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1996 Dodge Avenger suspension problems

59 complaints (38% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 131,000. 5 crashes reported.

owner complaints
59
of this car's complaints
38%
typical mileage
131,000
crashes
5
recalls
2

Which part fails

  • Front: control arm: lower ball joint
    27
  • Front: control arm
    11
  • Front: control arm: upper ball joint
    6
  • Front: control arm: lower arm
    4
  • Front: control arm: upper arm
    3
  • Front
    3
  • Front: wheel bearing
    2
  • Rear: shock absorber
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Dodge Avenger suspension problems in other years

1995200020102014

Specific symptoms reported on the 1996 Dodge Avenger suspension

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Ball joint 46

Related recalls

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

Related investigations

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

There is no summary currently available

RQ00015

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 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 7, 2004 · Suspension · OH

I was driving on the side streetwhen my front wheel bent inward and my car dropped to the ground. Had it towed to dealership and he claimed to fixed it. So about 1 week later, while on the express way going about 65mp my lt. Drivers side tire bent inward causing my to be all over the road in rush hour. But somehow I mananged to control the car and not have any vehicle crash nor damanges. It is a wounder I and here to talk about it. Still fussing with carlot!

Filed Feb 6, 2004 · Suspension · GA

While driving 30 MPH front ball joints failed. Consumer pulled over to check. Then, consumer managed to drive home. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.

Questions about the 1996 Dodge Avenger suspension

Does the 1996 Dodge Avenger have suspension problems?

Owners have filed 59 complaints about the suspension of the 1996 Dodge Avenger, 38% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.

At what mileage do 1996 Dodge Avenger suspension problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 131,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 1996 Dodge Avenger suspension?

Yes, 2 recalls: 00V421002, 99V066003. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Dodge Avenger have bad suspension?

The Dodge Avenger model years with the most suspension complaints are 1995 (59 complaints), 1996 (59 complaints) and 1997 (19 complaints).

Other 1996 Dodge Avenger problems

Brakes 25Engine 24Transmission 21Electrical 13Airbags 10Seat belts 10Acceleration 8Lights 8Steering 8Visibility 6Body 5Seats 3Wheels 3Fuel system 1Tires 1

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