Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1995 Dodge Avenger owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Normal use of the car....driving around town etc........the left front wheel bearing came loose and the wheel/tire assembly came off the car and car came down on the wheel causing fender damage. Replaced both lower ball joints at the automotive shop to avoid any more loss of car control. Old part is available.
The sealed ball joints on the right, front were completely void of grease. The ball joints popped out during a lane change and caused the vehicle to skid out of control to the right, across two lanes of heavy traffic. Fortunately the vehicles to the right saw the incident and took the appropriate actions to avoid collision. The front of the vehicle dropped to the ground, breaking apart the front grill. The right front tire was turned at a 90 degree angle to the car and caused the fender to bend outward. I noticed a popping sound two days prior to incident and in the morning of 12/26/1998 I had scheduled a mechanic to service the popping noise for the morning of 12/27/1998. The incident occurred two hours after I had scheduled the mechanic to examine and repair the vehicle.
Tl contact owns a 1995 Dodge Avenger. While driving approximately 4 MPH, the vehicle spontaneously dropped on the front passenger side. Upon further inspection, the contact noticed that the front control arm fractured from severe corrosion, which caused the ball joint to fail. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and he is in the process of notifying the manufacturer in reference to NHTSA campaign id number 99V066003 (suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint). The failure and current mileages were 142,000.
Dt: the caller received a recall letter concerning lower ball joint failure. She took the vehicle to dealer last Wednesday, and the dealer had it for a week and nothing was done to the vehicle. She called the dealer every day. They told her they were waiting for a manager to approve the work. Manufacturer has not been contacted yet.
NHTSA recall 99V421002/ manufacturer's recall 967 ; front wheel came off while driving, causing vehicle to run into the wall. Independent mechanic shop confirmed that accident was due to defective ball joints. Dealer was notified. Please provide more information. This vehicle was not included in recall due to VIN.
Vehicles drive shaft dropped to the road while driving. This failure was experienced prior to notification (recall # 99V006003 or 00V421002). The consumer requested reimbursement but was denied. The manufacturer stated the consumer had not met the required conditions of the recall.
Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle had a NHTSA recall # 99V066003, regarding the suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint that was not performed. The vehicle was at the dealer for 90 days and did not express why the recall was not performed. The manufacturer was aware of the problem.
Consumer stated that the "inner" lower control arm has worn out prematurely. This is the second time that consumer has had to replace component. First failure occurred at approximately 75000 miles. Manufacturer has extended the warranty for the outer control arm, but not the inner one.
I have had this car in the shop twice in the last year to replace these ball-joints that were supposedly replace last August before I owned it. That means the recall has been done twice already and needs to be done again. What's the point in replacing a junk part with another junk part.
While driving at 35 MPH the lateral arm and ball joint gave in, resulting in a collision. Vehicle has been repaired a year prior to the incident for recall 99V066.oo3/lower ball joint boot. Manufacturer has determined that the cause of the collision was the recalled item.
Related recalls
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.
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.
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.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rubber boots, and if the boot is damaged, they will replace the lower lateral arm and ball joint on the affected vehicles.
NHTSA investigations
Lower contrtol arm ball joint
There is no summary currently available
BALL JOINT
allege failure of front ball joints may cause the driver to loose control of the vehicle as the front suspension collapses on one side.this loss of control increases the risk of a vehicle crash.
Suspension complaints in other Avenger years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 1995 Dodge Avenger?
NHTSA has 59 complaints about the suspension of the 1995 Dodge Avenger, 30% of the model year's 196 complaints. The component named most often is front › control arm › lower ball joint (29 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1995 Dodge Avenger suspension problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 00V421002 (lower ball joint, Dec 18, 2000); NHTSA recall 99V066003 (lower ball joint, Apr 5, 1999). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1995 Dodge Avenger suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 142,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to suspension problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.