Comments: 1-15, 16-30, 31-45, 46-51
I cannot speak for the 4 cylinder avengers. I own a 2000 w/V-6.Yes, I have experienced some of same problems with premature brake wear, noisy window, and security system failure. Also had a speed sensor go which locked the car in 2nd gear. Luckily for me, the security system and speed sensor problems occurred under warranty. As for the engine, although it is only adequately powered, it is a good reliable power plant-if scheduled maintenance is performed. Change the oil & filter every 3000 miles. Service the transmission every 15,000.Change the plugs and ignition wires at 40-50,000.Most plug wires will be deteriorating about this time and since the air manifold will have to be removed (2-3hrs.labor) replace both. This will go a long way toward avoiding rough idling/hesitation.Never mind that the platinum plugs may last 100,000,they are the cheapest part of the equation and since labor cost is considerable it makes sense to change both at the same time. Neglect to change a timing belt at 60,000 and if it breaks you may destroy the engine. My avenger has 53,000 miles on it and other than the problems covered under the standard warranty, runs perfect. No oil consumption, no transmission problems. Its not a perfect car, but it is not a piece of junk either-at least not in V-6 form. Face it-when you buy a used car you never know what you are really getting, unless you buy it from someone (like myself) who performs and documents in the manual and with receipts, ALL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE!The sad fact is MOST people do not perform scheduled maintenance on their vehicles. On a new car you should expect to spend $100-$300 every year on maintenance. This is an alien concept too many. I have a friend who never changed his oil for 78,000 miles. He recently spent $4000 on a new engine. His oil change costs over those 78,000 miles would have been around $700.Skip the maintenance at your peril. Many of the MAJOR complaints I hear seem to be lack of maintenance/abuse of the car issues. Many of the MINOR complaints I hear you will find in many other $20,000 cars albeit in different areas. I bought it new in 2000,and it is running perfect at 53,000 miles.Overall, I am happy with the car and plan to keep it many more years.
I own a 1995 Dodge Avenger ES. I absolutely love my car. At the same time it has cost me a lot of money to keep up. I have made many modifications to the car including custom interior, cold air intake, 3 inch lowering kit, nos, and soon to come rims and racing stripes that mimic the Viper. Well back to my problems. The major problem that I had with my car is my transmission completely blew up on me. I am currently having my mechanic completely replace all my gaskets in the car due to my head gasket failure. Yes it has been expensive to maintain, but you never know what you get when you by from a private party and you have to grin and bear it. All cars have problems and some are more expensive than others, but to drive the best you have to give it the best. If you have any questions or want to see pics of my car e-mail me at Teepie911@aol.com.
I bought my 96 Avenger about 2 years ago with 56K miles on it. It is the 2.0 16V DOHC model with the manual transmission. I think the stick shift really adds a side to the car that is missing in it's auto form. It has been a wonderful car and now has 101K miles. I've had no problems as described in the previous owner's comments. The one and only problem I've had from it was that after I took it to the dealer for a routine service, it started burning oil. Now it cannot even be tested for emissions. I don't blame the car.. I blame the mechanics. But I love the car so much, I'm simply going to have the engine reworked and keep on driving it!
I drive a 1995 Dodge Avenger 5 speed with the DOHC's, to be honest.. I race it all the time, mine is quick and good with gas, I love it. But my car has had some major work done to it.. the Transmission went out and I had to totally rebuild it.. but the Avenger is by far my fave. type of car, so I was all about getting back behind the wheel. I wish you all luck with you're Avenger.. maybe I'll race you sometime ;)
I have a 1995 Dodge Avenger and it has been a dream car. I have owned it since 1999 (72000 miles). I have only replaced the brakes. In 4 years I have put almost 80000 miles on it. It has never left me stranded anywhere or emptied my wallet. Over all, I think this car has been Excellent. Oh yeah, yes it does smoke, but nothing a little Lucos can solve.
I have had my 97' Avenger ES for the past 5 months. I bought it with 64,000 miles. It was a one owner car. I have had nothing but problems with it. It is in the shop at least once a week. (it is as we speak right now, due to it not wanting to start). The mechanic shop where it is has changed the distributor twice and it is still doing the same thing. The car turns over, but refuses to start. The fuel filter has been changed along with the battery, terminals, and water pump. If anyone has any suggestions as to what this could be please don't hesitate to e-mail me at snowlass71@yahoo.com. thanks
I bought my 1997 Avenger new, and now at 75,000 things are starting to crumble. I've been preemptive about problems, changing the timing belt early, fuel injector cleaning, spark plugs replaced, constant check-ups, but it always seems to find something new.
My favorite is that my window and door control panel on my door broke and fell inside the door. Of course my O2 sensors are going now, one every two weeks. And the standard problems, brakes, window rattle, pin fell out of the glove box so it hangs, and pricey tires. My newest problem is constant over heating because my coolant is disappearing rapidly. I just hope it's not in my oil already.
All in all it was a good car that went bad round 70,000. I'm spending more than the car's value annually on repairs. Beware buying used... It may be from me.
The 97 dodge avenger drives like a dream when it actually starts!! I believe that the after factory lo-jack alarm is causing the car not to start or to die while your driving it. If you buy this type of car make sure you have plenty of bus money!
My son purchased a 1995 Dodge Avenger 2 1/2 years ago. The car is in the garage right now to have the 4th wheel bearing replaced. Today it is the right front wheel bearing and this one has already been replaced one time before (that we know of). Each time we replace one, it costs us $200 - $300 dollars! I am trying to contact the Chrysler Complaint Dept. but all I've been getting is a busy signal. I will continue to pursue the company - this is not right!
I just bought a 1995 Avenger 2mths ago and the valve cap is leaking. It's causing oil to leak into my spark plugs and my spark plug wires. I'm not sure what to do. But after reading all the comments I'm a little afraid that I bought a piece of junk. Any advise?
My son bought a 1996 Dodge Avenger and has literally had every major part except the engine itself replaced. Some of these repairs were on recall, but the majority have been out of pocket costs. We are currently having trouble getting it to start at all. Putting it to the road with a Best Offer sign. Looks great, doesn't run!! Sorry for all the rest of you who have had problems as well. I suggest to anyone who is thinking about buying this car to look for a horse and buggy. Less problems, cheaper to run and a vet can generally inoculate it to keep it running.
My 1995 Dodge Avenger has been stalling on me every day about 15 miles after I get on the road, usually when I'm on the freeway. The dealer cannot find out what is wrong with it. So far they have rebuilt the transmission, replaced fuel pump, alternator, and timing belt. Has anyone had a similar stalling problem? Please e-mail me karina80@sbcglobal.net.
I bought a dodge avenger (95) when I graduated high-school in 00, it had a number of miles on it already (80k+), but seemed to run fine... For a while. I have read all the previous post and have heard of many of the same problems that I have had with mine, trans. slipping, heads going to hell, my interior gague lights also went a while ago, the recall on the ball joints was a HUGE problem when they came undone, both sides. Chrysler was nice enough to reimburse me for the cost of replacing them, no complaints there. One problem that I had that nobody else has mentioned was the doors being very badly designed. my driver side door hinges rusted out completely by '01' and that cause a lot of heartache. The only good thing that I can say about my avenger is that the engine is still going strong, 170k miles and it still runs well.
I own a 98 Dodge Avenger and things seem to be going just fine. Just wanting to ask a few questions to all you other Avenger owners. I religiously change the oil and filter on it every 3000 miles, but that is really about the only thing that I do for it. Today I actually got a tune up, changed the plugs, and new air filter. My car has 105,000 miles on it and drives like a dream. I have been looking around to see what other maintenance should be done on it since I would like to continue driving her for a long time. If you have any suggestions, please feel free to communicate it with me. Thank you- God Bless.
Lorimgonzalez@yahoo.com-- (please include the word AVENGER in your subject, otherwise I might accidentlly delete the mail) Thanks again.
First of all, I am purchasing a 96 avenger next week and I have a few things I wanted to say to everyone who has posted and those who will post in the future. The avenger is 100% a mitsubishi produced car. I love mitsubishi's, my previous cars include a 90 eagle summit, a 91 plymouth laser and a 93 dodge stealth and you should all know that they are all mitsubishi parts. The summit is a mirage, the laser is an eclipse and the stealth is a 3000gt. did you know that the avenger is a twin of the chrysler sebring? and that all new stratuses and interpids are mitsubishi produced? Most of you who have made there little complaints about the car are complaining about required maintenace!!!. Did you know that in mitsubishis, as with most cars I assume, the timing belt should be replaced every 60,000 miles also with the waterpump if necessary? this is all maintenance people!. how can you complain about rotors and brakes when they of course should be replaced from time to time. things go on cars that's why you put a little money in them so they last a long time. my laser right now has 203,000 miles on it still going strong, yeah I guess I've basically replaced most things under the hood, but you have to. what, do you guys honestly think that a starter, an alternator or a timing belt will last forever? of course not. and with the avenger(not the es), the engine is the exact one used in base eclipses, 95-99. believe me they run strong as long as you take care of them. I can't wait to drive my new avenger. It only has 79,000 miles, with the base motor and I expect it to last me well until 200,000 as with my other mitsubishi's. As for the reason for me writing this, I just wanna say keep up on your cars, they look great and will reat you right as long as you treat them good. Good luck.