VehicleVerdict

1998 Dodge Avenger problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 1998 Dodge Avenger is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 6 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 72 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 16 injuries in total across these filings.

Suspension leads the complaint categories with 18 reports (25% of the total).

72

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

0

Investigations

16

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

16

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1998 compare to other Avenger years?

Avenger NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 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, 1998 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Avenger years to avoid →

What are the most common 1998 Dodge Avenger problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Suspension1825%
Brakes811%
Airbags811%
Tires & Wheels710%
Transmission57%
Latches & Locks46%
Engine46%
Fuel System46%
Steering34%
Speed Control34%
Seat Belts23%
Body & Structure23%
Other23%
Lighting11%
Electrical System11%

Does the 1998 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.

98V045002Speed ControlMarch 3, 1998 · 27,527 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE DASH PANEL PAD CAN SHIFT INTERFERRING WITH THE THROTTLE CABLE CONTROL.

Consequence

THE THROTTLE CABLE CONTROL WOULD NOT RETURN TO IDLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REMOVE A PORTION OF THE DASH PANEL PAD SO IT CANNOT INTERFERE WITH THE THROTTLE CABLE CONTROL.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“DT: 1998 DODGE ADVENTURE. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE FOR A STATE INSPECTION WHICH APPROVED THE VEHICLE. TWENTY DAYS LATER ON 7-26-05 THE BALL JOINT FALL OFF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD POPPING NOISE, AND THEN CONSUMER5 LOST TOTAL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND IT HIT A ROAD SIGN AND RAN THROUGH…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · July 26, 2005 · crash

“WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY HE HIT THE CENTER BLOCK WHILE APPLY HIS BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T STOP. AND THE VEHICLE FLIP TWICE INTO THE ENBANKMENT. THE VEHICLE IS TOTAL. THE DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. TS”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · February 13, 2002 · crash · fire

“THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR SITE. THANKS TO YOUR INFORMATION WE NOW KNOW THAT OUR CAR WAS SUBJECT TO A RECALL THAT EVIDENTLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. WE HAVE NEVER BEEN NOTIFIED OF A RECALL AND ARE VERY MUCH CONCERNED ABOUT THE AIR BAGS NOT ACTUATING. THE VEHICLE STRUCK A TELEPHONE POLE HEAD ON AFTER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · December 24, 1998 · crash

“ALLOY WHEEL BENT FROM POTHOLE COLLISION AT LOW SPEED ON RIGHT FRONT OF VEHICLE--ALLOY WHEEL REPLACED AT OWNER EXPENSE, SECOND WHEEL BENT WITH SIMILAR POTHOLE COLLISION--APPEARS THAT THESE WHEELS ARE NOT STONG ENOUGH TO HANDLE EVERYDAY ROAD HAZARDS. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · January 19, 1999

“ TRANSMISSION JUMPS IN AND OUT OF GEAR WHEN EVER IT FEELS LIKE IT CAUSING THE FRONT TIRES TO LOCK UP AND THE PASSENGERS TO BE TOSSED AROUND . IT WILL CONTINULLY DO THIS UNTIL I STOP THE CAR THEN ITS FINE FOR A MINUTE THEN IT DOES IT AGAIN . NO MATTER WHAT I DO IT KEEPS HAPPENING . *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · December 10, 2004 · crash

1998 Dodge Avenger — common questions

Is the 1998 Dodge Avenger reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 72 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Avenger year, with 6 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 1998 Avenger problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are suspension (18 complaints), airbags (8 complaints), brakes (8 complaints).

Does the 1998 Dodge Avenger have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 1998 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.