Illustration2008 DODGE AVENGER. WILL NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK INTO ANY GEAR PAST REVERSE. CAN GET IT TO GO INTO REVERSE IF HOLD THE SHIFTER MANUALLY, BUT FEELS SPRING LOADED BACK INTO PARK.
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 reportsMY 2008 DODGE AVENGER IS HAVING A MAJOR SHIFTING ISSUE. WHEN YOU SHIFT THE CAR INTO DRIVE IT WILL POP OUT AND LAND INTO NUTURAL. THERE IS ALSO TIMES THAT THIS WILL BE VERY HARD TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK. THERE IS SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET THAT SHOWS THE SAME ISSUES. I CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAVE HEARD COMPL…
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MY 2008 DODGE AVENGER IS HAVING A MAJOR SHIFTING ISSUE. WHEN YOU SHIFT THE CAR INTO DRIVE IT WILL POP OUT AND LAND INTO NUTURAL. THERE IS ALSO TIMES THAT THIS WILL BE VERY HARD TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK. THERE IS SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET THAT SHOWS THE SAME ISSUES. I CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAVE HEARD COMPLAINTS BUT HAS NOT HEARD OF A RECALL. MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND WILL COST ME TO BRING IT IN TO GET IT LOOKED AT. PLEASE LET ME KNOW HOW I CAN MOVE FORWARD TO GET THIS INTO A RECALL BEFORE THIS POPS OUT OF DRIVE WHEN I AM GOING 55 MPH AND HAVE AN ACCIDENT.
BOUGHT THE CAR USED. 41,000 MILES. CAR STALLS WHEN COMING TO A STOP AT STOP LIGHTS AND STOP SIGNS WHEN IT IS RAINING. TALKED WITH DEALER AND STATED NOTHING NOTED ABOUT THE PROBLEM. *TR
ENGINE STALLING WITHOUT WARNING NO GAS PEDAL CAR RUNS AT IDLE ONLY. *TR
I OWN A 2008 DODGE AVENGER AND IT HAS THE ISSUE OF GETTING STUCK IN THE PARK GEAR. IT'S NEVER HAPPENED UNTIL NOW AND IT CONSTANTLY KEEPS HAPPENING NOW. I'VE READ ON FORUMS WHERE MANY MORE DODGE AVENGER OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SOME PROBLEM. IF I CAN'T MOVE MY CAR FROM PARK THEN I CAN'T DRIVE IT ANYWHERE. I'VE CALLED DODGE IN WHI…
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I OWN A 2008 DODGE AVENGER AND IT HAS THE ISSUE OF GETTING STUCK IN THE PARK GEAR. IT'S NEVER HAPPENED UNTIL NOW AND IT CONSTANTLY KEEPS HAPPENING NOW. I'VE READ ON FORUMS WHERE MANY MORE DODGE AVENGER OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SOME PROBLEM. IF I CAN'T MOVE MY CAR FROM PARK THEN I CAN'T DRIVE IT ANYWHERE. I'VE CALLED DODGE IN WHICH THEY MENTION THAT THERE ARE NO RECALLS, BUT I BELIEVE IT A DEFECT. *TR
I TOOK MY SON TO THE ER ROOM AND MY CAR WAS RUNNING FINE. I COME OUT AND START MY CAR EVERYTHING WAS GOOD. I TRIED TO TAKE IT OUT OF PARK AND MY SHIFT GEAR WAS STUCK. I HAVE RESEARCHED AND A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. MY CAR IS ONLY TWO YEARS OLD. 2008 DODGE AVENGER. *TR
I HAVE 28,000 MILES ON MY 2008 DODGE AVENGER HAD FOR 2 YEARS AND TODAY IT WONT SHIFT OUT OF PARK. *TR
I PURCHASED A 2008 DODGE AVENGER DEC. 31, 2008. IT WAS A USED VEHICLE, THE FIRST PROBLEM MAY HAVE BEEN 5-6 MONTHS OF HAVING THE CAR, IT WOULD STALL WHEN CRANKING AND HAD CUT OFF A COUPLE OF TIMES WHEN DRIVING IN TRAFFIC. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY CLAIM THEY COULDN'T FIND WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT. ABOUT A MONTH LATER THE AI…
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I PURCHASED A 2008 DODGE AVENGER DEC. 31, 2008. IT WAS A USED VEHICLE, THE FIRST PROBLEM MAY HAVE BEEN 5-6 MONTHS OF HAVING THE CAR, IT WOULD STALL WHEN CRANKING AND HAD CUT OFF A COUPLE OF TIMES WHEN DRIVING IN TRAFFIC. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY CLAIM THEY COULDN'T FIND WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT. ABOUT A MONTH LATER THE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON WHILE DRIVING. THEY FIX THAT. NOW 10 MONTHS AFTER HAVING THE CAR I'M IN THE CAR AND TRYING TO REVERSE AND CAN'T. THE DEALER TELLS ME THAT MY WARRANTY JUST RAN OUT. THE PART COSTS 200.00. I CAN'T AFFORD THAT AND I DON'T THINK I SHOULD BECAUSE I HADN'T EVEN HAD THE CAR FOR A YEAR. THEY TOLD ME I COULDN'T DO ANYTHING UNLESS I HAD A WARRANTY. MY BOYFRIEND'S BROTHER HAD TO TAKE THE COVER OFF AND NOW EVERYTIME I WANT TO GO IN REVERSE I HAVE TO PUSH IN THIS RED SPRING IN ORDER FOR IT TO REVERSE. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHO I CAN TALK TO ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. IT IS UNSAFE FOR ME TO DRIVE LIKE THIS, THE CONSOLE IS NOT THERE BUT I CAN'T AFFORD THE PART RIGHT NOW. *TR
I PURCHASED THE 2008 DODGE AVENGER LAST YEAR AND I'VE NOTICED NOT EVEN ONCE THE BRAKES WERE NEWLY INSTALLED AT 20,000 MILES YOU CAN FEELING THE BRAKING SYSTEM THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL. MY MAIN CONCERN IS THE SHIFTING. WITHOUT WARNING AFTER CLASS THE SHIFTER WOULD NOT MOVE FROM PARK. LEAVING ME STRANDED. THE ENGINE RUNS FINE,…
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I PURCHASED THE 2008 DODGE AVENGER LAST YEAR AND I'VE NOTICED NOT EVEN ONCE THE BRAKES WERE NEWLY INSTALLED AT 20,000 MILES YOU CAN FEELING THE BRAKING SYSTEM THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL. MY MAIN CONCERN IS THE SHIFTING. WITHOUT WARNING AFTER CLASS THE SHIFTER WOULD NOT MOVE FROM PARK. LEAVING ME STRANDED. THE ENGINE RUNS FINE, AND I FOLLOWED THE MANUAL AND OTHER SUGGESTIONS BY THE DEALER. WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE FOR THIS TO BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY? THIS IS RIDICULOUS AND DODGE NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. I HAVE BEEN TO MANY SITES REGARDING THIS ISSUE. ACCORDING TO DODGE THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE. AND WARRANTY DOESN'T COVER THIS ISSUE! *TR
2008 DODGE AVENGER. I HAVE HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS SINCE NEW. HARD TO GET DODGE TO DO ANYTHING EVEN WITH MY EXTENDED WARRANTY? PLEASE HELP. *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.