CarModelProblems.com

1996 Dodge Avenger Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint — runs 4.7× the fleet median for that category across the 964 model-years tracked on this site.
157Complaints
3Recalls
19Crashes
3Fires
14Injured
1Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint (17.8% of complaints) — is covered by 2 NHTSA recall campaigns.

Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint complaints here are 4.7× the median for that category across the 964 model-years tracked on this site.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint28 · 17.8%RecalledRecall 00V421002 · Recall 99V066003
Power Train:automatic Transmission15 · 9.6%not available
Suspension:front:control Arm12 · 7.6%RecalledRecall 00V421002 · Recall 99V066003
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine11 · 7%not available
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline10 · 6.4%not available
Air Bags:frontal9 · 5.7%not available

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION15 · 9.6%
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM12 · 7.6%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE11 · 7%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE10 · 6.4%
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL9 · 5.7%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR9 · 5.7%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP9 · 5.7%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL6 · 3.8%
SUSPENSION6 · 3.8%

Percentages are the share of the 157 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 3 campaigns

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

NHTSA campaign 07E055000 · 2007 · reported 07/26/2007

IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FUEL LEAK COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint

NHTSA campaign 00V421002 · 2000 · reported 12/18/2000

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint

NHTSA campaign 99V066003 · 1999 · reported 04/05/1999

THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINT TO SEPARATE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT, HOWEVER WHEN SHE ARRIVED THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE, A WEEK LATER THE PARTS CAME AND…”NHTSA complaint 562495 — filed 08/14/2001 · SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
“CONSUMER HAD RECALL 00V421002 LOWER BALL JOINT BOOT, DONE ON 12 JUNE 2001. DEALER DID NOT REPLACE BALL JOINT. ON 25 JUNE 2001 WHILE DRIVING…”NHTSA complaint 891424 — filed 06/27/2001 · SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
“THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED FOR RECALL OF THE LOWER BALL JOINTS (99V-066), LESS THAN FOUR MONTHS (4-AUG-00) LATER THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER…”NHTSA complaint 561575 — filed 06/13/2001 · SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

41995251919972750199925322001231420038420051220071

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 1996 Dodge Avenger?

Suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint issues are the most-reported category, cited in 28 of 157 NHTSA complaints (17.8%), followed by power train:automatic transmission (15), suspension:front:control arm (12), engine and engine cooling:engine (11). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 1996 Dodge Avenger have?

157 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 19 involved a crash, 3 involved a fire, and 14 reported injuries. 1 deaths were reported.

Does the 1996 Dodge Avenger have any recalls?

Yes — 3 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 07E055000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 1996 Dodge Avenger's reported problems?

Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.