1997 Dodge Avenger Owner Complaints

WE HAVE CONTINUED TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THESE RIMS. I AM ABOUT TO RETIRE MY THIRD WHEEL FROM THIS CAR. THE WHEEL LOOKS GOOD, BUT IT JUST CAN'T HOLD AIR DUE TO THE RIM BENDING RIGHT AT THE BEAD OR OUTER RIM. THE RIM IN QUESTION IS A 17 INCH SILVER RIM ON THE 97 AVENGER. IT BENDS WAY TOO EASILY. THIS CAR BELONGED TO MY DAUGHTER AND WE STARTED ENCOUNTERING THE BENT RIM'S LOSING AIR WHEN SHE WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL. SHE INITIALLY DROVE THE CAR ONLY TO SCHOOL AND BACK...8 MILES A DAY. I BOUGHT A NEW RIM, ONLY TO HAVE ANOTHER FACTORY RIM GO BAD FOR THE SAME REASON. I SUSPECT I NOW HAVE A THIRD WHEEL GOING BAD ON ME. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RESPONSE TO SUCH POOR QUALITY SOLD ON NEW CARS. (EVEN THOUGH THE YEAR SOLD WAS 1997). *TR

NHTSA ID

10456275

Incident

Feb 26, 2010

Mileage

96,000 mi

I OWN A 1997 DODGE AVENGER I BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW IT HAS THE 2.0 DOHC 4 CYL ENGINE THE HEAD GASKET IS LEAKING ON IT AND I ALMOST RAN IT OUT OF OIL. I HAVE HEARD THAT THIS IS A DEFAULT HEAD GASKET FROM THE MANUFACTURE ON THIS TYPE OF ENGINE MY CAR HAS BEEN REGULARLY MAINTAINED AND HAS REAL LOW MILEAGE SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR BRAND NEW MILES IS (71,000). *NM

NHTSA ID

10177025

Incident

Dec 12, 2006

Mileage

70,999 mi

1997 DODGE AVENGER HOOD POPPED UP SHATTERING WINDSHIELD. *TS THERE WAS DAMAGE FROM A PREVIOUS ACCIDENT THAT CAUSED THE HOOD TO IMPROPERLY LATCH DOWN. *JB

NHTSA ID

10147582

Incident

Nov 28, 2005

AFTER RECALL 967 CONTROL ARM REPAIRS, WERE DONE THE PROBLEM RECURRED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH. THE FRONT LEFT SIDE CONTROL ARM BROKE. CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER, AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. *AK REPLACED LOWER CONTROL ARM. *BF

NHTSA ID

10117608

Incident

Jan 8, 2005

Mileage

145,050 mi

THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH THE AIR BAG COMPARTMENT IN THE DASH. THE AIR BAG IS LIFTING ABOUT ONE INCH ABOVE THE DASH . THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT THE AIR BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY. OWNER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER WHO SAYS THE REPAIR WILL BE THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. *JB *NM

NHTSA ID

10113524

Incident

Mar 12, 2004

Mileage

109,000 mi

1997 DODGE AVENGER RAN INTO A TREE AFTER BALL JOINT BROKE CAUSING THE AXEL TO BREAK.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED THIRTEEN MONTHS AFTER THE BALL JOINT RECALL WAS REPAIRED. THE CONSUMER WAS NOT BADLY INJURED BUT IS ON MUSCLE RELAXANTS FOR WHIPLASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE CONSUMER WAS THEN TOLD THAT THE BALL JOINTS WERE NEVER REPLACED JUST INSPECTED. *NM

NHTSA ID

10117854

Incident

Mar 27, 2005

THE HEADLIGHTS OF THIS CAR ARE SO FOGGED OVER (MILKY) THAT I CAN NOT DRIVE THIS CAR AT NIGHT. IN THE EVENT THAT I DO DRIVE AT NIGHT I MUST USE MY HIGH BEAMS, BUT IT IS STILL VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE. *JB

NHTSA ID

10110190

Incident

Dec 28, 1999

Mileage

6,000 mi

CREAKING NOISE FROM FRONT SUSPENSION. RECEIVED RECALL 967 AND DEALER DID NOT USE ANY PARTS TO CORRECT PROBLEM. *BF THE DEALER STATED THE PARTS ON THE VEHICLE WERE NOT DAMAGED. PRIOR TO THE RECALL NOTICE THE CONSUMER HAD THE BALL JOINT REPLACED ON THE LEFT SIDE. THE CONSUMER TRIED TO GET THE OTHER BALL JOINT REPLACED, HOWEVER THE DEALER STATED THE RECALL HAD ALREADY BEEN PERFORMED. *JB

NHTSA ID

10109753

Incident

Dec 20, 2000

HEAD GASKET BLEW UP IN MY 1997 DODGE AVENGER..CONTACTED DEALERSHIP AND THEY REVEALED THEY ALREADY KNEW THE GASKET WAS IN DEFAULT BUT WERE ONLY REPAIRING THEM AS THE COMPLAINTS CAME IN . THEY REFUSED TO DO A RECALL . THEY INSTALLED A SO CALLED "NEW HEAD GASKET" BUT CAR HAS NEVER RUN GOOD SINCE AND THEY HAVE REFUSED TO DO ANYMORE TO IT.*AK

NHTSA ID

10105950

Incident

Mar 12, 2000

HEADLIGHTS LENS DEVELOPED A CLOUDY DISCOLORATION THAT REDUCED THE LIGHT ILLUMINATION. THE LENS COULD NOT BE CLEANED OR REPLACED BECAUSE IT WAS A SEALED UNIT. THE ENTIRE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE REPLACED, WHICH WAS VERY COSTLY.*AK

NHTSA ID

10099783

Incident

Nov 10, 1999

Mileage

30,000 mi

CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. THERE WERE TWO OCCUPANTS IN THE VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, AIRBAGS IN THE FRONT DID NOT DEPLOY. VEHICLE WAS MOVING AT 45 MPH, AND THE VEHICLE WENT INTO A DITCH. BOTH OCCUPANTS SUFFERED HEAD TRAUMAS. CONSUMER CONTACTED CHRYSLER, AND WAS TOLD BY THE MANUFACTURER IN WRITING THAT THE AIR BAGS WERE NOT SUPPOSE TO DEPLOY. *AK

NHTSA ID

10090088

Incident

Aug 7, 2004

Mileage

139,805 mi

(1) 1997 DODGE AVENGER WAS DRIVEN (2) LEFT SIDE LOWER BALLJOINT FAILED (PULLED OUT OF LATERAL CONTROL ARM), WHEEL TURNED TO THE LEFT, CONTACTEDFENDER, PULLER AXLE OUT OF TRANSMISSION. THIS ALL HAPPENED AT PARKING LOT SPEED.*AK (3) CAR WAS TOWED TO MY HOUSE THEN DODGE DEALER AFTER I LEARNED OF PREVIOUS RECALL ISSUES. DODGE GAVE ME AN ESTIMATE OF $1,200 FOR REPAIRS (THAT INCLUDED PERHAPS FREE REPLACEMENT OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS PENDING APPROVAL FROM CHRYSLER REP. CHRYSLER REP WAS A NO SHOW AND COULD NOT COMMIT TO A DAY THAT HE COULD INSPECT THE CAR. I REPAIRED THE CAR MYSELF (NEW LEFT AND RIGHT LOWER CONTROL ARMS, A REBUILT AXLE, AND TRANSMISSION OIL. I NOTIFIED CHRYSLER OF THE ABOVE EVENTS. THEY DO NOT WANT TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR PARTS (NAPA PARTS). THEY OFFERED TO TAKE THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER AND REPLACE THE CONTROL ARMS AND AXLE. I ALREADY PAID FOR THEM AT NAPA. I STILL NEED TO TAKE IT FOR AN ALIGNMENT.

NHTSA ID

10074613

Incident

May 22, 2004

Mileage

85,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD SNAPPING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. ALSO, THE FRONT TIRES WERE SQUEALING AND BOUNCING SEVERELY. CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND IT ROLLED INTO A DITCH ON THE RIGHT SIDE. DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE, AND DETERMINED THAT THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK

NHTSA ID

10072284

Incident

Apr 7, 2004

Mileage

100,000 mi

RECURING PROBLEMS WITH BRAKE VIBRATION AND FAST WEAR, ALSO WITH SUSPENSION REPAIR, WAS TWICE QUOTED FOR A FULL REPLACEMENT OF FRONT SUSPENSION. HAVE NOT DONE THIS YET. MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE ELECTICAL AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. HAVE REPLACED WIRES AND PLUGS 2-3 TIME PER YEAR. REPLACED ENGINE COIL ONCE TO FIX PROBLEM WITH SPARK PLUGS ARCHING AND BURNING UP. PROBLEM WAS SOLVED TEMPORARILY. PROBLEM IS BACK 3 MONTHS LATER. CHUGGING AND SPUTTERING.

NHTSA ID

10070983

Incident

Oct 15, 2003

Mileage

140,000 mi

I HAVE A 1997 DODGE AVENGER SOME OF MY PROBLEMS I HAVE NOT FIXED I AM ABOUT TO GO BROKE. I HAVE MORE PROBLEMS WITH MY TIRES, BRAKES, AND ROTORS. THE PAINT IS CHIPPING OFF MY CAR IN SPOTS. MY TIRES WEAR FAST, MY AIRBAG IS LOOSE THE COVER ON IT. MY BRAKES ARE AWFUL I HAVE TO REPLACE THEM A LOT. I LOVE MY CAR BUT THERE IS TOO MANY PROBLEMS....

NHTSA ID

10070851

Incident

May 15, 2002

Mileage

93,000 mi

DEALERSHIP WILL NOT HONOR RECALL CONCERNING LOWER AND UPPER BALL JOINTS BECAUSE IT WAS A SALVAGE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID

10053850

ABS BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED DUE TO THE PUMP MOTOR, CAUSING LOSS OF BRAKING POWER. *AK IF THE ABS LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF, THE LIGHT GOES OFF. WHEN HE STARTS THE VEHICLE AND THE ABS KICKS IN, THE ENGINE WOULD STALL. THE PUMP MOTOR WAS CORRODED WHICH CAUSED ONE OR MORE WHEELS TO LOCK UP. PROBLEM IS UNPREDICTABLE ON DRY OR WET PAVEMENT. FAILURE OCCURRED IN ICE OR SNOWY CONDITIONS. CONSUMER NOTED THE ABS FEATURE DIDN'T HAPPEN, THE BRAKES LOCKED. VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED SEVEN MONTHS LATER WHEN DODGE DECIDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE FOR $300. DOLLARS LESS DUE TO THE APPROACHING WINTER. CONSUMER FEELS THE DEFECT IS THE MANUFACTURER'S FAULT AND WANTS TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE REPAIR. *PH

NHTSA ID

10034432

Incident

Feb 1, 2003

Mileage

82,000 mi

WHEN I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE IT HAD 53,925 MILES. I NOTICED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS HAD SOME TYPE OF HAZE (OR MOISTURE) INSIDE OF THEM. I WENT TO THE LOCAL DODGE DEALER AND ASKED ABOUT THE PROBLEM. THEY SAID THE LIGHTS ARE A SEALED UNIT AND THAT IF I WOULD LIKE TO PURCHASE NEW ONES THEY WOULD BE $325 EACH. THE PROBLEM WITH THE HEADLIGHTS IS NOT SO MUCH THAT THEY ARE AN EYE SORE, BUT THAT THEY ARE A SAFETY HAZARD. THE MOISTURE ON MY HEADLIGHTS NEVER GOES AWAY. THEREFORE, AFFECTING THE BRILLIANCE OF THE LIGHT EMITTING FROM THE BULB. I HAVE TO DRIVE WITH HIGH-BEAMS ON TO BE ABLE TO SEE THE ROAD. THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM WITH ONLY MY VEHICLE. I SEE MOISTURE INSIDE OF ABOUT 80 PERCENT OF THE AVENGERS I PASS ON THE ROAD. THE COVERAGE OVER THE HEADLIGHT LENSES JUST GETS WORSE AS TIME GOES BY. THE LIGHT EMITTING FROM THE HEADLIGHTS BECOMES DIMMER AND DIMMER. WITH REGULAR BEAMS AT NIGHT, IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE EVERYTHING A DRIVER IS SUPPOSED TO. THESE HEADLIGHTS ARE A BIG PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. THEY ARE A SAFETY HAZARD THAT SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF. PAYING $750 TO FIX A MANUFACTURERS' SAFETY DEFECT IS NOT REASONABLE. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS. MR

NHTSA ID

768238

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION WITH A CONCRETE WALL AT 60 MPH IMPACT, AND NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AKI

NHTSA ID

8018211

Incident

May 12, 2002

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID

766858

Incident

Sep 2, 2002

CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE HAD A RATTLE THAT SEEMED TO EXTEND THROUGH THE ENTIRE VEHICLE, DEALER STATED THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE BRAKES, HOWEVER THE CONSUMER DECLINED THESE REPAIRS, THE DEALER LATER FOUND THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO A CRACKED ENGINE MOUNT, THEY FOUND A CRACK ON THE REAR RIGHT SIDE AND ANOTHER ON THE LEFT FRONT SIDE, CONSUMER HAD ANOTHER INSPECTION IN WHICH ANOTHER PERSON STATED THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES OR MOTOR MOUNT, THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE LOWER CONTROL ARM JOINTS, CONSUMER HAD RECALL REPAIRS PREVIOUSLY, 00V421002, THE INDEPENDENT GARAGE MADE REPAIRS TO THE JOINTS AND THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER EXPERIENCING ANY OF THE PROBLEMS, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT. *SLC

NHTSA ID

566748

THE DOOR HINGE ON DRIVERS SIDE BUSTED AND NEEDS TO BE WELDED ,BY NO FAULT OF MINE. I HAVE TALKED TO AUTO BODY SHOPS THAT HAVE HAD TO FIX NUMEROUS DOORS ON OTHER AVENGERS. I THINK THIS SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO .I DO NOT THINK I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR SOMETHING THAT IS CLEARLY A DEFECT.I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHERE I CAN FILE A COMPLAINT BECAUSE I THINK THIS IS A REAL DANGER WHEN YOUR DOOR ON A VEHICLE DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY I WILL LOOK INTO THIS MATTER MORE SO ANYTHING YOU CAN DO ,PLEASE CONTACT ME [XXX]. *AK PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ID

763899

Incident

Jun 2, 2002

A LEAKING HEAD GASKET WAS CONFIRMED BY OUR LOCAL DODGE DEALERSHIP, AT WHICH TIME THEY VOLUNTEERED INFORMATION THAT "INFERIOR" HEADGASKET MATERIAL HAD BEEN USED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED. I ASKED IF IT HAD BEEN RECALLED AND WAS ADVISED THAT IT HAD NOT. I WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO OTHER RELIEF AVAILABLE, AS THE WARRANTY HAD LONG EXPIRED. I OBTAINED A QUOTE FOR REPAIRS FROM THE DEALERSHIP AND SEVERAL INDEPENDENT SHOPS. BECAUSE OF A SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE IN PRICE, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AT THE DODGE DEALERSHIP. WHEN THE WORK WAS COMPLETED, I WAS INFORMED BY THE INDEPENDENT SHOP THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WE COULD HAVE DONE, IN DRIVING THE VEHICLE, TO CAUSE THE HEADGASKET TO FAIL. THEY FURTHER ADVISED THAT THE REPLACEMENT GASKET, WHICH WAS PURCHASED FROM DODGE, WAS TOTALLY REDESIGNED. ON MY RETURN HOME, I CALLED THE DAIMLER CHRYSLER CONSUMER HOT LINE. THEIR REPRESENTATIVE QUICKLY OFFERED TO REIMBURSE THE COST OF THE HEAD GASKET MATERIALS, BUT WOULD NOT REIMBURSE LABOR COSTS, AS THE REPAIRS HAD NOT BEEN PERFORMED AT ONE OF THEIR DEALERSHIPS. IT WAS OF NO CONCERN TO THEIR HOT LINE REPRESENTATIVE THAT ONE OF THEIR OWN DEALERSHIPS HAD ADVISED THAT NO RECOURSE WAS AVAILABLE TO US.*JB

NHTSA ID

761458

Incident

Sep 1, 2001

FRONT AND REAR WHEEL BEARINGS HAVE BEEN REPLACED 10 TIMES DUE TO GRINDING NOISE.*AK CONSUMER STATED THAT BECAUSE OF MOISTURE PROBLEM THE WHEEL BEARING HAS BEEN REPLACED 10 TIMES IN LESS THAN THREE YEAR. *YH

NHTSA ID

8006331

Incident

Mar 1, 1999

CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY DEALERSHIP THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS LEAKING.*JB

NHTSA ID

564548

Incident

Nov 21, 2001