This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
The car (1996 Dodge Avenger ES) was in to the dealer for service. The dealer called to inform me that the lower ball joints were ready to fall off the car and needed replaced at a cost of $260. I asked if this was the same ball joint that was covered in an earlier recall. After a long pause, the dealer confirmed that it was, and that they would take care of it (fix at no cost to me). A second service appointment was scheduled for a week later. The car went in, and the dealer replaced the lower control arms. When I picked the car up, I drove off the lot and immediately heard a clanking noise when ever I hit a bump with the right front wheel. I inspected the car myself and found a large crack in the frame around the front-most upper control arm mounting bolt on the right front strut tower. I took the car back to the dealer and the service writer remarked boy, that is the largest crack I've ever seen. You shouldnt drive that car because the wheel could fall off. I suppose the ball joints being bad and hammering the suspension caused that [frame] to crack. However, the service writer had no answer when asked how they missed the crack during the work on the lower control arm the day before. After several calls to the service department, the dealership general manager, and to the Dodge customer service phone number; no one at Dodge would formally acknowledge that the defective ball joints caused the stress crack or that a problem existed with the upper control arm; despite multiple complaints on the NHTSA website for sebrings and Avengers with very similar problems. I have digital pictures of the crack if anyone is interested. It has since been fixed for the safety of my wife and children, however I am very displeased with how it was handled by Dodge and the dealer.
While driving at 10-15 mph left side ball joint broke, and consumer had trouble controling vehicle. Consumer has just had vehicle in dealer repair shop to get right side fixed. Contacted dealer.
There are 2 recalls for this vehicle. Dodge refuses to fix the 2nd recall (NHTSA# 00V421002). They claim to only know about the 1st recall (NHTSA# 99V066003). My ball joints have failed and the rubber boot is ok, but the second recall says to inspect the joint itself, not the boot.
- Arlington, MA, USA
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There are 2 recalls for this vehicle. Dodge refuses to fix the 2nd recall (NHTSA# 00V421002). They claim to only know about the 1st recall (NHTSA# 99V066003). My ball joints have failed and the rubber boot is ok, but the second recall says to inspect the joint itself, not the boot.
Received recall notice #00V421002. Contacted and then visited dealership. Mechanic inspected vehicle and provided a sheet of paper, indicating nothing wrong. Everything has been taken care off. Two months later, vehicle involved in an accident due to ball joint causing arm and axle to break. Vehicle was totaled, but at repair shop being repaired. No injuries.
Vehicle checked in October for recall on defective ball joint boots. Was told by dealer that vehicle was not affected. Three months later had to replace upper and lower ball joints. This occurred at 46,100 miles. Dealer stated that problem due to "normal wear and tear." Customer responsible for repairs. I have seen several other complaints of ball joint failure that have occured after the recall was performed. Was also told by dealer that this failure was minor and it was okay to operated vehicle for a week until I got vehicle repaired.
There was a recall on ball joint boots. I had this checked 10/12/99. According to dealer everything was fine. Three months later, I now have a defectiv eball joint in my rightt front. Dealer states that the recall was only for the boot, which according to them is/was okay. They claim the ball joint failure is due to normal wear and tear at 46,000 miles?
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Midland, MI, USA