Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1996 Dodge Avenger, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Suspension59
- Engine and engine cooling24
- Service brakes, hydraulic22
- Power train21
- Electrical system13
- Air bags10
- Seat belts10
- Steering8
- Vehicle speed control8
- Exterior lighting8
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 14 injuries and 1 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 3 variants: combined 10.3–11.7 L/100 km (about 20–23 mpg US), CO₂ 237–269 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avenger · Compact · Regular gasoline | 12.1 | 8.1 | 10.3 |
| Avenger · Compact · Regular gasoline | 13.1 | 8.7 | 11.1 |
| Avenger · Compact · Regular gasoline | 13.5 | 9.5 | 11.7 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
2 Transport Canada recalls for the 1996 Dodge Avenger.
| 2001062 9 Mar 2001 | Steering On certain vehicles, the lower lateral arm ball joint can separate due to loss of lubrication. There is a potential for moisture to leak past the protective bo… |
| 1999144 30 Jul 1999 | Steering On certain vehicles, the rubber boot on the lower lateral ball joint could be damaged, allowing the intrusion of dirt and water, leading to extraordinary wear o… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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 ADDED THE POTENTIAL OF LEAKING MOISTURE, WHICH CAN CAUSE THE BALL STUD TO CORRODE.
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Dodge told its dealers about the 1996 Dodge Avenger: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 634272 | FLASH PROGRAMMING FAILURE RECOVERY. *SLC |
| 621898 | AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE ATF+4. *TT *MJ |
| 620066 | 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 |
| 620059 | SUBJECT REGARDING AIRBAG / CLOCK SPRING SERVICE FOR VARIOUS MODELS INCLUDING 2002 MODEL YEAR JEEP LIBERTY. *TT |
| 618049 | SUBJECT REGARDING WIRE SPLICE REPAIRS. *SB |
| 616720 | INFORMATION ON NEW COMPONENTS AND A REPAIR PROCEDURE DEVELOPED TO REPLACE FAILED SEAT SLIDE MOTORS. *TT |
| 615688 | SUBJECT REGARDING CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORS. *TT |
| 612160 | SUBJECT ON THE CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORS. *MJS |
| 610635 | SUBJECT REGARDING CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORS. *TT |
| 610000 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A CONDITION WHERE THE DOOR AJAR WARNING LIGHT AND DOME LIGHT MAY WORK INTERMITTENTLY OR MAY BECOME INOPERATIVE. *TT |
| 609995 | THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES A REVISED WIRE SPLICE PROCEDURE AND RELATED PARTS. *TT |
| 6092304 | SUBJECT REGARDING NON-DEPLOYED AIRBAG HANDLING PROCEDURES. *TT |
| 6089800 | DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION IS NOW OFFERINB AIRBAG ON / OFF SWITCHES FOR SELECTED VEHICLES. *TT |
| 6089137 | CUSTOMER MAY COMPLAIN OF POPPING/KNOCKING NOISE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *NLM |
| 6089038 | INFORMATION ON TIRE AND WHEEL RUNOUT. *NLM |
| 6089028 | INFORMATION ON 41TE/42LE SERVICE INFORMATION. *NLM |
| 6088988 | CONCERNS WITH 41TE/42LE TRANSAXLE SHUDDER DURING AN EMCC (ELECTRONICALLY MODULATED CONVERTER CLUTCH) SHIFT. *NLM |
| 6088938 | CONCERNS WITH POWER STEERING BELT ALIGNMENT. *NLM |
| 6088896 | CONCERNS WITH OBDII READINESS CODE RETENTION, FRDERAL PACKAGES. *NLM |
| 6088888 | CONCERNS ON ERRONEOUS MI; ILLUMINATION WITH HEX CODES $6A, ERRONEOUS PCM RESETS, SHIFT CYCLING, COLD ENGINE STUMBLE. *NLM |
| 6088884 | INFORMATION ON POOR DRIVABILITY WITH HIGH DI (DRIVABILITY INDEX) FUEL. *NLM |
| 6088858 | INFORMATION ON GASKET SURFACE PREPARATION ON ALUMINUM ENGINE COMPONENTS. *NLM |
| 6088801 | INFORMATION REGARDING GARAGE DOOR OPENER. *NLM |
| 6088786 | CONCERNS WITH ENGINE COOLANT USAGE. *NLM |
| 607963 | INFORMATION ON CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORS. *TT |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
LOWER CONTRTOL ARM BALL JOINT
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation