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1998 Dodge Avenger Base

The 1998 Dodge Avenger Base is a 140-hp 2.0-liter inline-4 with a 5-speed manual. It starts at $15,465 MSRP and is rated at 23 mpg combined.

It makes 140 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 130 lb-ft of torque at 4800 rpm. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 19 mpg city and 29 mpg highway (23 mpg combined).

The Avenger measures 190.2 inches long on a 103.7-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 2,897 lb.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeCoupe
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$15,465 ($30,835 *)
Engine
Engine TypeGas I4
Displacement2 L
Horsepower140 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Torque130 lb-ft @ 4800 rpm
Injection TypeSequential Fuel Injection
Drivetrain
Drive TypeFront Wheel Drive
Transmission
Transmission5-Speed Manual
1st Gear3.54
2nd Gear2.13
3rd Gear1.36
4th Gear1.03
5th Gear0.81
Reverse3.42
Final Drive3.94
Fuel Economy
City19 MPG
Highway29 MPG
Combined23 MPG
Recommended FuelRegular Unleaded
Tank Capacity16.9 gal
Suspension
Front SuspensionMultilink, Independent
Rear SuspensionMultilink, Independent
Front Stabilizer Bar0.63 in
Brakes
Front Brake Disc10.0 x 0.9 in
Tires & Wheels
Wheels Front14 x 5.5 in
Wheels Rear14 x 5.5 in
Tires FrontP195/70HR14
Tires RearP195/70HR14
Dimensions & Weight
Length190.2 in
Width69.1 in
Height51 in
Wheelbase103.7 in
Front Track59.4 in
Rear Track59.3 in
Cargo Volume13.1 ft³
Curb Weight2,897 lbs
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Not crash-tested by NHTSA for this model year.

Recalls

6 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 1998 Dodge AVENGER. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

May 11, 2009 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

NHTSA campaign 09E025000

Apr 7, 2009 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

NHTSA campaign 09E012000

Jul 26, 2007 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

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 CONDITION MAY RESULT IN LEAKAGE OF FUEL AT THE CONNECTION OF THE VEHICLE FUEL LINE AND THE FUEL PUMP MODULE ASSEMBLY.

Consequence: IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FUEL LEAK COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA campaign 07E055000

Jul 17, 2006 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING

CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence: LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: TRADESONIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRADESONIC AT 626-934-8884.

NHTSA campaign 06E064000

Dec 18, 2000 · SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

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: 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.

NHTSA campaign 00V421002

Mar 3, 1998 · VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE DASH PANEL PAD CAN SHIFT INTERFERRING WITH THE THROTTLE CABLE CONTROL.

Consequence: THE THROTTLE CABLE CONTROL WOULD NOT RETURN TO IDLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE A PORTION OF THE DASH PANEL PAD SO IT CANNOT INTERFERE WITH THE THROTTLE CABLE CONTROL.

NHTSA campaign 98V045002

58 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 1998 Dodge AVENGER

Owner Complaints

58 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1998 Dodge AVENGER (14 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 6 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Suspension17
Air Bags8
Hydraulic7
Service Brakes7
Wheels5
Engine And Engine Cooling4
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Feb 10, 2017 · Electrical System
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE AVENGER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, IT WOULD NOT TURN OFF WHEN THE IGNITION KEY WAS REMOVED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER HAVING THE IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED…”
Apr 5, 2012 · Fuel System, Gasoline
“WHEN FILLING A EMPTY GAS TANK, I CAN GET ABOUT $2.00 OF GAS IN BEFORE GAS SPLASH BACK OCCURS. THIS CAUSES LARGE AMOUNTS OF GAS TO POUR ONTO THE GROUND AND ON MY SHOES AND CLOTHES. I HAVE TRIED 6…”
Feb 1, 2012 · Structure
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE AVENGER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE EMITTING OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT…”
Jan 12, 2011 · Suspension
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SINCE 2010, BOTH LOWER BALL JOINTS FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN THE DRIVER SIDE BALL JOINT FAILED AND THE TIRE BEGAN TO…”
Nov 23, 2010 · Suspension
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 DODGE AVENGER. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH THE VEHICLE HIT A BUMP CAUSING THE LOWER CONTROL ARM TO SNAP AND THE SUSPENSION TO HIT THE TIRE AND THE FENDER. THE…”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 1998 DODGE AVENGER. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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