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2008 Dodge Avenger

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Avenger years

Owner complaints for the 2008 Dodge Avenger are substantially higher than the model-year median of 157.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

722 reports with mileage · 109 unknown

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.

  • Power Train. Review the 236 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 219 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 138 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

36 crash reports26 fire reports24 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

61 reports
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150,000 miles · May 31, 2016
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BLOWER MOTOR FAN SWITCH MEDIUM AND LOW FUNCTIONS FAILED TO ACTIVATE. THE REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED BY THE CONTACT AND HE REPLACED THE BLOWER MOTOR SWITCH RELAY. THE CONTACT HAD MENTIONED THAT PRIOR TO THE RECENT FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BLOWER MOTOR FAN SWITCH MEDIUM AND LOW FUNCTIONS FAILED TO ACTIVATE. THE REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED BY THE CONTACT AND HE REPLACED THE BLOWER MOTOR SWITCH RELAY. THE CONTACT HAD MENTIONED THAT PRIOR TO THE RECENT FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE ENGINE COOLING FLUSHING WAS PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 07/27/16*LJ UPDATED 08/01/16.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10871555

50,000 miles · Dec 26, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE OVER 50 MPH. THE VEHICLE LOST ACCELERATION POWER INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE CON…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE OVER 50 MPH. THE VEHICLE LOST ACCELERATION POWER INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IDLED, IT STALLED AS THE CHECK OIL AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

NHTSA ODI #10668303

110,630 miles · Nov 14, 2014
Engine And Engine Cooling

MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE REPAIR SHOP FOR THE SAME ISSUE OVER FOUR TIMES WITHIN THE PAST TWO YEARS. THE FIRST COMPLAINT ON 2/19/13. THE MALFUNCTION IS WITH THE VEHICLE HEATING SYSTEM. THE FIRST HEATER CORE WAS REPLACED ON 1/20/14, THE SECOND HEATER CORE ON 2/27/14, THE THIRD HEATER CORE ON 4/18/14, AND THE FOURTH ON 11/12/14. T…

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MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE REPAIR SHOP FOR THE SAME ISSUE OVER FOUR TIMES WITHIN THE PAST TWO YEARS. THE FIRST COMPLAINT ON 2/19/13. THE MALFUNCTION IS WITH THE VEHICLE HEATING SYSTEM. THE FIRST HEATER CORE WAS REPLACED ON 1/20/14, THE SECOND HEATER CORE ON 2/27/14, THE THIRD HEATER CORE ON 4/18/14, AND THE FOURTH ON 11/12/14. THE VEHICLE LOSES HEAT. THERE HAVE BEEN SPECIAL FILTERS INSTALLED IN MY VEHICLE AS WELL, TRYING TO RESOLVE ANY ISSUE BEFORE IT REACHES THE HEATER CORE, THIS ATTEMPT HAS FAILED AS WELL. THE CURRENT ISSUE WITH NO HEAT INCLUDED ANTI-FREEZE DRIPPING ON MY FEET INSIDE THE VEHICLE, JUST ABOVE THE GAS PEDAL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10654907

73,000 miles · Feb 16, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingVisibility

MY CAR HAS PROBLEM WITH THE BLOWER MOTOR N CAR WOULD JERK BAD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10564536

82,000 miles · Jan 10, 2014
Engine And Engine Cooling

INTAKE MANIFOLD DEFECTIVE REQUIRING REPLACEMENT. EST. $1300. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10559319

106,000 miles · Aug 17, 2013
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHEN I WAS DRIVING UP HILL MY CAR STARTED TO ACT SLUGGISH AND MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER TAKING IT TO MEINEKE AND SPENDING $50 FOR A DIAGNOSIS THEY TOLD ME I HAD TO GO TO DODGE BECAUSE I HAD ERRORS P2004 AND P2017 THAT NEEDED TO BE HANDLED BY DODGE DIRECTLY. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ONLINE ALL DODGE AVENGERS BUILT THR…

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WHEN I WAS DRIVING UP HILL MY CAR STARTED TO ACT SLUGGISH AND MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER TAKING IT TO MEINEKE AND SPENDING $50 FOR A DIAGNOSIS THEY TOLD ME I HAD TO GO TO DODGE BECAUSE I HAD ERRORS P2004 AND P2017 THAT NEEDED TO BE HANDLED BY DODGE DIRECTLY. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ONLINE ALL DODGE AVENGERS BUILT THROUGH MARCH 22, 2007 REQUIRED A NEW INTAKE MANIFOLD (PART NUMBER 04884495AF) BECAUSE VALUES WERE GETTING STUCK OPEN. I TOOK MY CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TELL ME IT WILL BE $940 BECAUSE THEY WILL NEED TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND REPROGRAM MY CAR. WHEN I CALLED CHRYSLER CUSTOMER SERVICE THEY TOLD ME SINCE MY CAR WAS BUILT IN JUNE 2007 I WOULDN'T QUALIFY FOR THE WARRANTY EVEN IF MY CAR HAD LESS THAN 80,000 MILES. I DID TONS OF RESEARCH ONLINE AND EVERY POST THAT I HAVE READ ABOUT 2008 DODGE AVENGERS WITH P2004 AND P2017 CODES MUST PAY ABOUT $1,000 TO GET THE INTAKE MANIFOLD REPLACED AND REPROGRAM THE CAR. THIS IS THE 1ST DODGE I HAVE EVER PURCHASED AND WILL DEFINITELY BE MY LAST! IF EVERYONE THAT BUYS THIS CAR IS HAVING TO REPLACE THAT INTAKE MANIFOLD ANYWHERE BETWEEN 15,000 MILES AND 110,000 MILES DODGE SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THEY HAD AN ISSUE WITH THE 1ST INTAKE MANIFOLD DESIGN AND THE CARS BUILT AFTER MARCH 22, 2007 DON'T HAVE ANY BETTER OF A DESIGN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10535883

Mileage unknown · May 7, 2013
Engine And Engine Cooling

IN MY 2008 DODGE AVENGER THE ENGINE SOMETIMES ETHER STALLS OUT WHEN I PUT IT INTO PARK OR SOMETIMES THE ENGINE REVS UP REALLY HIGH AND THEN GOES BACK TO NORMAL. THIS ALL HAPPENS WHENEVER IT RAINS OUTSIDE. SOMETIMES WHEN I GO THREW A PUDDLE THE ENGINE LIKE BEGINS TO STUTTER ALMOST LIKE IT IS GOING TO STALL OUT ON ME OR IT IS GOIN…

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IN MY 2008 DODGE AVENGER THE ENGINE SOMETIMES ETHER STALLS OUT WHEN I PUT IT INTO PARK OR SOMETIMES THE ENGINE REVS UP REALLY HIGH AND THEN GOES BACK TO NORMAL. THIS ALL HAPPENS WHENEVER IT RAINS OUTSIDE. SOMETIMES WHEN I GO THREW A PUDDLE THE ENGINE LIKE BEGINS TO STUTTER ALMOST LIKE IT IS GOING TO STALL OUT ON ME OR IT IS GOING TO REV UP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10511012

65,000 miles · Jan 11, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

IT WILL CONSTANTLY OVER HEAT, EVEN WITH FULL ANTI-FREEZE IN IT. IT WILL GET TO THE H IN LESS THEN 1 MIN. THE TRANSMISSION LIGHT WILL THEN COME ON FOLLOWED BY THE LIGHTING BOLD IN THE PARENTHESES. ALL OF A SUDDEN IT STARTED HAVING A VERY LOUD NOISE (LIKE A DIESEL TRUCK) AND WOULDN'T LET ME GO OVER 25 MILES WITHOUT IT GETTING LOU…

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IT WILL CONSTANTLY OVER HEAT, EVEN WITH FULL ANTI-FREEZE IN IT. IT WILL GET TO THE H IN LESS THEN 1 MIN. THE TRANSMISSION LIGHT WILL THEN COME ON FOLLOWED BY THE LIGHTING BOLD IN THE PARENTHESES. ALL OF A SUDDEN IT STARTED HAVING A VERY LOUD NOISE (LIKE A DIESEL TRUCK) AND WOULDN'T LET ME GO OVER 25 MILES WITHOUT IT GETTING LOUDER. THEN I WENT TO TURN LEFT TO PULL OVER AND ALL THE LIGHTS CAME ON, WENT OFF THE HEAT WENT FROM H TO C AND CAR STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND CAR DIED.. I WOULDN'T NOT TURN OVER TILL 30 MINS LATER.. STARTED HAVING THE LOUD DIESEL NOISE AND TO 3-4 WEEKS LATER (TODAY).. STILL OVER HEATS TODAY AND STILL LEAKS ANTI-FREEZE (DRAINS THE WHOLE THING IN 30 MINS). I HEARD THERE WAS A RE-CALL FOR THE 08 AVENGER IN 2012.. I GOT MY CAR DEC 2012 AND THE DEALERSHIP STILL SOLD IT.. WHEN I FOUND OUT THERE USED TO BE A RE-CALL I TRIED TO CALL DEALERSHIP TO FIND OUT THEY WENT OUT OF BUSINESS THE NEXT WEEK AFTER I BOUGHT IT. SUCKS CAUSE IM STUCK WITH A BROKEN CAR AND $11K STILL TO PAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10492280

35,000 miles · Sep 19, 2012
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train

I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR. WHEN I FIRST PURCHASED IT 2 MONTHS LATER MY SHIFTER GOT STUCK I WAS STRANDED AT WORK. AFTER THAT I HAVE HAD VARIOUS PROBLEMS FROM THE ALTERNATOR, BATTERY, AND COMPRESSOR GOING OUT VARIOUS TIMES AND IT IS NOT EVEN OVER 100,000 MILES. I LOOKED UP THERE WERE RECALLS ON THE CAR BACK IN 07…

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I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR. WHEN I FIRST PURCHASED IT 2 MONTHS LATER MY SHIFTER GOT STUCK I WAS STRANDED AT WORK. AFTER THAT I HAVE HAD VARIOUS PROBLEMS FROM THE ALTERNATOR, BATTERY, AND COMPRESSOR GOING OUT VARIOUS TIMES AND IT IS NOT EVEN OVER 100,000 MILES. I LOOKED UP THERE WERE RECALLS ON THE CAR BACK IN 07 AND 08. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THAT THEY FIXED IT BUT I FEEL LIKE IT WAS NOT FIXED AND I HAD THE SHIFTER PROBLEM RIGHT WHEN I PURCHASED THAT IS THE ONLY THING THEY SAID THEY CAN FIX. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10476486

85,000 miles · May 23, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingService BrakesUnknown Or Other

WE BOUGHT THIS CAR USED A YEAR AGO. SOON AFTER THE AC COMPRESSOR WENT OUT. WE HAD IT REPAIRED. THEN THE BRAKES WENT OUT. HAD THEM FIXED, BUT THEY STILL GRIND AND ARE NOT RIGHT. HAD THE ROTARS LOOKED AT AND FIXED, BUT STILL NOT GOOD. THEN THE AC BLEW AGAIN, HAD IT REPAIRED AGAIN. THEN WE HEARD A LOUD NOISE WHEN CAR IDLING THAT…

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WE BOUGHT THIS CAR USED A YEAR AGO. SOON AFTER THE AC COMPRESSOR WENT OUT. WE HAD IT REPAIRED. THEN THE BRAKES WENT OUT. HAD THEM FIXED, BUT THEY STILL GRIND AND ARE NOT RIGHT. HAD THE ROTARS LOOKED AT AND FIXED, BUT STILL NOT GOOD. THEN THE AC BLEW AGAIN, HAD IT REPAIRED AGAIN. THEN WE HEARD A LOUD NOISE WHEN CAR IDLING THAT SOUNDS LIKE A SCREAM. THEN THE AC BLEW AGAIN AND NOW THEIR IS A GRINDING NOISE IN ENGINE AND IT SOUNDS LIKE A LAWN MOWER. WE ARE VERY UNHAPPY AND WROTE TO DODGE.OH WAIT THIS IS ALL FOLLOWING THE SHIFTER BREAKING (PIN ISSUE) AND HAVING TO ASK DODGE TO MAKE THIS A RECALL WHICH THEY DID. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10459473

Official recalls

6

08V152000 · Electrical System:wiring

Apr 2, 2008

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 180,963 MY 2007-2008 SEBRING AND DODGE AVENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A STANDARD TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS). UNUSED ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS FOR THE TPMS MAY BECOME CORRODED AND COULD SHORT CIRCUIT, WHICH CAN CAUSE A VARIETY OF CONDITIONS INCLUDING ENGINE NO-START, DEAD BATTERY, AN INOPERATIVE CRUISE CONTROL OR REMOTE START SYSTEM, AND/OR ENGINE STALLING.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: ENGINE STALLING COULD CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL SEAL THE WIRES FOR THE TPMS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 15, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

07V473000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:radiator Assembly

Oct 10, 2007

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.4 LITER ENGINES, THE ENGINE COOLANT MAY BE DRAWN INTO THE LEFT RADIATOR COOLING FAN MOTOR CONNECTOR.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CAN CAUSE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT AND RESULT IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE CONNECTOR FOR CONTAMINATION OR DAMAGE, INSTALL A WIRING HARNESS OVERLAY, AND REPLACE THE FAN MOTOR FREE OR CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 19, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

07V426000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly

Sep 13, 2007

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES WITH ALL WHEEL DRIVE, THE FUEL TANK STRAPS WERE IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED AND COULD SEPARATE. THIS CAN CAUSE THE FUEL TANK TO LOOSEN AND LEAK FUEL.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN AN UNDERBODY FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK RETENTION STRAPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING OCTOBER 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

07V414000 · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch

Sep 12, 2007

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE FRONT DOOR LATCH CABLE MAY BECOME PARTIALLY UNSEATED FROM THE INTERIOR RELEASE HANDLE HOUSING POSSIBLY CAUSING THE LATCH TO STICK IN THE UNLATCHED POSITION OR THE LOCK FUNCTION TO BECOME INOPERATIVE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: DRIVING A VEHICLE WITH AN UNLATCHED DOOR CAN RESULT IN AN UNBELTED FRONT SEAT OCCUPANT FALLING OUT OF THE VEHICLE OR BEING EJECTED IN A CRASH, CAUSING INCREASED RISK OF INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL ADD A SECONDARY RETENTION FEATURE TO BOTH FRONT DOORS. THIS ACTION WILL SUPERSEDE AND EXPAND A PREVIOUS SAFETY RECALL (PLEASE SEE 07V-104). THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 29, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

07V240000 · Air Bags:frontal

Jun 13, 2007

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FRONT SEAT TRACK POSITION SENSORS UTILIZED FOR THE AIR BAG SYSTEM MAY NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO FRONT SEAT OCCUPANTS DURING CERTAIN CRASH CONDITIONS.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FRONT SEAT TRACK POSITION SENSORS AND REPLACE THEM FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALLBEGAN ON JUNE 18, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

07V104000 · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch

Mar 15, 2007

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FRONT DOOR LATCH CABLE MAY BECOME PARTIALLY UNSEATED FROM THE INTERIOR RELEASE HANDLE HOUSING CAUSING THE DOOR LATCH TO STICK IN THE OPEN POSITION AND NOT BE SECURED TO THE STRIKER.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: DURING CERTAIN CRASH CONDITIONS, THE POSSIBILITY OF A DOOR OPENING COULD CAUSE AN UNBELTED PASSENGER TO BE EJECTED, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURIES.

Remedy: THIS ACTION IS SUPERSEDED (PLEASE SEE 07-V414.) DEALERS WILL ADD FREE OF CHARGE A SECONDARY FEATURE TO BOTH FRONT DOORS TO PREVENT THE DOOR LATCH CABLE FERRULE FROM BECOMING UNSEATED AT THE INTERIOR FRONT DOOR RELEASE HANDLE HOUSING. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 30, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

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

1

AQ10001 · Fleet Vehicle Recall Completion Audit

Opened Nov 18, 2010 · Closed Dec 28, 2015

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Unknown Or Other

On November 18, 2010, NHTSA's Recall Management Division (RMD) opened an audit query (AQ10-001) to investigate recall remedy completion by rental car companies on safety recall campaigns.It was expected to provide the agency an indication of how completely and how quickly rental car fleets perform necessary recall-related remedies on the vehicles owned and then rented/leased for use on the roadways.RMD queried three (3) major motor vehicle manufacturers (Ford, Chrysler, and General Motors) and requested data regarding completion figures for fifteen (15) discreet safety recalls.Analysis of this data demonstrated that rental car recalls completion was neither complete nor consistent.The rental car companies representing the largest market share in the industry were then queried as to their respective policies for the rental, lease, and sale of vehicles with open recalls.The data and responses from the manufacturers and the rental car companies can be found in the document repository by accessing the ?Associated Documents link above.In December 2015, Congress enacted the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act.One section of the Act prohibits rental car companies from renting, leasing, or selling motor vehicles subject to open safety recalls.With the passage of the FAST Act and its prohibition, there is no continuing need for the agency to investigate rental car recall completions.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The agency reserves the right to open any future investigations, including audits of individual recalls, or groups of recalls, or rental car companies, to examine more closely safety recalls performance and completion issues in this area.