1996 Dodge Avenger problems & reliability
157 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1996 Dodge Avenger, alongside 1 safety recall campaign. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
9 complaints report injuries (14 injured, 1 deaths reported).
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 59 | 38% |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 24 | 15% |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 22 | 14% |
| Power Train | 21 | 13% |
| Electrical System | 13 | 8% |
| Air Bags | 10 | 6% |
| Seat Belts | 10 | 6% |
| Exterior Lighting | 8 | 5% |
| Steering | 8 | 5% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 8 | 5% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“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…”
Suspension · filed Mar 2, 2016
“The lower control arm on the left side is going and I've gone to deluca chrysler in haverhill ma twice and both times told me that it was already serviced and when I asked him what side was serviced he couldn't answer me and I asked him if they could check my since it should still be covered under recall warranty he…”
Suspension · filed Nov 21, 2007
“Tl*the contact owns a 1996 dodge avenger. In 2005, while driving approximately 55 mph, the contact lost control and the vehicle pulled to the right. She depressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle would not stop. The vehicle crashed into a dirt hill. She had the vehicle towed to a repair shop and was informed that the…”
Suspension · filed Oct 4, 2007
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- LOWER CONTRTOL ARM BALL JOINT
Recall Query RQ00015 · opened Aug 2, 2000 · closed Apr 20, 2001 · led to recall 99V066004
Technical service bulletins
71 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 1996 Dodge Avenger. The 10 most recent:
Charging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin discusses using the correct test equipment for testing batteries and charging systems, and also warranty reimbursement when battery…
08-049-20 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 22, 2020
Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of aftermarket parts.
3100519 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2019
Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage parts.
3100319 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2019
Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.
3100619 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2019
Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage parts.
31-003-19 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2019
Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.
31-006-19 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2019
Valve Body. These may cause over drive cycling.
R2118796A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 26, 2016
Flash programming failure recovery. *slc
1802002 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 24, 2002
Subject regarding generic scan tool (gst), publication no. 81-170-00008 provided with this technical service bulletin to provide reference information when using generic scan tool on obdii vehicles. *tt
1801201 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 25, 2001
Subject regarding airbag / clock spring service for various models including 2002 model year jeep liberty. *tt
0801001 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 25, 2001
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
The 1996 Dodge Avenger has 1 NHTSA recall campaign — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 1996 Dodge Avenger?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.