IN THE YEAR OF 2001-2002 WAS THE FIRST TIME THAT MY DOOR HANDLE ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF MY 1998 DODGE AVENGER BROKE. I WENT TO A DODGE MECHANIC SHOP AND THEY FIXED IT. IN THE YEAR OF 2003 THE PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF AND LATER ON IN 2004 THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE DOOR HANDLE BROKE AGAIN. I GOT SOMEONE TO FIX IT. IT IS NOW 2006…
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IN THE YEAR OF 2001-2002 WAS THE FIRST TIME THAT MY DOOR HANDLE ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF MY 1998 DODGE AVENGER BROKE. I WENT TO A DODGE MECHANIC SHOP AND THEY FIXED IT. IN THE YEAR OF 2003 THE PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF AND LATER ON IN 2004 THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE DOOR HANDLE BROKE AGAIN. I GOT SOMEONE TO FIX IT. IT IS NOW 2006 AND MY DRIVER SIDE OF MY DOOR HANDLE HAS BROKEN OFF AGAIN AND THE PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE WILL NOT OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE. THIS HAS CAUSED ME TO BE LOCKED OUT OF MY CAR MULTIPLE TIMES. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THE HANDLES KEEP BREAKING OFF. THERE HAS TO BE A DEFECT BECAUSE THEY ARE EASILY BROKEN. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10172325
49,000 miles · Aug 26, 2004
Latches/locks/linkages
WITHIN ONE YEAR OF EACH OTHER, BOTH THE DRIVERS AND THEN THE PASENGERS DOOR HANDLES BROKE OFF. THIS SEEMS TO BE A MANUFACTURES DEFECT, AS SEVERAL SEBRING AND AVENGER CARS IN OUR AREA HAVE ALL EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10088612
62,000 miles · Oct 18, 2003
Latches/locks/linkages
1998 DODGE AVENGER ES. WHEN I WENT TO OPEN THE DRIVER,S DOOR THE ENTIRE HANDLE SNAPPED OFF AND WAS IN MY HAND. CHEAP PLASTIC MECHANISM. HAVE TO OPEN DOOR FROM THE INSIDE. VERY INCONVENIENT. HAVE CALL INTO A COUPLE MECHANICS AND DODGE DEALER FOR REPAIR ESTIMATES. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10043153
Mileage unknown · May 25, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingLatches/locks/linkagesService Brakes, Hydraulic
THIS HAS BEEN MY SECOND AVENGER AND I WISH THAT I WOULD HAVE NEVER GOTTEN RID OF MY 96. THIS 98 HAS A LONGER SERVICE HISTORY THAN MOST OF THE CARS IN OUR SMALL TOWN, PUT TOGETHER. BRAKES--THE CAR HAS NOW HAD 2 BRAKE JOBS IN 9000 MILES. EACH TIME THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE ROTORS AND BLED OUT THE LINES.. CAN'T WAIT UNTIL 450…
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THIS HAS BEEN MY SECOND AVENGER AND I WISH THAT I WOULD HAVE NEVER GOTTEN RID OF MY 96. THIS 98 HAS A LONGER SERVICE HISTORY THAN MOST OF THE CARS IN OUR SMALL TOWN, PUT TOGETHER. BRAKES--THE CAR HAS NOW HAD 2 BRAKE JOBS IN 9000 MILES. EACH TIME THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE ROTORS AND BLED OUT THE LINES.. CAN'T WAIT UNTIL 4500 MILES COMES AGAIN SO I CAN HAVE NEW BRAKES PUT ON IT AGAIN. FUEL ECON--THE CAR IS LUCKY TO GET 18-21 MPG ON THE HIGHWAY. THE DEALER TOLD ME TODAY THAT THESE CARS ARE NOT KNOWN FOR GOOD GAS MILEAGE--IS THAT TRUE?? MY 96 AVENGER GOT 25-34 ON THE HIGHWAY!?!?!?! DOOR--THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HAS NEVER CLOSED PROPERLY SINCE I HAVE GOTTEN THE CAR. THE DEALER HAS ADJUSTED IT TWICE AND NOW TELLS ME IT IS FINE. IT SURE IS FUNNY HOW IT STILL SHUTS OUTSIDE OF THE WEATHERSTRIP OCCASIONALLY, CAUSING ANNOYING WIND NOISE. WHEELS----THE THIRD DAY I HAD THE CAR, I HAD A LOW SPEED POTHOLE COLLISION AND BENT A RIM. SINCE THEN, I HAVE NOTICED ALL MY RIMS HAVE SMALL DINGS IN THEM AND TO TOP IT ALL OFF, THE FINISH IS PEELING OFF THE RIMS. *AK
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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 JOINTS THAT ARE WITHIN THE ESTABLISHED TOLERANCE WILL BE CLEANED AND A SPECIAL SEALANT WILL BE APPLIED TO PREVENT INTRUSION OF MOISTURE.
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