1997 Dodge Avenger Recalls, Complaints & Specs
2 safety recalls list the 1997 Dodge Avenger, and owners have filed 83 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
2 safety recalls for the 1997 Dodge Avenger
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Suspension: 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. Ball joints that are within…
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Head restraint (seats)
The headrest guide bracket was improperly welded to the seat back frame on the passenger side seat back assemblies only.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the passenger seat back assembly with a new assembly.
83 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 1997 Dodge Avenger have filed 83 complaints with NHTSA; 15 describe a crash. Reports cite 19 injuries and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 91,405 miles. Complaints peaked in 2001 with 16 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“We have continued to have problems with these rims. I am about to retire my third wheel from this car. The wheel looks good, but it just can't hold air due to the rim bending right at the bead or oute”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, April 24, 2012 · Wheels
“I own a 1997 dodge avenger i bought it brand new it has the 2.0 dohc 4 cyl engine the head gasket is leaking on it and i almost ran it out of oil. I have heard that this is a default head gasket from”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, December 26, 2006 · Engine and engine cooling
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 1997 Dodge Avenger. Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 20–23 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 18–19 / 25–29 |
| Fuel | Regular |
| EPA class | Compact Cars |
| Engine | 4/6 cyl, 2/2.5 L |
| Transmission | Automatic 4-spd; Manual 5-spd |
Compare Dodge Avenger model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Dodge Avenger model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 Dodge Avenger | 2 | 196 |
| 1996 Dodge Avenger | 2 | 157 |
| 1997 Dodge Avenger | 2 | 83 |
| 1998 Dodge Avenger | 2 | 58 |
| 1999 Dodge Avenger | 1 | 62 |
| 2000 Dodge Avenger | 1 | 22 |
| 2007 Dodge Avenger | 4 | 2 |
| 2008 Dodge Avenger | 6 | 831 |
| 2009 Dodge Avenger | 2 | 67 |
| 2010 Dodge Avenger | 3 | 163 |
| 2011 Dodge Avenger | 3 | 209 |
| 2012 Dodge Avenger | 3 | 554 |
| 2013 Dodge Avenger | 5 | 548 |
| 2014 Dodge Avenger | 1 | 205 |
| 2015 Dodge Avenger | 0 | 1 |
Checking a specific 1997 Dodge Avenger
How do I know if my 1997 Dodge Avenger has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 2 campaigns currently list the 1997 Dodge Avenger; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Dodge dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 00V421002).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Dodge models
- Durango13,770 complaints
- Grand Caravan13,508 complaints
- RAM 150012,416 complaints
- Caravan10,526 complaints
- Dakota6,629 complaints
- RAM 25006,443 complaints
- Intrepid6,228 complaints
- Charger5,741 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.