IllustrationI OWN A 2008 DODGER AVENGER. FOR NO KNOWN REASON, THE SHIFTING GEAR WONT SHIFT AND IS STUCK IN PARK. IF IT DOES GO INTO GEAR, FOR NO KNOWN REASON IT POPS BACK INTO PARK, CAUSING A MAJOR RISK TO OTHERS THAT ARE ON THE ROAD NOT TO MENTION TO ME AND MY FAMILY! *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 reports2008 DODGE AVENGER STUCK IN PARK. *TR
GEAR SHIFT STUCK IN PARK POSITION. *TR
NO EVENTS OR WARNING LEADING UP TO THIS. - THIS IS THE FIRST TIME FOR ME, BUT HAVE HEARD OF SEVERAL OTHERS HAVING THE EXACT PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. - CAR WAS IN PARK, WENT TO START (STARTED FINE) PUT IN REVERSE, WILL NOT MOVE OUT OF PARK. *TR
MY DAUGHTER WAS LEAVING HER JOB AT 1130PM WHEN HER CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK. WE ATTEMPTED THE SUGGESTIONS IN THE MANUAL WHICH MADE IT SEEM LIKE THIS WAS A SAFETY FEATURE. THE NEXT DAY I CALLED THE SERVICE DEPT. AND THE TECHNICIAN TOLD ME TO REMOVE THE SHIFT CONSOLE AND PULL THE PINK SWITCH AND IT RELEASE PARK AND I WOULD…
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MY DAUGHTER WAS LEAVING HER JOB AT 1130PM WHEN HER CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK. WE ATTEMPTED THE SUGGESTIONS IN THE MANUAL WHICH MADE IT SEEM LIKE THIS WAS A SAFETY FEATURE. THE NEXT DAY I CALLED THE SERVICE DEPT. AND THE TECHNICIAN TOLD ME TO REMOVE THE SHIFT CONSOLE AND PULL THE PINK SWITCH AND IT RELEASE PARK AND I WOULD BE ABLE TO DRIVE IT. I DROVE DIRECTLY TO THE DEALER. THEY KNEW THE EXACT PROBLEM (MUST HAVE HAD BEFORE). THE SHIFTER AND THE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY WERE REPLACED IN TWO DAYS. WAS VERY SATISFIED WITH THE SERVICE DEPT. MANY MORE COMPLAINTS WERE NOTED ON THE INTERNET, BUT STATED NO RECALL. *TR
REF : DODGE AVENGER 2008 - GEAR SHIFT MODULE LOCK UP - PLEASE LOOK INTO ABOVE ISSUE SINCE THIS IS HAPPENING WITH MOST OF THE AVENGERS. THE GEAR SHIFT LOCKS AND CANNOT BE RELEASED. THE WHOLE GEAR SHIFT CONSOLE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER DOES NOT WANT TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND IT'S VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPLACE. AFTER FURT…
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REF : DODGE AVENGER 2008 - GEAR SHIFT MODULE LOCK UP - PLEASE LOOK INTO ABOVE ISSUE SINCE THIS IS HAPPENING WITH MOST OF THE AVENGERS. THE GEAR SHIFT LOCKS AND CANNOT BE RELEASED. THE WHOLE GEAR SHIFT CONSOLE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER DOES NOT WANT TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND IT'S VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPLACE. AFTER FURTHER RESEARCH MOST OF THE DODGE AND CHRYSLERS VEHICLES HAVE BEEN HAVING THESE PROBLEMS FOR YEARS. *TR
I HAVE A 2008 DODGE AVENGER WITH 40,800 MILES ON IT. I HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE GEAR SHIFTER STUCK IN PARK . THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE VERY COMMON IN MANY DODGE VEHICLES , IT SEEMS TO BE A VERY CHEAP PLASTIC PART . COULD THERE BE A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM???? *TR
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION STUCK IN PARK ON 2008 DODGE AVENGER. *TR
I HAVE HAD MY 2008 DODGE AVENGER FOR ALMOST 2 YEARS. CAR HAS NO PROBLEMS WHEN I DROVE IT EARLIER IN THE DAY. THE CAR CRANKED WITH NO PROBLEMS, BUT WHEN I TRIED TO PUT IT IN GEAR WOULD NOT MOVE. CALLED A MECHANIC WHO TOWED THE CAR AND INFORMED ME IT WAS A BROKEN SHIFTING COLUMN. ITEM NOT BROKEN FROM WEAR AND TEAR. *TR
THE GEAR SHIFTER GOT STUCK IN PARK. IT HAD WORKED FINE PREVIOUSLY WITHOUT ANY HITCHES. WE HAVE OWNED THE CAR SINCE DEC. 2009 AND NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE GEAR SHIFT STICKING. THEN ONE NIGHT IT WAS JUST STUCK. WE HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK AND THE GUY HAD TO MANUALLY PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE SO WE COULD GET IT TO THE DEALER. *TR
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.