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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.

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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

Structure complaints

24 reports
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120,000 miles · Oct 30, 2024
StructureSuspension

The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated that while turning to the right, the passenger’s side front wheel seemed to be rubbing against the rubber or plastic piece underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the front suspension cross member had failed due to excessiv…

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The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated that while turning to the right, the passenger’s side front wheel seemed to be rubbing against the rubber or plastic piece underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the front suspension cross member had failed due to excessive rust. The contact was informed that the front suspension cross member needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that there was no recall associated with the VIN related to the failure. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.

NHTSA ODI #11622723

146,000 miles · Nov 29, 2022
Structure

The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated that while reversing out of a parking lot, an abnormal snapping sound was coming from the vehicle. The contact had her husband inspect the vehicle and he discovered that the subframe had fractured due to severe corrosion. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notifi…

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The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated that while reversing out of a parking lot, an abnormal snapping sound was coming from the vehicle. The contact had her husband inspect the vehicle and he discovered that the subframe had fractured due to severe corrosion. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was given an estimate for the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 146,000.

NHTSA ODI #11495288

170,000 miles · Apr 18, 2020
Structure

WATER LEAKING INTO TRUNK RUNNING RISK OF SHORTING OUT THE BRAKE LIGHT SYSTEM. HAVE A WARRANTY AND MOPAR REFUSES TO FIX THE PROBLEM UNDER MY BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11321471

120,000 miles · Dec 9, 2019
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemStructure

WHEN AT THE FUEL PUMP GETTING GAS IT OVERFILLS EVERY TIME. SAFETY HAZARD HAS A ROUGH IDLE WHEN SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT WITHOUT A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME UP FOR IT. SPEEDOMETER IS OFF DOOR HANDLE STICKS NOT ALLOWING ME TO CLOSE MY DOOR WHILE I'M IN IT HAVE TO PUSH THE HANDLE TOWARDS THE DOOR TO …

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WHEN AT THE FUEL PUMP GETTING GAS IT OVERFILLS EVERY TIME. SAFETY HAZARD HAS A ROUGH IDLE WHEN SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT WITHOUT A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME UP FOR IT. SPEEDOMETER IS OFF DOOR HANDLE STICKS NOT ALLOWING ME TO CLOSE MY DOOR WHILE I'M IN IT HAVE TO PUSH THE HANDLE TOWARDS THE DOOR TO GET IT TO CLOSE. TRUNK DOESN'T CLOSE ALL THE WAY. ALSO WHEN OPENING AFTER IT RAINS IT LEAKS ALL OVER MY STUFF

NHTSA ODI #11287929

245,354 miles · May 13, 2019
SteeringStructureSuspension

SUBFRAME ON MY WIFE'S CAR HAS RUSTED THROUGH AND THE STABILIZER BAR HAS WENT THROUGH IT AND SHE DRIVES EVERYDAY WITH OUT LITTLE KIDS IN THE CAR AND I WOULD LIKE SOMEONE TO GET BACK TO ME ABOUT THE RECALLS AND HOW I WOULD BE ABLE TO FIX THIS SUBFRAME IF CALLING IS BETTER PLEASE FEEL FREE TO GIVE ME A CALL ON MY CELL IT'S [XXX] MY…

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SUBFRAME ON MY WIFE'S CAR HAS RUSTED THROUGH AND THE STABILIZER BAR HAS WENT THROUGH IT AND SHE DRIVES EVERYDAY WITH OUT LITTLE KIDS IN THE CAR AND I WOULD LIKE SOMEONE TO GET BACK TO ME ABOUT THE RECALLS AND HOW I WOULD BE ABLE TO FIX THIS SUBFRAME IF CALLING IS BETTER PLEASE FEEL FREE TO GIVE ME A CALL ON MY CELL IT'S [XXX] MY NAME IS [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #11207149

130,000 miles · Apr 8, 2019
Electrical SystemEngineStructureFire

ON 3-31-19 ME AND MY 2 DAUGHTERS WERE DRIVING ON EXPRESSWAY, I STARTED SMELLING BURNING AND SEEN SMOKE COMING FROM HOOD ON DRIVER SIDE OF CAR, IT APPEARED TO BE COMING FROM THE ENGINE UNDER HOOD AND PULLED TO SIDE OF ROAD. I TURNED CAR OFF AND I TOLD KIDS TO GET OUT AND WE WALKED DOWN EXPRESSWAY. I TOLD KIDS TO STAY THERE AND W…

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ON 3-31-19 ME AND MY 2 DAUGHTERS WERE DRIVING ON EXPRESSWAY, I STARTED SMELLING BURNING AND SEEN SMOKE COMING FROM HOOD ON DRIVER SIDE OF CAR, IT APPEARED TO BE COMING FROM THE ENGINE UNDER HOOD AND PULLED TO SIDE OF ROAD. I TURNED CAR OFF AND I TOLD KIDS TO GET OUT AND WE WALKED DOWN EXPRESSWAY. I TOLD KIDS TO STAY THERE AND WENT TO WALK BACK TO OPEN HOOD AND CHECK IT, ON MY WAY BACK TO IT, IT HAD STARTED ON FIRE. I WENT BACK TO MY KIDS AND CALLED POLICE. WITHIN TEN MINUTES THE WHOLE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES.

NHTSA ODI #11194533

120,000 miles · Mar 27, 2018
EngineStructure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE CRADLE AND SUB FRAME PREMATURELY RUSTED AND FRACTURED WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO A PARKING AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHOM DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE CRADLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BUT THE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE CRADLE AND SUB FRAME PREMATURELY RUSTED AND FRACTURED WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO A PARKING AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHOM DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE CRADLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED FOR A DIAGNOSIS OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY HAD ISSUED ONE RECALL ON THE ENGINE AND THREE TSB'S ON THE ENGINE BUT PROVIDED NO SOLUTION FOR THE ENGINE CRADLE REPLACEMENT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ODI #11081503

110,000 miles · Jan 31, 2017
Electrical SystemStructure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUB FRAME WAS CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AW…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUB FRAME WAS CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

NHTSA ODI #10948740

100,000 miles · Jul 26, 2016
EngineStructure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, AN ABNORMAL SOUND EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE CRADLE WAS RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUF…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, AN ABNORMAL SOUND EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE CRADLE WAS RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ODI #10888709

88,000 miles · Oct 27, 2015
Air BagsEngineStructureCrashInjury

I WAS EXITING OUT OF A PARKING LOT IN TOWN AND TRAFFIC WAS BACK UP AND AT A STANDSTILL. AS I ATTEMPTED TO TURN LEFT A CAR TRIED PASSING THE STOPPED TRAFFIC IN A NO PASSING ZONE. THE VEHICLE HIT THE FRONT OF MY CAR, TOTALING IT. THE BUMPER WAS ON THE GROUND , RADIATOR SIDEWAYS, HOOD CRINKLED, FENDERS DESTROYED. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT…

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I WAS EXITING OUT OF A PARKING LOT IN TOWN AND TRAFFIC WAS BACK UP AND AT A STANDSTILL. AS I ATTEMPTED TO TURN LEFT A CAR TRIED PASSING THE STOPPED TRAFFIC IN A NO PASSING ZONE. THE VEHICLE HIT THE FRONT OF MY CAR, TOTALING IT. THE BUMPER WAS ON THE GROUND , RADIATOR SIDEWAYS, HOOD CRINKLED, FENDERS DESTROYED. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CAR THAT HIT ME WAS GOING FAST AND CAUSED MAJOR DAMAGE. TAYLORVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT POLICE REPORT NUMBER 15-341

NHTSA ODI #10786497

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.