1999 Dodge Avenger Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe brake and front-end problems: rotors that warp or wear quickly, pulsation and vibration when braking, and front suspension work including lower ball joints. Automatic transmission complaints — harsh or delayed shifting, often on the A604/41TE unit — and airbag non-deployment in crashes also recur in the sample. Many reports come in above roughly 60,000 miles, and several describe symptoms that build gradually before a repair.

1. 1
   Brakes

   Warped and fast-wearing brake rotors, pedal pulsation

   • 16 complaints (26%)
   • median 75,500 mi at 6.0 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2000–2009

   Complaints describe vibration or pulsation through the front end when braking, and rotors that warp or wear out well before expected. Several owners say rotors were replaced repeatedly, in one case several times within a few months, and some report the pedal going to the floor with reduced braking. Dealers typically replaced rotors and pads; owners note the problem often returned afterward. Reported from low mileage (some under 20,000 miles) up to around 90,000 miles, with several owners describing repeat replacements within a short span.

   What to check: Drive the car and brake firmly from highway speed to feel for pulsation or vibration through the pedal and steering wheel. Ask for receipts showing when rotors and pads were last replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have had the rotors replaced on my car three times in the last few months. They have made the remark to me that they have rotor problems with these cars and I should try not to use my brakes. Also I have window leaking problems which the car was back several times for this and then they tell me it is in the owners manual that the windows leak.”

   NHTSA complaint #730625, filed 2000-09

   “I have a 1999 Dodge Avenger. I bought the car in 2004 and I had the heads done on it. The transmission started acting up in 2005 and is still giving me problems. Sometimes it won't change into second until I turn the car off and restart it. The o2 sensors keep going out. The check engine light is always coming on. I am a single parent and cannot afford to keep fixing this car nor can I afford a new car. The brakes keep wearing out. I am having so many problems out this car that I don't know what to do. The shocks and struts are out. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10255600, filed 2009-01, 89,000 miles
2. 2
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Automatic transmission harsh or delayed shifting

   • 11 complaints (18%)
   • median 87,000 mi at 5.1 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2000–2010

   Complaints describe the automatic transmission failing to shift out of or into a gear properly, harsh downshifts, sluggish response, and in some cases the car sticking in one gear or jerking violently at road speed. Some owners report metal debris in the fluid and transmission replacement or rebuild; others say the dealer found no fault on a diagnostic check. Reported from around 48,000 miles up to over 100,000 miles, with several failures noted in the first few years of ownership.

   What to check: Test-drive from cold through all gears and feel for delayed engagement or slipping. Check transmission fluid condition and ask for any service or rebuild records.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Transmission failed to shift out of first gear properly and downshifted harshly, to the point I cringed at the sound. Upon replacing original tires local mechanic notified me of a worn wheel bearing at right front being ase certified myself I inspected the part and came to the same conclusion”

   NHTSA complaint #741502, filed 2001-02

   “1999 Dodge Avenger automatic: wont shift into drive gear-rpms rev up and do not shift in next gear also alarm system -horn, lights all go on for no reason.”

   NHTSA complaint #10357633, filed 2010-09, 113,000 miles
3. 3
   Suspension

   Front suspension: lower ball joints, pulling, steering play

   • 10 complaints (16%)
   • median 83,500 mi at 6.1 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • filed 1999–2009

   Owners describe the car pulling to one side, front-end vibration, and excess play in the steering wheel. Some complaints report front lower ball joints that separated or needed replacement, and others mention the recall repair not resolving the symptom or parts being unavailable. Dealers variously reported the alignment was within specifications, installed a camber kit, or replaced control arms and struts. Mostly reported between roughly 30,000 and 90,000 miles, sometimes noticed shortly after purchase.

   Recall 00V421002

   What to check: Ask whether recall 00V421002 (front lower ball joints) was completed and keep the paperwork; have a shop check ball joint play and tire wear patterns before buying.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My car has pulled to the left constantly and consistantly since the day I bought it. It has been in the dealership over 10 times to correct the problem, all the time thinking that it was an alignment problem. The car has been on the rack many times and the dealership reported that the car was in alignment according to specs . The last trip to the dealership resulted in a camber kit being installed on the front right control arm. The pull is not as prominant , but is still present. …”

   NHTSA complaint #750126, filed 2001-08

   “The manufacturer refused to honor the lower ball joint recall 00v421000 due to their data base, the recall was already performed six months after the consumer bought the vehicle. The consumer never took the vehicle in for a recall because she was never notified. Records indicated that there was no owner.”

   NHTSA complaint #10113508, filed 2005-04, 82,000 miles
4. 4
   Air bags

   Airbags not deploying in a collision

   • 6 complaints (10%)
   • median 108,000 mi at 6.1 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1999–2006

   Several complaints describe frontal or side impacts at moderate speed in which the airbags did not deploy, sometimes with the airbag warning light not illuminated beforehand. Owners typically learned of the outcome after the crash; in most reports the vehicle was totaled and no dealer diagnosis was documented. Reports are tied to crash events rather than a specific mileage; where mileage is given it ranges from about 44,000 to over 110,000 miles.

   What to check: Check that the airbag warning light comes on at startup and then goes out; a scan tool can show stored airbag fault codes and whether the system self-tests cleanly.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Was driving 35 MPH another vehicle crossed in front and hit consumer's vehicle on driver's side. Upon impact, the air bags failed to deploy. No injuries. Reported. Insurance co. Totalled vehicle.”

   NHTSA complaint #10103599, filed 2005-01, 112,935 miles

   “While driving 45 MPH consumer's vehicle was involved in a head on collision. Upon impact, dual air bags did not deploy. Driver sustained major head injuries due to the head hitting the sun visor.”

   NHTSA complaint #10089738, filed 2004-08, 44,210 miles
5. 5
   Body and structure

   Driver seat back frame breaking or reclining

   Mentioned in 4 of 53 sampled complaints

   Owners report the driver seat back frame weld or bolts breaking away from the frame, so the seat back reclines unexpectedly or only locks fully forward or fully back. In some cases this happened while the car was stopped and the owner leaned back. Dealers were reported to say the frame was likely bent and that repair was not covered. Reported between roughly 48,000 and 65,000 miles.

   What to check: Sit in the driver seat and push back against the seat back to check it holds its position; inspect the seat frame and recliner mechanism for cracks or loose bolts.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “There is a problem with the construction of the front seats in my 1999, Dodge, Avenger, probably dealing with faulty welds in the frame. On july 1, 2003, after having the seat leaned forward to access the back seat, I returned the seat to its normal upright locked position. However, the seat continued to recline farther than its proper locked position (I keep it at roughly an 80-degree angle, and it improperly reclined to roughly a 65-degree angle). …”

   NHTSA complaint #10032691, filed 2003-08, 54,000 miles

   “Driver seat frame front seatback recliner and entire front seat back frame. Adhesive that holds plastic driver and passenger door panels to metal body door frame. Also bad paint.”

   NHTSA complaint #10025876, filed 2003-07, 63,200 miles

Buying note. On this model year, budget for brake and front-suspension work and confirm the ball joint recall was completed with paperwork. Ask for transmission service history and check that the airbag warning light behaves normally on startup.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 53 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.