1998 Dodge AVENGER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
45 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
83,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 19 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint is the most frequently named component, appearing in 11 of 45 complaints (24.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 6 | 13.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 6.7% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 2.2% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 2.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 2.2% |
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 | 11 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 3 |
| Suspension:Front | 3 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 2 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 2 |
| Steering:Rack And Pinion | 2 |
| Wheels:Rim | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint: 11; Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch: 3; Suspension:Front: 3; Air Bags:Frontal: 2; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 2; Steering:Rack And Pinion: 2; Wheels:Rim: 2; Air Bags: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 5 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 5 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 5; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 2
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 26 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 | 5 |
| 2001 | 9 |
| 2002 | 5 |
| 2003 | 7 |
| 2004 | 7 |
| 2005 | 4 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2017 | 1 |
2000: 5; 2001: 9; 2002: 5; 2003: 7; 2004: 7; 2005: 4; 2006: 1; 2007: 1; 2010: 2; 2011: 1; 2012: 2; 2017: 1
Pattern summary
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 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 10140200 · 2005-10-19 (October 19, 2005)
DT: WHEN APPLYING BRAKE PRESSURE THERE WAS A SURGING EFFECT AS IF THE BRAKES WERE PULSATING. THE CONTACT DETERMINED THE ROTORS WARPED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER FOR CONFIRMATION OF THE WARPED ROTORS. THE ROTORS WERE REPLACED, BUT THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE IF THESE WERE ACTUAL CHRYSLER PARTS OR AFTER MARKET REPLACEMENTS. AFTER THE REPAIRS THE PROBLEM RETURNED. THE CONTACT'S FATHER CONSULTED A SERVICE CENTER THAT NOTED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM. THIS HAS NOT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. NO FURTHER REPAIRS. THE BRAKES DID ST…
Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10140200 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8010175 · 2002-05-20 (May 20, 2002)
WHILE PARKING VEHICLE ACCELERATED. IT JUMPED THE CURVE, AND RAN INTO A BRAKE WALL.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8010175 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10026052 · 2003-07-14 (July 14, 2003)
THE TRANSMISSION WENT ON MY CAR - 1998 DODGE AVENGER, 35,000 MILES. 8AK
Owner-reported narrative. 35,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10026052 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10102607 · 2004-12-10 (December 10, 2004)
TRANSMISSION JUMPS IN AND OUT OF GEAR WHEN EVER IT FEELS LIKE IT CAUSING THE FRONT TIRES TO LOCK UP AND THE PASSENGERS TO BE TOSSED AROUND . IT WILL CONTINULLY DO THIS UNTIL I STOP THE CAR THEN ITS FINE FOR A MINUTE THEN IT DOES IT AGAIN . NO MATTER WHAT I DO IT KEEPS HAPPENING . *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 95,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10102607 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10319145 · 2010-03-12 (March 12, 2010)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE AVENGER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. HE WAS ABLE TO COAST ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. IN ADDITION, BOTH FRONT TIRES REQUIRED THREE REPLACEMENTS AS A RESULT OF A DEFECTIVE LOWER BALL JOINT. ALTHOUGH THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V421002 (SUSPENSION, FRONT CONTR…
Owner-reported narrative. 86,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10319145 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8005703 · 2002-03-14 (March 14, 2002)
WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY HIT A BUMP. STEERING WANDERED LEFT TO RIGHT. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MECHANIC. MECHANIC TOLD CONSUMER THAT RACK AND PINION STEERING WAS DEFECTIVE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8005703 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10454298 · 2012-04-05 (April 5, 2012)
WHEN FILLING A EMPTY GAS TANK, I CAN GET ABOUT $2.00 OF GAS IN BEFORE GAS SPLASH BACK OCCURS. THIS CAUSES LARGE AMOUNTS OF GAS TO POUR ONTO THE GROUND AND ON MY SHOES AND CLOTHES. I HAVE TRIED 6 DIFFERENT GAS STATIONS AND EACH GAS STATION DOES THE SAME THING. SO ITS NOT THE PUMPS. IT TAKES IN UPWARDS TO 10 MINUTES JUST TO PUMP $7.00 IN GAS INTO THE VEHICLE WHILE STILL SPLASHING GAS ON THE GROUND. IM TOLD THIS HAS TO DO WITH FAULTY ROLLOVER PROTECTION VALVES STICKING. WHEN FILLING UP VIA GAS CAN THIS PROBLEM DOES NOT PRESENT ITSELF. ITS JUST WHE…
Owner-reported narrative. 117,766 miles reported. Look up ODI 10454298 at NHTSA ↗