Complaints
72
Crashes
16
Fires
1
Injuries
16
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 1998 Dodge Avenger Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#111 complaints
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint
Avg mileage:80,409 mi
Crash-related:1
#24 complaints
Air Bags:Frontal
Crash-related:4
#34 complaints
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1998 Dodge Avenger.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint | 11 | 1 | — | 80,409 mi | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 4 | 4 | — | — | |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Airbags | 3 | 3 | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 3 | 3 | — | — | |
| Wheels:Rim | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Automatic Transmission | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Steering:Rack And Pinion | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Side/Window | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine & Cooling | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Other Equipment | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Axle Assembly | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System | 1 | — | — | — |
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint
11
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
80,409
Air Bags:Frontal
4
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Airbags
3
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Unintended Acceleration
3
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Wheels:Rim
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Automatic Transmission
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Rack And Pinion
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Wheel Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Side/Window
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical Faults
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine & Cooling
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Other Equipment
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Exterior Lighting:Headlights
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Gasoline Fuel System
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Axle Assembly
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Hydraulic Brakes
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1998 Dodge Avenger. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Dodge Avenger Years
1998 Dodge Avenger — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1998 Dodge Avenger reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 1998 Dodge Avenger has 72 NHTSA complaints, 16 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 1998 Dodge Avenger?
Top reported problems: Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint (11 complaints, avg 80,409 mi); Air Bags:Frontal (4 complaints); Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch (4 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 1998 Dodge Avenger?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 80,409 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1998 Dodge Avenger?
NHTSA complaints for the 1998 Dodge Avenger include 16 crash-related reports, 1 fire reports, 16 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 1998 Dodge Avenger have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1998 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 1998 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 1998 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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