Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 233 complaints with NHTSA about the 1995 Dodge Avenger, and it carries 3 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 56 | 24% |
| Service brakes | 34 | 15% |
| Electrical system | 20 | 9% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 17 | 7% |
| Air bags | 16 | 7% |
| Power train | 12 | 5% |
| Steering | 10 | 4% |
| Seats | 8 | 3% |
| Visibility | 8 | 3% |
| Structure | 6 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 DODGE AVENGER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 4 MPH, THE VEHICLE SPONTANEOUSLY DROPPED ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT CONTROL ARM FRACTU
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL OR UPGRADE TO 95-96. *JB
NHTSA complaint: Power train
ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, CAR STALLS AND DIES NOW WONT START, WHEN DRIVING ON RAINY DAY CAR SUCKS WATER INTO THE AIR FILTER AND INTO THE ENGINE, DASH LIGHTS FLASH. *NM
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAD A NHTSA RECALL # 99V066003, REGARDING THE SUSPENSION: FRONT: CONTROL ARM: LOWER BALL JOINT THAT WAS NOT PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALER FOR 90 DAYS AND DID NOT EXPRESS WH
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
1995 DODGE AVENGER HAS FAILURES THAT I RESEARCHED AND FOUND OUT WERE PROBLEMS/FAILURES THAT WERE RECALLED BY CHRYSLER/DODGE/DIAMONDSTAR MOTORS. *NM
NHTSA complaint: Steering
DT: THE CALLER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER CONCERNING LOWER BALL JOINT FAILURE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER LAST WEDNESDAY, AND THE DEALER HAD IT FOR A WEEK AND NOTHING WAS DONE TO THE VEHICLE. SHE CALLED THE DEALER
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
NORMAL USE OF THE CAR....DRIVING AROUND TOWN ETC........THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL BEARING CAME LOOSE AND THE WHEEL/TIRE ASSEMBLY CAME OFF THE CAR AND CAR CAME DOWN ON THE WHEEL CAUSING FENDER DAMAGE. REPLACED BOTH LOWER BAL
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
WHILE DRIVING THE BACK OF DRIVER'S SEAT FRAME COLLAPSED. OWNER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND HAD TO HAVE THE SEAT WELDED. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Seats
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1995 Dodge Avenger. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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 COND
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.
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 JOIN
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.
Risk: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINT TO SEPARATE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE RUBBER BOOTS, AND IF THE BOOT IS DAMAGED, THEY WILL REPLACE THE LOWER LATERAL ARM AND BALL JOINT ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES.
| Reliability raw | 82 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 78 | good |
| Maintenance | 80 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 60 | average |
| Performance | 45 | below average |
| Efficiency | 40 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 233 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and suspension is the most reported area with 56 of them (24%). There are 3 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 82/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 78/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1995 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 70/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.