The 1998 Dodge Avenger has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 421,323 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 72 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…
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.
Complaints by component
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
11
1crashes
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
4
4crashes6injuries
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
4
SUSPENSION:FRONT
4
AIR BAGS
3
3crashes4injuries
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
3
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
3
3crashes4injuries
WHEELS:RIM
3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
2
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
2
Total complaints72
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 dodge avenger. While the vehicle was stationary, it would not turn off when the ignition key was removed. The failure occurred after having the ignition switch replaced. The vehicle was diagnosed as needing the tipm replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer…”
“When filling a empty gas tank, I can get about $2.00 of gas in before gas splash back occurs. This causes large amounts of gas to pour onto the ground and on my shoes and clothes. I have tried 6 different gas stations and each gas station does the same thing. So its not the pumps. It takes in…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 dodge avenger. While driving approximately 35 mph, the contact heard a loud clunking noise emitting outside of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who stated that the a-frame support was completely rusted. The technician also stated that the…”
“Tl*the contact owns a 1998 dodge avenger. The contact stated that since 2010, both lower ball joints failed. The contact was driving 35 mph when the driver side ball joint failed and the tire began to lean. After having the driver side repaired, the passenger side failed when the contact was…”
“Tl*the contact owns a 1998 dodge avenger. While the contact was driving 55 mph the vehicle hit a bump causing the lower control arm to snap and the suspension to hit the tire and the fender. The vehicle was towed. The vehicle was not inspected by a dealer nor was it repaired. The failure mileage…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 dodge avenger. While driving approximately 70 mph on normal road conditions, the engine stalled without warning. He was able to coast onto the emergency lane. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for diagnostic…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 dodge avenger. While driving approximately 70 mph on normal road conditions, the engine stalled without warning. He was able to coast onto the emergency lane. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for diagnostic…”
“I was driving on the highway when all of a sudden it felt like I had a blowout. I began to slow down and pull over and front driver side tire broke. I skidded to a stop on the side of the road. I got out of the car, looked at the wheel, and it was facing toward the sky. Lucky for me this happened…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1998 Dodge Avenger as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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