1996 Dodge Avenger problems
Owners have filed 235 complaints with NHTSA about the 1996 Dodge Avenger. Suspension is the most reported problem area, at 29% of complaints. After that come brakes (14%) and engine (11%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 235 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Suspension 29% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 28 and 3
- Injuries and deaths
- 24 and 1
- Typical mileage
- 131,000 miles 15 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 1 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 0 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 0 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 1 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 1 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 0 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 8 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 1 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 3 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Among the 15 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 131,000 miles. For suspension specifically, the median reported mileage is about 131,000 miles (11 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 28 complaints mention a crash; 3 complaints mention a fire; 24 injuries reported; 1 death reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 1996 ranks 5th most-complained-about out of 13 model years of the Dodge Avenger with enough data (138 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 2 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
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.
During head-on collision dual air bags did not deploy. Rear seat belt released and threw the child in back of front seat.
Tl*the contact owns a 1996 dodge avenger. In 2005, while driving approximately 55 MPH, the contact lost control and the vehicle pulled to the right. She depressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle would not stop. The vehicle crashed into a dirt hill. She had the vehicle towed to a repair shop and was informed that the lower ball joints failed. A police report was filed. The contact paid for the repair. One year later, the failure recurred. The vehicle is currently parked at her residence.
I am the owner of a 1996 dodge avenger. I received this car from my father. On february 26 2004 as I was leaving work, something broke. Upon having the car towed to the repair shop, I had to have the cv shaft, and the lower control arm assembly, replaced. This cost me out of pocket, $629.45. Then on 10/1/04 I had to have the spindle assembly replaced. Which cost another $ 325.16. I now realize that there was a recall on the problem with my car.