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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
36,000 miles · Aug 23, 2019
Air BagsElectrical SystemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE ENGINE SEIZED. ON OTHER OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE SPONTANEOUSLY ACCELERATED AND THEN DRAGGED. ALSO, THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT DETACHED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE ENGINE SEIZED. ON OTHER OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE SPONTANEOUSLY ACCELERATED AND THEN DRAGGED. ALSO, THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT DETACHED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE THERMOSTAT, CLOCKSPRING, ECM MANIFOLD, THROTTLE BODY, STARTER, BATTERY, AIR FAN, INTEGRATED POWER MODULE, AIR CONDITIONER, COMPRESSOR, INTAKE RUNNER, STEERING WHEEL, AND ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BROCKTON CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM (241020 BELMONT ST, BROCKTON, MA 02301, (781) 961-1550), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID.

NHTSA ODI #11246036

Mileage unknown · Aug 23, 2019
Air BagsEngineWheels

MY OIL LIGHT CAME ON AND ALL IT DOES IS DING AND THERE IS NO CODE SHOWING UP. THE TIRE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AMD OFF EVEN THOUGH ALL THE TIRES HAVE THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF AIR PRESSURE. THE AIRBAG LIGHT STARTED COMING ON IF I TURN THE CAR OFF AND RESTART IT DOES GO OFF BUT SOMETIMES IT WILL TURN BACK ON

NHTSA ODI #11245957

121,000 miles · Aug 13, 2019
Electrical SystemPower TrainVisibility/wiper

I WAS DRIVING ALONG THE FREEWAY AND THE CAR JUST AUTOMATICALLY WENT INTO LIMP MODE. I CHANGE THE OIL I FLUSH EVERYTHING THEN WHEN I WENT ON TO THE KELLY BOOK BLUE BOOK TO TRY TO SELL IT AS SAYING THAT IT HAD A BUNCH OF RECALLS WELCOME TO FIND OUT CHRYSLER SAYING IT DOESN'T SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON WITH MY CAR AND NEITHER …

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I WAS DRIVING ALONG THE FREEWAY AND THE CAR JUST AUTOMATICALLY WENT INTO LIMP MODE. I CHANGE THE OIL I FLUSH EVERYTHING THEN WHEN I WENT ON TO THE KELLY BOOK BLUE BOOK TO TRY TO SELL IT AS SAYING THAT IT HAD A BUNCH OF RECALLS WELCOME TO FIND OUT CHRYSLER SAYING IT DOESN'T SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON WITH MY CAR AND NEITHER DO MECHANICS.

NHTSA ODI #11243688

140,000 miles · Jul 25, 2019
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control

AS I WAS TRAVELING 65 MPH DOWN HWY 411 IN CENTRE, AL MY CAR (2008 DODGE AVENGER) COMPLETELY SHUTOFF. I COULD BARELY GET MY CAR OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD DUE TO THE STEERING WHEEL WOULDN'T TURN. THANK GOD IT WAS 11 P.M ON A THURSDAY NIGHT BECAUSE IF IT WOULD'VE BEEN DURING THE DAY THIS HWY IS VERY BUSY AND I COULD'VE CAUSED A …

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AS I WAS TRAVELING 65 MPH DOWN HWY 411 IN CENTRE, AL MY CAR (2008 DODGE AVENGER) COMPLETELY SHUTOFF. I COULD BARELY GET MY CAR OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD DUE TO THE STEERING WHEEL WOULDN'T TURN. THANK GOD IT WAS 11 P.M ON A THURSDAY NIGHT BECAUSE IF IT WOULD'VE BEEN DURING THE DAY THIS HWY IS VERY BUSY AND I COULD'VE CAUSED A WRECK AND HARMED MYSELF OR SOMEONE ELSE. AFTER I GOT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD I TRIED TO START IT BACK UP A FEW TIMES AND IT FINALLY STARTED BACK UP BUT IT WOULDN'T STOP TURNING OVER UNTIL I CUT IT BACK OFF. THEN I TRIED TO START IT AGAIN AND IT STARTED BUT EVERY LIGHT ON MY DASH COME ON. I PUT IT IN DRIVE AND TRIED TO DRIVE IT HOME BUT IT WOULDNT GO OVER 15 MPH. I HAD SEVERAL VEHICLES RUN UP ON THE BACK OF MY VEHICLE AND I WAS ACTUALLY AFRAID FOR MY SAFETY. WHEN I GOT IT HOME I SHUT IT OFF AND IT WOULDNT START BACK UP. I THEN TRIED TO START IT BACK UP THE NEXT MORNING AND THE ELECTRICAL THROTTLE CONTROL LIGHT COME ON AND I STILL CANT GO OVER 15 MPH. THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL BECAUSE I COULDVE BEEN HURT BAD OR WORSE.

NHTSA ODI #11234847

68,000 miles · Jul 22, 2019
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemService Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS SENSOR ILLUMINATED AND THE BRAKES FAILED SHORTLY AFTERWARDS. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE BRAKES TOOK LONGER THAN USUAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE. FURTHERMORE, THERE WAS A MAJOR FUEL TANK LEAK AND THE ODOR OF FUEL WAS NOTICED OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. LASTLY, TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS SENSOR ILLUMINATED AND THE BRAKES FAILED SHORTLY AFTERWARDS. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE BRAKES TOOK LONGER THAN USUAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE. FURTHERMORE, THERE WAS A MAJOR FUEL TANK LEAK AND THE ODOR OF FUEL WAS NOTICED OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. LASTLY, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND PLANNED TO BE REPAIRED ONCE THE CONTACT ORDERED THE CORRECT FUEL TANK STRAPS. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.

NHTSA ODI #11233779

130,000 miles · Jul 16, 2019
Suspension

SUBFRAME, K FRAME, SUSPENSION CROSSFRAME IS SEVERLY RUSTED.

NHTSA ODI #11232432

92,490 miles · Jul 15, 2019
Air BagsPower Train

TAKATA RECALL.- I AM APPROXIMATELY 2 YEARS OLD WITH THE LIGHT FROM THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG TURNED ON ALL THE TIME. I HAD IT REVIEWED AND I WAS INFORMED THAT IT IS A DEFECT IN THE BAG AND THAT IT WILL NOT BE OPENED IN THE EVENT OF AN INCIDENT. TWO YEARS HAVE PASSED AND NO REVISION IS CALLED FOR REPLACEMENT. WITH THE SHIFT LEVER I WAS…

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TAKATA RECALL.- I AM APPROXIMATELY 2 YEARS OLD WITH THE LIGHT FROM THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG TURNED ON ALL THE TIME. I HAD IT REVIEWED AND I WAS INFORMED THAT IT IS A DEFECT IN THE BAG AND THAT IT WILL NOT BE OPENED IN THE EVENT OF AN INCIDENT. TWO YEARS HAVE PASSED AND NO REVISION IS CALLED FOR REPLACEMENT. WITH THE SHIFT LEVER I WAS SENT BY CHRYSLER A NOTICE TO CARRY OUT A REVISION, I DID IT AND TODAY AFTER 2 YEARS BEING IN A STREET STOPPED AND TRYING TO MAKE THE CHANGE TO DRIVE I COULD NEVER MOVE IT I JUST GOT STUCK AND COULD NOT DRIVE MORE. HOW MANY MORE TIMES WILL I HAVE TO CALL TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT? BECAUSE I HAD TO PAY MY COMPOSURE AND CHRYSLER REFUSED TO REIMBURSE ME FOR THAT MONEY ARGUING THAT MY CAR IS NO LONGER GUARANTEED !!!!!

NHTSA ODI #11232124

Mileage unknown · Jul 14, 2019
Air BagsElectronic Stability Control (esc)Fuel/propulsion System

'TAMARA RECALL' MY CAR HAS ALWAYS JUST SHUT OFF AT TIMES WHEN I WOULD COME TO A STOP MY PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG STOPPED WORKING. IT'S NOW GOT A FUEL PUMP PROBLEMS WITH A BURNT SENSOR

NHTSA ODI #11231828

108,976 miles · Jun 26, 2019
Electrical SystemPower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT RIVERDALE CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM (5869 BROADWAY, THE BRONX, NY 10463, (718) 548-2800) FAILED TO SUCCESSFULLY REPAIR THE VEHICLE PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V152000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAL FOR THE TPMS WIRES WAS NOT REMEDIED AND WER…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT RIVERDALE CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM (5869 BROADWAY, THE BRONX, NY 10463, (718) 548-2800) FAILED TO SUCCESSFULLY REPAIR THE VEHICLE PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V152000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAL FOR THE TPMS WIRES WAS NOT REMEDIED AND WERE CORRODED. ALSO, THE VEHICLE WAS INADVERTENTLY GOING INTO LIMP MODE, WHICH INCREASED THE RISK OF A POTENTIAL CRASH AS THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. AFTERWARDS, THE SAME DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT REQUIRED TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE RECALL REMEDY WAS PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AS WELL AS THE CORRODED WIRES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE REMEDY FAILED FOR THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *BF CONSUMER STATED DEFECTIVE WIRING ELECTRICAL HARNESS! CAR DOES NOT SHIFT OUT OF 1ST GEAR. CHRYSLER TAPED OVER THE CORRODED WIRING THEY DID NOT REPLACE IT. THEY DISCONTINED THE HARNESS, THEREFORE CAR IS INOPERABLE WITHOUT IT. CONSUMER REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION AND SOLONOID PACK. 'PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'*JB

NHTSA ODI #11222763

1,600,000 miles · Jun 17, 2019
Power Train

UPON ACCELERATION TO ENTER HIGHWAY VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AS THO THE THROTTLE WAS TO THE FLOOR. ALMOST REAR ENDED CAR IN FRONT OF ME. HAD TO APPLY BRAKES AND TURN ON CAUTION LIGHTS AND PULL OVER. ENGINE SEEMED AS THO IT WAS GOING TO BLOW UP. VERY SCARY. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION IT SEEMS AS THO DODGE/CHRYSLER RUSHED …

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UPON ACCELERATION TO ENTER HIGHWAY VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AS THO THE THROTTLE WAS TO THE FLOOR. ALMOST REAR ENDED CAR IN FRONT OF ME. HAD TO APPLY BRAKES AND TURN ON CAUTION LIGHTS AND PULL OVER. ENGINE SEEMED AS THO IT WAS GOING TO BLOW UP. VERY SCARY. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION IT SEEMS AS THO DODGE/CHRYSLER RUSHED PRODUCTION OF THE INTAKE COMPONENTS TO GET CARS TO SHOW ROOM IN ALL 08 WITH THESE INTAKES. CHRYSLER LATER FIXED THE PROBLEM IN ALL FUTURE VEHICLES. PROBLEM LIES IN CHEAP COMPONENTS IN THE RUNNER FLAP ASSEMBLY ON THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. PROBLEM THROWS CODE P2008 AND CODE P2017. FLAP STICKS OPEN AND INCREASES HORSEPOWER WITHOUT INTENT OF DRIVER. CHRYSLER KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY FUXED IT IN FUTURE CARS. I AM SURE ALL OF THESE CARS HAVE THIS FAULTY COMPONENT AND THEREFORE; DEPENDING ON HOW AND WHERE IT FAILS IT CAN BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.

NHTSA ODI #11220772

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.