IllustrationNO WARNING, THE GEAR SHIFT IN MY 2008 DODGE AVENGER WAS STUCK IN PARK. THE DODGE DEALERSHIP SAY THIS IS GOING TO COST $400.00. I INVESTIGATED ON LINE AND SEVERAL THOUSAND PEOPLE ARE ALSO DEALING WITH THE SAME ISSUE. *TR
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Avenger years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
660–25K
14425–50K
17350–75K
12375–100K
155100–150K
61150K+
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
Power Train complaints
236 reportsI HAVE A 2008 DODGE AVENGER THAT A SPRING ATTACHED TO THE SHIFTER BROKE ON LAST NIGHT. IT MAKES IT SO YOU CANNOT PUT THE CAR INTO GEAR. THERE ARE PEOPLE ALL OVER THE INTERNET WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND MY DEALERSHIP SAID THEY ARE FIXING 2 A DAY AND IT COSTS $400 FOR US TO FIX IT! IF THERE ARE THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVING PROBLEMS THEY…
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I HAVE A 2008 DODGE AVENGER THAT A SPRING ATTACHED TO THE SHIFTER BROKE ON LAST NIGHT. IT MAKES IT SO YOU CANNOT PUT THE CAR INTO GEAR. THERE ARE PEOPLE ALL OVER THE INTERNET WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND MY DEALERSHIP SAID THEY ARE FIXING 2 A DAY AND IT COSTS $400 FOR US TO FIX IT! IF THERE ARE THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVING PROBLEMS THEY NEED TO RECALL IT, MY CAR IS ONLY A COUPLE YEARS OLD, THIS IS RIDICULOUS! *TR
2008 DODGE AVENGER SXT WILL NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK. BRAKE SWITCH ACTIVATES BUT GEAR SHIFTER WILL NOT MOVE PAST PARK SAFETY STOP. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REVERSE, THE GEAR SHIFT SELECTOR BECAME LODGED IN THE PARK POSITION. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DISLODGE THE SHIFTER BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND TO THE SELECTED GEARS. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE SHIFTER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REVERSE, THE GEAR SHIFT SELECTOR BECAME LODGED IN THE PARK POSITION. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DISLODGE THE SHIFTER BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND TO THE SELECTED GEARS. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE SHIFTER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
GEAR SHIFT MODULE LOCK UP. *TR
I DROVE HOME FROM WORKING OUT AND PUT THE CAR IN PARK, THEN TURNED OFF THE CAR. AFTER 30 MINUTES, I GOT BACK INTO THE VEHICLE, STARTED THE CAR AND IT WOULDN'T COME OUT OF PARK. I TRIED THE PINK OVERRIDE BUTTON, BUT IT DOESN'T WORK EITHER. *TR
I HAVE AN 08 DODGE AVENGER WITH 26,866 MILES. I WAS UNABLE TO MOVE MY CAR OUT OF PARK INTO ANY OTHER HEAR. I APPLIED THE BRAKE, SHIFTED THE WHEELS, AND TRIED THE MANUAL OVERRIDE BUT WAS STILL UNABLE TO GET THE CAR TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK. THE CAR WAS RUNNING FINE, BUT WOULD NOT SHIFT. I TOOK IT TO THE DODGE DEALER AND THEY REPLAC…
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I HAVE AN 08 DODGE AVENGER WITH 26,866 MILES. I WAS UNABLE TO MOVE MY CAR OUT OF PARK INTO ANY OTHER HEAR. I APPLIED THE BRAKE, SHIFTED THE WHEELS, AND TRIED THE MANUAL OVERRIDE BUT WAS STILL UNABLE TO GET THE CAR TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK. THE CAR WAS RUNNING FINE, BUT WOULD NOT SHIFT. I TOOK IT TO THE DODGE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE SHIFTER. I HAD TO PAY 100 TO HAVE THIS DONE. ACCORDING TO CARCOMPLAINTS.COM SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE WITH THEIR AVENGERS AS WELL AS THEIR CHARGERS. THIS IS A DODGE MANUFACTURING ISSUE AND SHOULD BE A RECALL SERVICE FOR ALL CONSUMERS THAT HAVE A DODGE AVENGER OR A DODGE CHARGER. *TR
I WAS TRYING TO START MY 2008 DODGE AVENGER WHEN I WAS UNABLE TO RELEASE IT FROM PARK. THE CAR STARTS PROPERLY, BUT THE SHIFT GEAR DOES NOT MOVE. THIS IS DUE TO THE CHEAP PLASTIC THAT DODGE HAS USED AS A LEVER TO RELEASE A SPRING THAT RELEASES THE SHIFT. THE CHEAP PLASTIC HAS BROKEN!!! UNACCEPTABLE. MY DODGE HAS 50,000 MILES…
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I WAS TRYING TO START MY 2008 DODGE AVENGER WHEN I WAS UNABLE TO RELEASE IT FROM PARK. THE CAR STARTS PROPERLY, BUT THE SHIFT GEAR DOES NOT MOVE. THIS IS DUE TO THE CHEAP PLASTIC THAT DODGE HAS USED AS A LEVER TO RELEASE A SPRING THAT RELEASES THE SHIFT. THE CHEAP PLASTIC HAS BROKEN!!! UNACCEPTABLE. MY DODGE HAS 50,000 MILES ON IT. *TR
THE FIRST ONE WAS ON AUGUST 7TH 2010 THE CAR SLID AND I HIT AN EMBANKMENT THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK WE WERE PRETTY SHOOK UP I MESSED UP THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE WITH THE CRASH THE SECOND INCIDENT HAPPENED ON AUGUST 13 2010 THE CARS GEAR WILL NOT SHIFT IT IS STUCK WE ARE TRYING TO FIX BY LOOKING AT THE INTERNET IT SEEMS THIS IS A COMMO…
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THE FIRST ONE WAS ON AUGUST 7TH 2010 THE CAR SLID AND I HIT AN EMBANKMENT THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK WE WERE PRETTY SHOOK UP I MESSED UP THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE WITH THE CRASH THE SECOND INCIDENT HAPPENED ON AUGUST 13 2010 THE CARS GEAR WILL NOT SHIFT IT IS STUCK WE ARE TRYING TO FIX BY LOOKING AT THE INTERNET IT SEEMS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM BECAUSE CHRYSLER USED A PLASTIC PART FOR THE GEAR SHIFT SPRING THIS IS CRAZY I AM STILL PAYING OFF MY CAR PLEASE HELP! *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE GEAR SHIFT WAS STUCK IN PARK THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. THE VEHICLE WOULD START AND WHEN THE GEAR WAS NOT STUCK IN PARK, IT WOULD FUNCTION NORMALLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE GEAR SHIFT MODULE WHICH WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THE FAILU…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE GEAR SHIFT WAS STUCK IN PARK THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. THE VEHICLE WOULD START AND WHEN THE GEAR WAS NOT STUCK IN PARK, IT WOULD FUNCTION NORMALLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE GEAR SHIFT MODULE WHICH WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 61000.
Official recalls
608V152000 · 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
1AQ10001 · 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.