAY BEFORE. AFTER SEVERAL CALLS TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT, THE DEALERSHIP GENERAL MANAGER, AND TO THE DODGE CUSTOMER SERVICE PHONE NUMBER; NO ONE AT DODGE WOULD FORMALLY ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE DEFECTIVE BALL JOINTS CAUSED THE STRESS CRACK OR THAT A PROBLEM EXISTED WITH THE UPPER CONTROL ARM; DESPITE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE FOR SEBRINGS AND AVENGERS WITH VERY SIMILAR PROBLEMS. I HAVE DIGITAL PICTURES OF THE CRACK IF ANYONE IS INTERESTED. IT HAS SINCE BEEN FIXED FOR THE SAFETY OF MY WIFE AND CHILDREN, HOWEVER I AM VERY DISPLEASED WITH HOW IT WAS HANDLED BY DODGE AND THE DEALER. *LA

    NHTSA complaint 10043389
16. Filed Aug 27, 2003Failure Aug 2, 200378,000 milesEureka, CAGasoline

    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

    NHTSA complaint 10037792
17. Filed Jun 3, 2003Failure Jun 3, 2003Portage, MISuspension

    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

    NHTSA complaint 10022098
18. Filed May 19, 2003Failure Apr 19, 2003Danbury, CTConcealment devices

    MY 1996 DODGE AVENGER ES V-6 HAS SEVERELY PITTED HEADLAMP LENSES WHICH SERIOUSLY REDUCES THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE HEADLAMPS FOR NIGHT DRIVING AND I BELIEVE IS DANGEROUS. I'VE EXPERIENCED THIS IN OTHER CARS I'VE OWNED, BUT NOT NEARLY TO THE DEGREE WITH THIS DODGE. THE LENSES LOOK CLOUDY. *JB

    NHTSA complaint 10018917
19. Filed Apr 15, 2003Failure Apr 11, 2003Waxahachie, TXUpper ball joint

    AFTER THE RECALL FOR THE BALL JOINTS 99 V 066 000 WAS COMPLETE THE BALL JOINT FAILED AND DAMAGED OTHER COMPONENTS. *NLM

    NHTSA complaint 10015913
20. Filed Mar 18, 2003Failure Mar 15, 2003Emmaus, PAWheels

    WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE CAME OFF. DEALER NOTIFIED. *NLM

    NHTSA complaint 10011960