Most common 1998 Dodge Avenger problems
Share of the 58 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Dodge Avenger complaints by model year
Best Avenger years: 2007, 2000, 2009. Years to avoid: 2008, 2012, 2013, 2014, 1995. Compare all years →
1998 Dodge Avenger recalls (2)
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.
Vehicle speed control
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The dash panel pad can shift interferring with the throttle cable control.
Remedy: Dealers will remove a portion of the dash panel pad so it cannot interfere with the throttle cable control.
What 1998 Dodge Avenger owners say
Suspension
Dt: 1998 Dodge adventure. Consumer took vehicle for a state inspection which approved the vehicle. Twenty days later on 7-26-05 the ball joint fall off the vehicle. The consumer heard a loud popping noise, and then consumer5 lost total control of the vehicle, and it hit a road sign and ran through another . There had been no other problems with the vehicle. The consumer had the vehicle towed to home. Consumer had another state certified inspection mechanic look at the vehicle, and they told him there was no way it should have passed inspection. When he contacted the diamler/Chrysler manufacturer, they said would send someone out to look at the vehicle, this was on 8-1-05. A police report was issued.
Dt: when applying brake pressure there was a surging effect as if the brakes were pulsating. The contact determined the rotors warped. The vehicle was taken to a service dealer for confirmation of the warped rotors. The rotors were replaced, but the contact was unaware if these were actual Chrysler parts or after market replacements. After the repairs the problem returned. The contact's father consulted a service center that noted that this was a common problem. This has not corrected the problem. No further repairs. The brakes did stop the car but there was a rocking motion as if it was in a catching and releasing fashion. There have been no accidents. Also, the contact added that there was NHTSA recall o0v421002 concerning the front suspension lower ball joints for which this vehicle was included. …
Air bags
On the evening of 12/24/98 my son lost control of the vehicle while negotiating a turn. The vehicle failed to slow down. We discovered that this car was subject to a recall that we were not informed of. Not surprisingly, Chrysler informed us that the recall situation had nothing to do with causing an accident. After striking a telephone pole head on neither air bag deployed. Chrysler also denied any fault in this. If it is not the fault of the manufacturer, then who? This complaint was initially filed with NHTSA on 12/26/98. I am still waiting for some sort of action from NHTSA. A passive restraint system that fails to protect vehicle occupants must surely result in a recall of vehicles with defective systems. The vehicle in in the custody of Chrysler. We will not accept repair and return of this unsafe vehicle !!!
Thank you very much for your site. Thanks to your information we now know that our car was subject to a recall that evidently caused an accident. We have never been notified of a recall and are very much concerned about the air bags not actuating. The vehicle struck a telephone pole head on after failing to reduce speed while negotiating a turn. Fortunately, my son and his friend were wearing seatbelts. What a merry christmas this has turned out to be.
Brakes
Dt: when applying brake pressure there was a surging effect as if the brakes were pulsating. The contact determined the rotors warped. The vehicle was taken to a service dealer for confirmation of the warped rotors. The rotors were replaced, but the contact was unaware if these were actual Chrysler parts or after market replacements. After the repairs the problem returned. The contact's father consulted a service center that noted that this was a common problem. This has not corrected the problem. No further repairs. The brakes did stop the car but there was a rocking motion as if it was in a catching and releasing fashion. There have been no accidents. Also, the contact added that there was NHTSA recall o0v421002 concerning the front suspension lower ball joints for which this vehicle was included. …
While traveling on the highway he hit the center block while apply his brakes and the vehicle wouldn't stop. And the vehicle flip twice into the enbankment. The vehicle is total. The dealership is aware of the problem. Ts
1998 Dodge Avenger engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 19 / 29 / 23 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 19 / 27 / 22 |
| 2.5L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 17 / 25 / 20 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1998 Dodge Avenger a good car?
Based on 58 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1998 Avenger rates better than average: 65% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Avenger at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1998 Dodge Avenger?
The suspension — 17 complaints, 29% of all complaints for this model year, most often about front › control arm › lower ball joint. Next are the air bags (8) and brakes (7).
How many recalls does the 1998 Dodge Avenger have?
There are 2 recalls for the 1998 Dodge Avenger, the most recent from December 18, 2000 (lower ball joint). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Dodge Avenger?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2007, 2000 and 2009. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2008, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 1995. See the full Dodge Avenger years comparison.
At what mileage do 1998 Dodge Avenger problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 83,000 miles; 16% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.