VehicleVerdict

1999 Dodge Avenger problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 1999 Dodge Avenger is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 5 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 96 owner complaints run below the Avenger median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across brakes (20), suspension (16), and transmission (10), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

96

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

0

Investigations

6

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

4

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1999 compare to other Avenger years?

Avenger NHTSA complaints by model year, 1999 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, 1999 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Avenger years to avoid →

What are the most common 1999 Dodge Avenger problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes2021%
Suspension1617%
Transmission1010%
Body & Structure77%
Airbags77%
Electrical System77%
Tires & Wheels77%
Seats55%
Engine55%
Other55%
Seat Belts22%
Visibility & Wipers22%
Steering11%
Speed Control11%
Lighting11%

Does the 1999 Dodge Avenger have recalls?

5 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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“I HAVE HAD THE ROTORS REPLACED ON MY CAR THREE TIMES IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS. THEY HAVE MADE THE REMARK TO ME THAT THEY HAVE ROTOR PROBLEMS WITH THESE CARS AND I SHOULD TRY NOT TO USE MY BRAKES. ALSO I HAVE WINDOW LEAKING PROBLEMS WHICH THE CAR WAS BACK SEVERAL TIMES FOR THIS AND THEN THEY TELL ME…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes

“DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THERE WAS EXCESSIVE PLAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE REPAIR SHOP WHO DETERMINED THE FRONT LOWER BALL JOINTS HAD SEPARATED AND NEEDED REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED AND EXPLAINED FOR THE CONTACT TO CALL THE NHTSA…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · June 13, 2006

“TRANSMISSION FAILED TO SHIFT OUT OF FIRST GEAR PROPERLY AND DOWNSHIFTED HARSHLY, TO THE POINT I CRINGED AT THE SOUND. UPON REPLACING ORIGINAL TIRES LOCAL MECHANIC NOTIFIED ME OF A WORN WHEEL BEARING AT RIGHT FRONT BEING ASE CERTIFIED MYSELF I INSPECTED THE PART AND CAME TO THE SAME CONCLUSION”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · February 23, 2001

“THE 1999 DODGE AVENGER WAS PARKED OUTSIDE MY WORK WHEN IT BURST INTO FLAMES. FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND WAS ABLE TO PUT THE FIRE OUT. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS ELECTRICAL, NO ONE WAS INJURED. MY CAR IS NOW TOTALED AND WAS TOLD IF I WOULD OF BEEN DRIVING I WOULD OF BEEN KILLED, THE FIRE WAS OUT OF…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 27, 2010 · fire

“HAVE REPLACED BRAKE PADS AND TIRES NUMEROUS TIMES. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON, EXCEPT FOR WHEN IT STARTS BLINKING(WILL BLINK 100 TIMES OR MORE BEFORE IT STAYS ILLUMINATED) MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE HAS BEEN FOLLOWED, MOST THINGS WERE REPLACED BEFORE SCHEDULED. DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF WHEN OPENING THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · December 15, 2002

1999 Dodge Avenger — common questions

Is the 1999 Dodge Avenger reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 96 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Avenger year, with 5 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 1999 Avenger problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (20 complaints), suspension (16 complaints), transmission (10 complaints).

Does the 1999 Dodge Avenger have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 1999 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.