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2000 problems

FaultScore report

2000 Dodge Avenger problems

Owners have filed 33 complaints about the 2000 Dodge Avenger with NHTSA between 2000 and 2005. The largest single group is the brakes. Across this model's run it ranks 13 of 13 worst.

Read the complaints What breaks Worst years for the Dodge Avenger All 2000 cars

FaultScore 11/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Dodge Avenger.

How this is worked out

The numbers

Complaints

Crashes reported

Fires reported

Injuries reported

54,437 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

10%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.

The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.

Complaint volume — 5: Against the median year of the Dodge Avenger. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 16: 3% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 17: 10% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 2000 compares with every other Dodge Avenger

Click any bar to open that year's report.

254 235 109 72 96 33 2 1,238 99 248 311 837 872 330 1

95 96 97 98 99 00 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 2000 Dodge Avenger

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Brakes 8 24.2%

Median failure at 12,200 miles

Transmission & Drivetrain 7 21.2%

Median failure at 68,937 miles

Other & Unspecified 4 12.1%

Median failure at 48,000 miles

Suspension 4 12.1%

Median failure at 69,000 miles

Wheels 3 9.1%

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 2 6.1%

Body & Structure 2 6.1%

Equipment & Accessories 1 3.0%

Acceleration & Cruise Control 1 3.0%

Median failure at 36,262 miles

Electrical System 1 3.0%

0 crashes, 1 fires · median 88,954 mi

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

10,000 – 24,999 miles 1 10.0%

25,000 – 49,999 miles 3 30.0%

50,000 – 74,999 miles 3 30.0%

75,000 – 99,999 miles 3 30.0%

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

May 2000 peak 5 Aug 2005

Recalls on the 2000 Dodge Avenger

A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.

United States — NHTSA

09E025000 11 May 2009

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

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.

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

09E012000 7 Apr 2009

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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.

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

07E055000 26 Jul 2007

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

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 THE VEHICLE FUEL LINE AND THE FUEL PUMP MODULE ASSEMBLY.

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

06E064000 17 Jul 2006

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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.

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

00V421002 18 Dec 2000

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

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.

Risk: 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.

Canada — Transport Canada

Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.

Recall 2001062 9 Mar 2001 18,687 units in Canada

Steering

On certain vehicles, the lower lateral arm ball joint can separate due to loss of lubrication. There is a potential for moisture to leak past the protective boot which can cause the ball stud to corrode. This corrosion, acting much like contamination, can also lead to premature wear and separation of the ball joint. This could result in loss of vehicle control and a possible crash. Correction: Lower lateral arm ball joints will be inspected for wear and replaced as necessary with newly designed lower lateral arm ball joints. Ball joints that are within the established tolerance will be cleaned and a special sealant will be applied to prevent the intrusion of moisture.

Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

Filed 22 May 2003 at 88,954 miles Akron, OH Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES

VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE DRIVING. FIRE LOCATED ON LEFT SIDE OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT NEAR LEFT FRONT CORNER OF VEHICLE. POSSIBLE BATTERY POWER CABLE SHORT TO GROUND AT BATTERY MOUNT PLATE UNDER BATTERY. *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10019104 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

Filed 30 Aug 2005 Spring Valley, IL

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

2000 DODGE AVENGER ES. AIR CONDITIONER EVAPORATOR BLEW OUT. $1200 REPAIR BILL. MY MECHANIC SAID THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS HAPPENING.

NHTSA complaint #10134806 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 23 Apr 2005 at 40,000 miles Logansport, IN

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE PAINT IS FLAKING OFF THE CAR. APPEARS THAT THE WIND FROM GOING DOWN THE ROAD IS KNOCKING THE PAINT OFF. OR MAYBE THE SUN HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH IT. THE ENTIRE TOP NEEDS RE-PAINTED.

NHTSA complaint #10118309 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 14 Dec 2004 Philadelphia, PA

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

LOWER BALL JOINTS,DUPLICATE LETTER RESPONDED TO BY MICHAEL JORDON ON 4-1-03 REFERENCE 10004221. THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE AFTER THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED, HOWEVER THE DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER THE PROBLEMS HE WAS EXPERIENCING WERE NOT RELATED.

NHTSA complaint #10011430 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 21 Aug 2004 at 42,331 miles Addison, TX

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

SENSOR IN TRANSMISSION QUIT WORKING. THE FIRST TIME I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND IT COMPLETELY LOST SPEED. I EXITED AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. AFTER THAT, IT WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF FIRST GEAR. IT WAS REPAIRED BY A DEALERSHIP UNDER WARRANTY. THAT WAS AT AROUND 20000 MILES. TODAY, AT AROUND 42000 MILES, I STARTED THE VEHICLE AND WAS GOING ABOUT 20 MILES AN HOUR AND COULD FEEL THE TRANSMISSION BEGINNING TO SLIP. I STARTED INCREASING SPEED, AND IMMEDIATELY NOTICED THAT THE RPM'S WERE JUST CONTINUING TO GO UP. I HAVE SENT THE CAR TO A DEALERSHIP TO BE REPAIRED FOR THE SECOND TIME UNDER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY.

NHTSA complaint #10088334 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 22 Apr 2004 at 85,000 miles Batavia, OH

POWER TRAIN

I WAS GETTING ONTO THE INTERSTATE WHEN MY RPMS WOULD NOT DROP BELOW 5000 AND I REALIZED MY CAR LOCKED IN 2ND GEAR. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE A694/41TE TRANSMISSION THAT CHYSLER MADE.

NHTSA complaint #10069478 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 22 Apr 2004 at 56,000 miles Langley, UN

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

SERPENTINE BELT WAS REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE BY THE DEALER, AND 10 DAYS LATER FLEW APART. THAT BELT WAS REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE BE ANOTHER DODGE DEALER, BUT THREE MONTHS LATER CAME OFF, BUT DID NOT BREAK. IT IS NOW THREE MONTHS LATER, AND THE BELT HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF FRAYING.

NHTSA complaint #10071290 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 18 Dec 2003 FT. LEE, VA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I LOVE MY CAR. I BOUGHT THE CAR WHEN IT HAD 40 THOUSAND MILES ON IT, IN SEPT 2002. IN THE MONTH OF AUG. 2003 I CAME BACK HOME FROM IRAQ AFTER 7 MONTHS AND FOUND THAT MOST OF THE CLEARCOAT ON MY BLACK AVENGER ON THE TOP PANELS (HOOD, TOP, TRUNK) OF MY CAR WAS GONE. WHEN I LEFT THERE WAS ONLY A FEW SURFACE SCRATCHES ON THE CAR, THAT USUALLY BUFFED OUT. NOW MY CAR LOOKS LIKE ?!@#$% AND THE DEALER WILL NOT HELP ME OR THE MANUFACTURE. THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL ON THE BLACK PAINT JOBS IN 2000, BUT MY CAR IS NOT THE ONLY ONE I'VE SEEN WITH THIS PROBLEM. I LOVE DODGE BUT THIS IS THE LAST ONE ME OR ANYBODY IN MY FAMILY WILL EVER PURCHASE IF I DON'T GET SOME KIND OF HELP WITH THIS DEFECT. THE CAR IS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD AND IT LOOKS LIKE ITS 25 YEARS OLD. THIS IS NOT RIGHT. I ONLY DROVE THE CAR FOR 5 MONTHS BEFORE I DEPLOYED. IF THIS IS NOT A DEFECT THEN THE DEALERSHIP SOLD ME A CAR THAT HAD BEEN IN A WRECK OR SOMETHING AND LIED TO ME.

NHTSA complaint #10050749 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 10 Oct 2003 at 85,000 miles Batavia, OH

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

I WAS GETTING ONTO THE INTERSTATE WHEN I NOTICED MY RPM WERE AROUND 5000 AND WOULD NOT GO DOWN. I REALIZED THE TRANSMISSION HAD LOCKED IN SECOND GEAR. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE JUNK A604/41TE TRANSMISSION THAT CHRYSLER MADE.

NHTSA complaint #10041580 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 10 Jun 2003 at 52,874 miles EL Centro, CA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

WHEN THE CAR WAS PURCHASED 11/01. I WAS INFORMED BY A DODGE TECH THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS GOING TO GO "OUT" AROUND 50,000 MILES. I HAVE HEARD THIS FROM NUMEROUS DODGE OWNERS AND MECHANICS. AT 52,874 THE TRANSMISSION QUIT SHIFTING AND WE HAD TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR ACCORDING TO THE EXTENDED SERVICE CONTRACT THAT I PURCHASED WITH THE CAR. THE CONTRACT WAS WITH AN OUTSIDE COMPANY. THE CONTRACT COMPANY WHEN CALLED ABOUT REPAIRS ALSO STATED THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH DODGE/CHRYSLER PRODUCTS. THE CAR WAS AT THE DEALER FOR 2 WEEKS AWAITING PARTS AND REPAIR.

NHTSA complaint #10021374 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 27 May 2003 at 69,000 miles Philadelphia, PA

SUSPENSION:FRONT

STRUTS, LATERAL ARM BALL JOINTS AND HUB ASSEMBLY FAILED AS A RESULT OF RECALL 00V421002 REPAIRS. MR

NHTSA complaint #10019801 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 22 May 2003 at 88,954 miles Akron, OH Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES

NHTSA complaint #10019104 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 1 May 2003 at 12,200 miles Toledo, OH

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

HAVE ONLY 12000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. HAD TO REPLACE FRONT PADS AND HAD REAR ROTORS TURNED. INFORMED BY MECHANIC (NON DEALER) THAT REAR ROTORS WERE WARPED. UNSURE IF TURNING WILL DO ANY GOOD. DEFECT MATERIAL??? THIS IS UNUSUAL FOR A NEW CAR. AK *SCC ***DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS****750510

NHTSA complaint #10006452 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 31 Jan 2003 at 36,262 miles West Melbourne, FL

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

I HAVE 2 DODGE CARS, BOTH 2000, AN INTREPID AND AN AVENGER. THE SPEED SENSOR HAS GONE OUT IN BOTH CARS IN THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR 2002. BOTH HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY, CAUSING IMMEDIATE DECELERATION. I SENT A LETTER TO CHYRSLER IN JULY OF 2002, BUT GOT NO RESPONSE. I HAVE THE INVOICES FROM THE REPAIRS AND THE PART # IS THE SAME ON BOTH CARS.

NHTSA complaint #10005050 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 30 Jan 2003 Philadelphia, PA

SUSPENSION

CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING THE BALL JOINTS, THE DEALER RESEALED THE BALL JOINTS, HOWEVER 5 MONTHS LATER THE HUB BEARINGS, STRUTS, THE UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS AND THE RIGHT SIDE LOWER BALL JOINT WAS REPLACED, CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER FAILED TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM WITH THE BALL JOINTS WHICH CAUSED NUMEROUS REPAIR BILLS, THE DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT NONE OF THE PROBLEMS WAS RELATED TO THE RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #10004221 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 17 Sep 2002 Pensacola, FL

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

NO DESCRIPTION GIVIEN. NLM

NHTSA complaint #767187 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 14 May 2002 Blue Springs, MO

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

CONSUMER STATES THERE WAS BLACK SEALER AND GLUE DRIPPING/LEAKING ON DRIVERS SIDE STEP PLATE.