1996 Dodge AVENGER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
97 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
128,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1996 model year. Data snapshot: . 9 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint is the most frequently named component, appearing in 24 of 97 complaints (24.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 7 | 7.2% |
| Engine operation | 7 | 7.2% |
| Braking behavior | 5 | 5.2% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 4.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 1.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint | 24 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 11 |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm | 9 |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 6 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 5 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 5 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 4 |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Ball Joint | 4 |
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint: 24; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 11; Suspension:Front:Control Arm: 9; Exterior Lighting:Headlights: 6; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 5; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 5; Air Bags:Frontal: 4; Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Ball Joint: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 5 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 1
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 88 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 3 |
| 1996 | 7 |
| 2000 | 22 |
| 2001 | 23 |
| 2002 | 20 |
| 2003 | 9 |
| 2004 | 6 |
| 2005 | 3 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2016 | 1 |
1995: 3; 1996: 7; 2000: 22; 2001: 23; 2002: 20; 2003: 9; 2004: 6; 2005: 3; 2006: 1; 2007: 2; 2016: 1
Pattern summary
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 7 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 7 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 508050 · 1996-08-30 (August 30, 1996)
VEHICLE FIALS TO START/STALLS, ALSO TRANSMISSION FAILURE/ROUGH IDLE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 508050 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 745297 · 2001-05-14 (May 14, 2001)
MY TRANSMISSION SEAL BLEW OFF AT 18,000 MILES, WHCH SHOULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED. IT TOOK THE DEALER 2 WEEKS TO FIX CAR, AND WHEN I GOT IT BACK, THE TRANSMISSION FELL OUT. THEY ALSO USED MY CAR AS A RENTAL CAR, AND I GOT IT BACK WITH 700 EXTRA MILES ON IT.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 745297 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10037792 · 2003-08-27 (August 27, 2003)
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-reported narrative. 78,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10037792 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10050711 · 2003-12-18 (December 18, 2003)
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 LATER…
Owner-reported narrative. 131,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10050711 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10205038 · 2007-10-04 (October 4, 2007)
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 V…
Owner-reported narrative. 128,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10205038 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 740882 · 2001-02-14 (February 14, 2001)
CAR HORN FAILS TO WORK WHEN COLD TEMPS OUTSIDE AND ENGINE COLD. LEFT BUTTON ON STEERING WHEEL NEVER WORKS AND RIGHT BUTTON ONLY WORKS WHEN CAR IS WARM. I GOT HIT IN A PARKING LOT (LUCKILY LOW SPEED) AND I COULDN'T WARN THE OTHER DRIVER WHO DIDN'T SEE ME BECAUSE THE HORN WOULDN'T BLOW. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM - WHAT HAPPENS ON A HIGHWAY WHEN A DRIVER DOESN'T SEE ME??? I SEE OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS WEB SITE ABOUT HORNS NOT WORKING AND I THINK IT SHOULD REALLY BE LOOKED INTO!! *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 740882 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 743215 · 2001-03-28 (March 28, 2001)
VEHICLE HIT A TREE HEAD-ON AT ABOUT 35 MPH (EST.). NEITHER THE DRIVER SIDE NOR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. PASSENGER'S HEAD STRUCK AND SHATTERED WINDSHIELD. DRIVER'S FACE STRUCK STEERING WHEEL CAUSING DAMAGE TO MOUTH AND SHOULDER. EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. AMAZING NO ONE WAS KILLED OR SERIOUSLY INJURED. ALSO, I WOULD NOTICE THAT IF I WAS TRAVELING OVER ABOUT 40 MPH, THE CAR WOULD SHAKE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. CAR WOULD SOMETIMES STALL WHEN STOPPED. SOMETIMES I WOULD HAVE TO TAKE THE CAR OUT OF PARK AND PUT IT BACK IN…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 743215 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 724436 · 2000-06-23 (June 23, 2000)
A FIRE STARTED SPONTANEOUSLY WHILE THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF AFTER A SHORT RIDE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT INDICATES AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. FIRE SEEMED TO ORIGINATE NEAR THE FUSE BOX. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 724436 at NHTSA ↗