The 1997 Dodge Avenger has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 394,879 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 109 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…
SEATS97V0810021997-08-081,083 affected
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.
Complaints by component
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
11
1crashes2injuries
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
10
10crashes11injuries
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
5
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
4
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
4
SUSPENSION
4
1crashes1injuries
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
4
1crashes
WHEELS
4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
3
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
3
Total complaints109
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“We have continued to have problems with these rims. I am about to retire my third wheel from this car. The wheel looks good, but it just can't hold air due to the rim bending right at the bead or outer rim. The rim in question is a 17 inch silver rim on the 97 avenger. It bends way too easily.…”
“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…”
“1997 dodge avenger hood popped up shattering windshield. *ts there was damage from a previous accident that caused the hood to improperly latch down. *jb”
“1997 dodge avenger ran into a tree after ball joint broke causing the axel to break.***no answer required***. *mr the accident occurred thirteen months after the ball joint recall was repaired. The consumer was not badly injured but is on muscle relaxants for whiplash. The vehicle was taken to the…”
“After recall 967 control arm repairs, were done the problem recurred while driving 65 mph. The front left side control arm broke. Consumer managed to pull over, and had the vehicle towed. *ak replaced lower control arm. *bf”
“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…”
“(1) 1997 dodge avenger was driven (2) left side lower balljoint failed (pulled out of lateral control arm), wheel turned to the left, contactedfender, puller axle out of transmission. This all happened at parking lot speed.*ak (3) car was towed to my house then dodge dealer after I learned of…”
“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…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1997 Dodge Avenger as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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