IllustrationA BOLT CAME LOOSE AT END OF CRANK SHAFT WHICH CAUSED A NOISE AND VIBRATION. THE SYNCHRONIZED BALANCER CRACKED. WE HAVE ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR ONE YEAR AND 50,000 MILES. *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 reportsMY TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AT 56,000 MILES. I HAD TAKEN THE CAR IN AT 33773 MILES BECAUSE IT WAS NOT SHIFTING RIGHT. THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. I HAD TAKEN THE CAR IN 3 ITEMS SINCE PURCHASING IT DUE TO TRANSMISSION ISSUES. I DRIVE A LOT FOR MY JOB AND NEED A RELIABLE CAR. I NOW HAVE TO PAY FOR A NEW TRANSMISSIO…
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MY TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AT 56,000 MILES. I HAD TAKEN THE CAR IN AT 33773 MILES BECAUSE IT WAS NOT SHIFTING RIGHT. THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. I HAD TAKEN THE CAR IN 3 ITEMS SINCE PURCHASING IT DUE TO TRANSMISSION ISSUES. I DRIVE A LOT FOR MY JOB AND NEED A RELIABLE CAR. I NOW HAVE TO PAY FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION. I CALLED CHRYSLER AND THEY WILL LET ME PAY ONLY $1380.00 BUT I DO NOT FEEL I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY ANYTHING SINCE I HAD THE CAR IN WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY COULD NOT FIND OR FIX THE PROBLEM. AVENGERS HAVE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS THAT NO ONE WANTS TO ADDRESS. CHRYSLER NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR POOR TRANSMISSIONS. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. WHILE PROCEEDING TO A TRAFFIC LIGHT THE GEAR SHIFTED INTO PARK WITHOUT ASSISTANCE. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. T…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. WHILE PROCEEDING TO A TRAFFIC LIGHT THE GEAR SHIFTED INTO PARK WITHOUT ASSISTANCE. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO A DEFECTIVE COMPONENT IN THE GEAR BOX. THE REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 52,390. THE VIN NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE.
2008 DODGE AVENGER R/T WITH 3.5L ENGINE AND 6 SPEED AUTO STICK WILL NOT SHIFT FROM PARK. *TR
MY 2008 DODGE AVENGER WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK. THERE IS A PLASTIC TAB WHICH FACILITATES THIS THAT BROKE. *TR
GOT UP THIS MORNING TO LEAVE FOR CHURCH AND THE SHIFTER FOR 2008 DODGE AVENGER WON'T COME OUT OF PARK. TRIED THE MANUAL OVERRIDE FOR THE INTERNAL INTERLOCK MECHANISM TO NO AVAIL. AFTER MUCH RESEARCH ONLINE I'VE FOUND THIS IS A RECURRENT PROBLEM IN THIS MODEL WITHIN 1-2 YEARS OWNERSHIP. CAR STARTS FINE, BRAKE LIGHTS ALL WORK, ALL…
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GOT UP THIS MORNING TO LEAVE FOR CHURCH AND THE SHIFTER FOR 2008 DODGE AVENGER WON'T COME OUT OF PARK. TRIED THE MANUAL OVERRIDE FOR THE INTERNAL INTERLOCK MECHANISM TO NO AVAIL. AFTER MUCH RESEARCH ONLINE I'VE FOUND THIS IS A RECURRENT PROBLEM IN THIS MODEL WITHIN 1-2 YEARS OWNERSHIP. CAR STARTS FINE, BRAKE LIGHTS ALL WORK, ALL OTHER ELECTRICAL WORKS. CAR JUST WILL NOT CHANGE GEARS FROM PARK. *TR
DRIVING ON WET ROADS A LOSS OF POWER OCCURS. SOMETIMES TO PROBLEM CAN CORRECTED BY SHIFTING INTO 3RD GEAR.(4SPD AUTOMATIC).DEALERS-2 CANNOT FIND THE TROUBLE. I AM TAKING A LIST OF RECALLS,DEFECTS,& COMPLAINTS TO DEALER AND COMPANY REP. *TR
MY CAR STALLS IN INTERSECTION ,IT DOESN,T SHIFT UP SOME TIMES, THERE HAS BEEN A CLUNKING NOISE IN FRONT STRUTS SINS I BOUGHT IT ,THE TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO BANG INTO GEAR SOME TIMES WHEN IT SHIFTS TOOK TO DEALER AND GOT BUMS RUSS THEY CLAIMED THAT IT WASN'T ACTING UP WHEN I TOOK IT TO THEM. I AM AFRAID THAT ITS GOING TO LEAVE M…
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MY CAR STALLS IN INTERSECTION ,IT DOESN,T SHIFT UP SOME TIMES, THERE HAS BEEN A CLUNKING NOISE IN FRONT STRUTS SINS I BOUGHT IT ,THE TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO BANG INTO GEAR SOME TIMES WHEN IT SHIFTS TOOK TO DEALER AND GOT BUMS RUSS THEY CLAIMED THAT IT WASN'T ACTING UP WHEN I TOOK IT TO THEM. I AM AFRAID THAT ITS GOING TO LEAVE MY WIFE STRANDED IN TRAFFIC. *TR
I WAS TRAVELING IN MY '08 DODGE AVENGER SXT W/MY SON MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN AROUND A CORNER & VEHICLE JUST TURNED OFF BY ITSELF W/O WARNING. WENT HEAD ON INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC & WENT UP ONTO A CURB. PUT VEHICLE INTO PARK & RESTARTED IT. THE VEHICLE HAS TO DATE SHUT OFF ON US 6 X'S. THE EVEN WHEN INCIDENT HAPPENED WAS WE WERE JU…
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I WAS TRAVELING IN MY '08 DODGE AVENGER SXT W/MY SON MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN AROUND A CORNER & VEHICLE JUST TURNED OFF BY ITSELF W/O WARNING. WENT HEAD ON INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC & WENT UP ONTO A CURB. PUT VEHICLE INTO PARK & RESTARTED IT. THE VEHICLE HAS TO DATE SHUT OFF ON US 6 X'S. THE EVEN WHEN INCIDENT HAPPENED WAS WE WERE JUST DRIVING THE CAR-GOING HOME. THE VEHICLE GIVES NO SIGNS,BEEPS OR WARNINGS THAT IT IS GOING TO SHUT OFF. IT JUST SHUTS OFF BY ITSELF. IT HAS OCCURRED A TOTAL OF 6X'S SO FAR. I TOOK THE VEHICLE-WHICH IS STILL UNDER ORIGINAL FACTORY WARRANTY-TO THE DODGE DEALERSHIP & NOTIFIED THE DEALERSHIP WHERE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED OF THE ISSUES W/THE VEHICLE. THERE ARE ALSO RECALLS THAT WERE NOT FIXED & ELECTRICAL ISSUES AS WELL AS TRANSMISSION, BRAKE & TIRES ISSUES THAT ARE STILL AS OF THIS DATE NOT REPAIRED BECAUSE THEY "COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM". THE DEALERSHIP HAD THE VEHICLE FOR 13 DAYS BEFORE TELLING ME THE COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE "FLASHED". THEY DID THAT & CAR STILL STALLS OUT WHEN STOPPED @ STOP SIGNS OR LIGHTS. THEY TOLD ME THEY DO NOT KNOW WHY IT TURNED OFF ON ME & WHY THE STEERING LOCKED UP & BRAKES LOCKED UP WHEN IT TURNED OFF. SO THEREFORE THEY CANNOT TELL ME THAT THEY KNOW WHY THE CAR HAS DIED & THAT THE ISSUE IS EVEN FIXED! THEY WILL NOT SAY THAT IT WILL NOT TURN OFF ON US AGAIN. I HAVE RESEARCHED ONLINE SEVERAL SITES (POPULAR MECHANICS, ETC.) & SEE THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE THIS HAS HAPPENED TO. I BOUGHT THIS CAR TO BE ABLE TO HAVE A SAFE, RELIABLE & DEPENDABLE CAR FOR ME & MY SON. MY SON HAS CEREBRAL PALSY SO I HAVE TO DRIVE IN THIS CAR. I FEEL THAT ITS 50/50 WHEN WE GET IN THIS CAR & THAT EVERYTIME COULD BE THE TIME WHEN WE'RE GOING 50 ON THE INTERSTATE IN A TURN & THE CAR TURNS OFF & WE HOPEFULLY DON'T DIE! I FEEL THAT THIS CAR HAS A MAJOR DEFECT OR FLAW IN ITS DESIGN SOMEWHERE. I LOVE THE CAR BUT I AM SCARED TO DRIVE IT NOW. I DO NOT WANT ME OR MY SON TO DIE IN THIS CAR! ITS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE SOMEONE DOES. THANK YOU. *TR
GEAR SHIFT LOCKED UP IN PARK. WENT OUT TO LEAVE FOR WORK AS USUAL AND THE GEAR SHIFT WOULD NOT COME OUT OF PARK, HAD IT TOWED TO DEALER AND THEY SAY IT IS THE GEAR SHIFT MODULE AND HAD TO ORDER THE PART FROM DETROIT. THEY STILL DON'T HAVE THE PART AND I AM PAYING FOR A RENT CAR THEY PUT ME IN AT THEIR DISCOUNT RATE OF $35.00 A D…
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GEAR SHIFT LOCKED UP IN PARK. WENT OUT TO LEAVE FOR WORK AS USUAL AND THE GEAR SHIFT WOULD NOT COME OUT OF PARK, HAD IT TOWED TO DEALER AND THEY SAY IT IS THE GEAR SHIFT MODULE AND HAD TO ORDER THE PART FROM DETROIT. THEY STILL DON'T HAVE THE PART AND I AM PAYING FOR A RENT CAR THEY PUT ME IN AT THEIR DISCOUNT RATE OF $35.00 A DAY. THEY SAID IT WOULD BE ONLY A COUPLE OF DAYS. *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.