In the am on 9/15/03 on the freeway traveling about 65 MPH, lateral arm broke off on the left side of my car, causing the left tire to push upwards into the fender and the axle to snap in half. I had to put the car into park at 40 MPH to get it to stop so I would not hit the concrete barrier or the I-5 sign. Dodge did pay for the car to be repaired, but not more than 2 weeks later the car began to make a noise while reversing and while going over bumps in the road, they told me this is the brakes, but another mechanic said that it is the lateral arm again. Dodge is refusing to pay to fix it and when I brought them the car they did not visually inspect the car, they only took it on a test drive. I have been having anxiety attacks everytime I hear that noise, my back and shoulder have been in pain and I have seen a specialist because of this. And to be quite honest I just don't have the money to repair the vehicle myself. Also, the front brake rotars are warped and this is the 2nd time that they have been replaced in the 3 1/2 years I have owned the vehicle. I think that is a bit much.
1996 Dodge Avenger suspension complaints
Page 2 of 3: complaints 11 to 40 of 59, newest first, as owners wrote them.
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 drove off the lot and immediately heard a clanking noise when ever I hit a bump with the right front wheel. I inspected the car myself and found a large crack in the frame around the front-most upper control arm mounting bolt on the right front strut tower. I took the car back to the dealer and the service writer remarked boy, that is the largest crack I've ever seen. You shouldnt drive that car because the wheel could fall off. I suppose the ball joints being bad and hammering the suspension caused that [frame] to crack. However, the service writer had no answer when asked how they missed the crack during the work on the lower control arm the day before. After several calls to the service department, the dealership general manager, and to the dodge customer service phone number; no one at dodge would formally acknowledge that the defective ball joints caused the stress crack or that a problem existed with the upper control arm; despite multiple complaints on the federal safety agency website for sebrings and avengers with very similar problems. I have digital pictures of the crack if anyone is interested. It has since been fixed for the safety of my wife and children, however I am very displeased with how it was handled by dodge and the dealer.
The federal safety agency#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.
After the recall for the ball joints 99 v 066 000 was complete the ball joint failed and damaged other components.
Vehicle was included in lower arm ball joint recall 00v421002. After first inspection in october 2001, part failed on 8-3-02. Arms and joints were actually replaced. Currently, compression arm ball joint cracked just as the latteral arm ball joint that was recalled. Please describe details.
When pulling into driveway upper right control arm mount separated from body, making an enormous popping sound. Dealer stated if driven more wheels could have collapsed.*ak
While waiting to have recall repairs done, front end of vehicle fell out. Unable to drive vehicle.
After making an appointment to have recall 00v421000 repairs done was told that parts were not available , after waiting for an hour. Scared to drive vehicle due to fear of its safety.
While driving at 10-15 MPH left side ball joint broke, and consumer had trouble controling vehicle. Consumer has just had vehicle in dealer repair shop to get right side fixed. Contacted dealer.
While driving 35 MPH steering locked up and right side of vehicle fell due to defective front ball joints. Please give any further details.
I received a recall for my cars lower ball joints because of excessvie wear. My car started making noise in the front end. When I took it in they said it was upper ball joints. I wanted to make sure this was reported in case upper ball joints should be included in recall. It was also odd that a recall on lower ball joints comes out and my upper ball joints go out.
While traveling at any speed during inclement weather/ wet conditions vehicle is difficult to control due to rear suspension problems. Dealership has not determined a cause for this problem. Please provide any additional information / attachments.
Consumer received a recall notification and made an appointment, however when she arrived the parts were not available, a week later the parts came and consumer took vehicle back and hours later consumer was informed that another day was needed to complete the work.
Defective wheel bearings. While driving sparks came from the right rear wheel. Vehicle pulls to the right.
In sum, I was driving the above vehicle and about to make a right hand turn and there was a sudden jerk and the drivers side front of the vehicle had collapsed onto the ground. The drivers side lower ball joint had cracked causing the wheel to fall off and causing major body damage to the front end and the front fender. Also causing damage to the brake lines and the drive axle. This sudden crash also has caused soreness to my back and neck. On june 12, 2001 I had taken my vehicle to midway dodge, 4747 s pulaski, chicago il 60632, 773‑376‑8060 for recall #00v421002, which was for the inspection of the lower lateral arm ball joint for wear. I was told that my vehicle had passed the test designed for this recall and nothing was done. On 25jun01 my ball joints from my vehicle failed causeing the above damage and injuries.
Consumer had recall 00v421002 lower ball joint boot, done on 12 june 2001. Dealer did not replace ball joint. On 25 june 2001 while driving 5 MPH driver side of vehicle dropped. Dealer had to replace broken ball joint.
The engine runs rough due to faulty valve cover gaskets. Nlm
The vehicle was inspected for recall of the lower ball joints (99v‑066), less than four months (4-aug-00) later the vehicle was taken to the dealer for another problem when the mechanic informed the consumer that the vehicle was in need of front lower ball joint, the consumer was forced to pay for the repair because the dealer stated this problem was not covered under recall. Nlm
Packed wheel bearings failing every 6-10 months since brand new.
Consumer took vehicle into dealer to have recall 99v066003 repairs done. Consumer was informed by dealership that unknown component next to lower contral arm ball joint was torn and is not included in recall. Please provide any additional information/attachments.
Received recall notice #00v421002. Contacted and then visited dealership. Mechanic inspected vehicle and provided a sheet of paper, indicating nothing wrong. Everything has been taken care off. Two months later, vehicle involved in an accident due to ball joint causing arm and axle to break. Vehicle was totaled, but at repair shop being repaired. No injuries.
There are 2 recalls for this vehicle. Dodge refuses to fix the 2nd recall (the federal safety agency# 00v421002) . They claim to only know about the 1st recall (the federal safety agency# 99v066003). My ball joints have failed and the rubber boot is ok, but the second recall says to inspect the joint itself , not the boot.
Front inner tie rod/ front wheel bearings,and suspension of the vehicle he just purchased malfunctioned. Please provide any additional information/attachments.
Recalled lower ball joint (99v‑066) failure was the possible cause of accident which occured prior to recall notification, the cause of the accident was never determined due to other circumstances. Nlm
Defective nuts came off the bolts on the ball joints on the driver's side lower control arm which caused ball joint to cease which may have caused a crash. Previously, this vehicle was part of the lower ball joint recall.
After recall repair 99v‑066 of the lower ball joint the consumer was driving down the road when the front axle fell off without warning, the vehice was towed back to the dealer where consumer was told that the problem was related to the recall (attorney for client). Nlm
Recall repair regarding the ball joints was complete on vehicle, however the wheel came loose while driving, also the ball joint fell apart and now consumer has to pay for the suspension and body damages.
The passenger seat belt comes loose and the seat slides up when applying brake. Yh
Lower control arm and ball joint are punctured and leaking due to prior recall (99v‑066). Yh
Vehicle checked in october for recall on defective ball joint boots. Was told by dealer that vehicle was not affected. Three months later had to replace upper and lower ball joints. This occurred at 46,100 miles. Dealer stated that problem due to "normal wear and tear." customer responsible for repairs. I have seen several other complaints of ball joint failure that have occured after the recall was performed. Was also told by dealer that this failure was minor and it was okay to operated vehicle for a week until I got vehicle repaired.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 1996 Dodge Avenger?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history