I have today owned this used 2013 dodge avenger and there are 3 problems that make me cringe. First somehow the back bushings are done on the control arm, it makes a very loud noise over bumps. Second the AC is leaking and now have to take it to dodge because they make it so I cant do it myself and want me to pay 1000 because its a name your price kinda thing, jerks. Lastly after only 6 years I have rust everywhere. I wash my car every 2 weeks but dodge has been known to use the cheapest metal to build their cars. Never gonna buy a dodge again, they make america look bad with the garbage it puts out, how can anybody take pride in the car they own if its crap.
Dodge Avenger ball joint problems
135 of the 3,158 owner complaints about the Dodge Avenger describe ball joint or control arm failure, most of them for the 1996 model year.
- owner complaints
- 135
- worst model year
- 1996
- typical repair cost reported
- $700
- typical mileage
- 83,000
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
Jerking 4Tire blowout 2Pulling 2Stalling 2Premature wear 2Grinding brakes 2Adaptive cruise 2Steering lock-up 1
What owners say
When opening the door a clicking noise coming from the dash. Closed the door and stayed inside a few minutes & it started clicking again. I had to replace the tie rods at 63,000 and the sway bar clip is broken.
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 dodge avenger. While attempting to stop the vehicle with the brake pedal depressed, the vehicle jerked. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the front driver side ball joint was loose and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 60,000.
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
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 dodge avenger. The contact stated that the suspension was unstable and the rear of the vehicle swayed back and forth causing a vibration near the back seats. The contact indicated that the vehicle was unsafe to drive at any rate of speed. The vehicle was taken to more than one dealer and they were not able to provide a remedy. The contact received two alignments and the control arms were replaced; however, the remedy failed to repair the issue. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided no remedy. The approximate failure mileage was 20,000.
Car began making creaking noises. Took car to dealership and was told that the inner tie rods were bad and would need to be replaced. Was also told that this was the third car of similar make and model that day with the same issue. Car under extended warranty so they will fix it once I pay the deductible.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 dodge avenger. The contact stated that while he drove at various speeds, the front end made a loud noise when a bump was hit. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times for the failure. The dealer replaced the rack and pinion along with the tie rod but the failure was not corrected. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 17,000 and the current mileage 37,600.
Vehicle was purchased new on may 29,2012, vehicle was one of three avengers purchased. The other two have had the same problems. On november 28, 2012 at 12,940 miles both front tires worn completely down. On january 15,2013, at 16,892 miles the entire rack and pinion had to be replaced. On january 30, 2013 at 17,365 miles , two sensors had to be replaced. On january 30, 2013 at 17,365 , both front ties went bald and had to be replaced. On april 30, 2013 at 25,597 miles, both lower tie rods had to be replaced. On june 21,2013 at 29,526 miles the entire engine went out and has yet to be replaced.
Vehicle was purchased new on january 28, 2012. The tires went completely bald by 12,000 miles. On may 28,2013 at 33,000 miles, both tie rods had to be replaced. The front brake rotors were wrapped and had to be replaced. The tires will wear very fast and poses a safety hazard.
Vehicle was purchased new on january 28,2012. The vehicles tires wore very fast and the front tires had to be replaced within 15,000 miles. On may 6,2013, both tie rods had to be replaced at 25,000 miles. The vehicle is at 30,000 miles and will have to go back to the shop due to strange noise while steering.
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
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.
- 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
Questions about the Dodge Avenger ball joint
Which Dodge Avenger years have ball joint or control arm failure problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1996 (46 complaints), 1995 (40 complaints) and 1998 (15 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix ball joint or control arm failure on the Dodge Avenger?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $700 (median of 6 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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