VehicleVerdict

1996 Dodge Avenger suspension problems

The 1996 Dodge Avenger has 67 suspension complaints filed with NHTSA — 29% of the year's total, and roughly flat versus the prior model year.

67

Suspension complaints

29%

Share of year

5

Crash-involved

2

Related recalls

Suspension complaints by year

Avenger suspension complaints by model year67 complaints1995: 66 complaints1996: 67 complaints1997: 24 complaints1998: 18 complaints1999: 16 complaints2000: 4 complaints2008: 18 complaints2009: 1 complaints2010: 1 complaints2011: 16 complaints2012: 10 complaints2013: 5 complaints2014: 7 complaints
Avenger suspension complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

00V421002SuspensionDecember 18, 2000 · 393,796 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINT FOR WEAR. BALL JOINTS THAT EXHIBIT WEAR BEYOND THE ESTABLISHED TOLERANCE WILL BE REPLACED WITH NEWLY DESIGNED LATERAL ARM BALL JOINTS. BALL JOINTS THAT ARE WITHIN THE ESTABLISHED TOLERANCE WILL BE CLEANED AND A SPECIAL SEALANT WILL BE APPLIED TO PREVENT INTRUSION OF MOISTURE.

99V066003SuspensionApril 5, 1999 · 165,857 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINT TO SEPARATE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE RUBBER BOOTS, AND IF THE BOOT IS DAMAGED, THEY WILL REPLACE THE LOWER LATERAL ARM AND BALL JOINT ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES.

What owners report

“RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE #00V421002. CONTACTED AND THEN VISITED DEALERSHIP. MECHANIC INSPECTED VEHICLE AND PROVIDED A SHEET OF PAPER, INDICATING NOTHING WRONG. EVERYTHING HAS BEEN TAKEN CARE OFF. TWO MONTHS LATER, VEHICLE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT DUE TO BALL JOINT CAUSING ARM AND AXLE TO BREAK.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · April 20, 2001 · crash

Common questions

How many suspension complaints does the 1996 Dodge Avenger have?

NHTSA has 67 complaints about the 1996 Dodge Avenger suspension — 29% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 1996 Dodge Avenger suspension?

Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year are tied to the suspension: 00V421002, 99V066003.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.