1995 Dodge Avenger Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1995 Dodge Avenger, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Suspension5925.7%
- Brakes3816.5%
- Engine198.3%
- Electrical198.3%
- Airbags156.5%
- Interior & seats135.7%
- Transmission125.2%
- Steering125.2%
- Visibility104.3%
- Body & structure83.5%
- Seat belts73.0%
- Powertrain (other)52.2%
- Driver assistance41.7%
- Tires & wheels41.7%
- Fuel system31.3%
- Exterior lighting20.9%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 DODGE AVENGER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 4 MPH, THE VEHICLE SPONTANEOUSLY DROPPED ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT CONTROL ARM FRACTURED FROM SEVERE CORROSION, WHICH CAUSED THE BALL JOINT TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND HE IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER IN REFERENCE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 99V066003 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT). THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 142,000.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAD A NHTSA RECALL # 99V066003, REGARDING THE SUSPENSION: FRONT: CONTROL ARM: LOWER BALL JOINT THAT WAS NOT PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALER FOR 90 DAYS AND DID NOT EXPRESS WHY THE RECALL WAS NOT PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
SUSPENSION&STEERING--- ALWAYS HAS VIBRATION IN THE FRONT END AT 60-70MPH BRAKES--- CAN'T KEEP BRAKES UNDER IT. HAVE TO DO BRAKES AND ROTORS 2-3 TIMES A YEAR
BRAKES INADVERTANTLY LOCK UP FOR JUST A COUPLE SECONDS THEN RELEASE. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO A LOCAL SHOP AND THEY COULD'T FIND ANYTHING WROND
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE SOON AFTER THE CONSUMER PULLED OVER THE ENTIRE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING VEHICLE WILL SHUT DOWN BECOMING INOPERABLE.*AK
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, CAR STALLS AND DIES NOW WONT START, WHEN DRIVING ON RAINY DAY CAR SUCKS WATER INTO THE AIR FILTER AND INTO THE ENGINE, DASH LIGHTS FLASH. *NM
CAR REPEATEADLY STALLS, WON'T STAY RUNNING ON START UP. ENGINE SKIPS OR CUTS OUT WHILE DRIVING. WHEN IT ACTS UP AT NIGHT HEADLIGHTS, DASH LIGHTS FLASH BRIGHT, IDIOT LIGHTS FLASH ON. WHEN DOING THIS A/C CUTS OUT AND SO DOES CRUISE CONTROL. CAR BUCKS SO BAD THAT IT FEELS LIKE CAR WAS HIT. IF IT DOES IT ON TAKEOFF FROM A LIGHT IT LOOKS LIKE I'M DRIVING A STICK AND CAR IS AUTOMATIC.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE IN A FRONTAL VEHICLE CRASH OVER 30 MPH AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AT ANY TIME. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
INTERIOR LIGHTS FAILED/ DASH CAUTION LIGHTS CAME ON FOR NO REASON/AIR BAG SENSOR FAILED, AND REAR DEFROSTER FAILED. ALSO, INTERMITENT WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE. *AK
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING THE BACK OF DRIVER'S SEAT FRAME COLLAPSED. OWNER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND HAD TO HAVE THE SEAT WELDED. *AK
WHILE DRIVING 45-50 MPH DRIVER'S SEAT COLLAPSED. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL OR UPGRADE TO 95-96. *JB
1995 DODGE AVENGER HAS FAILURES THAT I RESEARCHED AND FOUND OUT WERE PROBLEMS/FAILURES THAT WERE RECALLED BY CHRYSLER/DODGE/DIAMONDSTAR MOTORS. *NM
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
1995 DODGE AVENGER HAS FAILURES THAT I RESEARCHED AND FOUND OUT WERE PROBLEMS/FAILURES THAT WERE RECALLED BY CHRYSLER/DODGE/DIAMONDSTAR MOTORS. *NM
SUSPENSION&STEERING--- ALWAYS HAS VIBRATION IN THE FRONT END AT 60-70MPH BRAKES--- CAN'T KEEP BRAKES UNDER IT. HAVE TO DO BRAKES AND ROTORS 2-3 TIMES A YEAR
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
INTERIOR LIGHTS FAILED/ DASH CAUTION LIGHTS CAME ON FOR NO REASON/AIR BAG SENSOR FAILED, AND REAR DEFROSTER FAILED. ALSO, INTERMITENT WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE. *AK
ALARM CONTINUALLY GOES OFF, DEFROSTER WILL NOT WORK UNLESS THE A/C IS ACTIVATED IN THE FRONT AND REAR INADEQUATE DEFROSTING, SUSPENSION SHAKED DUE TO BAD BUSHINGS. OTHER THINGS HAVE OCCURRED AS WELL - TOO MUCH TO KEEP TRACK OF. *MJS
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVERS SIDE DOOR HANDLE BREAKS OFF, MOST USED.... *TR
DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF WHILE OPENING THE DOOR(DOOR HANDLE WAS PULLED NORMALLY ALL THE WAY TO THE TOP AND BROKE). (ALMOST ALWAYS GARAGED) THE CAR WAS PARKED OUTSIDE AND THERE WAS NO COLD WEATHER THE NIGHT BEFORE. PLASTIC SHOULD NOT BE SO BRITTLE, SMALL CHILDREN COULD BE LOCKED IN, THANK YOU. * TS *JB ****DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12-12-02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS****761468
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
SEAT BELT LATCH RELEASES FROM BUCKLE ASSEMBLY, CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK ALSO THE SEAT BELT DOES NOT RETRACT FULLY. *YH
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING VEHICLE AND SHE STOPPED AT A YIELD SIGN . CONSUMER'S CHILD WAS STRAPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE VEHICLE IN THE BACK SEAT. WHEN CONSUMER WENT AROUND THE CORNER, CAR SEAT FELL ON THE SIDE OF THE SEAT BECAUSE THE SEAT BELT BROKE. *AK *ML
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
BALL JOINTS; DRIVESHAFT; LOWER LATERAL ARMS
WHILE DRIVING HEARD A LOUD HUMMING NOISE. TOOK THE CAR INTO DEALER TO BE SERVICED, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE REAR HUB ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HAD IT REPAIRED. IT HAPPENED AGAIN 05-JUN-2000 WHEN CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD HUMMING NOISE. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT BRAKE PROBLEMS. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING GAS PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, AND CONSUMER HAD TO PHYSICALLY PULL IT OUT. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, AND STATED THAT THEY HAD NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS OR THEY DIDN'T HAVE ANY RECALLS.*AK
THE VEHICLE'S THROTTLE WAS STUCK OPEN CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO EXPERIENCE SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHILE DRIVING. NLM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
TREAD COMING OFF OF TIRE. *TR
ALL 4 ORIGINAL TIRES REPLACED AT 65000 MILES, WITH FIRESTONES FROM PUGH'S TIRES IN GREENVILLE N.C. FIRST TIRE FAILED (TREAD CAME OFF TIRE ) AT 85000 MILES ON THE CAR. THIS WAS REPLACED WITH ANOTHER FIRESTONE, AS I DIDN'T WANT TO MIX TIRES ON THE CAR. THE SECOND TIRE FAILED ( STEERING SHAKING VIOLENTLY, INDICATING TREAD SEPARATION ) AT 104000 MILES ON THE CAR. I HAVE RECEIPTS FOR TIRES, AS WELL AS PRESSURE AND INSPECTION CHECKS. *AK (DOT NUMBER: NOT KNOWN TIRESIZE: 205-55-16)
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
BAD ODOR PENETRATED INSIDE OF VEHICLE. *AK
THE ENGINE SUCKS UP WATER AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL UNEXPECTANTLY. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
HEADLIGHT LIGHT PLASTIC COVER CHANGES COLOR AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME. WHEN THIS OCCURS, IT LESSENS THE ILLUMINATION OF THE LIGHT. COVER HAS TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT CANNOT BE CLEANED. *AK
MY FAMILY OWENS 2 DODGE AVENGERS A 1995 AND A 1998, THE PROBLEM IS THE HEAD LIGHTS THEY ARE DISCOLORING FROM THE INSIDE AND DODGE HAS NOT PROVIDED ANY WAY TO STOP THIS FROM HAPPENING ITS A DEFECT IN THE PLASTIC HEADLITE COVER. THIS SITUATION CAUSES A HAZZARD WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT. I TALKED TO DODGE ABOUT IT AND THE DEALER SUGGESTED I PURCHASE NEW HEADLIGHT COVERS FOR A TOTAL OF $386.00 EACH AND THEY ADMIT THE NEW COVERS WILL DISCOLOR AFTER A PROLONGED OUTSIDE EXPOSURE. I PERSONALLY THINK THIS IS AN ATTEMP TO GOUGE THE PUBLIC AND I AM HOPING YOU ALL CAN HELP. I WOULD BE WILLING TO PAY $50.00 TO 100.00 FOR A SET OF NEW HEAD LIGHTS BUT OVER $700.00 IS WAY OUT OF LINE. THANK YOU
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .