no report yet
Control arm: lower ball joint
Risk. THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINT TO SEPARATE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
1996 Dodge AvengerProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 157 owner complaints about the 1996 Dodge Avenger, most often about the suspension. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through March 2, 2016. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 1996 Dodge Avenger has problems
157 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
59Suspension5 crash/fire/injury
24Engine and engine cooling1 crash/fire/injury
22Service brakes, hydraulic2 crash/fire/injury
21Power train3 crash/fire/injury
13Electrical system4 crash/fire/injury
10Air bags
10Seat belts
8Vehicle speed control
8Steering
3410 other systems2 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 59 | 5 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 24 | 1 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 22 | 2 |
| Power train | 21 | 3 |
| Electrical system | 13 | 4 |
| Air bags | 10 | 9 |
| Seat belts | 10 | 2 |
| Vehicle speed control | 8 | 0 |
| Steering | 8 | 1 |
| 10 other systems | 34 | 2 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
2 recalls
1996 Dodge Avenger recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
no report yet
Control arm: lower ball joint
Risk. THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINT TO SEPARATE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Dodge.
Best & worst years
1996 vs. every other Avenger year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Avenger median. How we score
'95'96'97'98'99'00'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
1996 Dodge Avenger safety ratings
1996 Dodge Avenger 2-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
- Stability control: No
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
1 investigation
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 1996 Dodge Avenger, and the recalls they led to.
- LOWER CONTRTOL ARM BALL JOINTLed to recall 00V-421
In owners' words
What Avenger owners report
Recent suspension complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
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…
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…
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…
Own a 1996 Avenger?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.