Complaints
109
Crashes
18
Fires
0
Injuries
23
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 1997 Dodge Avenger Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#111 complaints
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint
Avg mileage:92,500 mi
Crash-related:1
#210 complaints
Air Bags:Frontal
Avg mileage:139,805 mi
Crash-related:10
#35 complaints
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1997 Dodge Avenger.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint | 11 | 1 | — | 92,500 mi | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 10 | 10 | — | 139,805 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Ball Joint | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Automatic Transmission | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Tire Defects | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Airbags | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Windshield | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Wheels:Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Side/Window | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine & Cooling | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment:Electrical:Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc. | 1 | — | — | — |
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint
11
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
92,500
Air Bags:Frontal
10
complaints
Crashes
10
Fires
—
Avg Miles
139,805
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension Failures
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Ball Joint
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Wheel Issues
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Exterior Lighting:Headlights
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Automatic Transmission
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tire Defects
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Airbags
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Hydraulic Brakes
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front:Control Arm
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Windshield
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Wheels:Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Side/Window
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine & Cooling
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Equipment:Electrical:Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc.
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1997 Dodge Avenger. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Dodge Avenger Years
1997 Dodge Avenger — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1997 Dodge Avenger reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 1997 Dodge Avenger has 109 NHTSA complaints, 18 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint with 11 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1997 Dodge Avenger?
Top reported problems: Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint (11 complaints, avg 92,500 mi); Air Bags:Frontal (10 complaints, avg 139,805 mi); Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc (5 complaints). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 1997 Dodge Avenger?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 115,026 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1997 Dodge Avenger?
NHTSA complaints for the 1997 Dodge Avenger include 18 crash-related reports, 0 fire reports, 23 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1997 Dodge Avenger have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1997 Dodge Avenger as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1997 Dodge Avenger?
Fewer complaints than typical for this model. That's a good sign, but every individual car is different — the VIN still tells you what happened to this specific one.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Dodge Avenger reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1997 Dodge Avenger
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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