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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
80,000 miles · Aug 1, 2014
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED POWER AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED POWER AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ODI #10618123

103,000 miles · Jul 23, 2014
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. WHILE TRAVELING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE ON ITS OWN. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND ALL OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED WHEN THE SPEED REACHED 50 MPH. THE FAILURE OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. WHILE TRAVELING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE ON ITS OWN. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND ALL OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED WHEN THE SPEED REACHED 50 MPH. THE FAILURE OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE AND RECOMMENDED IT BE TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.

NHTSA ODI #10615635

Mileage unknown · Jul 8, 2014
Tires

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT TWO TIRE PRESSURE SENSORS WERE COMPLETELY CORRODED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE OTHER TWO SENSORS FRACTURED AND EXHIBITED SLIGHT CORROSION. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT TWO TIRE PRESSURE SENSORS WERE COMPLETELY CORRODED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE OTHER TWO SENSORS FRACTURED AND EXHIBITED SLIGHT CORROSION. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,877...UPDATED 08-20-14 *BF UPDATED 09/02/2014 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10608845

72,000 miles · Jul 7, 2014
Electrical System

I HAD PARKED MY CAR, 20 MINUTES LATER I WENT TO START THE CAR AND IT STARTED. AS I SHIFTED THE CAR IN REVERSE, THE CAR IMMEDIATELY DIED AND THE ELECTRIC THROTTLE LIGHT CAME ON. I PUT MY CAR IN PARKED AND STARTED IT AGAIN. AND IT DID IT AGAIN WITH ENGINE LIGHT ALSO. FINALLY, I STARTED THE CAR AND IT CONTINUED TO RUN. I BACKED OU…

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I HAD PARKED MY CAR, 20 MINUTES LATER I WENT TO START THE CAR AND IT STARTED. AS I SHIFTED THE CAR IN REVERSE, THE CAR IMMEDIATELY DIED AND THE ELECTRIC THROTTLE LIGHT CAME ON. I PUT MY CAR IN PARKED AND STARTED IT AGAIN. AND IT DID IT AGAIN WITH ENGINE LIGHT ALSO. FINALLY, I STARTED THE CAR AND IT CONTINUED TO RUN. I BACKED OUT AND STARTED TO DRIVE. A BLOCK AWAY AT A FOUR WAY STOP SIGN THE CAR COMPLETELY DIED. WAS NOT ABLE TO EVEN USE MY FLASHERS. I CALL A TOW TRUCK AND HAD MY CAR SENT TO A REPAIR SHOP WITH THE SPARE KEY. THE REPAIR SHOP CALLED ME LATER AND STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR AND IT WAS RUNNING FINE BUT MIGHT NEED TO BE LOOKED AT A TRANSMISSION SHOP. MY VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP AND THEY STATED THE SAME THING AND THOUGHT THAT IT MAY HAVE BEEN THE KEY THAT I WAS USING. SO FOR TWO DAYS AFTER PICKING UP MY CAR, THE SPARE KEY WAS WORKING AND THE CAR WAS RUNNING. 4TH OF JULY EVENING MY CAR QUIT WORKING IN THE DRIVE THRU AND THE THROTTLE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN, I WAS ABLE TO START IT BUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE CAR DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. I WAS NOT ABLE TO USE MY FLASHERS CAUSE THEY DID NOT WORK. I WAS AFRAID THAT SOMEONE MIGHT REAR END MY CAR DUE TO THE VEHICLE WAS DYING AND I HAD MY KIDS IN THE CAR. I WAS GLAD I WAS CLOSE TO HOME BUT THAT IS VERY SCARY AT NIGHT WHEN YOUR LIGHTS COMPLETELY STOP WORKING. MY CAR IS CURRENTLY AT THE DODGE DEALERSHIP AND THEY ARE STATING THAT THEY DON'T KNOW WHATS WRONG WITH IT BUT FOR THEM TO CONTINUE TO CHECK IT OUT I HAVE TO PAY $150 AND THEY THINK IT MIGHT BE AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. I CONTINUE TO RESEARCH ONLINE AND IT SEEMS THAT I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM WITH THE SAME YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL, SO HOW DO THEY NOT KNOW WHAT IT IS. I'M GLAD THAT I WASN'T ON THE HIGHWAY, IT COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10608747

80,000 miles · Jul 2, 2014
Fuel/propulsion SystemFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT WAS A CERTIFIED MECHANIC, WHO INSPECTED THE FUEL PUMP AND DISCOVERED THAT THE WIRE CONNECTED TO THE FUEL PUMP WAS BURNED INSIDE THE FUEL TANK. THE CONTACT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AND NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MIL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT WAS A CERTIFIED MECHANIC, WHO INSPECTED THE FUEL PUMP AND DISCOVERED THAT THE WIRE CONNECTED TO THE FUEL PUMP WAS BURNED INSIDE THE FUEL TANK. THE CONTACT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AND NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ODI #10607900

95,000 miles · Jun 11, 2014
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE'S SPEED DECREASED TO 10 MPH AND THE POWER INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE FOR 10 MINUTES, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE ELECTRIC THROTTLE N…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE'S SPEED DECREASED TO 10 MPH AND THE POWER INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE FOR 10 MINUTES, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE ELECTRIC THROTTLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

NHTSA ODI #10597614

150,000 miles · May 29, 2014
Electrical SystemFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IMMEDIATELY AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, FLAMES STARTED TO EMIT FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE SPEAKER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE USED A FIRE EXTINGUISHER TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IMMEDIATELY AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, FLAMES STARTED TO EMIT FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE SPEAKER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE USED A FIRE EXTINGUISHER TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000. UPDATED 8/12/14*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT, REFUSED ASSISTANT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BEFORE IT WAS INSPECTED. UPDATED 08/21/2014 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10594748

128,000 miles · May 27, 2014
Latches/locks/linkages

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR UNLATCHED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE A BUNGEE CORD WAS USED TO SECURE THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE. THERE WERE TWO RECALLS ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR UNLATCHED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE A BUNGEE CORD WAS USED TO SECURE THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE. THERE WERE TWO RECALLS ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS 07V414000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES) AND 07V104000 (07V104000) HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000.

NHTSA ODI #10594251

71,000 miles · May 7, 2014
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE WAITING AT A TRAFFIC STOP, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE A…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE WAITING AT A TRAFFIC STOP, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V152000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 71,000.

NHTSA ODI #10587027

94,000 miles · May 5, 2014
Electrical System

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY A SERVICE LIGHT CAME ON IN MY CAR AND MY CAR STARTED SLOWING DOWN TO 5-10 MILES AN HOURS ON THE HIGHWAY WHERE IT WOULD NOT GO. I LET THE CAR SIT FOR A FEW MINUTES AND IT STARTED UP AND DROVE NORMAL AGAIN. IT HAS HAPPENED WHILE I WAS GOING 35 MILES PER HOUR WHERE IT WILL DO THE SAME THING. THE LIGHTI…

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WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY A SERVICE LIGHT CAME ON IN MY CAR AND MY CAR STARTED SLOWING DOWN TO 5-10 MILES AN HOURS ON THE HIGHWAY WHERE IT WOULD NOT GO. I LET THE CAR SIT FOR A FEW MINUTES AND IT STARTED UP AND DROVE NORMAL AGAIN. IT HAS HAPPENED WHILE I WAS GOING 35 MILES PER HOUR WHERE IT WILL DO THE SAME THING. THE LIGHTING BOLT SYMBOL LIGHT COMES ON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10586515

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.