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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
110,000 miles · Mar 11, 2015
Electrical SystemPower TrainVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE CLEANED. THE VEH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE CLEANED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ALTERNATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10693460

60,000 miles · Mar 5, 2015
Electrical System

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL FAILURE THAT WAS PROGRESSING WITH NO WARNING. THE RADIO SHORTED, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER SHORTED FOR VARIOUS SENSORS, THE CLOCK WAS NOT READING PROPERLY AND THE VEHICLE WAS STALLING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHA…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL FAILURE THAT WAS PROGRESSING WITH NO WARNING. THE RADIO SHORTED, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER SHORTED FOR VARIOUS SENSORS, THE CLOCK WAS NOT READING PROPERLY AND THE VEHICLE WAS STALLING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS FOR THE TPMS WERE CORRODED AND CAUSED A SHORT CIRCUIT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V152000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TO BE TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION, DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA ODI #10692269

95,000 miles · Mar 2, 2015
Fuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control

THROTTLE POSITION WARNING INDICATOR (RED LIGHTNING BOLT) LIT WHILE AT HIGHWAY SPEED, SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER, COULD NOT DRIVE VEHICLE OVER 35 MPH. PROBLEM HAPPENED TWICE DURING A TWO WEEK TIME FRAME, DURING COLD/ SNOWY CONDITIONS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10691389

38,575 miles · Feb 24, 2015
Engine

SINCE WE FIRST PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE WE HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH IT STALLING. AT FIRST WE THOUGHT IT WAS WHEN IT GOT WET BUT THEN IT HAPPENED ANY TIME. IT STALLED OUT SEVERAL TIMES WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGH WAY. WE HAVE HAD IT TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES THE PAST FEW YEARS. THEY HAVE REPLACED THE PVC VALVE AND THE MAP SENSOR …

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SINCE WE FIRST PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE WE HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH IT STALLING. AT FIRST WE THOUGHT IT WAS WHEN IT GOT WET BUT THEN IT HAPPENED ANY TIME. IT STALLED OUT SEVERAL TIMES WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGH WAY. WE HAVE HAD IT TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES THE PAST FEW YEARS. THEY HAVE REPLACED THE PVC VALVE AND THE MAP SENSOR STATING BOTH TIMES THIS WAS CAUSING IT TO STALL OUT EVEN THOUGH THE LIGHT INDICATES IT IS THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL. THE DEALER SAYS THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS THAT CAN EFFECT THE ETC AND IT IS A GUESSING GAME UNLESS THE LIGHT COMES ON WHEN THEY HAVE IT WHICH OF COURSE IT DIDNT. THE CAR IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AT THIS POINT. IT CONTINUES TO STALL AND THERE IS NO INDICATION AS TO WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN. WE COULD BE GOING 10 MILES AN HOUR OR 50 MILES AN HOUR. ON ONE OCCASION WHEN I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED, THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER SHOWED ME UNDER NEATH THAT IT HAD BEEN TOWED BEFORE BECAUSE SOMETHING WAS BENT. HE DIDNT WANT ME TO THINK HE DID IT. THEREFORE THERE WERE ISSUES WITH THIS CAR BEFORE I PURCHASED IT. I HAVE EMAILED DODGE ON THIS MATTER AS THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME ISSUE AND YET THERE ARE NO RECALLS FOR IT. I DONT WANT ANYONE TO BE KILLED IN THIS CAR SO WE ARE HOPING THE DEALER WILL TAKE IT BACK AS A TRADE. AFTER ALL THEY SOLD IT TO US IN THIS CONDITION. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10690421

120,000 miles · Feb 23, 2015
Vehicle Speed Control

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY CONTROL FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ODI #10689943

90,000 miles · Feb 16, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System

I'VE OWNED THE CAR SINCE IT WAS NEW. A COUPLE OF TIMES THIS PAST SUMMER WHEN FILLING THE FUEL TANK, THE FUEL OVERFLOWED BEFORE THE GAS NOZZLE AUTOMATICALLY SHUT OFF. AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS A FAULTY GAS NOZZLE. RECENTLY IT HAS BEEN OVERFLOWING EVERY TIME I FILL UP, REGARDLESS OF WHICH GAS STATION OR PUMP. THE PAST 5-6 TIME…

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I'VE OWNED THE CAR SINCE IT WAS NEW. A COUPLE OF TIMES THIS PAST SUMMER WHEN FILLING THE FUEL TANK, THE FUEL OVERFLOWED BEFORE THE GAS NOZZLE AUTOMATICALLY SHUT OFF. AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS A FAULTY GAS NOZZLE. RECENTLY IT HAS BEEN OVERFLOWING EVERY TIME I FILL UP, REGARDLESS OF WHICH GAS STATION OR PUMP. THE PAST 5-6 TIMES IT HAS OVERFLOWED. IT IS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF FUEL THAT COMES BACK, AND IT DOESN'T JUST TRICKLE OUT. IF YOU ARE NOT STANDING OFF TO THE SIDE IT WILL SPRAY YOU. THEN IT RUNS DOWN THE SIDE OF THE CAR AND THE LEFT REAR WHEEL. I AM CAREFUL TO STOP THE PUMP BEFORE IT GETS FULL, BUT EVEN THEN IT SOMETIMES OVERFLOWS. I WOULD ESTIMATE THE AVERAGE AMOUNT OF FUEL SPILLAGE TO BE AROUND 12 OUNCES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10683715

84,500 miles · Feb 11, 2015
Engine

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,500.

NHTSA ODI #10682695

79,284 miles · Feb 9, 2015
Air BagsElectrical SystemVehicle Speed Control

I TOOK MY CAR IN ON JANUARY 21, 2015 BECAUSE MY AIRBAG LIGHT WAS FLASHING AGAIN BUT THIS TIME IT'S A CLOCKSPRING AND [XXX] AT DODGE TOLD ME THAT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE THE CAR LIKE THIS BECAUSE AIRBAGS WONT WORK, MY CRUISE CONTROL DOESN'T WORK AND HE SAID MORE THINGS WILL FAIL. I THINK THIS SHOULD BE ON THE RECALL LIST BUT IT ISN'…

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I TOOK MY CAR IN ON JANUARY 21, 2015 BECAUSE MY AIRBAG LIGHT WAS FLASHING AGAIN BUT THIS TIME IT'S A CLOCKSPRING AND [XXX] AT DODGE TOLD ME THAT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE THE CAR LIKE THIS BECAUSE AIRBAGS WONT WORK, MY CRUISE CONTROL DOESN'T WORK AND HE SAID MORE THINGS WILL FAIL. I THINK THIS SHOULD BE ON THE RECALL LIST BUT IT ISN'T. THERE IS NO WAY THAT I CAN HAVE IT FIXED BECAUSE I GET $800 A MONTH AND TO REPLACE THAT PART IS $579.30. IS THERE ANYWAY TO PUT THIS PART ON THE RECALL LIST BECAUSE IT'S NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. THANK YOU *TR

NHTSA ODI #10682347

120,000 miles · Feb 6, 2015
Electrical System

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CRUISE CONTROL SHIFTS OFF AND THE RPMS START GOING UP TO 5 RPMS IF I BARELY TOUCH THE GAS. SO I PULL OVER AND SHUT THE CAR OFF AND THEN THE CAR WILL NOT CRANK BACK UP. HAVE REPLACED THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR BOTH TWO TIMES. *TR UPDATED 3/30/2016*JS

NHTSA ODI #10681772

Mileage unknown · Feb 2, 2015
EngineService BrakesSteeringCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED, THE STEERING SEIZED, AND THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE DROVE UP A HILL AND FLIPPED OVER. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED, THE STEERING SEIZED, AND THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE DROVE UP A HILL AND FLIPPED OVER. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10680629

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.