MYRModel Year Report

1996 Dodge Avenger

● Typical for this model
1996 Dodge Avenger
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:38:59.675Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
157
Recalls
3

Campaigns on file for 1996

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Suspension

41% of complaints

Complaints per year

1995: 196 complaints 1996: 157 complaints 1996 157 1997: 83 complaints 1998: 58 complaints 1999: 62 complaints 1999 2000: 22 complaints 2007: 2 complaints 2007 2008: 832 complaints 2009: 67 complaints 2009 2010: 163 complaints 2011: 209 complaints 2011 2012: 554 complaints 2013: 548 complaints 2013 2014: 205 complaints 2015: 1 complaint 2015
1995: 196 complaints 1995 1996: 157 complaints 1996 157 1997: 83 complaints 1997 1998: 58 complaints 1998 1999: 62 complaints 1999 2000: 22 complaints 2000 2007: 2 complaints 2007 2008: 832 complaints 2008 2009: 67 complaints 2009 2010: 163 complaints 2010 2011: 209 complaints 2011 2012: 554 complaints 2012 2013: 548 complaints 2013 2014: 205 complaints 2014 2015: 1 complaint 2015
1995: 196 complaints 1995 1996: 157 complaints 1996 157 1997: 83 complaints 1997 1998: 58 complaints 1998 1999: 62 complaints 1999 2000: 22 complaints 2000 2007: 2 complaints 2007 2008: 832 complaints 2008 2009: 67 complaints 2009 2010: 163 complaints 2010 2011: 209 complaints 2011 2012: 554 complaints 2012 2013: 548 complaints 2013 2014: 205 complaints 2014 2015: 1 complaint 2015

1996: 157 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
1995196
1996157
199783
199858
199962
200022
20072
2008832
200967
2010163
2011209
2012554
2013548
2014205
20151

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Suspension

41% · 65 reports

Most commonly citing lower ball joint and control arm.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-12-18

Also filed under Service brakes, air

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2016-03-02

Service brakes

20% · 31 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHINJURY

Engine and engine cooling

17% · 26 reports

Most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

INJURY

Power train

14% · 22 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

CRASH

Electrical system

10% · 16 reports

Most commonly citing horn and ignition.

CRASHFIRE
Show complaint excerpts

While waiting for a light to change there was an engine comparment fire.please describe. Tt

NHTSA ODI report, 1996-02-08

Safety timeline

3 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    1999-08-02Suspension99V066003 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.

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. I
    2000-08-02Recall queryClosed 2001-04-20 Lower contrtol arm ball joint
  3. R
    2001-05-21Suspension00V421002 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2007-11-19Fuel system, gasoline07E055000 Certain airtex fuel pump module assemblies, p/n E7081H, sold for use as replacement equipment for the vehicles listed above. The wall of the flared fitting of the fuel pump is not thick enough to…

    Remedy: Airtex will notify owners and replace the fuel pumps free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during July 2007. Owners can contact airtex automotive at 800-880-3056.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1996 Dodge Avenger — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Suspension: 65 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 31 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 26 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 99V066003 · Suspension
  • Recall 00V421002 · Suspension
  • Recall 07E055000 · Fuel system, gasoline
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1996 Dodge Avenger reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1996 Dodge Avenger is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1996 Dodge Avenger?
The most-reported component is suspension, accounting for 41% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1996 Dodge Avenger have?
3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.