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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
86,000 miles · Jan 29, 2012
Electrical SystemPower TrainUnknown Or Other

DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND MY 2008 DODGE AVENGER SUDDENLY LOSES POWER AND BEGINS TO IDLE AND RUN ROUGH. THE RED ELECTRIC BOLT SIGN CAME ON AND WAS FLASHING. CAR CONTINUED TO RUN FUNNY NOT HAVING NORMAL POWER AND UNABLE TO ACCELERATE. WHEN I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND THEN BACK ON IT RESET. ? *TT

NHTSA ODI #10445725

36,000 miles · Jan 26, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER WHILE TRAVELING 55 MPH. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A LIGHTNING BOLT THAT APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHEN THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY THE DEALER OR REPAIRED. T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER WHILE TRAVELING 55 MPH. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A LIGHTNING BOLT THAT APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHEN THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY THE DEALER OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000.

NHTSA ODI #10445416

56,949 miles · Jan 24, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE ETC WARNING LIGHT. THE CONTACT REFERRED TO THE OWNER'S MANUAL REGARDING THE ETC AND THE OWNER'S MANUAL ADVISED PARKING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR A MECHANIC FOR RE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE ETC WARNING LIGHT. THE CONTACT REFERRED TO THE OWNER'S MANUAL REGARDING THE ETC AND THE OWNER'S MANUAL ADVISED PARKING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR A MECHANIC FOR REPAIRS OR INSPECTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,949.

NHTSA ODI #10445089

54,500 miles · Jan 23, 2012
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE BEYOND 50 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND THEY WERE IN THE PROCESS OF DIAGNOSING THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE BEYOND 50 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND THEY WERE IN THE PROCESS OF DIAGNOSING THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 54,500.

NHTSA ODI #10444858

63,000 miles · Jan 19, 2012
Fuel System, Gasoline

WHILE FILLING GAS TANK,AUTOMATIC SHUTOFF DIDNT WORK SPILLING GAS, NOW EVERY FILL UP, VARIOUS GAS STATIONS SAME PROBLEM. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10444502

56,000 miles · Jan 18, 2012
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER XT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED IMMEDIATELY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V152000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: WI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER XT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED IMMEDIATELY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V152000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: WIRING) BUT THE CONTACTS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 57,000.

NHTSA ODI #10444325

Mileage unknown · Jan 17, 2012
Air BagsSteeringVisibilityCrashInjury

I WAS DRIVING MY 2008 DODGE AVENGER TO WORK ON 01/12/12. IT WAS RAINING THAT MORNING. I ATTEMPTED TO MERGE TO MY RIGHT WHEN SUDDENLY MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED AND MY STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO TURN 360 DEGREES HOWEVER MY TIRES WERE NOT MOVING. I BANGED IN THE MEDIAN. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I WAS UNCONSCIOUS AND THE NEXT THIN…

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I WAS DRIVING MY 2008 DODGE AVENGER TO WORK ON 01/12/12. IT WAS RAINING THAT MORNING. I ATTEMPTED TO MERGE TO MY RIGHT WHEN SUDDENLY MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED AND MY STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO TURN 360 DEGREES HOWEVER MY TIRES WERE NOT MOVING. I BANGED IN THE MEDIAN. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I WAS UNCONSCIOUS AND THE NEXT THING I REMEMBER IS SOMEONE CUTTING MY DRIVERS DOOR OFF TO GET ME OUT. I CONTACTED DODGE AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT THIS WAS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR OF A VEHICLE. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW? I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO RETURN TO WORK DUE TO MY INJURIES AND DODGE COULD CARELESS. I COULD HAVE LOST MY LIFE THAT DAY....THANK GOD I DIDN'T. I NEED TO KNOW WHAT TO DO NEXT? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10444276

38,000 miles · Jan 17, 2012
Electrical System

VEHICLE CONDITIONS ONLY HAPPEN WHEN IT IS RAINING OUTSIDE. VEHICLE STALLS OR IDLES ERRATICALLY DURING DECELERATION AND HESITATES WHEN TAKING OFF FROM A STOP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10444123

75,000 miles · Jan 17, 2012
Air BagsSteeringVisibilityCrashInjury

ON 1/12/12 AT ABOUT 545AM I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON A RAINY DAY. WHILE TRAVELING ON 95 NORTH BOUND AT ABOUT 55MPH MY WIPER BLADES STOP WORKING AND SO DID MY STEERING WHEEL. MY STEERING COLUMN WAS NOT CONTROLING MY WHEELS AND I HYDROPLAINED WHILE TRYING TO STOP MY CAR. MY CAR SPUN AROUND NUMEROUS TIMES BEFORE SLAMMING INTO THE MED…

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ON 1/12/12 AT ABOUT 545AM I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON A RAINY DAY. WHILE TRAVELING ON 95 NORTH BOUND AT ABOUT 55MPH MY WIPER BLADES STOP WORKING AND SO DID MY STEERING WHEEL. MY STEERING COLUMN WAS NOT CONTROLING MY WHEELS AND I HYDROPLAINED WHILE TRYING TO STOP MY CAR. MY CAR SPUN AROUND NUMEROUS TIMES BEFORE SLAMMING INTO THE MEDIAN WALL. I HAVE HAD MANY MALFUNCTIONS WITH THIS VEHICLE BUT THIS ONE TOPPED THEM ALL. I HAVE BEEN OUT OF WORK SINCE THIS DAY WITH INJURIES CAUSED BY THIS ACCIDENT, I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. I CONTACTED THE CORPORATE OFFICE OF DODGE AND WAS BASICALLY TOLD I WAS S. O. L. . NOW I'M STUCK WITH NO VEHICLE AND I'M OUT OF WORK BECAUSE OF IT. MY WARANTY ON MY CAR HAS EXPIRED AND MY INSURANCE COMPANY WILL ONLY PAY FOR THE DAMAGE THAT WAS CAUSED FROM THE ACCIDENT NOT THE PROBLEM THAT CAUSED THE ACCIDENT. SO WHAT AM I TO DO? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10444045

36,080 miles · Jan 17, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL SENSOR FAILED. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE SPEED WOULD DROP 10 MPH AND LOST POWER AS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS BEING DEPRESSED. THE WARNING ELECTRONIC CONTROL LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL SENSOR FAILED. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE SPEED WOULD DROP 10 MPH AND LOST POWER AS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS BEING DEPRESSED. THE WARNING ELECTRONIC CONTROL LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INSPECTED THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, WITHIN TWO DAYS THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED CLAIM#21777348 WAS FILED. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO ADVISED THAT A REPRESENTATIVE WOULD CONTACT HIM WITHIN A COUPLE OF DAYS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,080.

NHTSA ODI #10444014

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.