The 1996 Dodge Avenger has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 559,653 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 235 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the suspension. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
SUSPENSION00V4210022000-12-18393,796 affected
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…
SUSPENSION99V0660031999-04-05165,857 affected
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.
Complaints by component
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
28
3crashes2injuries
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
15
2crashes
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM
12
1crashes
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
11
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
10
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
9
9crashes10injuries
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
9
1crashes2injuries
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
9
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
6
SUSPENSION
6
Total complaints235
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“I was driving and the right front control lowerball joint broke. This is the third time this has happened. I called dodge dealer.they said they fix it once. They won't do it again. Well if the problem still having they need to fix it right. I could of been killed. Something needs to be done about…”
“The lower control arm on the left side is going and I've gone to deluca chrysler in haverhill ma twice and both times told me that it was already serviced and when I asked him what side was serviced he couldn't answer me and I asked him if they could check my since it should still be covered under…”
“I was driving out of a fast food restaurant, and without any sign or warning my tire snapped off my axle! The service department at the local dodge dealership was closed so I had to have my car towed to another place that also works on my car whenever I have problems. The part that needed to be…”
“Per two separate recall notice I received from daimler chrysler, I brought my 1996 dodge avenger into a dealership to have the lower lateral arm ball joints inspected and resealed. Upon taking it to the dealership they inspected and both times they told me no further work was needed. Specific…”
“Tl*the contact owns a 1996 dodge avenger. In 2005, while driving approximately 55 mph, the contact lost control and the vehicle pulled to the right. She depressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle would not stop. The vehicle crashed into a dirt hill. She had the vehicle towed to a repair shop and…”
“Dodge avenger 1996, ball joint and axle broke. *bf recall campaign# 99v066003. This problem occurred while the vehicle was in motion. The consumer expects reimbursement. *sc the consumer received the recall letter in the mail 1 year later. The consumer was denied reimbursement because the receipt…”
“While driving consumer noticed that the both driver's side and passenger's side headlights failed to see due to lens having a cloudy residue on them. This caused poor visibility, consumer was unable to see. Consumer took vehicle to dealer for inspection, and mechanic stated that the parts for lens…”
“I was driving on the side streetwhen my front wheel bent inward and my car dropped to the ground. Had it towed to dealership and he claimed to fixed it. So about 1 week later, while on the express way going about 65mp my lt. Drivers side tire bent inward causing my to be all over the road in rush…”
Defect investigations
InvestigationRQ00015 Opened 2000-08-02 · closed 2001-04-20
LOWER CONTRTOL ARM BALL JOINT
There is no summary currently available
InvestigationRQ00015 Opened 2000-08-02 · closed 2001-04-20
LOWER CONTRTOL ARM BALL JOINT
There is no summary currently available
InvestigationRQ00015 Opened 2000-08-02 · closed 2001-04-20
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1996 Dodge Avenger as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.