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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
100,000 miles · Sep 18, 2014
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Fuel/propulsion System

MY 2008 DODGE AVENGER HAS BEEN INTERMITTENTLY LOSING RPMS WHILE DRIVING FOR THE PAST TWO MONTHS. THE BODY SHOP INITALLY TOLD ME THAT I NEEDED MY THROTTLE BODY CLEANED AND A NEW BATTERY. I PAID FOR THESE REPAIRS AND THE NEXT DAY MY CAR WAS DOING THE SAME THING. I AM SO AFRAID THAT I WILL BE IN AN ACCIDENT WHEN THE CAR LOSES PO…

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MY 2008 DODGE AVENGER HAS BEEN INTERMITTENTLY LOSING RPMS WHILE DRIVING FOR THE PAST TWO MONTHS. THE BODY SHOP INITALLY TOLD ME THAT I NEEDED MY THROTTLE BODY CLEANED AND A NEW BATTERY. I PAID FOR THESE REPAIRS AND THE NEXT DAY MY CAR WAS DOING THE SAME THING. I AM SO AFRAID THAT I WILL BE IN AN ACCIDENT WHEN THE CAR LOSES POWER AND I HAVE TO EITHER CONTINUOUSLY PUMP THE GAS PEDAL OR PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND THEN RESTART THE CAR WHILE IT IS STILL MOVING. I AM ONLY ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD HALF THE TIME AND THE REST OF THE TIME OTHER VEHICLES ARE BEHIND ME GOING AT THE SPEED THAT I WAS GOING PRIOR TO THE CAR LOSING POWER...SIDENOTE THERE IS POWER TO THE CAR ITSELF BECAUSE THE RADIO OR THE AC WILL STILL BE ON BUT THE ENGINE GETS NO GAS. I WOULD REALLY LIKE FOR CHRYSLER/DODGE TO LET US CONSUMERS KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON BECAUSE I SEE THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10637243

98,000 miles · Sep 12, 2014
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER ACCELERATION AND FAILED TO ACCELERATE OVER 30 MPH. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT AN UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AND OPERATED AS NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER ACCELERATION AND FAILED TO ACCELERATE OVER 30 MPH. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT AN UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AND OPERATED AS NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

NHTSA ODI #10632867

88,000 miles · Sep 11, 2014
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE THE HESITATED AND IT TOOK SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TURNING THE IGNITION SWITCH BEFORE THE VEHICLE STARTED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,00…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE THE HESITATED AND IT TOOK SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TURNING THE IGNITION SWITCH BEFORE THE VEHICLE STARTED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.

NHTSA ODI #10632552

109,000 miles · Sep 3, 2014
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED INTO REVERSE INDEPENDENTLY AND FAILED TO SHIFT BACK IN DRIVE. THE SHIFT CONTROL CABLE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILED. THE VEHICLE W…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED INTO REVERSE INDEPENDENTLY AND FAILED TO SHIFT BACK IN DRIVE. THE SHIFT CONTROL CABLE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000.

NHTSA ODI #10630341

146,000 miles · Sep 2, 2014
Electrical System

I HAD MY ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL REPLACED IN THE WINTER OF 2013. AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE CAR LOST ALL POWER AND WOULD NOT TURN BACK ON. AFTER SEEING THE MANY COMPLAINTS HERE I WAS SURE CHRYSLER WOULD COVER IT, BUT THEY DID NOT. THEY, IN FACT, TOLD ME THAT THEY EXPLICITLY WERE NOT COVERING ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS O…

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I HAD MY ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL REPLACED IN THE WINTER OF 2013. AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE CAR LOST ALL POWER AND WOULD NOT TURN BACK ON. AFTER SEEING THE MANY COMPLAINTS HERE I WAS SURE CHRYSLER WOULD COVER IT, BUT THEY DID NOT. THEY, IN FACT, TOLD ME THAT THEY EXPLICITLY WERE NOT COVERING ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS ON THIS PART! TODAY, I LEARNED THAT NOW I AM HAVING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AGAIN. MY RIGHT TURN SIGNAL AND BRAKE LIGHT WORK WHENEVER THEY WANT, NO RHYME OR REASON. MY CRUISE CONTROL ALSO WORKS WHENEVER IT WANTS AND THE AUTO TECHNICIANS CANNOT FIGURE OUT WHY BECAUSE THERE IS NOT WARNING LIGHT COMING ON MY DASH. I LEARNED ABOUT A POSSIBLE RECALL RELATED TO THE TPMS CONNECTORS AND HOW THEY CORRODE THEN CAUSE ELECTRICAL ISSUES, BUT MY VEHICLE DOESN'T QUALIFY. I CALLED CHRYSLER AGAIN TODAY AND THEY WERE VERY RUDE. THEY WOULD NOT GIVE ME ANY INFORMATION ON HOW TO ESCALATE MY PROBLEMS. I TOLD HIM THAT WAS ODD AND HE SAID TO ME "IS IT REALLY ODD? IF YOU WERE THE CORPORATION WOULD YOU GIVE IT OUT?" I'LL NEVER BUY A CHRYSLER PRODUCT AGAIN. FIX THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS THAT ARE ALL LISTED HERE AND SAVE YOUR CUSTOMERS! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10630186

79,000 miles · Sep 1, 2014
Air BagsElectrical SystemEngine

MY CAR HORN GOES OFF PERIODICALLY AND STAYS ON WHEN IM DRIVING OR PARKED WITHOUT ME BLOWING IT .ALSO MY SEAT BELT LIGHT COMES ON EVERY TIME I TURN ON THE VEHICLE .WHEN IM DRIVING THE ENGINE OIL LIGHT COMES ON THE WHEEL TIGHTEN UP AND THE VEHICLE SLOWS DOWN AND CUTS COMPLETELY OFF. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING ON BUSY STREETS WHEN THIS H…

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MY CAR HORN GOES OFF PERIODICALLY AND STAYS ON WHEN IM DRIVING OR PARKED WITHOUT ME BLOWING IT .ALSO MY SEAT BELT LIGHT COMES ON EVERY TIME I TURN ON THE VEHICLE .WHEN IM DRIVING THE ENGINE OIL LIGHT COMES ON THE WHEEL TIGHTEN UP AND THE VEHICLE SLOWS DOWN AND CUTS COMPLETELY OFF. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING ON BUSY STREETS WHEN THIS HAPPEN AS WELL AS EXPRESS WAYS. ONCE IT CUTS OFF IF I SIT AND A COUPLE MINUTES THE CAR MAY START BACK DRIVING LIKE NOTHING HAPPEN...USUALLY. I SIT FOR 30 MINUTES BEFORE IT START UP..I HAVE TAKEN IT TO MECHANIC AND ITS SOMETHING WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM NO CODES ARE COMING UP WHEN I WENT TO PLACE IT ON A MACHINE..ONE MECHANIC SAID IT MY BE THE IGNITION NOT CONNECTING ..CAN THIS BE INVESTIGATED BECAUSE THIS CAR IS DOING THINGS ON ITS OWN THE HORN WILL GO OFF WHEN IM PARKING DRIVING AND THE FUSE WAS CHECKED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10629814

64,000 miles · Aug 27, 2014
Electrical System

LEFT HEADLIGHT AND RIGHT BRAKELIGHT COMES ON WITHOUT REQUEST. TURN SIGNALS BEGIN BLINKING RAPIDLY. TIPM IS FAILING. [XXX] VIN [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10628933

150,000 miles · Aug 25, 2014
Electrical SystemVisibility

I AM HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE ELECTRONICS IN THE FRONT TWO WINDOWS. THE PASSENGER SIDE QUIT WORKING ON THE DRIVERS SIDE CONTROL THEN THE PASSENGER SIDE SWITCH. APPROX. TWO WEEKS LATER THE DRIVER WINDOW WON'T GO DOWN BUT WILL GO UP. ONE OF THE ENGINE PORTS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IS STUCK OPEN AND I HAVE TRIED USING SEA FOAM. BOTH F…

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I AM HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE ELECTRONICS IN THE FRONT TWO WINDOWS. THE PASSENGER SIDE QUIT WORKING ON THE DRIVERS SIDE CONTROL THEN THE PASSENGER SIDE SWITCH. APPROX. TWO WEEKS LATER THE DRIVER WINDOW WON'T GO DOWN BUT WILL GO UP. ONE OF THE ENGINE PORTS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IS STUCK OPEN AND I HAVE TRIED USING SEA FOAM. BOTH FRONT STRUTS WENT OUT AT THE SAME TIME A MONTH AGO. REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR THREE WEEKS AFTER BUYING THE CAR THAT WAS THREE YEAR'S AGO. IT SEEMS TO BE ONE THING AFTER ANOTHER HAS TO GET FIXED ON THIS CAR. I HAVE REPAIRED THE A/C UNIT ON IT TWICE THIS SUMMER. NOW THE POWERING STEERING UNIT IS MAKING A NOISE WHEN THE WHEEL IS TURNED. WOULDN'T RECOMMENDED THIS CAR TO ANYONE. NICE LOOKING BUT FALLS APART TO EASY IN A SHORT TIME FRAME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10628230

140,453 miles · Aug 6, 2014
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control

I STARTED THE CAR AND IT DROVE NORMALLY FOR 1/4 MILE. CAR THEN BEGAN BUCKING AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OVER 20MPH. ELECTRIC THROTTLE LIGHT CAME ON. SHOP SAID THE ELECTRIC THROTTLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. GOT IT REPLACED IN JUNE OF 2013. IN AUGUST OF 2014, MY BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON. CAR DROVE NORMALLY. STOPPED AFTER AN HOUR TRIP. TW…

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I STARTED THE CAR AND IT DROVE NORMALLY FOR 1/4 MILE. CAR THEN BEGAN BUCKING AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OVER 20MPH. ELECTRIC THROTTLE LIGHT CAME ON. SHOP SAID THE ELECTRIC THROTTLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. GOT IT REPLACED IN JUNE OF 2013. IN AUGUST OF 2014, MY BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON. CAR DROVE NORMALLY. STOPPED AFTER AN HOUR TRIP. TWO HOURS LATER CAR WOULDN'T START. RECEIVED A JUMP, CAR STARTED BUT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OVER 25 MPH. ELECTRIC THROTTLE LIGHT, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, AND BATTERY LIGHT ARE ON. TO THE SHOP I GO AGAIN...ALMOST TWO MONTHS AFTER THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED... *TR

NHTSA ODI #10619166

87,000 miles · Aug 5, 2014
Electrical SystemEngine

I STARTED MY CAR ON SUNDAY AUGUST 3, 2014 AND THE ENGINE WOULDN'T TURN OVER, AFTER WAITING A MINUTE THE CAR STARTED. WHILE DRIVING THE CAR WOULD NOT GO FASTER THAN 20 MPH EVEN WITH MY FOOT COMPLETELY ON THE PETAL. I TOOK MY CAR TO OREILLY AUTO PARTS AND HAD THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT READ. I HAD ALL NEW SPARK PLUGS (BASED OFF THE CH…

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I STARTED MY CAR ON SUNDAY AUGUST 3, 2014 AND THE ENGINE WOULDN'T TURN OVER, AFTER WAITING A MINUTE THE CAR STARTED. WHILE DRIVING THE CAR WOULD NOT GO FASTER THAN 20 MPH EVEN WITH MY FOOT COMPLETELY ON THE PETAL. I TOOK MY CAR TO OREILLY AUTO PARTS AND HAD THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT READ. I HAD ALL NEW SPARK PLUGS (BASED OFF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT READING) PUT IN THE VEHICLE AND I'M STILL NOT ABLE TO DRIVE OVER 20 MPH. MY CAR IS NOW CUTTING OFF AT THE LIGHT AND NOT THE HIGHEST SPEED IS 20 MPH. I KEEP GETTING A LIGHTING BOLT MESSAGE AND CHECK ENGINE MESSAGE EVEN THOUGH ALL THE CODES HAVE BEEN CLEARED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10619004

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.