VehicleVerdict

1997 Dodge Avenger problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 1997 Dodge Avenger is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 6 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 109 owner complaints run below the Avenger median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying. Complainants reported 23 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across suspension (24), brakes (18), and airbags (13), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

109

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

0

Investigations

18

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

23

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1997 compare to other Avenger years?

Avenger NHTSA complaints by model year, 1997 highlighted1,238 complaints1995: 254 complaints1996: 235 complaints1997: 109 complaints1998: 72 complaints1999: 96 complaints2000: 33 complaints2007: 2 complaints2008: 1,238 complaints2009: 99 complaints2010: 248 complaints2011: 311 complaints2012: 837 complaints2013: 871 complaints2014: 329 complaints2015: 1 complaints
Avenger NHTSA complaints by model year, 1997 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Avenger years to avoid →

What are the most common 1997 Dodge Avenger problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Suspension2422%
Brakes1817%
Airbags1312%
Tires & Wheels109%
Engine109%
Electrical System66%
Lighting66%
Steering44%
Transmission44%
Seat Belts44%
Visibility & Wipers33%
Body & Structure33%
Other22%
Latches & Locks11%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)11%

Does the 1997 Dodge Avenger have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

09E025000LightingMay 11, 2009 · 42,540 units

Defect

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

09E012000LightingApril 7, 2009 · 16,270 units

Defect

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

07E055000Fuel SystemJuly 26, 2007 · 222 units

Defect

CERTAIN AIRTEX FUEL PUMP MODULE ASSEMBLIES, P/N E7081H, SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE WALL OF THE FLARED FITTING OF THE FUEL PUMP IS NOT THICK ENOUGH TO PREVENT THE MATING THREADED FITTINGS FROM BOTTOMING OUT BEFORE AN ADEQUATE SEAL IS ACHIEVED. THIS CONDITION MAY RESULT IN LEAKAGE OF FUEL AT THE CONNECTION OF THE VEHICLE FUEL LINE AND THE FUEL PUMP MODULE ASSEMBLY.

Consequence

IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FUEL LEAK COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

AIRTEX WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT AIRTEX AUTOMOTIVE AT 800-880-3056.

06E064000LightingJuly 17, 2006 · 4,029 units

Defect

CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

TRADESONIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRADESONIC AT 626-934-8884.

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.

97V081002SeatsAugust 8, 1997 · 1,083 units

Defect

THE HEADREST GUIDE BRACKET WAS IMPROPERLY WELDED TO THE SEAT BACK FRAME ON THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BACK ASSEMBLIES ONLY.

Consequence

THE HEADREST SUPPORT BRACKET CAN BREAK, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PASSENGER SEAT BACK ASSEMBLY WITH A NEW ASSEMBLY.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · April 7, 2004 · crash

“LEFT INTERSTATE AND ENTERING ROADWAY WHEN CONSUMER BEGAN TO BRAKE AND THERE WERE NO BRAKES. REAR ENDED A 18-WHEELER. VEHICLE COULD NOT BE STOPPED, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER AND SON WERE INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. CONSUMER CALLED CHRYSLER AND THEY SAID THAT BECAUSE THE MANIFOLD HAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · April 1, 1998 · crash

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · August 7, 2004 · crash

“WHEELS ARE CAUSING PROBLEM WITH TIRES NOT MAINTAINING AIR PRESSURE, AND CAUSING EXCESSIVE WEAR OF TIRES. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND REPAIRED WHEELS AND TIRES. BUT, PROBLEM HAS REOCCURRED SIX MONTHS LATER. *AK THERE HAS BEEN EXCESSIVE WEAR OF THE TIRES AND PROBLEM OF MAINTAINING AIR PRESSURE, THE CUSTOMER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · September 15, 2000

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · December 12, 2006

1997 Dodge Avenger — common questions

Is the 1997 Dodge Avenger reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 109 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Avenger year, with 6 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 1997 Avenger problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are suspension (24 complaints), brakes (18 complaints), airbags (13 complaints).

Does the 1997 Dodge Avenger have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 1997 Dodge Avenger. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Dodge Avenger years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Avenger years to avoid are 2008, 2013, 2012. The cleanest record among Avenger years belongs to 2015.

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.