Dodge›Avenger›1997›2.0L/dodge/avenger/1997/2-0l/

FJ platform

1997 Dodge Avenger — 2.0L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1997 Avenger 2.0L.

Body PASSENGER CAREngine 2.0LTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1997 Dodge Avenger 2.0L is a passenger car built on the FJ platform, powered by a 2.0-liter engine paired with an automatic four-speed transmission and rated at 18/27/21 mpg EPA. It requires 4.5 quarts of 10W-30 or 5W-30 API oil with filter and carries six recalls, with suspension representing the top complaint area among 94 total owner reports. Within the model’s 1995–2015 production span, this early example registers far fewer grievances than the 2008 peak of 844 complaints yet significantly more than the single report logged in 2015, marking it as a relatively moderate point in the nameplate’s reliability timeline.

Model year1999 1998 1997 1996 1995

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4.5 qt w/ filterOEM · verified

Engine oil type10W-30 / 5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque85-100 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy18/27/21 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses OE oil filter 05281090AB. Note the factory engine air filter, fuel filter, front wiper blades and thermostat are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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.

Tire sizeP195-70HR14OEM · verified

Wheel / rim5.5-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	05281090AB
Engine air filter	MB906051 discontinued
Fuel filter	MR188221 discontinued
Spark plug	68303953AA alt 05269899
Battery	BB86F101AA
Front wiper blades	04746318 discontinued · alt 04723444
Serpentine belt	04668223 alt 05096317AB
Thermostat	04573560AE discontinued · alt MD194988

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	190.6 in
Overall width	68.5 in
Overall height	53.1 in
Wheelbase	103.9 in
Curb weight	2888 lb
Track (front / rear)	59.1 / 59.1 in

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	18 / 27 / 21 mpg
Drivetrain	Front-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuel	Regular 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 10W-30 / 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 85-100 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 Fluid	DOT 3
Engine Oil	10W-30 · API · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity	4.5 qt w/ filter

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs	M6 Bolts: 9 ft-lbs, M8 Bolts: 20 ft-lbs
Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s)	Turbo: 65.0, Non-Turbo: 75.0 ft-lbs
Clutch Pressure Plate Bolts	68.0 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	100 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	105 ft-lbs
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s)	5.0 ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)	22.0 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts	55 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	85-100 ft-lbs
Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts	18.0-25.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-2-4
Cylinder Firing Order	1-2-3-4-5-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	950 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	350 rpm
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance	.51-.61 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance	11,500-13,500 ohms
Spark Plug Manufacturer	Champion
Spark Plug Gap	0.033-0.038 in

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.54-1.63 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Oil Capacity	5.70-6.40 oz
Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.53-1.63 lbs
Oil Group	PAG

Service checks

Pressure Test	23 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	16 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	195 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)	48.0-54.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)	48-54 psi
Injector Primary Resistance	12 approx. @ 68 degreesF ohms
Injector Primary Resistance	11-15 na ohms
Injector Primary Resistance	13-16 na ohms

Brakes

Torque to Knuckle	36-43 ft-lbs / 65 ft-lbs / 65-80 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket	36-43 ft-lbs / 65 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.312; Rear: 0.281 Specifications
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.0006 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.003 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	0.39 in / 0.79 in / 0.94 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To	0.39 in / 0.79 in / 0.94 in
Rotor Discard at or Under	0.33 in / 0.72 in / 0.88 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

20 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90

20 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 7 stages

1	Long bolts	25 ft. lbs
2	Short bolts	20 ft. lbs
3	Long bolts	50 ft. lbs
4	Short bolts	20 ft. lbs
5	Long bolts	50 ft. lbs
6	Short bolts	20 ft. lbs
7	All bolts	90 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 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 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 mi	Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Clutch Master Cylinder (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Power Steering System (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 mi	Axle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect)
Every 60,000 mi	Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel Tank (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap (inspect) · Spark Plug Wires (inspect)
Every 100,000 mi	Timing 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 required	DRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
Why	Transmitter 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 needed	After Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool required	DRBIII scan tool
Also required	The 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 federal record for the Dodge Avenger shows a sharp downward trend in complaints from 233 in 1995 and 197 in 1996, with the 1997 model year marking a significant drop to 94 complaints. However, while complaint volume fell, 1997 saw a doubling of federal recalls to 6, up from 3 in both preceding years, suggesting the manufacturer was actively addressing systemic defects. For the target year, the primary complaint categories are Suspension (20), Service Brakes Hydraulic (12), and Air Bags (10), alongside 16 crash-related complaints, though the data does not specify the root causes of these failures. Sitting at the inflection point of declining complaints but elevated recall activity, the 1997 model implies a transition year where major safety concerns were being mandated for repair. Consequently, a used 1997 Dodge Avenger is a cautious buy; it is only recommended if documentation confirms all six recalls have been completed, though buyers prioritizing statistical reliability should opt for the 1998 model which saw complaints fall to 60.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

16 involved a crash · 0 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’95 ’96’97’98 ’99 ’00 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’10 ’11 ’12 ’13 ’14 ’15

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 94 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Suspension20

Service Brakes, Hydraulic12

Air Bags10

Exterior Lighting8

Engine & Engine Cooling7

Electrical System5

Wheels3

Structure3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 6 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

09E012000Exterior LightingReported 07/04/2009

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… 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…

06E064000Exterior LightingReported 17/07/2006

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… 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.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 73 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
08-049-20	2020-04-22	Electrical System	Charging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin…
3100519	2019-11-20	Structure	Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with…
3100619	2019-11-20	Structure	Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC…
3100319	2019-11-20	Structure	Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with…
31-006-19	2019-11-20	Structure	Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC…

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.

Vehicles taking 4.5 qt w/ filter FJ-platform vehicles Engine oil filter 05281090AB Engine air filter MB906051 Fuel filter MR188221 Spark plug 68303953AA

Reference guides

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

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1997 Avenger 2.0L take?

4.5 qt w/ filter of ABOVE -10F: 10W-30 API, BELOW 100F: 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1997 Avenger have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 2.0L get?

EPA figures are 18 city / 27 highway / 21 combined mpg.