DodgeAvenger19952.5L/dodge/avenger/1995/2-5l/
FJ platform

1995 Dodge Avenger — 2.5L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1995 Avenger 2.5L.

Body PASSENGER CAREngine 2.5LTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1995 Dodge Avenger 2.5L is a front‑wheel‑drive passenger car built on the FJ platform, powered by a 2.5‑liter engine that requires 4.5 quarts of 5W‑30 API oil and is paired with a four‑speed automatic transmission delivering EPA‑rated 18/26/21 mpg. Owner feedback for this model year shows 233 total complaints, with suspension issues leading the list and three recalls recorded. Compared with the Avenger’s broader 1995‑2015 complaint history — where 2008 peaked at 844 reports and 2015 fell to just one — the 1995 model sits well below the worst year but above the lowest, indicating a modest reliability standing.

Model year19991998199719961995

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.5 qt w/ filterOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque85-100 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy18/26/21 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 86 · 525 CCA battery, OE oil filter 05281090AB. Note the factory engine air filter and thermostat are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 86 · 525 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnOFFOEM · verified
Tire sizeP195-70HR14OEM · verified
Wheel / rim5.5-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter05281090AB
Engine air filterMB906051 discontinued
Fuel filterMB504764 alt MB504766
Spark plug68303953AA alt 68304149AA
BatteryBB86F101AA
Front wiper blades04723444 alt 04746318
Serpentine belt04668223 alt 05096317AB
ThermostatMD194988 discontinued · alt 04573560AE

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length187.4 in
Overall width68.5 in
Overall height53.1 in
Wheelbase103.9 in
Curb weight3084 lb
Track (front / rear)59.1 / 59.1 in

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined18 / 26 / 21 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.5 qt w/ filter of 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 85-100 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 25 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 qt w/ filter

Engine torques

Clutch Pressure Plate Bolts55.0 ft-lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings38 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts69 ft-lbs
Oil Pan to Block Bolts4.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug25 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/StudsM8 Bolts: 10 ft-lbs, M10 Bolts: 30 ft-lbs
Engine Valve Cover Bolts2.5 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts85-100 ft-lbs
Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts45 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub145-188 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-2-4
Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)600-1300 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerChampion
Spark Plug Gap0.033-0.038 in
Spark Plug Torque18 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.53-1.63 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil TypeND 8 oil
Oil Capacity2.70-4.10 oz
RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.54-1.64 lbs
Oil GroupPAG

Service checks

Pressure Test11-15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature180 °F
Engine Compression100 Minimum psi

Brakes

Torque to Knuckle36-43 ft-lbs / 65 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket36-43 ft-lbs / 54 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.312; Rear: 0.281 Specifications
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0006 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.003 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.39 in / 0.79 in / 0.94 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To0.39 in / 0.79 in / 0.94 in
Rotor Discard at or Under0.33 in / 0.72 in / 0.88 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 7 stages
1Long bolts25 ft. lbs
2Short bolts20 ft. lbs
3Long bolts50 ft. lbs
4Short bolts20 ft. lbs
5Long bolts50 ft. lbs
6Short bolts20 ft. lbs
7All bolts90 degrees

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 15,000 mi; spark plugs every 30,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miBrake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Clutch Master Cylinder (inspect fluid level) · Power Steering System (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace)
Every 60,000 miDistributor Cap (inspect) · Distributor Rotor (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel Tank (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap (inspect)
Every 100,000 miTiming Belt (replace)

Owner how-tos

Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.

Common procedures

Key fob — remote (RKE) programming programming new fob buttons Dealer tool OEM · verified
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
WhyTransmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module
Anti-theft (SKIS) — module initialization after immobilizer module replacement Dealer tool OEM · verified
When neededAfter Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool
Also requiredThe vehicle's four-digit PIN code

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 1995 Dodge Avenger generated 233 complaints, 3 recalls and 3 investigations, with 65 technical service bulletins, placing its complaint volume above the 1996 figure of 197 and the 1997 figure of 94. Recalls and investigations in 1995 were comparable to 1996 (3 recalls, 1 investigation) but higher than the near‑zero investigations reported from 1998 onward. Complaint trends show a sharp decline after 1995, dropping to 94 in 1997 and further to 60 by 1998, indicating that the 1995 model sits at the high‑end of the early‑generation complaint arc. The dominant complaint categories for 1995 were suspension (56), service brakes, hydraulic (34), electrical system (20) and engine & engine cooling (17), with 27 crash‑related and 4 fire‑related complaints recorded. Because the 1995 year exhibits the highest complaint count of the early years and includes safety‑related complaints, a prudent buyer should weigh these factors and consider a later model unless a comprehensive inspection confirms resolved issues.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
65
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
3
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
233
Owner complaints
27 involved a crash · 4 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 233 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Suspension56
Service Brakes, Hydraulic34
Electrical System20
Engine & Engine Cooling17
Air Bags16
Power Train12
Steering10
Seats8

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

07E055000Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel PumpReported 26/07/2007

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… 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.

00V421002Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball JointReported 18/12/2000

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… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 65 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
R2118796A2016-02-26Engine And Engine CoolingValve Body. These may cause over drive cycling.
18020022002-06-24Unknown Or OtherFLASH PROGRAMMING FAILURE RECOVERY. *SLC
08010012001-05-25Electrical SystemSUBJECT REGARDING AIRBAG / CLOCK SPRING SERVICE FOR VARIOUS MODELS INCLUDING 2002 MODEL…
18012012001-05-25EquipmentSUBJECT REGARDING GENERIC SCAN TOOL (GST), PUBLICATION NO. 81-170-00008 PROVIDED WITH…
21006012001-03-16Power TrainAUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE ATF+4. *TT *MJ

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Avenger. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1995 Avenger 2.5L take?

4.5 qt w/ filter of 5W-30 SJ, API (STARBURST, per the factory manual.

Does the 1995 Avenger have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 2.5L get?

EPA figures are 18 city / 26 highway / 21 combined mpg.