Equal-exposure complaint evidence and changes in the reported problem mix

1996 vs 1997 DODGE AVENGER

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Share shifts show how a vehicle's problem mix changed. They do not measure reliability, and complaint counts are not normalized for sales volume.

First 359 months on market for each model year

Exposure window calculated through Aug 22, 2026

Age-matched reports

▼ 47.4% fewer reports in the equal exposure window

1996 156 complaints 1997 82 complaints

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Component share shift

Bars start at the neutral midpoint. Left means a smaller share; right means a larger share.

View component share data as a table
Component 1996 share 1997 share Share change
AIR BAGS 3.9% 14.6% ▲ 10.8 pts larger share
SUSPENSION 32.7% 22.0% ▼ 10.7 pts smaller share
POWER TRAIN 8.3% 2.4% ▼ 5.9 pts smaller share
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 3.9% not reported ▼ 3.9 pts smaller share
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 4.5% 7.3% ▲ 2.8 pts larger share
TIRES not reported 2.4% ▲ 2.4 pts larger share
SERVICE BRAKES 12.8% 14.6% ▲ 1.8 pts larger share
STRUCTURE 1.9% 3.7% ▲ 1.7 pts larger share
ENGINE 9.6% 8.5% ▼ 1.1 pts smaller share
VISIBILITY 3.2% 2.4% ▼ 0.8 pts smaller share
STEERING 3.2% 3.7% ▲ 0.5 pts larger share
WHEELS 3.2% 3.7% ▲ 0.5 pts larger share
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 5.1% 4.9% ▼ 0.3 pts smaller share
SEAT BELTS 5.1% 4.9% ▼ 0.3 pts smaller share
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 85.9% 82.9% ▼ 3.0 pts smaller share

recalls · none on file

Recall campaigns

1996 0

Campaign components: not reported

1997 0

Campaign components: not reported

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Safety signals

◆ Fires
3 → 0
◆ Injuries
14 → 19