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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

831 reports
150,000 miles · Aug 18, 2015
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ETC WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SPEED DECREASED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE REPLICATED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ETC WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SPEED DECREASED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE REPLICATED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA ODI #10749451

90,000 miles · Aug 13, 2015
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED HEAD ON INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED RIB AND WRIST INJURIES AND THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED LACERATIONS. MEDICAL ATTENTION …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED HEAD ON INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED RIB AND WRIST INJURIES AND THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED LACERATIONS. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT RECEIVED. IT WAS UNKNOWN IF A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ODI #10748555

112,000 miles · Aug 10, 2015
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED ATTEMPTING ADJUST THE SEAT TRACK, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED ON. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED ATTEMPTING ADJUST THE SEAT TRACK, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED ON. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DIRECTLY RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V240000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000.

NHTSA ODI #10747675

105,235 miles · Aug 10, 2015
EngineVehicle Speed ControlWheels

MY SON PURCHASED HIS 2008 AVENGER USED IN 2014 FROM OKLAHOMA. HE IS IN THE MILITARY AND WHILE DEPLOYED I AM MAINTAINING HIS VEHICLE AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP IN MICHIGAN WITH OIL CHANGES AND SERVICE. WHILE DRIVING AT 55MPH ON THE FREEWAY THE TPMS LIGHT CAME ON THEN THE CRUISE CONTROL TURNED OFF. THEN THE ENGINE LIGHT AS I WAS EXIT…

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MY SON PURCHASED HIS 2008 AVENGER USED IN 2014 FROM OKLAHOMA. HE IS IN THE MILITARY AND WHILE DEPLOYED I AM MAINTAINING HIS VEHICLE AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP IN MICHIGAN WITH OIL CHANGES AND SERVICE. WHILE DRIVING AT 55MPH ON THE FREEWAY THE TPMS LIGHT CAME ON THEN THE CRUISE CONTROL TURNED OFF. THEN THE ENGINE LIGHT AS I WAS EXITING THE FREEWAY THE ENGINE STOPPED. I STARTED THE VEHICLE WHICH STALLED AT EVERY. INTERSECTION AND ON TURNS WOULD STALL PUTTING ME IN THE OPPOSITE LANE. WHEN LOOKING UP RECALLS IT SHOWED THE EXACT PROBLEM. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY STATED NO RECALL ON THIS VIN# AND THE PROBLEM IS HIS TIMING CHAIN AND OF COURSE THE FEE IS 1500.00 DOLLARS. IT SEEMS FIAT CHRYSLER IS TRYING TO DO EVERYTHING NOT TO FIX THESE OLDER MODELS.

NHTSA ODI #10747355

37,000 miles · Jul 30, 2015
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT THE GEAR INTO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVER SHIFTER ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT THE GEAR INTO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVER SHIFTER ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000. UPDATED 09/21/15*LJ *CN

NHTSA ODI #10745063

112,000 miles · Jul 30, 2015
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000.

NHTSA ODI #10745061

80,000 miles · Jul 30, 2015
Electrical SystemEngine

MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AT 60MPH AND ALL OF SUDDEN THE RADIO WAS CUTTING OFF AND ON AND THEN THE CAR STARTED HESITATING AND THEN JUST CUT OFF.AFTER HAVING IT TOWED HOME FOUND THAT THE STARTER WAS BURT UP.REPLACED STARTER WITH NEW AND CAR FIRED UP AND RAN FOR ABOUT AN HOUR WHEN THE NEW STARTED THAT WAS JUST REPLACE…

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MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AT 60MPH AND ALL OF SUDDEN THE RADIO WAS CUTTING OFF AND ON AND THEN THE CAR STARTED HESITATING AND THEN JUST CUT OFF.AFTER HAVING IT TOWED HOME FOUND THAT THE STARTER WAS BURT UP.REPLACED STARTER WITH NEW AND CAR FIRED UP AND RAN FOR ABOUT AN HOUR WHEN THE NEW STARTED THAT WAS JUST REPLACED ALSO BURT...THIS HAPPENED TWO MORE TIMES...THE CAR HAS BEEN BROKE FOR TWO YEARS NOW.I HAVE IT AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC SHOP WITH ANOTHER STARTER....THEY CANNOT FIND THE SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM THATS CAUSING THIS STARTER TO FRY! THE CAR STARTS FINE...IDLES FINE...UNTIL YOU DRIVE IT FOR ABOUT 3OR 4 MILES AND THEN THE STARTER STARTS BURNING....I CAN STOP THE CAR WHEN I HEAR THE STARTER WINDING AND BURNING AND TAKE THE KEY COMPLETELY OUT AND THE STARTER STAYS STUCK IN STARTING POSITION TILL IT BURNS COMPLETELY UP....THERE DEFINITELY IS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE THAT NO ONE HAS HEARD OF,AND VERY HARD TO FIX....UPDATED 10/20/15 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE TIPM WAS SHORTING OUT AND CAUSINT THE STARTER TO BURN. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE IGNITION LOCK WAS ALSO REPLACED BECAUSE THE KEY WOULD STICK UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 2/24/2016*JS *CN

NHTSA ODI #10745047

40,000 miles · Jul 29, 2015
Air BagsFuel/propulsion System

THE TPMS WARNING LIGHT CAME ON BUT TIRES WERE FINE. AT THAT TIME THE ENGINE WOULD STALL AT TAKE OFF AND FOR A FEW MILES AFTER. AS FOR THE AIRBAG, WHEN I ADJUST THE DRIVERS SEAT, THE AIRBAG LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND STAY ON DURING THE DRIVE. I CHECKED FOR RECALLS ON THIS SITE AND FOUND THAT BOTH OF THEM WERE ON BUT WHEN I CALLED …

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THE TPMS WARNING LIGHT CAME ON BUT TIRES WERE FINE. AT THAT TIME THE ENGINE WOULD STALL AT TAKE OFF AND FOR A FEW MILES AFTER. AS FOR THE AIRBAG, WHEN I ADJUST THE DRIVERS SEAT, THE AIRBAG LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND STAY ON DURING THE DRIVE. I CHECKED FOR RECALLS ON THIS SITE AND FOUND THAT BOTH OF THEM WERE ON BUT WHEN I CALLED THE WARRANTY THEY SAID THAT MY VIN WAS NOT LISTED BUT THE YEAR MAKE AND MODEL WAS. I TOOK IT IN AND THEY CHARGED ME $100.00 FOR DIAGNOSTICS! THEY SAID THEY FIXED IT BUT IT STILL STALLS AND THE LIGHT STILL COMES ON.

NHTSA ODI #10744786

113,867 miles · Jul 29, 2015
Air BagsSteeringVehicle Speed Control

COULD NOT USE CRUISE CONTROL THEN AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND WOULD NOT GO OFF THEN IT WAS HARD TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC HE FOUND IT TO BE THE CLOCK SPRING HE TELLS ME HE'S NOT SURE IF I HAVE A ACCIDENT THE AIR BAGS ARE GOING TO WORK AND I COULD END UP NOT BEING ABLE TO TURN LEFT OR RIGHT IN MY VEHICLE THE…

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COULD NOT USE CRUISE CONTROL THEN AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND WOULD NOT GO OFF THEN IT WAS HARD TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC HE FOUND IT TO BE THE CLOCK SPRING HE TELLS ME HE'S NOT SURE IF I HAVE A ACCIDENT THE AIR BAGS ARE GOING TO WORK AND I COULD END UP NOT BEING ABLE TO TURN LEFT OR RIGHT IN MY VEHICLE THE ESTIMATE IS FOR 1000.00 I DON'T HAVE THAT. IF ITS THAT SERIOUS THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL OR INVESTIGATION INTO THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #10744687

140,000 miles · Jul 23, 2015
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT AND THE TEMPERATURE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE THERMOSTAT, RESERVOIR, WATER PUMP, TIMING CHAIN, AND A TEMPERATURE COOLANT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT AND THE TEMPERATURE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE THERMOSTAT, RESERVOIR, WATER PUMP, TIMING CHAIN, AND A TEMPERATURE COOLANT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE MECHANIC, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10735972

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.