IllustrationTHE DASH LIGHTS GO ON & OF INTERMITTENTLY. SOMETIMES WHEN I STOP FOR GAS, THE DASH LIGHTS WONT COME ON WHEN I RESTART THE ENGINE. SOMETIMES THE WILL GO OFF WHILE DRIVING AND I HIT A BUMP. I AM UNABLE TO SEE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHEN THIS HAPPENS. *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
What owners actually said
831 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT GEARS, THE GEAR SHIFTER BECAME STUCK. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES DURING COLD WEATHER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED O…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT GEARS, THE GEAR SHIFTER BECAME STUCK. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES DURING COLD WEATHER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.
ELECTRIC THROTTLE- I WAS DRIVING AT 35 ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR LOSES POWER AND MY ETC LID UP AND MY CAR SLOWED DOWN, GOOD THING I WAS ABLE TO MERGE TO THE SIDE AND STOP MY CAR. RADIATOR- EVER SINCE I HAD MY ETC PROBLEM MY CAR HAS BEEN HEATING UP. *TR
MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE REPAIR SHOP FOR THE SAME ISSUE OVER FOUR TIMES WITHIN THE PAST TWO YEARS. THE FIRST COMPLAINT ON 2/19/13. THE MALFUNCTION IS WITH THE VEHICLE HEATING SYSTEM. THE FIRST HEATER CORE WAS REPLACED ON 1/20/14, THE SECOND HEATER CORE ON 2/27/14, THE THIRD HEATER CORE ON 4/18/14, AND THE FOURTH ON 11/12/14. T…
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MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE REPAIR SHOP FOR THE SAME ISSUE OVER FOUR TIMES WITHIN THE PAST TWO YEARS. THE FIRST COMPLAINT ON 2/19/13. THE MALFUNCTION IS WITH THE VEHICLE HEATING SYSTEM. THE FIRST HEATER CORE WAS REPLACED ON 1/20/14, THE SECOND HEATER CORE ON 2/27/14, THE THIRD HEATER CORE ON 4/18/14, AND THE FOURTH ON 11/12/14. THE VEHICLE LOSES HEAT. THERE HAVE BEEN SPECIAL FILTERS INSTALLED IN MY VEHICLE AS WELL, TRYING TO RESOLVE ANY ISSUE BEFORE IT REACHES THE HEATER CORE, THIS ATTEMPT HAS FAILED AS WELL. THE CURRENT ISSUE WITH NO HEAT INCLUDED ANTI-FREEZE DRIPPING ON MY FEET INSIDE THE VEHICLE, JUST ABOVE THE GAS PEDAL. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO DECELERATE AS THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND FAILED TO ACCELERATE OVER 15 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO DECELERATE AS THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND FAILED TO ACCELERATE OVER 15 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY TO 100 MPH. WHEN THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE SPEED WOULD ONLY DECREASE TO 60 MPH. ALSO, THE CONTACT TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE BUT IT CONTINUED TO AC…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY TO 100 MPH. WHEN THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE SPEED WOULD ONLY DECREASE TO 60 MPH. ALSO, THE CONTACT TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE BUT IT CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT HAD TO CRASH INTO IN A DITCH IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000.
THE DODGE CHARGER HAD A RECALL WHERE THE KEY WOULD HANG WHEN CRANKING THE CAR.. MY DODGE AVENGER HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
I WAS DRIVING 40 MPH ON A MAIN ROAD WHEN I NOTICED MY AIR BAG LIGHT COME. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF TALKING ABOUT IT WITH A FRIEND AND MY AIR BAG SUDDENLY DEPLOYED IN MY SEAT. NO ACCIDENT OR INJURIES BUT IT COULD HAVE BEEN WORSE. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE SHOP WHERE IT SAT FOR 4 MONTHS. THEY REPLACED THE AIRBAGS BUT I HAD TO PAY $3000 …
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I WAS DRIVING 40 MPH ON A MAIN ROAD WHEN I NOTICED MY AIR BAG LIGHT COME. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF TALKING ABOUT IT WITH A FRIEND AND MY AIR BAG SUDDENLY DEPLOYED IN MY SEAT. NO ACCIDENT OR INJURIES BUT IT COULD HAVE BEEN WORSE. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE SHOP WHERE IT SAT FOR 4 MONTHS. THEY REPLACED THE AIRBAGS BUT I HAD TO PAY $3000 FOR EVERYTHING ELSE THAT WAS WRONG SO THAT THEY COULD FIX THE AIR BAG. THAT INCLUDED THE DAMAGED CRANKSHAFT, THE TIMING CHAIN, THE SENSORS, THE FUEL SYSTEM THAT RANDOMLY STOPPED WORKING THE DAY I TOOK IT IN. THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NO TELL WHEN ALL THIS WAS DAMAGED. I BOUGHT THE CAR AT 53000 MILES AND WAS TOLD IT WAS IN A REAR END MINOR ACCIDENT. BUT NO OTHER ACCIDENT. I GOT MY CAR BACK IN JULY AND IT WAS WORKING JUST FINE FOR A LITTLE WHILE AND NOW ALL THE PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD BEFORE ARE OCCURRING AGAIN. THOSE PROBLEMS ARE THE STALLING AT STOP LIGHTS, THE RPM REVVING ON ITS OWN WHEN I'M IN PARK, AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT AGAIN KEEPS COMING ON WHEN THE PASSENGER SEAT IS MOVED. ALSO TODAY I NOTICED THAT THE PANELING AROUND MY DRIVERS SEAT BELT ISN'T PUT TOGETHER ALL THE WAY. SHOULD I BE CONCERNED? CHRYSLER NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING! *TR
MY 08 DODGE PURCHASED AT MONROE MI, DODGE SUPERSTORE. I HAVE AN FAULTY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WIRING. MY VEHICLE STALLS IN WET WEATHER, CRUISE CONTROL DOESN'T WORK, AND HEADLIGHTS MALFUNCTIONS, THEY COME ON AUTOMATICALLY. I UNDERSTAND 08 DODGE AVENGER HAS HAD A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE. I BELIEVE MONROE DODGE FAILED TO FIX OR NOTIFY ME …
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MY 08 DODGE PURCHASED AT MONROE MI, DODGE SUPERSTORE. I HAVE AN FAULTY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WIRING. MY VEHICLE STALLS IN WET WEATHER, CRUISE CONTROL DOESN'T WORK, AND HEADLIGHTS MALFUNCTIONS, THEY COME ON AUTOMATICALLY. I UNDERSTAND 08 DODGE AVENGER HAS HAD A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE. I BELIEVE MONROE DODGE FAILED TO FIX OR NOTIFY ME OF RECALL. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR FOR HIGH RATE OF AN ACCIDENT. PLEASE INVESTIGATE, AS I APPRECIATE YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER , BEFORE I HAVE AN ACCIDENT AND HURT SOMEONE. I NEED CAR FIXED ASAP AS I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. I APPRECIATE YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER. THANK YOU. 10/14/2014. *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.