Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 12 of 13 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Air Bags. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Equipment. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
2 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
13 reports
50,100 miles · Jul 20, 2010
Power Train
CAR WAS FINE AND ONE DAY WENT TO DRIVE IT AND IT WOULDN'T SHIFT OUT OF PARK. TRIED FIR DAYS AND STILL IT WOULDN'T BUDGE. CALLED DODGE TO SEND OUT A FLAT BED TRUCK AND THE DRIVER SAID THIS HAS BEEN A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE AVENGER SO HE KNEW TO TAKE OFF THE SILVER SHIFT RIM AND RELEASE THE CAR FROM PARK TO AT LEAST GET US TO THE…
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CAR WAS FINE AND ONE DAY WENT TO DRIVE IT AND IT WOULDN'T SHIFT OUT OF PARK. TRIED FIR DAYS AND STILL IT WOULDN'T BUDGE. CALLED DODGE TO SEND OUT A FLAT BED TRUCK AND THE DRIVER SAID THIS HAS BEEN A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE AVENGER SO HE KNEW TO TAKE OFF THE SILVER SHIFT RIM AND RELEASE THE CAR FROM PARK TO AT LEAST GET US TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT WILL TAKE AT LEAST 2 DAYS TO GET THE PROBLEM FIXED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10344299
52,000 miles · May 12, 2010
EquipmentPower TrainTraction Control System
I PURCHASED A 2008 DODGE AVENGER ABOUT A YEAR AGO, A FEW DAYS AFTER I GOT THE CAR THE GEAR SHIFT GOT STUCK AND I COULDN'T GET THE CAR OUT OF PARK. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THE SALES GUY WHO SOLD ME MY CAR TOLD ME THAT I WAS PROBABLY DOING SOMETHING WRONG, ABOUT AN 15MINS LATER THE CAR WENT IN TO DRIVE, AND I DIDN'T THINK ANY…
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I PURCHASED A 2008 DODGE AVENGER ABOUT A YEAR AGO, A FEW DAYS AFTER I GOT THE CAR THE GEAR SHIFT GOT STUCK AND I COULDN'T GET THE CAR OUT OF PARK. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THE SALES GUY WHO SOLD ME MY CAR TOLD ME THAT I WAS PROBABLY DOING SOMETHING WRONG, ABOUT AN 15MINS LATER THE CAR WENT IN TO DRIVE, AND I DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING ABOUT IT. TODAY I TRIED TO UP MY CAR IN DRIVE AND IT WOULDN'T GOING IN TO DRIVE AT ALL. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT I HAD TO GO THROUGH DODGE BECAUSE I WAS OUT OF THE 30DAYS. I THEN CALLED THE DODGE DEALERSHIP AND HE TOLD ME I WOULD HAVE TO PAY ABOUT $1300 TO GET MY CAR FIXED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10330158
Mileage unknown · Aug 3, 2009
Power Train
2008 DODGE AVENGER: SHIFTER ASSEMBLY PRONE TO BREAK. CHRYSLER IS AWARE, BUT HAS NOT RECALLED THE PART. WHEN THE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY BREAKS, SHIFTING BECOMES IMPOSSIBLE. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM IS KNOWN TO BE A FAULTY DESIGN AND THE USE OF A BRITTLE PLASTIC COMPONENT WITHIN THE ASSEMBLY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10279216
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2008 Dodge Avenger Awd Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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