Model year record

2000 Dodge Avenger recalls & problems

The 2000 Dodge Avenger has 5 safety recalls and 22 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (8 complaints).

Recalls5safety recalls

Complaints22filed by owners

Crashes · fires0 · 1reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Exterior lightingMay 11, 2009

Headlights

Recall 09E02500042,540 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: 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.
Fix: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

Exterior lightingApr 7, 2009

Exterior lighting

Recall 09E01200016,270 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: 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.
Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Fuel system, gasolineJul 26, 2007

Delivery › Fuel pump

Recall 07E055000222 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Fix: AIRTEX WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT AIRTEX AUTOMOTIVE AT 800-880-3056.

Exterior lightingJul 17, 2006

Exterior lighting

Recall 06E0640004,029 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: 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.
Fix: TRADESONIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRADESONIC AT 626-934-8884.

SuspensionDec 18, 2000

Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint

Recall 00V421002393,796 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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.
Fix: 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 THE ESTABLISHED TOLERANCE WILL BE CLEANED AND A SPECIAL SEALANT WILL BE APPLIED TO PREVENT INTRUSION OF MOISTURE.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Fuel economy

Avenger

20mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 25 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.5 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Fires	Typical mileage*
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components	8	0	—
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Manual transmission	7	0	68,937 mi
SuspensionFront; Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint	4	0	—
Unknown or other	4	0	—
Wheels	3	0	—
VisibilityWindshield	2	0	—
StructureBody › Door	2	0	—
Vehicle speed control	1	0	—
Electrical system12v/24v/48v battery › Cables	1	1	—
EquipmentAppliance › Air conditioner	1	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Equipment › Appliance › Air conditioner
2000 DODGE AVENGER ES. AIR CONDITIONER EVAPORATOR BLEW OUT. $1200 REPAIR BILL. MY MECHANIC SAID THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS HAPPENING. *JB
Jul 1, 2005
Unknown or other
THE PAINT IS FLAKING OFF THE CAR. APPEARS THAT THE WIND FROM GOING DOWN THE ROAD IS KNOCKING THE PAINT OFF. OR MAYBE THE SUN HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH IT. THE ENTIRE TOP NEEDS RE-PAINTED. *JB
Apr 23, 2005 · 40,000 miles
Power train › Automatic transmission
SENSOR IN TRANSMISSION QUIT WORKING. THE FIRST TIME I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND IT COMPLETELY LOST SPEED. I EXITED AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. AFTER THAT, IT WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF FIRST GEAR. IT WAS REPAIRED BY A DEALERSHIP UNDER WARRANTY. THAT WAS AT AROUND 20000 MILES. TODAY, AT AROUND 42000 MILES, I STARTED THE VEHICLE AND WAS GOING ABOUT 20 MILES AN HOUR AND COULD FEEL THE TRANSMISSION BEGINNING TO SLIP. I STARTED INCREASING SPEED, AND IMMEDIATELY NOTICED THAT THE RPM'S WERE JUST CONTINUING TO GO UP. I HAVE SENT THE CAR TO A DEALERSHIP TO BE REPAIRED FOR THE SECOND TIME UNDER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. *JB
Aug 21, 2004 · 42,331 miles
Unknown or other
SERPENTINE BELT WAS REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE BY THE DEALER, AND 10 DAYS LATER FLEW APART. THAT BELT WAS REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE BE ANOTHER DODGE DEALER, BUT THREE MONTHS LATER CAME OFF, BUT DID NOT BREAK. IT IS NOW THREE MONTHS LATER, AND THE BELT HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF FRAYING.
Nov 15, 2003 · 56,000 miles
Power train
I WAS GETTING ONTO THE INTERSTATE WHEN MY RPMS WOULD NOT DROP BELOW 5000 AND I REALIZED MY CAR LOCKED IN 2ND GEAR. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE A694/41TE TRANSMISSION THAT CHYSLER MADE.
Oct 15, 2003 · 85,000 miles
Unknown or other
I LOVE MY CAR. I BOUGHT THE CAR WHEN IT HAD 40 THOUSAND MILES ON IT, IN SEPT 2002. IN THE MONTH OF AUG. 2003 I CAME BACK HOME FROM IRAQ AFTER 7 MONTHS AND FOUND THAT MOST OF THE CLEARCOAT ON MY BLACK AVENGER ON THE TOP PANELS (HOOD, TOP, TRUNK) OF MY CAR WAS GONE. WHEN I LEFT THERE WAS ONLY A FEW SURFACE SCRATCHES ON THE CAR, THAT USUALLY BUFFED OUT. NOW MY CAR LOOKS LIKE ?!@#$% 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…
Aug 26, 2002
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. *LA
Oct 9, 2003 · 85,000 miles
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.*AK
May 29, 2003 · 52,874 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.