MYRModel Year Report

1996 Dodge Avenger

● Typical for this model
1996 Dodge Avenger
RENDERED 2026-09-16T17:39:28.453Z

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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Dodge Avenger Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1996 highlighted. 1995: 196 complaints 1995 1996: 157 complaints 1996 1997: 83 complaints 1997 1998: 58 complaints 1999: 62 complaints 1999 2000: 22 complaints 2007: 2 complaints 2007 2008: 831 complaints 2009: 67 complaints 2009 2010: 163 complaints 2011: 209 complaints 2011 2012: 553 complaints 2013: 548 complaints 2013 2014: 205 complaints 2015: 1 complaints 2015
1996: 157 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
1995196
1996157
199783
199858
199962
200022
20072
2008831
200967
2010163
2011209
2012553
2013548
2014205
20151

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

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

SUSPENSION 41%

41% of complaints: suspension — 65 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing lower ball joint and control arm.

CRASH INJURY
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, 20031218

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, 20160302

SERVICE BRAKES 20%

20% of complaints: service brakes — 31 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASH INJURY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 17%

17% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 26 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

INJURY
POWER TRAIN 14%

14% of complaints: power train — 22 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

CRASH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 10%

10% of complaints: electrical system — 16 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing horn and ignition.

CRASH FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

WHILE WAITING FOR A LIGHT TO CHANGE THERE WAS AN ENGINE COMPARMENT FIRE.PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT

NHTSA ODI report, 19960208

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19990802 — suspension

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.

Campaign 99V066003 — check if this car was fixed

I 20000802 — RQ (closed 20010420)

LOWER CONTRTOL ARM BALL JOINT

R 20010521 — suspension

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 ADD

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 JOIN

Campaign 00V421002 — check if this car was fixed

R 20071119 — fuel system, gasoline

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 PRE

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.

Campaign 07E055000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1996 Dodge Avenger — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for suspension issues (65 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (31 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (26 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 99V066003 (suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 00V421002 (suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 07E055000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1998 ▲ 1999 ▲ 2009

WORST YEARS

■ 2008 ■ 2012 ■ 2013

See all years ranked →

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 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.