1995 Dodge Avenger Suspension Problems

Source: NHTSA · Updated Nov 26, 2008 · 59 complaints analyzed

Owners have filed 59 complaints with NHTSA about suspension problems on the 1995 Dodge Avenger, 30% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 125,739 miles. The words owners use most often: “ball joint” (42% of reports).

What owners describe

Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.

  • Ball joint: mentioned in 25 of 59 complaints (42%)
  • Control arm: mentioned in 9 of 59 complaints (15%)
  • Please provide: mentioned in 7 of 59 complaints (12%)
  • Further information: mentioned in 5 of 59 complaints (8%)

At what mileage do suspension problems happen?

Based on 6 complaints that reported the odometer reading.

Under 10k miles0 · 0%
10k–25k miles0 · 0%
25k–50k miles0 · 0%
50k–75k miles0 · 0%
75k–100k miles1 · 17%
100k–150k miles3 · 50%
150k+ miles2 · 33%

How serious are the reports?

Of 59 complaints, 6 mention a crash, 1 an injury.

Dodge Avenger suspension complaints by model year

Peak: 1995, with 59 complaints
1995: 591995591996: 591996591997: 191997191998: 171998171999: 131999132000: 4200042008: 182008182009: 1200912010: 1201012011: 162011162012: 102012102013: 5201352014: 720147

n = 229 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Model yearSuspension complaintsShare of that yearMedian miles
2014 Avenger73%23,590
2013 Avenger51%33,111
2012 Avenger102%25,987
2011 Avenger168%33,000
2010 Avenger11%46,221
2009 Avenger11%70,100
2008 Avenger182%59,500
2000 Avenger418%69,000
1999 Avenger1321%83,500
1998 Avenger1729%84,500
1997 Avenger1923%120,000
1996 Avenger5938%129,000
1995 Avenger5930%125,739

When owners reported it

Peak: 2001, with 15 complaints
1995: 1199511997: 1199711998: 7199871999: 101999102000: 5200052001: 152001152002: 102002102003: 4200342004: 2200422005: 2200522006: 1200612008: 120081

n = 59 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Related recalls (2)

Suspension:front:control arm:lower ball jointDec 18, 2000 · NHTSA campaign 00V421002 · 393,796 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

Suspension:front:control arm:lower ball jointApr 5, 1999 · NHTSA campaign 99V066003 · 165,857 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: This condition could cause the lower lateral arm ball joint to separate, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Fix: 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

Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.

Tl*the contact owns a 1995 dodge avenger. While driving approximately 4 mph, the vehicle spontaneously dropped on the front passenger side. Upon further inspection, the contact noticed that the front control arm fractured from severe corrosion, which caused the ball joint to fail. The vehicle was…

Received Nov 26, 2008 · NHTSA complaint 10249973

Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle had a nhtsa recall # 99v066003, regarding the suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint that was not performed. The vehicle was at the dealer for 90 days and did not express why the recall was not performed. The manufacturer was aware of the problem.

Received Aug 18, 2006 · NHTSA complaint 10165932

Dt: the caller received a recall letter concerning lower ball joint failure. She took the vehicle to dealer last wednesday, and the dealer had it for a week and nothing was done to the vehicle. She called the dealer every day. They told her they were waiting for a manager to approve the work…

Received Sep 20, 2005 · NHTSA complaint 10137054
Dodge Avenger
2008-2009 Dodge Avenger photographed in College Park, Maryland , USA.. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

Frequently asked questions

Do all 1995 Dodge Avengers have suspension problems?

No. NHTSA has 59 owner complaints about suspension for the 1995 Dodge Avenger (30% of the 196 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.

Was there a recall on the 1995 Dodge Avenger suspension?

Yes: 2 safety recalls list suspension. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.

At what mileage do suspension problems start?

The median reported mileage is 125,739 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.

What do owners say about suspension problems on the 1995 Dodge Avenger?

The most frequent phrase is “ball joint”, in 25 of 59 complaints, followed by “control arm” (9).

See all 1995 Dodge Avenger problems or suspension problems across all Avenger years.