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1996 Dodge Avenger problems

The most common problem on the 1996 Dodge Avenger is suspension, typically around 131,000 miles. It has fewer complaints than a typical Avenger model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Owner complaints
157
Recalls
2
Service bulletins
71
Worst area
Suspension
Fuel economy
20-23mpg

The worst 1996 Dodge Avenger problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 1996 Dodge Avenger

Ball joint 46Headlights 8Stalling 7No deployment 6

Recalls 2

Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball jointReported December 18, 2000 · 393,796 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 00V421002 · Recall details

Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball jointReported April 5, 1999 · 165,857 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 99V066003 · Recall details

See all 2 recalls for the 1996 Dodge Avenger

Defect investigations

Lower contrtol arm ball jointOpened August 2, 2000, closed April 20, 2001

There is no summary currently available

RQ00015

Technical service bulletins for the 1996 Dodge Avenger 71

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 71 bulletins for the 1996 Dodge Avenger

1996 Dodge Avenger fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.0L 4‑cylFWD18-1927-2921-23
2.5L 6‑cylFWD182520

What 1996 Dodge Avenger owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Mar 2, 2016 · Suspension · 19,856 miles · WA

I was driving and the right front control lowerball joint broke. This is the third time this has happened. I called dodge dealer.they said they fix it once. They won't do it again. Well if the problem still having they need to fix it right. I could of been killed. Something needs to be done about this. Now I was on the hwy

Filed Nov 21, 2007 · Suspension · 89,500 miles · MA

The lower control arm on the left side is going and I've gone to deluca chrysler in haverhill ma twice and both times told me that it was already serviced and when I asked him what side was serviced he couldn't answer me and I asked him if they could check my since it should still be covered under recall warranty he told me no and just today I was told that any repair like control arms, tie rods, ball joints and struts are supposed to be repaired in pairs and they only repaired the right side on 8/6/02.

Filed Oct 4, 2007 · Suspension · 128,000 miles · CA · crash

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. Dodge wants to conduct an investigation on her vehicle, however, they are asking her to pay out of pocket for the repairs. The contact refuses because she believes this is a manufacturer defect. The VIN, engine size, and number of cylinders were unknown. The failure mileage was 128,000 and current mileage was 140,000.

Filed Dec 23, 2006 · Suspension · 143,000 miles · NC

I was driving out of a fast food restaurant, and without any sign or warning my tire snapped off my axle! The service department at the local dodge dealership was closed so I had to have my car towed to another place that also works on my car whenever I have problems. The part that needed to be fixed was the "lower arm control" on the driver's side of my car. I was very lucky that day, because not more than 15 minutes before this incident I had just driven home, approx. 10 miles, on the highway in 5 o'clock traffic!! I did not get hurt!! I was never mailed a recall notice about the lower arm control; not even in 1999 or 2000!!!!!!!!! I bought my car brand new from dodge, so I feel like I should have been in somebody's computer system to be able to receive recall notices!!!! Now, that I had to pay for the part to be fixed out of my pocket, how do I go about getting reimbursed? I got both the driver's side and passenger side lower arm controls replaced.

Filed Nov 21, 2005 · Suspension · KS

Per two separate recall notice I received from daimler chrysler, I brought my 1996 dodge avenger into a dealership to have the lower lateral arm ball joints inspected and resealed. Upon taking it to the dealership they inspected and both times they told me no further work was needed. Specific instructions from daimler chrysler say,if the ball joints are not damaged or worn, the ball joints will be sealed. This was not done to my vehicle and on 11/21/05 while driving I lost the ability to steer when the ball joint separated.

Filed Mar 8, 2005 · Suspension · TN

Dodge avenger 1996, ball joint and axle broke. *bf recall campaign# 99v066003. This problem occurred while the vehicle was in motion. The consumer expects reimbursement. *sc the consumer received the recall letter in the mail 1 year later. The consumer was denied reimbursement because the receipt was not typed it was hand written.

Filed Feb 22, 2005 · Suspension, Transmission · 121,251 miles · NY

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. I asked my father, who was the owner of the car at the time of the recall, if he was ever notified about the recall and he said no. I am upset now to find out that there was a recall and I had to pay for all the repairs out of my own pocket. I am asking if there is any way to be reimbersed for some or all of the expense that I incurred.

Filed Oct 25, 2004 · Lights · WI

While driving consumer noticed that the both driver's side and passenger's side headlights failed to see due to lens having a cloudy residue on them. This caused poor visibility, consumer was unable to see. Consumer took vehicle to dealer for inspection, and mechanic stated that the parts for lens were not on recall. Consumer was responsible for the parts and labor.

Filed Aug 31, 2004 · Suspension · 130,000 miles · AR · crash

While driving 55 MPH, the lower later arm ball joint separated and caused the front left wheel to detach. The vehicle wasinvolved in a collision. Tthe driver lost control and the vehicle hit a bridge. The lower lateral arm ball joints were inspected twice befrore this failure, once on on 6/5/2001 under the federal safety agency recall# 00v421002. During the inspection the dealer's technician found no problem and no repairs were done.

Filed Apr 28, 2004 · Engine, Lights · VA

Repeated head gasket failure on engine. A recall needs to be initiated as this is a prevalent problem with this automobile! Awaiting third repair. Additionally, twice dealth with tensioner and pully problems. A defect recall needs to be initated on these parts. Defective headlight lenses resulting in extreme visability reduction. A replacement recall needed on these parts. The asog (advenger/seabring owners group) internet members group repeatedly identifying the engine gasket problems! Crysler initiated a recall change to the dodge neon's, but discontinued the advender model without recall and replacement of defective head gaskets. Please do something for the consumer public with these three major areas of defective workmanship. Thanks for your assistance.

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Questions about the 1996 Dodge Avenger

Is the 1996 Dodge Avenger reliable?

Owners have filed 157 complaints about the 1996 Dodge Avenger, fewer than a typical Avenger model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1996 Dodge Avenger?

Suspension, with 59 complaints, typically around 131,000 miles. Next is brakes (25).

How many recalls does the 1996 Dodge Avenger have?

2 recalls, covering suspension.

What gas mileage does the 1996 Dodge Avenger get?

Official estimates for the 1996 Dodge Avenger range from 20 to 23 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.0L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 18-19 city and 27-29 highway.

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