1995 Dodge AVENGER: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
128 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
109,478 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1995 model year. Data snapshot: . 15 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint is the most frequently named component, appearing in 21 of 128 complaints (16.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 20 | 15.6% |
| Engine operation | 10 | 7.8% |
| Steering behavior | 7 | 5.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 3.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 3.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 0.8% |
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 | 21 |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm | 9 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 8 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 7 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 6 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 5 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 5 |
| Suspension:Front | 5 |
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint: 21; Suspension:Front:Control Arm: 9; Air Bags:Frontal: 8; Electrical System:Ignition: 7; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 6; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 5; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components: 5; Suspension:Front: 5
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 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 8 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 8; 150,000 and above: 3
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (8). 113 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 | 17 |
| 1996 | 20 |
| 2000 | 20 |
| 2001 | 32 |
| 2002 | 18 |
| 2003 | 8 |
| 2004 | 3 |
| 2005 | 4 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 2 |
1995: 17; 1996: 20; 2000: 20; 2001: 32; 2002: 18; 2003: 8; 2004: 3; 2005: 4; 2006: 2; 2007: 2; 2008: 2
Pattern summary
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 20 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 10 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 7 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10003337 · 2003-01-24 (January 24, 2003)
MY FAMILY OWENS 2 DODGE AVENGERS A 1995 AND A 1998, THE PROBLEM IS THE HEAD LIGHTS THEY ARE DISCOLORING FROM THE INSIDE AND DODGE HAS NOT PROVIDED ANY WAY TO STOP THIS FROM HAPPENING ITS A DEFECT IN THE PLASTIC HEADLITE COVER. THIS SITUATION CAUSES A HAZZARD WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT. I TALKED TO DODGE ABOUT IT AND THE DEALER SUGGESTED I PURCHASE NEW HEADLIGHT COVERS FOR A TOTAL OF $386.00 EACH AND THEY ADMIT THE NEW COVERS WILL DISCOLOR AFTER A PROLONGED OUTSIDE EXPOSURE. I PERSONALLY THINK THIS IS AN ATTEMP TO GOUGE THE PUBLIC AND I AM HOPING YOU…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10003337 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10008793 · 2002-05-02 (May 2, 2002)
DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF WHILE OPENING THE DOOR(DOOR HANDLE WAS PULLED NORMALLY ALL THE WAY TO THE TOP AND BROKE). (ALMOST ALWAYS GARAGED) THE CAR WAS PARKED OUTSIDE AND THERE WAS NO COLD WEATHER THE NIGHT BEFORE. PLASTIC SHOULD NOT BE SO BRITTLE, SMALL CHILDREN COULD BE LOCKED IN, THANK YOU. * TS *JB ****DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12-12-02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS****761468
Owner-reported narrative. 130,213 miles reported. Look up ODI 10008793 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10014987 · 2003-04-02 (April 2, 2003)
THE RIGHT BALL JOINT BROKE WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10014987 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10024963 · 2003-06-25 (June 25, 2003)
CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT BRAKE PROBLEMS. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING GAS PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, AND CONSUMER HAD TO PHYSICALLY PULL IT OUT. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, AND STATED THAT THEY HAD NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS OR THEY DIDN'T HAVE ANY RECALLS.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10024963 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10030116 · 2003-07-24 (July 24, 2003)
CONSUMER STATED THAT THE "INNER" LOWER CONTROL ARM HAS WORN OUT PREMATURELY. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT CONSUMER HAS HAD TO REPLACE COMPONENT. FIRST FAILURE OCCURRED AT APPROXIMATELY 75000 MILES. MANUFACTURER HAS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY FOR THE OUTER CONTROL ARM, BUT NOT THE INNER ONE.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 75,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10030116 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10038068 · 2003-09-03 (September 3, 2003)
HEADLIGHT LIGHT PLASTIC COVER CHANGES COLOR AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME. WHEN THIS OCCURS, IT LESSENS THE ILLUMINATION OF THE LIGHT. COVER HAS TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT CANNOT BE CLEANED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10038068 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10040490 · 2003-09-24 (September 24, 2003)
VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER RECALL#00V421002 CONCERNING LOWER BALL JOINT BOOT. A PROBLEM WAS FOUND WITH THE LOWER BALL JOINT AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE DONE, AND THE BALL JOINTS HAVE TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10040490 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10040628 · 2003-09-25 (September 25, 2003)
WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL THE BRAKES LOCKED COMPLETELY AND CAUSED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER. THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10040628 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
00V421002 · Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint
Reported: 2000-12-18 (December 18, 2000)
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.
Consequence: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗99V066003 · Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint
Reported: 1999-04-05 (April 5, 1999)
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.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINT TO SEPARATE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE RUBBER BOOTS, AND IF THE BOOT IS DAMAGED, THEY WILL REPLACE THE LOWER LATERAL ARM AND BALL JOINT ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES.
NHTSA campaign record ↗