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Engine & cooling

1996 Dodge Avenger Engine problems

Owners have filed 25 complaints about the 1996 Dodge Avenger's engine & cooling with NHTSA - 15% of all its complaints, most recently on December 20, 2007. They describe 1 crash, 0 fires and 3 injuries. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.

Complaints
25
Recalls
0
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
3
Deaths
1

Engine complaints

Engine & coolingTransmission & drivetrainEquipment & accessoriesCrash1 injury1 death

My son died in dec 12,2002 in a 1996 dodge stealth two days after he died I received the recall notice. Car lost control on freeway and went off road and rolled. He just put a transmission and replaced clutch, and put in new engine through tracy dodge in tracy, ca. *Tr

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · Power train · EquipmentNHTSA 10212385
Engine & cooling

Riding down I 85 my engine just stopped due to a timing belt breakage. *Ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10116760
Engine & coolingLights

Repeated head gasket failure on engine. A recall needs to be initiated as this is a prevalent problem with this automobile! Awaiting third repair. Additionally, twice dealth with tensioner and pully problems. A defect recall needs to be initated on these parts. Defective headlight lenses resulting in extreme visability reduction. A replacement recall needed on these parts. The asog (advenger/seabring owners group) internet members group repeatedly identifying the engine gasket problems! Crysler initiated a...

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recall change to the dodge neon's, but discontinued the advender model without recall and replacement of defective head gaskets. Please do something for the consumer public with these three major areas of defective workmanship. Thanks for your assistance.

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · Exterior lightingNHTSA 10067976
Engine & cooling

At any given time while driving and at any speed vehicle will stall. After a few minutes vehicle can be restarted as if nothing happened.*Ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10037792
Engine & coolingTransmission & drivetrain

On the transmission the seal for the front shaft is leaking,also the head gasket is leaking which is made out of paper and disolved which now needs replaced the input and output sensors are also in need of replacement I have two of these cars and find it appauling that both are having the same problems. Nlm

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · Power trainNHTSA 767188
Engine & coolingElectrical system

Engine has overheated six times already because there was a short in wires. Also, thermostat has gone out six times. Contacted dealer, and dealer was not willing to do anything.*Ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · Electrical systemNHTSA 8014412
Engine & cooling

Oil leaks from a defective seal located near the oil pan, repair shop concluded failure.

Filed Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 9003005
Engine & cooling

The engine runs rough due to faulty valve cover gaskets. Nlm

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 561581
Engine & coolingTransmission & drivetrain

Consumer was accelerating up to 45 mph speed limit when all drivetrain capability and forward motion was lost. Vehicle currently at a dodge dealership, and they informed consumer that transmission has to be rebuilt because no transmissions were available for 1996 model. This will cost consumer $2200.00. *Ak burning rubber smell was detected after the vehicle was taken for fluid change at the dealer. Belts and the tensioners were replaced but the rubber smell still cintinued. Later on, the transmission failed. *Yh

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · Power trainNHTSA 886256
Engine & cooling

Vehicle started smoking, it stalled and engine check light came on. It hesitated, sitting still. Putting vehicle in neutral kept it from cutting off. Dealer has replaced a sensor in engine. Problem came back after a while. *Ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · Unknown or otherNHTSA 880811
Engine & cooling2 injuries

Wife and mother in-law was poisoned by carbon monoxide entering vehicle. Problem was reported to chrysler. Chrysler did send out an investigator, but nothing could be done about the problem. *Ak carbon monoxide poisoning occured right after the driver turned the a/c on. *Yh

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 873950
Engine & cooling

Tensioner pivot bolt has failed 2 times causing extensive damage to the engine. *Slc

Filed Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 555288
Engine & cooling

The check engine light came on after the firstsmog check requiredthis year 2000. The dealer reset it the first time. Then it came on again around town at 30mph. This is a still a new car less than 25,000 when it first started. I don't feel we should keep paying to get it repaired I understand that it can be up to approx 17 different things to set it off. At about $400 ea that's expensive. I also find it odd that it just started with a smog check.

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 732370
Engine & cooling

Periodic but repeated stalling of the engine when slowing to a stop and clutch disengaged. Complete loss of power when engine stalled and vehicle was still moving, resulting in numerous near collisions. Problem has worsened whereby the vehicle will periodically stall at any time when vehicle is in motion, even at high rate of speed and low throttle application. Very difficult to control vehicle when stall occurs at highway speeds. Extremely dangerous condition. Dealer has inspected vehicle and claims they...

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cannot replicate condition. Has been brought to dealer several times. Other conditions involve the repair of a leaking head gasket that was partially covered by manufacturer after expiration of warranty. Door switch for dome light, door ajar indicator, and key-in-ignition warning tone malfunctioned once under warranty and was repaired by dealer. Condition returned after expiration of warranty and dealer refused to cover. *Ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 730453
Engine & cooling

Knocking under hood. Dealer has inspected the vehicle and have not been able to correct or determine the cause.*Ak

Filed Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 864901
BrakesEngine & cooling

When applying the brakes there is vibration. Also engine head gasket leaks. *Ak

Filed Incident Service brakes, hydraulic · Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 716650
SteeringEngine & coolingFuel system

I had to have my fuel pump replaced at only 53,000 miles. Then not even a week later my check engine light is on. I took it to the same dodge dealership countryside motors in lawrenceburg, ky 40342. After replacing my fuel pump, now I needed a new down stream oxygen sensor replaced. Was it the sensor the whole time? With only 53,000 miles on my car I find this hard to believe I needed both!!!

Filed Incident Steering · Engine and engine cooling · Fuel system, gasolineNHTSA 716543
Engine & coolingElectrical systemVisibility & wipers

Please if anyone is having this trouble with there car email me at [email protected] thanks need everyone that is having trouble

Filed Engine and engine cooling · Electrical system · VisibilityNHTSA 713881
Engine & cooling

I have contacted local dodge avenger dealers and mechanics and found the head gasket problem to be a defect in the manufaturing of the avenger. This issue needs to be addressed. Recently I received a recall on the front suspension ball joint boots on my car. These are expensive items a single mother can not afford to pay. I hope that you will investigate this situation in it's entirety and contact me upon receipt of your investigation. Thank you.

Filed Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 710064
SuspensionEngine & coolingAcceleration & cruise control

Consumer has experienced following problems; 1.) Both lower ball joints wear out excessively; 2.) Head gasket leaks; and 3.) Cruise control would shut itself off while driving without foot pressing on brake pedal. *Ak

Filed Incident Suspension · Engine and engine cooling · Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 837470
Engine & coolingAcceleration & cruise control

Mechanic found problems 05\02\99 cruise control ball joints & head gasket leak -help??!?!?- Much appreciated - k dubuque - [email protected]

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 706180
Engine & coolingVisibility & wipersBody, doors & structure

I took my car in at 35,500 miles because it was losing just alittle oil and antifreeze. I found out the head gasket was leaking and so was the water pump. The oil was leaking into the coolant and the coolant was leaking out of the water pump. The doors always leak water when I get it washed. The doors also make a really loud noise when I close them and the window is open. The disc brakes have warped and the car shakes when I put the brakes on.( Dot number: tire size: 195/75/14 )

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · Visibility · StructureNHTSA 700468
Engine & cooling

PULLEY/CRANKSHAFT BROKE.

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 604689
Engine & coolingAcceleration & cruise controlSeats & seat belts

Back of rear passenger's side seat does not latch properly. Also tensioner pulley failed, causing timing belt to break/ehicle idles rough and a sulphur smell eminates from engine. *Ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · Vehicle speed control · SeatsNHTSA 523911
Steering

POWER STEERING PUMP SHAFT FAILED.

Filed Incident SteeringNHTSA 603256

Dodge Avenger engine complaints by year

Avenger engine problems, every year

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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