1998 Dodge AVENGER: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10003090 · 2003-01-21 (January 21, 2003)
MY RIM BROKE AND CAUSED MY TIRE TO GO FLAT. I HAVE HAD TO PUT TIRES ON ALMOST EVERY 6,000. MY DOOR LOCK IS NOT WORKING RIGHT AND I ALSO AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE FOG LIGHTS.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10003090 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10004996 · 2003-01-31 (January 31, 2003)
I RECENTLY HAD MY FRONT-END BALL JOINTS REPLACED ON MY 1998 DODGE AVENGER AT KEN NELSON AUTO PLAZA IN DIXON, IL. THIS PROBLEM WAS A RECALL I HAD DONE ALREADY IN MAY OF 2001. RECALL #967 FROM NHTSA. THEY WERE SUPPOSE TO PUT NEWLY DESIGNED LATERAL ARM BALL JOINTS ON MY VEHICLE AT THAT TIME. THE "NEW" BALL JOINTS DIDN'T LAST ONE YEAR AND 8 MONTHS. I WAS TOLD I HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR THIS TIME, FOR WHICH I DID. THE COST WAS $312.60. I DO NOT BELIEVE I SHOULD BE PAYING FOR THE MATERIAL DEFECTS THAT WERE UNDER THE ORIGINAL RECALL WORK WHICH FAI…
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10004996 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10011218 · 2003-04-01 (April 1, 2003)
THE RECALL REPAIRS REGARDING THE BALL JOINTS FAILED WITHIN 1 YEAR, CONSUMER HAD TO BEAR THE FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY TO HAVE THEM REPLACED. RECALL # 00V421002. *AK *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10011218 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10011902 · 2003-03-17 (March 17, 2003)
THE VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED, AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10011902 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 10043153 · 2003-10-18 (October 18, 2003)
1998 DODGE AVENGER ES. WHEN I WENT TO OPEN THE DRIVER,S DOOR THE ENTIRE HANDLE SNAPPED OFF AND WAS IN MY HAND. CHEAP PLASTIC MECHANISM. HAVE TO OPEN DOOR FROM THE INSIDE. VERY INCONVENIENT. HAVE CALL INTO A COUPLE MECHANICS AND DODGE DEALER FOR REPAIR ESTIMATES. *LA
Owner-reported narrative. 62,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10043153 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10045480 · 2003-11-05 (November 5, 2003)
IF MY VEHICLE IS INVOLVED IN A RECALL, I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE MY VEHICLE "DIAGNOSED" TO SEE IF IT IS DEFECTIVE, ESPECIALLY WHEN I HAVE INSPECTED IT AND KNOW THAT THE "BALL JOINT" RECALL FOR MY 1998 DODGE AVENGER IS A DEFINITE PROBLEM.
Owner-reported narrative. 83,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10045480 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10053668 · 2004-01-08 (January 8, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END. DEALERSHIP MECHANIC INFORMED CONSUMER THAT FRONT LOWER ARM BALL JOINT WORE OUT. BUT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT YET RESOLVED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 73,262 miles reported. Look up ODI 10053668 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 ↗98V045002 · Vehicle Speed Control
Reported: 1998-03-03 (March 3, 1998)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE DASH PANEL PAD CAN SHIFT INTERFERRING WITH THE THROTTLE CABLE CONTROL.
Consequence: THE THROTTLE CABLE CONTROL WOULD NOT RETURN TO IDLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE A PORTION OF THE DASH PANEL PAD SO IT CANNOT INTERFERE WITH THE THROTTLE CABLE CONTROL.
NHTSA campaign record ↗