1998 DODGE AVENGER — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

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N/A

Safety Rating

72

Owner Complaints

16 Crashes 1 Fire

6

Recalls

ACTIVE RECALL

6

Service Bulletins

0

Investigations

Overview of the 1998 DODGE AVENGER

The 1998 DODGE AVENGER has received a total of 72 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 6 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP. 6 technical service bulletins have been issued by Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Suspensionfrontcontrol Armlower Ball Joint (11 complaints), Air Bagsfrontal (4 complaints), and Latcheslockslinkagesdoorslatch (4 complaints).

Recalls for the 1998 DODGE AVENGER

NHTSA has recorded 6 recalls for the 1998 DODGE AVENGER, potentially affecting up to 484,384 vehicles.

Recall 09E025000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

| 42,540 vehicles affected

Defect: DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

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Recall 09E012000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING

| 16,270 vehicles affected

Defect: SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

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Recall 07E055000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

| 222 vehicles affected

Defect: CERTAIN AIRTEX FUEL PUMP MODULE ASSEMBLIES, P/N E7081H, SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE WALL OF THE FLARED FITTING OF THE FUEL PUMP IS NOT THICK ENOUGH TO PREVENT THE MATING THREADED FITTINGS FROM BOTTOMING OUT BEFORE AN ADEQUATE SEAL IS ACHIEVED. THIS CONDITION MAY RESULT IN LEAKAGE OF FUEL AT THE CONNECTION OF...

Consequence: IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FUEL LEAK COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: AIRTEX WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT AIRTEX AUTOMOTIVE AT 800-880-3056.

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Recall 00V421002 — SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

| 393,796 vehicles 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...

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Recall 98V045002 — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

| 27,527 vehicles affected

Defect: 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.

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Recall 06E064000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING

| 4,029 vehicles affected

Defect: CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence: LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: TRADESONIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRADESONIC AT 626-934-8884.

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Owner Complaints for the 1998 DODGE AVENGER

72 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1998 DODGE AVENGER. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.

Suspensionfrontcontrol Armlower Ball Joint
Complaints: 11 1 Crash
Air Bagsfrontal
Complaints: 4 4 Crashes 6 Injuries
Latcheslockslinkagesdoorslatch
Complaints: 4
Suspensionfront
Complaints: 4
Air Bags
Complaints: 3 3 Crashes 4 Injuries
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Components
Complaints: 3
Vehicle Speed Control
Complaints: 3 3 Crashes 4 Injuries
Wheelsrim
Complaints: 3
Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasoline
Complaints: 2
Fuel System Gasolinefuel Injection System
Complaints: 2
Power Trainautomatic Transmission
Complaints: 2 1 Crash 1 Injury
Power Trainautomatic Transmissionparkneutral Start Interlock Switch
Complaints: 2
Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slip
Complaints: 2 1 Crash 1 Injury
Steeringrack And Pinion
Complaints: 2
Wheels
Complaints: 2
Air Bagssidewindow
Complaints: 1 1 Crash
Electrical System
Complaints: 1
Engine And Engine Cooling
Complaints: 1
Engine And Engine Coolingengine
Complaints: 1
Equipment
Complaints: 1
Exterior Lightingheadlights
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Gasoline
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Gasolinestoragetank Assembly
Complaints: 1
Power Trainaxle Assembly
Complaints: 1
Seat Beltsfrontbuckle Assembly
Complaints: 1 1 Crash
Seat Beltsfrontretractor
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulic
Complaints: 1 1 Crash 1 Fire
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdiscpads
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdiscrotor
Complaints: 1
Steeringhydraulic Power Assist System
Complaints: 1
Structurebody
Complaints: 1
Structurebodydoor
Complaints: 1
Suspension
Complaints: 1
Suspensionfrontcontrol Arm
Complaints: 1
Suspensionfrontcontrol Armupper Ball Joint
Complaints: 1
Tiressidewall
Complaints: 1
Tirestreadbelt
Complaints: 1
Unknown Or Other
Complaints: 1

Most Recent Complaints

#10953849 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | | 185,000 miles
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 WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 185,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
#10454298 | FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | | 117,766 miles
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 UPWARDS TO 10 MINUTES JUST TO PUMP $7.00 IN GAS INTO THE VEHICLE WHILE STILL SPLASHING GAS ON THE GROUND. IM TOLD THIS HAS TO DO WITH FAULTY ROLLOVER PROTECTION VALVES STICKING. WHEN FILLING UP VIA GAS CAN THIS PROBLEM DOES NOT PRESENT ITSELF. ITS JUST WHEN FILLING UP VIA GAS PUMPS. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS TO NOT ONLY THE CAR AND ANY PERSON/SPUTTING GAS INTO THE CAR. BUT ALSO TO THE ENVIRONMENT. *TR
#10446163 | STRUCTURE:BODY | | 205,000 miles
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 VEHICLE WAS BEYOND REPAIR AS A RESULT OF THE EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 205,000.
#10376420 | SUSPENSION:FRONT | | N/A miles
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 DRIVING 45 MPH, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO SPIN AROUND AND END UP FACING ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE CONTACT REFERENCED RECALL 00V421002 (SUSPENSION: FRONT: CONTROL ARM: LOWER BALL JOINT) BUT HAD NEVER BEEN NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 140,000.
#10367331 | SUSPENSION:FRONT | | 114,000 miles
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 WAS 114,000. UPDATED 01/14/11*LJ

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Safety Rating for the 1998 DODGE AVENGER

NHTSA has not yet tested the 1998 DODGE AVENGER in its New Car Assessment Program.

Technical Service Bulletins for the 1998 DODGE AVENGER

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) has issued 6 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 1998 DODGE AVENGER. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.

182699 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

SOME VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE NOX EMISSION FAILURE WHEN PERFORMING AN ASM TYPE INSPECTION / MAINTENANCE (I/M) EMISSION TEST. *TT

181099 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT START AND STALL OR SLOW ROUGH IDLE IMMEDIATELY AFTER START-UP IN AMBIENT TEMPERATURES. *TT

#9850 — STRUCTURE:BODY

CONDITIONS REGARDING PAINT SPLATTER, BELVIDERE RAIL HEAD STORAGE YARD. *YC

020298 — SUSPENSION

A SQUEAKING OR HARD RUBBING NOISE MAY BE HEARD FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WHEN TRAVELING OVER BUMPS. *YC

180498 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

SUBJECT ON ERRONEOUS MIL ILLUMINATION WITH HEX CODE $76, I/M FAILURE AND DRIVEABILITY IMPROVEMENTS. *YC

9742A — STRUCTURE:BODY

EXPERIENCING IMPROPER SUNROOF OPERATION. *YC

NHTSA Investigations for the 1998 DODGE AVENGER

There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.

Other Model Years of the DODGE AVENGER

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Other DODGE Models

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