1996 Dodge AVENGER: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10005711 · 2003-02-11 (February 11, 2003)
MY DAUGHTER, MICHELLE OWNED A 1996 DODGE AVENGER ES WHICH SHE LOST HER LIFE IN. ON OCTOBER 6, 2001 SHE HAD AN ACCIDENT WHICH THE CAR BURST INTO FLAMES AND EXPLODED. IT WAS IN FOR RECALLS WITHIN THE PREVIOUS YEAR FOR THE LOWER LATERAL BALL JOINT. ON OCTOBER 2000, HER FRONT END OF HER CAR FELL TO THE GROUND, WHICH WE REPORTED TO YOU AND TO DAIMEN CHRYSLER. DAIMEN CHRYSLER PAID FOR THE REPAIRS TO HER CAR. NOW HER CAR EXPLODES AND BURSTS INTO FLAMES KILLING HER. SHE DID NOT DIE FROM THE INJURIES OF THE ACCIDENT, SHE DIED FROM THE FUMES AND FIRE. WE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10005711 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10011420 · 2003-03-11 (March 11, 2003)
THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WOBBLED FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10011420 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10011960 · 2003-03-18 (March 18, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE CAME OFF. DEALER NOTIFIED. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10011960 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10015913 · 2003-04-15 (April 15, 2003)
AFTER THE RECALL FOR THE BALL JOINTS 99 V 066 000 WAS COMPLETE THE BALL JOINT FAILED AND DAMAGED OTHER COMPONENTS. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10015913 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10018917 · 2003-05-19 (May 19, 2003)
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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10018917 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10022098 · 2003-06-03 (June 3, 2003)
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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10022098 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 10043389 · 2003-10-22 (October 22, 2003)
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 DRO…
Owner-reported narrative. 160,250 miles reported. Look up ODI 10043389 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 ↗