32 of the
235 complaints about the 1996 Dodge Avenger are about the
braking system — 14% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
131,000 miles.
IN THE AM ON 9/15/03 ON THE FREEWAY TRAVELING ABOUT 65 MPH, LATERAL ARM BROKE OFF ON THE LEFT SIDE OF MY CAR, CAUSING THE LEFT TIRE TO PUSH UPWARDS INTO THE FENDER AND THE AXLE TO SNAP IN HALF. I HAD TO PUT THE CAR INTO PARK AT 40 MPH TO GET IT TO STOP SO I WOULD NOT HIT THE CONCRETE BARRIER OR THE I-5 SIGN. DODGE DID PAY FOR THE CAR TO BE REPAIRED, BUT NOT MORE THAN 2 WEEKS LATER THE CAR BEGAN TO MAKE A NOISE WHILE REVERSING AND WHILE GOING OVER BUMPS IN THE ROAD, THEY TOLD ME THIS IS THE BRAKES, BUT ANOTHER MECHANIC SAID THAT IT IS THE LATERAL ARM AGAIN. DODGE IS REFUSING TO PAY TO FIX IT AND WHEN I BROUGHT THEM THE CAR THEY DID NOT VISUALLY INSPECT THE CAR, THEY ONLY TOOK IT ON A TEST DRIVE. I HAVE BEEN HAVING ANXIETY ATTACKS EVERYTIME I HEAR THAT NOISE, MY BACK AND SHOULDER HAVE BEEN IN PAIN AND I HAVE SEEN A SPECIALIST BECAUSE OF THIS. AND TO BE QUITE HONEST I JUST DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE MYSELF. ALSO, THE FRONT BRAKE ROTARS ARE WARPED AND THIS IS THE 2ND TIME THAT THEY HAVE BEEN REPLACED IN THE 3 1/2 YEARS I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE. I THINK THAT IS A BIT MUCH.
NHTSA complaint #10050711 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rochester Hills, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
SINCE CONSUMER HAS OWNED VEHICLE HE HAS HAD TO HAVE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS REPLACED NO LESS THAN TWENTY (20) TIMES DUE TO WARPING. WORK HAS BEEN PERFORMED BY DEALERSHIP AND DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. *AK CONSUMER HAD BEEN TOLD THERE IS NOTHING HE CAN DO TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #889640 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Corpus Christi, TXCrash2 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
VEHICLE HIT A TREE HEAD-ON AT ABOUT 35 MPH (EST.). NEITHER THE DRIVER SIDE NOR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. PASSENGER'S HEAD STRUCK AND SHATTERED WINDSHIELD. DRIVER'S FACE STRUCK STEERING WHEEL CAUSING DAMAGE TO MOUTH AND SHOULDER. EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. AMAZING NO ONE WAS KILLED OR SERIOUSLY INJURED. ALSO, I WOULD NOTICE THAT IF I WAS TRAVELING OVER ABOUT 40 MPH, THE CAR WOULD SHAKE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. CAR WOULD SOMETIMES STALL WHEN STOPPED. SOMETIMES I WOULD HAVE TO TAKE THE CAR OUT OF PARK AND PUT IT BACK INTO PARK BEFORE IT WOULD START. ALSO THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT SEEMED TO NOT BE FULLY SEALED AS IT ALWAYS HAD CONDENSATION INSIDE. NOTICED THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SEEMED TO BE STICKING OUT AND THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT WAS DIFFICULT TO OPEN. I WONDER IF THIS CAR HAD BEEN WRECKED BEFORE I BOUGHT IT. I KNOW I WAS NOT TOLD IT HAD BEEN. I JUST RECENTLY LEARNED THEY DO NOT MAKE AVENGERS ANYMORE. IS THERE A REASON FOR THIS. ARE THEY DANGEROUS. COULD SOMETHING HAVE CAUSED THIS CRASH OTHER THAN THE DRIVING OF THE DRIVER. I WILL BE HAPPY TO PROVIDE MY VIN NUMBER AS SOON AS I CAN GET IT. CAR IS IN STORAGE NOW.
NHTSA complaint #743215 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Johnstown, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THERE IS VIBRATION. ALSO ENGINE HEAD GASKET LEAKS.
NHTSA complaint #716650 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Croton ON Hudson, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
NO SUMMARY
NHTSA complaint #713090 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Batavia, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BRAKE ROTORS REPLACED THEY CONTINUE TO WARP SEVERE SHAKING AT HIGHWAY SPEED ALSO FAILURE OF HEAD VALVE GASGET
NHTSA complaint #712852 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Port Arthur, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
IN THE PARKING LOT OF THE CREDIT UNION WENT TO PUT THE EMERGENCY BRAKES ON AND IT WAS REAL EASY TO PULL UP, VEHICLE WAS STILL RUNNING HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER WAS TOLD THAT A SPRING POPPED ON THE BACK BRAKES WHICH WAS CAUSING THE NOISE. THE BRAKES WERE HANGING DOWN.
NHTSA complaint #848861 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Newcomb, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
FRONT SUSPENSION HAS PROBLEMS FOR SOME TIME. I HAVE A NOTICE FROM CARPOINT WEB SITE ABOUT A RECALL, AND IHAVE NOT YET RECEIVED A RECALL FROM DEALER OR EITHER CHRYSLER. WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT THIS??
NHTSA complaint #707714 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
East Boston, MA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
ALSO PROBLEM WITH THROTTLE BODY. ALL FAILURES HAPPENED AFTER 9800 MILES. WAS TOLD AT 30,000 MILE CHECKUP THAT EVERYTHING WAS OK, BUT OBVIOUSLY IT WASN'T.
NHTSA complaint #706685 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Syracuse, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS MODULE ASSEMBLY FAILED AT 30,000 MILES AND 6 MONTHS OUT OF WARRANTY. $1300.00 TO REPAIR. I SERIOUSLY DOUBT ANYONE (INCLUDING ME) WILL PAY TO FIX. ABS WILL REMAIN DISABLED.
NHTSA complaint #704867 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Yorktown, VA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:HYDRAULIC
BRAKE PADS FAILED,EXCESSIVE WEAR DUE TO BRAKE SWITCH OUT OF ADJUSTMENT.
NHTSA complaint #543627 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Yorktown, VA
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:ROTOR
ROTORS HAE BEEN REPLACED MANY TIMES AND CONTINUE TO WARP.
NHTSA complaint #543627 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Boca Raton, FLCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
GONE THROUGH MANY NUMBER OF BRAKES, WITH NORMAL DRIVING, AND TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #700917 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Memphis, TN
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:PADS
THE BRAKES PADS HAVE WORN OUT ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE ORIGINAL SET OF BRAKE PADS WENT OUT AFTER THE FIRST 4000 MILES ON THE CAR. THE PADS WERE REPLACED AND WENT OUT AGAIN AT 17000. FINALLY THE PADS WENT OUT AGAIN AT 41000. THE FIRST TWO TIMES THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE PADS REPLACED. THE THIRD TIME I TOOK THE CAR TO A BRAKE SPECIALIST AND WAS TOLD THAT THE CALIPERS CAUSED THE TWO SETS OF BRAKE PADS TO GO OUT. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THE REAR BRAKES WERE NOT WORKING AND HAD HARDLY ANY WEAR. I HAVE ALSO REPLACED THE REAR SHOCKS THREE TIMES. I HAVE REPLACED THE REAR SHOCKS TWICE IN THE PAST YEAR.
NHTSA complaint #700812 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Memphis, TN
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:PADS
THE BRAKES PADS HAVE WORN OUT ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE ORIGINAL SET OF BRAKE PADS WENT OUT AFTER THE FIRST 4000 MILES ON THE CAR. THE PADS WERE REPLACED AND WENT OUT AGAIN AT 17000. FINALLY THE PADS WENT OUT AGAIN AT 41000. THE FIRST TWO TIMES THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE PADS REPLACED. THE THIRD TIME I TOOK THE CAR TO A BRAKE SPECIALIST AND WAS TOLD THAT THE CALIPERS CAUSED THE TWO SETS OF BRAKE PADS TO GO OUT. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THE REAR BRAKES WERE NOT WORKING AND HAD HARDLY ANY WEAR. I HAVE ALSO REPLACED THE REAR SHOCKS THREE TIMES. I HAVE REPLACED THE REAR SHOCKS TWICE IN THE PAST YEAR.
NHTSA complaint #700812 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Washington, DC
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
NHTSA complaint #780824 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chicago, IL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
FRONT AND BACK ROTORS WARP INTERMITTENTLY.
NHTSA complaint #535422 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bartlett, TN
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:ROTOR
FRONT BRAKE ROTORS CONTINUALLY WARP CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO PULSATE WHEN COMING TO A STOP. AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES SEVERLY WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED.
NHTSA complaint #531342 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Middlesex, NJ
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
MULTIPLE BRAKE MALFUNCTIONS.
NHTSA complaint #530730 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Youngstown, OH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
DRIVING AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS, BRAKES WILL PULSATE, FEELS AS THOUGH IT WILL NOT STOP. SLOWLY DEFECT IS GETTING WORSE. DEALER RESURFACED ROTORS/CHANGED AND CLEANED ROTORS FOUR TIMES, STILL CANNOT FIND PROBLEM. *AK *SLC
NHTSA complaint #819009 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Youngstown, OH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
DRIVING AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS, BRAKES WILL PULSATE, FEELS AS THOUGH IT WILL NOT STOP. SLOWLY DEFECT IS GETTING WORSE. DEALER RESURFACED ROTORS/CHANGED AND CLEANED ROTORS FOUR TIMES, STILL CANNOT FIND PROBLEM. *AK *SLC
NHTSA complaint #819009 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Franklin P, IL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
BRAKE ROTORS FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #521457 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Franklin P, IL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
BRAKE PADS FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #521457 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Orlando, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN APPLING THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE VIBRATES. THE ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED SIX TIMES. EVERYTIME THE PROLEM IS REMEDIED FOR A MONTH, AND THE PROBLEM REOCCURS.
NHTSA complaint #817255 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Orlando, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
WHEN APPLING THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE VIBRATES. THE ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED SIX TIMES. EVERYTIME THE PROLEM IS REMEDIED FOR A MONTH, AND THE PROBLEM REOCCURS.
NHTSA complaint #817255 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Troy, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
THE DISC BRAKES ARE HAVING TO BE REPLACE DUE TO THE ROTORS WARPING AND NO LONGER OPERATING. HAS HAD FIVE REPLACEMENTS SINCE SHE BOUGHT THE CAR IN FEBRUARY 1997.
NHTSA complaint #814691 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Springfield, VA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
ABS BRAKE FAILURE, ROTORS ARE WARPED AND REPLACED 4 TIMES. WHEN BRAKING THE VEHICLE WILL VIBRATE AND JERK.
NHTSA complaint #812601 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Springfield, VA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS BRAKE FAILURE, ROTORS ARE WARPED AND REPLACED 4 TIMES. WHEN BRAKING THE VEHICLE WILL VIBRATE AND JERK.
NHTSA complaint #812601 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brookfield, WI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE, WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, WOULD NOTICE SEVERE VIBRATIONS. HAPPENS AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. TOOK IT TO DEALER TO REPLACE THE BRAKES, WAS INFORMED THERE WAS TOO MUCH STOPPING & GOING.
NHTSA complaint #812333 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tickfaw, LA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
BRAKE ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO POOR DESIGN.
NHTSA complaint #811030 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.