1997 Dodge Avenger Problems, complaints & recalls

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. This car belonged to my daughter and we started encountering the bent rim's losing air when she was in high school. She initially drove the car only to school and back...8 Miles a day. I bought a new rim, only to have...

The original head lights are warn, deteriorated, and don't laminate driving at night, high beams are equal to all other cars low beams. The lumiuns don't get out, because of the defective lens cover. I was told that all caravans around the date of 1997 have this problem. I was told that you have to replace them at a cost of around $200.00 Each. They are a safety issue at night, a real hazard, and they are a manufacturing defect. Should be replaced by corp/ dealer. *Tr

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 mileage since I bought the car brand new miles is (71,000). *Nm

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

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

The consumer experienced a problem with the air bag compartment in the dash. The air bag is lifting about one inch above the dash . The consumer feels that in case of an accident the air bags will not deploy. Owner contacted the manufacturer who says the repair will be the owner's expense. *Jb *nm

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 dealer for inspection. The consumer was then told that the ball joints were never replaced just inspected. *Nm

The headlights of this car are so fogged over (milky) that I can not drive this car at night. In the event that I do drive at night I must use my high beams, but it is still very difficult to see. *Jb

Creaking noise from front suspension. Received recall 967 and dealer did not use any parts to correct problem. *Bf the dealer stated the parts on the vehicle were not damaged. Prior to the recall notice the consumer had the ball joint replaced on the left side. The consumer tried to get the other ball joint replaced, however the dealer stated the recall had already been performed. *Jb

Head gasket blew up in my 1997 dodge avenger..Contacted dealership and they revealed they already knew the gasket was in default but were only repairing them as the complaints came in . They refused to do a recall . They installed a so called "new head gasket" but car has never run good since and they have refused to do anymore to it.*Ak

Dodge caravan 97 model vin#[[redacted]]. Stat farm insurance # [[redacted]]. The above dodge caravan was hit from behind by a school bus on tue. 16Th nov 04 on route 516 old bridge, nj 08857. The vehicle was pushed to the utility pole. *Ak the air bags failed to work. The driver seat and passenger seat collapsed backward instead of protecting us from neck and body injury. The vehicle is with statefarm insurance. They may remove it from its temporary storage in couple of days. You may contact them or the old...

Headlights lens developed a cloudy discoloration that reduced the light illumination. The lens could not be cleaned or replaced because it was a sealed unit. The entire headlight assembly had to be replaced, which was very costly.*Ak

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 manufacturer in writing that the air bags were not suppose to deploy. *Ak

(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 previous recall issues. Dodge gave me an estimate of $1,200 for repairs (that included perhaps free replacement of the lower control arms pending approval from chrysler rep. Chrysler rep was a no show and could not commit...

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 upper and lower ball joints needed to be replaced.*Ak

Recuring problems with brake vibration and fast wear, also with suspension repair, was twice quoted for a full replacement of front suspension. Have not done this yet. Major problems with engine electical and check engine light. Have replaced wires and plugs 2-3 time per year. Replaced engine coil once to fix problem with spark plugs arching and burning up. Problem was solved temporarily. Problem is back 3 months later. Chugging and sputtering.

I have a 1997 dodge avenger some of my problems I have not fixed I am about to go broke. I have more problems with my tires, brakes, and rotors. The paint is chipping off my car in spots. My tires wear fast, my airbag is loose the cover on it. My brakes are awful I have to replace them a lot. I love my car but there is too many problems....

Dealership will not honor recall concerning lower and upper ball joints because it was a salvage vehicle. *Ak

Abs brake system failed due to the pump motor, causing loss of braking power. *Ak if the abs light is illuminated when the vehicle is turned off, the light goes off. When he starts the vehicle and the abs kicks in, the engine would stall. The pump motor was corroded which caused one or more wheels to lock up. Problem is unpredictable on dry or wet pavement. Failure occurred in ice or snowy conditions. Consumer noted the abs feature didn't happen, the brakes locked. Vehicle was repaired seven months...

When I bought this vehicle it had 53,925 miles. I noticed that the headlights had some type of haze (or moisture) inside of them. I went to the local dodge dealer and asked about the problem. They said the lights are a sealed unit and that if I would like to purchase new ones they would be $325 each. The problem with the headlights is not so much that they are an eye sore, but that they are a safety hazard. The moisture on my headlights never goes away. Therefore, affecting the brilliance of the light...

Vehicle was involved in a frontal collision with a concrete wall at 60 mph impact, and neither air bag deployed. Dealer and manufacturer have not been notified at this time. Feel free to provide any further information.*Aki

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

Consumer states vehicle had a rattle that seemed to extend through the entire vehicle, dealer stated the noise was coming from the brakes, however the consumer declined these repairs, the dealer later found the problem was due to a cracked engine mount, they found a crack on the rear right side and another on the left front side, consumer had another inspection in which another person stated there were no problems with the brakes or motor mount, the problem was with the lower control arm joints, consumer had recall...

The door hinge on drivers side busted and needs to be welded ,by no fault of mine. I have talked to auto body shops that have had to fix numerous doors on other avengers. I think this should be looked into .I do not think I should have to pay for something that is clearly a defect.I would like to know where I can file a complaint because I think this is a real danger when your door on a vehicle does not work properly I will look into this matter more so anything you can do ,please contact me [[redacted]]. *Ak parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.S.C. 552(B)(6).

A leaking head gasket was confirmed by our local dodge dealership, at which time they volunteered information that "inferior" headgasket material had been used when the vehicle was manufactured. I asked if it had been recalled and was advised that it had not. I was informed that there was no other relief available, as the warranty had long expired. I obtained a quote for repairs from the dealership and several independent shops. Because of a significant difference in price, the vehicle was not repaired at...