After recall 967 control arm repairs, were done the problem recurred while driving 65 MPH. The front left side control arm broke. Consumer managed to pull over, and had the vehicle towed. *ak replaced lower control arm.
1997 Dodge Avenger: ball joint or control arm failure
13 of the 83 complaints about the 1997 Dodge Avenger describe ball joint or control arm failure.
- owner complaints
- 13
- of this car's complaints
- 16%
- recalls
- 1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall and 4 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Ball joint or control arm failure by model year
What owners say
1997 dodge avenger ran into a tree after ball joint broke causing the axel to break.***no answer required***. *mr the accident occurred thirteen months after the ball joint recall was repaired. The consumer was not badly injured but is on muscle relaxants for whiplash. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection. The consumer was then told that the ball joints were never replaced just inspected.
Creaking noise from front suspension. Received recall 967 and dealer did not use any parts to correct problem. *bf the dealer stated the parts on the vehicle were not damaged. Prior to the recall notice the consumer had the ball joint replaced on the left side. The consumer tried to get the other ball joint replaced, however the dealer stated the recall had already been performed.
(1) 1997 dodge avenger was driven (2) left side lower balljoint failed (pulled out of lateral control arm), wheel turned to the left, contactedfender, puller axle out of transmission. This all happened at parking lot speed.*ak (3) car was towed to my house then dodge dealer after I learned of previous recall issues. Dodge gave me an estimate of $1,200 for repairs (that included perhaps free replacement of the lower control arms pending approval from chrysler rep. Chrysler rep was a no show and could not commit to a day that he could inspect the car. I repaired the car myself (new left and right lower control arms, a rebuilt axle, and transmission oil. I notified chrysler of the above events. They do not want to pay for the repair parts (napa parts). They offered to take the car back to the dealer and replace the control arms and axle. I already paid for them at napa. I still need to take it for an alignment.
While driving at 45 MPH consumer heard a loud snapping sound coming from the front of the vehicle. Also, the front tires were squealing and bouncing severely. Consumer lost control of the vehicle, and it rolled into a ditch on the right side. Dealer examined the vehicle, and determined that the upper and lower ball joints needed to be replaced.
Dealership will not honor recall concerning lower and upper ball joints because it was a salvage vehicle.
Consumer states vehicle had a rattle that seemed to extend through the entire vehicle, dealer stated the noise was coming from the brakes, however the consumer declined these repairs, the dealer later found the problem was due to a cracked engine mount, they found a crack on the rear right side and another on the left front side, consumer had another inspection in which another person stated there were no problems with the brakes or motor mount, the problem was with the lower control arm joints, consumer had recall repairs previously, 00v421002, the independent garage made repairs to the joints and the vehicle is no longer experiencing any of the problems, consumer is requesting reimbursement.
Recall 00v421002 repairs on lower ball joint was done , and dealer knocked vehicle out of alignment. Also, dealer would not fix alignment for free because recall did not cover it. Contacted dealer, and dealer stated that vehicle needed an alignment. Please add VIN.
Recall 00 v 421 002/lower ball joint boot: vehicle taken to dealer , yonker ave dodge inc., yonker, ny; phone# 914/964-0700, for manufacturer's repairs. Later on, dealer released vehicle back to consumer without informing dealer that recall repairs were not done. Informed consumer that they were not aware of this recall by manufacturer. Please feel free to provide us with any further information concerning this matter .
Prior to recall notification consumer states when turning wheel and driving, vehicle makes a noise, dealership advised consumer that left lower control arm and right outer axle needed to be replaced, consumer started to experience the same noise on march 28, 2001 that he experienced back in december 2000, consumer then took vehicle back to dealership and assumed part would be covered under recall, dealership did not charge consumer, however the part number for this particular part was not apart of the recall according to the dealership, however dealership did not charge consumer stating it was a goodwill gesture even though consumer was experiencing the same symptoms as in december 2000, this time the right upper ball joint needed to be replaced, consumer is seeking reimbursement for the initial repair done in december 2000.
While driving the lower lateral arm ball joint failed causing the driver to loose control of the vehicle, the vehicle hit a stone wall, was thrown into the air and landed on top of another vehicle, the drivers sustained injuries to his face and back, the passenger sustained a fractured sternum and has pain in her back, chest, legs and suffers from headaches. Nlm
Vehicle had been making a rattling/clunking noise from front end on both sides of vehicle. Tires were crooked because consumer had vehicle jaxed up, and noticed defect in ball joints.
Service bulletins that may apply
- Conditions with light knocking noise from the rear shock area
- Vehicles exhibiting front coil spring creaking, popping, or squeaking
- Conditions with light knocking or tapping noise being heard from the rear shock rear while traveling over...
- A squeaking or hard rubbing noise may be heard from the rear of the vehicle when traveling over bumps
Related recalls
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint
- 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
Questions about the 1997 Dodge Avenger ball joint
Is ball joint or control arm failure a common problem on the 1997 Dodge Avenger?
13 of 83 owner complaints about the 1997 Dodge Avenger (16%) mention ball joint or control arm failure. The model year with the most reports is 1996.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1997 Dodge Avenger?
There is 1 recall and 4 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 1997 Dodge Avenger
VIN decoder
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