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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

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

138 reports
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Mileage unknown · Mar 8, 2023
Vehicle Speed Control

The car runs perfect but all the sudden started dying while in reverse then a lightning bolt with lines on each side was flashing and the car died. So we changed the spark plugs and did a full service and it ran fine then started doing the same thing where it’s getting no power and won’t go at all. Let it sit for a minute then h…

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The car runs perfect but all the sudden started dying while in reverse then a lightning bolt with lines on each side was flashing and the car died. So we changed the spark plugs and did a full service and it ran fine then started doing the same thing where it’s getting no power and won’t go at all. Let it sit for a minute then hen will drive fine for a little bit and start acting like it’s not getting any power i don’t understand what’s going on with it

NHTSA ODI #11510723

36,000 miles · Aug 23, 2019
Air BagsElectrical SystemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE ENGINE SEIZED. ON OTHER OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE SPONTANEOUSLY ACCELERATED AND THEN DRAGGED. ALSO, THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT DETACHED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE ENGINE SEIZED. ON OTHER OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE SPONTANEOUSLY ACCELERATED AND THEN DRAGGED. ALSO, THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT DETACHED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE THERMOSTAT, CLOCKSPRING, ECM MANIFOLD, THROTTLE BODY, STARTER, BATTERY, AIR FAN, INTEGRATED POWER MODULE, AIR CONDITIONER, COMPRESSOR, INTAKE RUNNER, STEERING WHEEL, AND ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BROCKTON CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM (241020 BELMONT ST, BROCKTON, MA 02301, (781) 961-1550), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID.

NHTSA ODI #11246036

140,000 miles · Jul 25, 2019
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control

AS I WAS TRAVELING 65 MPH DOWN HWY 411 IN CENTRE, AL MY CAR (2008 DODGE AVENGER) COMPLETELY SHUTOFF. I COULD BARELY GET MY CAR OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD DUE TO THE STEERING WHEEL WOULDN'T TURN. THANK GOD IT WAS 11 P.M ON A THURSDAY NIGHT BECAUSE IF IT WOULD'VE BEEN DURING THE DAY THIS HWY IS VERY BUSY AND I COULD'VE CAUSED A …

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AS I WAS TRAVELING 65 MPH DOWN HWY 411 IN CENTRE, AL MY CAR (2008 DODGE AVENGER) COMPLETELY SHUTOFF. I COULD BARELY GET MY CAR OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD DUE TO THE STEERING WHEEL WOULDN'T TURN. THANK GOD IT WAS 11 P.M ON A THURSDAY NIGHT BECAUSE IF IT WOULD'VE BEEN DURING THE DAY THIS HWY IS VERY BUSY AND I COULD'VE CAUSED A WRECK AND HARMED MYSELF OR SOMEONE ELSE. AFTER I GOT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD I TRIED TO START IT BACK UP A FEW TIMES AND IT FINALLY STARTED BACK UP BUT IT WOULDN'T STOP TURNING OVER UNTIL I CUT IT BACK OFF. THEN I TRIED TO START IT AGAIN AND IT STARTED BUT EVERY LIGHT ON MY DASH COME ON. I PUT IT IN DRIVE AND TRIED TO DRIVE IT HOME BUT IT WOULDNT GO OVER 15 MPH. I HAD SEVERAL VEHICLES RUN UP ON THE BACK OF MY VEHICLE AND I WAS ACTUALLY AFRAID FOR MY SAFETY. WHEN I GOT IT HOME I SHUT IT OFF AND IT WOULDNT START BACK UP. I THEN TRIED TO START IT BACK UP THE NEXT MORNING AND THE ELECTRICAL THROTTLE CONTROL LIGHT COME ON AND I STILL CANT GO OVER 15 MPH. THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL BECAUSE I COULDVE BEEN HURT BAD OR WORSE.

NHTSA ODI #11234847

45,000 miles · Mar 14, 2019
Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control

CONTINUOUS ENGINE AND ELECTRONIC AND FUEL AND ELECTRICAL ISSUES WITH CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ACTIVATED WITH NO RESOLVE.

NHTSA ODI #11186911

150,800 miles · Jan 21, 2019
Unknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control

I JUST BOUGHT MY 2008 AVENGER. EVERYTHING WORKED AS NORMAL UNTIL I WENT TO WARM UP MY CAR TODAY AND LATER REALIZED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE IS ONLY BLOWING COLD AIR. I HAVE RESEARCHED AND FOUND HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS ARE HAVING THE EXACT ISSUE. THE ACTUATORS ARE FUNCTIONING. THE BLEND DOOR IS FINE. THE HEATER CORE ITSELF IS FI…

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I JUST BOUGHT MY 2008 AVENGER. EVERYTHING WORKED AS NORMAL UNTIL I WENT TO WARM UP MY CAR TODAY AND LATER REALIZED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE IS ONLY BLOWING COLD AIR. I HAVE RESEARCHED AND FOUND HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS ARE HAVING THE EXACT ISSUE. THE ACTUATORS ARE FUNCTIONING. THE BLEND DOOR IS FINE. THE HEATER CORE ITSELF IS FINE DUE TO HOT AIR COMING FROM DRIVER SIDE ONLY. THIS CAN CAUSE A MORE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AND MALFUNCTIONS AND SHOULD BE RECALLED DUE TO POOR HEATING ABILITIES THUS LACK OF DEFROST DURING WINTER MONTHS. I HAVE A SMALL FRAME I'M ABLE TO LOOK OUT AFTER WINDSHIELD HAS BEEN DEFROSTING FOR OVER 20 MINUTES. THAT'S THE WORST PART. THE OTHER ISSUE IS MY CRUISE CONTROL QUIT WORKING ALSO TODAY WHILE GOING 75 MPH DOWN THE HIGHWAY. I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED BECAUSE ONCE IT DISENGAGED, IT SLOWED DOWN TREMENDOUSLY. HAD I NOT BEEN QUICK AT ACCELERATING AGAIN, I WOULD BE PUTTING MY CAR IN THE SHOP FOR REAR END DAMAGE. WHETHER THEY ARE CONNECTED OR NOT, I DONT KNOW, BUT IT IS VERY STRANGE BOTH ISSUE AROUSE TODAY.

NHTSA ODI #11171260

240,000 miles · Dec 20, 2018
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Vehicle Speed Control

IN MOTION AT RANDOM TIMES MY ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL LIGHT WILL FLASH AT THE SAME TIME I LOSE ALL POWER AT ANY SPEED.....FROM COMING INTO MY DRIVEWAY TO HIGHWAY SPEED 40-50MPH TO INTERSTATE SPEEDS 65MPH I WAS WITH MY VERY I'LL MOM WHO HAS TO TRAVEL WITH MEDICAL SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT AND WHEN SHE IS IN AN ACCIDENT, AND L…

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IN MOTION AT RANDOM TIMES MY ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL LIGHT WILL FLASH AT THE SAME TIME I LOSE ALL POWER AT ANY SPEED.....FROM COMING INTO MY DRIVEWAY TO HIGHWAY SPEED 40-50MPH TO INTERSTATE SPEEDS 65MPH I WAS WITH MY VERY I'LL MOM WHO HAS TO TRAVEL WITH MEDICAL SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT AND WHEN SHE IS IN AN ACCIDENT, AND LEFT UNABLE TO GET TO HER SET DESTINATION, WOULD SUFFER AND DID FINALLY TODAY ....WE HAD TO SIT PARKED FOR LONGER THAT SHE MEDICALLY IS ABLE TO BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL. IT SHOULD BE RECALLED & RESOLVED BEFORE SOMEONE IN MY CAR, OR MYSELF, GETS HURT OR KILLED. I HAVE HAD MY AVENGER SINCE FEBRUARY - MARCH 2009 AND TODAY IS DECEMBER 2018 AND IT HAS HAPPENED FOR OVER 2 YEARS TO ME JUST BECAUSE I AM STILL ALIVE, DON'T MEAN IT SHOULDN'T BE RESOLVED. AGAIN, THIS HAPPENED BEFORE I GOT TO THE MILEAGE I AM NOW AND IS STILL HAPPENING. MY AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON AND I DON'T KNOW IF IT WOULD EVEN WORK......, IF I WAS TO IMPACT FROM THE LOSS OF POWER THAT'S CAUSED FROM, THE ETC. PLEASE RECALL & FIX THIS.

NHTSA ODI #11162846

Mileage unknown · Nov 1, 2018
Air BagsElectronic Stability Control (esc)Vehicle Speed Control

TAKATA RECALL....AIR BAG LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON THE ENTIRE TIME DRIVING...2. SOMETIMES MY DRIVING LIGHTS DON'T WORK PROPERLY AND AT THE VERY SAME TIME MY WINDSHIELD WASHER WON'T WORK AT ALL WHILE DRIVING. 3. RIGHT SIDE HEAT BLOWS WARM & PASSENGER SIDE BLOWS COLD WETHER PARKED OR MOVING

NHTSA ODI #11144615

156,000 miles · Jun 8, 2018
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Vehicle Speed Control

I WAS DRIVING WHEN I NOTICED THE RED LIGHTNING BOLT LIGHT COME ON ON THE DASH. THEN THE CHECK OIL LIGHT CAME ON (AND I DON'T NEED AN OIL CHANGE) . MY TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT HAD BEEN COMING ON THAT DAY, I ASSUMED BC IT WAS COLDER THAT DAY. AS I WAS DRIVING I WAS GETTING INTO THE LEFT TURN LANE AND AS I GOT TO THE END OF THE LANE AND…

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I WAS DRIVING WHEN I NOTICED THE RED LIGHTNING BOLT LIGHT COME ON ON THE DASH. THEN THE CHECK OIL LIGHT CAME ON (AND I DON'T NEED AN OIL CHANGE) . MY TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT HAD BEEN COMING ON THAT DAY, I ASSUMED BC IT WAS COLDER THAT DAY. AS I WAS DRIVING I WAS GETTING INTO THE LEFT TURN LANE AND AS I GOT TO THE END OF THE LANE AND STRAIGHTENED MY WHEEL I NOTICED I COULDN'T REALLY TURN MY WHEEL. ONCE I GOT THE GREEN ARROW TO TURN, I PUT MY FOOT ON THE GAS AND I WASN'T MOVING. I TURNED MY HAZARDS ON PUT IT IN PARK AND TURNED IT OFF WHEN I NOTICED MY CAR WAS ALREADY OFF. I STARTED IT BACK UP AND THE LIGHTS ON MY DASH WENT AWAY AND IT WAS FINE. I'VE ALSO BEEN NOTICED THE PAST COUPLE WEEKS THAT MY CAR REVS UP WHENEVER IT FEELS LIKE IT. I'LL BE PARKED AND THE CAR WILL REV UP OR I'LL BE DRIVING A STEADY SPEED AND MY CAR WILL JUST SPEED UP. SOMETIME EVEN WHEN I'M BRAKING TO COME TO A STOP MY CAR WILL START ZOOMING FORWARD.

NHTSA ODI #11100508

Mileage unknown · Jan 17, 2018
Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control

I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND ALL LIGHTS WHEN OFF AND CAR SHUT OFF AND I HAD NO CONTROL I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE

NHTSA ODI #11063413

157,000 miles · Dec 29, 2017
Electrical SystemPower TrainVehicle Speed Control

I'VE ALREADY HAD TO REPLACE THE POWER CONTROL MODULE (PCM) ONCE JUST A YEAR AND A HALF AGO, AND NOW I HAVE TO REPLACE IT AGAIN AND MY CAR HAS BEEN OUT OF COMMISSION AND SITTING AT A MECHANIC'S REPAIR SHOP FOR ALMOST 2 MONTHS NOW AFTER FIXING OTHER THINGS FIRST BEFORE FINALLY DETERMINING IT WAS THE PCM AGAIN. CAR WILL NOT REV ABO…

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I'VE ALREADY HAD TO REPLACE THE POWER CONTROL MODULE (PCM) ONCE JUST A YEAR AND A HALF AGO, AND NOW I HAVE TO REPLACE IT AGAIN AND MY CAR HAS BEEN OUT OF COMMISSION AND SITTING AT A MECHANIC'S REPAIR SHOP FOR ALMOST 2 MONTHS NOW AFTER FIXING OTHER THINGS FIRST BEFORE FINALLY DETERMINING IT WAS THE PCM AGAIN. CAR WILL NOT REV ABOVE 2.0 RPM AND IS IN "LIMP MODE" WITH THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ALONG WITH THE LIGHTNING BOLT SYMBOL PRESENT ON THE DASHBOARD.

NHTSA ODI #11057358

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.