1997 Dodge AVENGER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
53 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
94,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 12 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint is the most frequently named component, appearing in 10 of 53 complaints (18.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 10 | 18.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 5.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 5.7% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 1.9% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 1.9% |
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 | 10 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 7 |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Ball Joint | 4 |
| Wheels | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 3 |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 3 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 3 |
| Suspension | 3 |
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint: 10; Air Bags:Frontal: 7; Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Ball Joint: 4; Wheels: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 3; Exterior Lighting:Headlights: 3; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 3; Suspension: 3
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 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 5 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 0
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 41 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 |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 9 |
| 2001 | 16 |
| 2002 | 11 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 7 |
| 2005 | 6 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2012 | 1 |
2000: 9; 2001: 16; 2002: 11; 2003: 1; 2004: 7; 2005: 6; 2006: 2; 2012: 1
Pattern summary
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 10 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 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 10034432 · 2003-12-02 (December 2, 2003)
ABS BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED DUE TO THE PUMP MOTOR, CAUSING LOSS OF BRAKING POWER. *AK IF THE ABS LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF, THE LIGHT GOES OFF. WHEN HE STARTS THE VEHICLE AND THE ABS KICKS IN, THE ENGINE WOULD STALL. THE PUMP MOTOR WAS CORRODED WHICH CAUSED ONE OR MORE WHEELS TO LOCK UP. PROBLEM IS UNPREDICTABLE ON DRY OR WET PAVEMENT. FAILURE OCCURRED IN ICE OR SNOWY CONDITIONS. CONSUMER NOTED THE ABS FEATURE DIDN'T HAPPEN, THE BRAKES LOCKED. VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED SEVEN MONTHS LATER WHEN DODGE DECIDED TO REP…
Owner-reported narrative. 82,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10034432 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10070851 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
I HAVE A 1997 DODGE AVENGER SOME OF MY PROBLEMS I HAVE NOT FIXED I AM ABOUT TO GO BROKE. I HAVE MORE PROBLEMS WITH MY TIRES, BRAKES, AND ROTORS. THE PAINT IS CHIPPING OFF MY CAR IN SPOTS. MY TIRES WEAR FAST, MY AIRBAG IS LOOSE THE COVER ON IT. MY BRAKES ARE AWFUL I HAVE TO REPLACE THEM A LOT. I LOVE MY CAR BUT THERE IS TOO MANY PROBLEMS....
Owner-reported narrative. 93,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10070851 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10074613 · 2004-06-01 (June 1, 2004)
(1) 1997 DODGE AVENGER WAS DRIVEN (2) LEFT SIDE LOWER BALLJOINT FAILED (PULLED OUT OF LATERAL CONTROL ARM), WHEEL TURNED TO THE LEFT, CONTACTEDFENDER, PULLER AXLE OUT OF TRANSMISSION. THIS ALL HAPPENED AT PARKING LOT SPEED.*AK (3) CAR WAS TOWED TO MY HOUSE THEN DODGE DEALER AFTER I LEARNED OF PREVIOUS RECALL ISSUES. DODGE GAVE ME AN ESTIMATE OF $1,200 FOR REPAIRS (THAT INCLUDED PERHAPS FREE REPLACEMENT OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS PENDING APPROVAL FROM CHRYSLER REP. CHRYSLER REP WAS A NO SHOW AND COULD NOT COMMIT TO A DAY THAT HE COULD INSPEC…
Owner-reported narrative. 85,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10074613 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 740348 · 2001-02-02 (February 2, 2001)
TRANSMISSION WENT ON MAIN HIGHWAY, RIMS FELL PULLED AWAY FROM TIRESON BOTH FRONT ENDS CAUSING FLAT TIRES ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS NAD REPLACEMENT OF THEM. ALMOST CRASHED SEVERAL TIMES DUE TO THIS. DRIVE DOOR DOES NOT CLOSE PROPERLY ALL THE TIME, IT IS NOT ALIGNED CORRECTLY. BRAKES HAD TO BE FIXED SEVERAL TIMES AND NOW BALL BEARINGS ARE WARN AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. BATTERY FREQUENTLY GETS CORRODED. ALL THESE PROBLEMS WITHIN THE PAST 3 YEARS.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 740348 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 885774 · 2001-04-12 (April 12, 2001)
WHILE DRIVING, ALL ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS IN DASHBOARD SHORTED OUT. A FEW SECONDS LATER, ENGINE WENT DEAD. DEALER SAID A WIRE MELTED AND REPLACED IT.*AK WIRES TO DOME LIGHT ALSO FAILED. *TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 885774 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 564548 · 2002-03-04 (March 4, 2002)
CONSUMER STATES AFTER RECALL WAS PERFORMED ON THE SUSPENSION, CONSUMER WENT TO PICK THE VEHICLE UP AND PROCEEDED TO DRIVE, CONSUMER HAD A HARD TIME CONTROLLING THE STEERING WHEEL, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE POWER STEERING RACK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED WHICH CONTAINED A LOT PLAY, CONSUMER PICKED THE VEHICLE UP 2 DAYS LATER AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS SHIMMYING, CONSUMER WAS THEN INFORMED THAT THE TIRES SHOULD BE CHECKED, IT WAS THEN DISCOVERED THAT THE INSIDE OF THE TIRES DID NOT HAVE ANY THREAD, BOTH FRONT TIRES WERE BALD ON THE INSIDE, AND THE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 564548 at NHTSA ↗