2000 DODGE AVENGER

Typical onset: 80,000-140,000 mi

Symptoms: Harsh or delayed 2-3 upshift, Slipping between gears especially when warm, Whining noise from transmission area, Transmission overheating, burnt ATF smell, Check engine light with speed sensor codes

Fix: The 41TE/42LE transmissions fail due to solenoid pack issues, worn clutch packs, and oil cooler contamination. Rebuilds run 12-16 hours labor, but many techs recommend replacement with remanufactured unit due to repeat failures. Oil cooler MUST be replaced simultaneously or metal shavings will kill the new trans within months.

Estimated cost: $2,200-3,800

Typical onset: 90,000-150,000 mi

Symptoms: Excessive oil consumption (quart per 500-1000 miles), Blue smoke from exhaust on startup or acceleration, Knocking or rod knock sounds from lower engine, Loss of compression on multiple cylinders, Coolant in oil or vice versa (head gasket failure)

Fix: The 2.5L V6 is notorious for piston ring failure, worn cylinder walls, and head gasket problems. Rings alone require full teardown (18-22 hours), but by the time symptoms appear, bores are usually scored and need machining or re-sleeving. Most shops recommend short block or used engine swap (12-16 hours) as more cost-effective than rebuild. Head gaskets fail independently too (8-10 hours for both banks).

Estimated cost: $3,500-6,500

Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi

Symptoms: Clunking over bumps from front suspension, Steering wander or excessive play, Uneven tire wear on inside edge, Visible separation or torn boot on ball joint, Wheel can be wiggled significantly when jacked up

Fix: Lower ball joints can separate from control arm, causing complete loss of steering control. NHTSA recall 04V-235 covered some VINs but not all. Replacement requires control arm assembly on most (ball joint not serviceable separately on early production). 2-3 hours per side including alignment.

Estimated cost: $400-700

Typical onset: 100,000-150,000 mi

Symptoms: No-start or extended crank time especially when hot, Sputtering or hesitation under acceleration, Stalling at operating temperature, Whining noise from fuel tank area, Intermittent fuel pressure loss

Fix: Fuel pumps fail due to age and running on low fuel levels (pump uses fuel for cooling). Requires dropping the tank (2.5-3.5 hours labor). Always replace fuel filter during this job and inspect tank for rust/debris. Some units had recall 00V-346 for pump contamination.

Estimated cost: $450-750

Symptoms: Headlights flickering or cutting out intermittently, Smell of burning plastic from dash, Headlights work only on high beam, Dash lights dim or fail when headlights are on, Melted connector at headlight switch

Fix: Headlight switch develops high resistance, causing heat buildup and connector melt. Multiple NHTSA recalls (00V-086, 00V-339) addressed this but problem persists. Requires switch replacement plus wiring harness repair at bulkhead connector (2-3 hours). Check for voltage drop before replacing switch alone.

Estimated cost: $250-500

Typical onset: 70,000-120,000 mi

Symptoms: Clunk when shifting from park to drive/reverse, Excessive vibration at idle in gear, Visible engine movement when revving, Rattling under acceleration or deceleration

Fix: Transmission mount (rear engine mount) fails frequently due to fluid leakage and rubber deterioration. Easy diagnosis by watching engine movement with brake applied and shifting. Replacement is 1-1.5 hours. Always inspect all engine mounts simultaneously as they tend to fail together.

Estimated cost: $150-300