← New search

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
25,000 miles · Sep 20, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT 20 MPH AND OVER, THE VEHICLE WOULD WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALWAYS RESTART AND WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR PRODUCE A FAILURE CODE FROM THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER A TOTAL OF…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT 20 MPH AND OVER, THE VEHICLE WOULD WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALWAYS RESTART AND WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR PRODUCE A FAILURE CODE FROM THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER A TOTAL OF 45 TIMES AND THE DEALER WAS NEVER ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED HE WAS PREVIOUSLY INVOLVED IN A CRASH WHERE THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND HE CRASHED INTO TREES. THERE WERE FRONT END DAMAGES TO THE VEHICLE YET THE CONTACT WAS UNINJURED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AS 25,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 87,000.

NHTSA ODI #10356646

79,000 miles · Sep 19, 2010
Power Train

STICK SHIFTER STUCK IN PARK. CAN NOT ENGAGE AT ALL. DODGE IS NOT ACKNOWLEDGING THE PROBLEM WITH THE CONSUMER. NOT FAIR TO THE BUYER IT IS NOT COVERED IN WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10356354

67,000 miles · Sep 15, 2010
Power Train

CAR WAS DRIVING FINE AND WITHOUT WARNING IS NOW UNABLE TO SHIFT FROM PARK WITHOUT USING THE MANUAL SHIFT OVERRIDE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10355731

60,000 miles · Sep 15, 2010
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SHIFT LEVER WOULD NOT MOVE UNLESS THE DRIVE TRAIN BUTTON WAS ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED.…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SHIFT LEVER WOULD NOT MOVE UNLESS THE DRIVE TRAIN BUTTON WAS ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 60000.

NHTSA ODI #10355701

72,246 miles · Sep 14, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

HORRIBLE WHINING NOISE FROM UNDER HOOD....DRIVE BELT AREA. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10355631

69,926 miles · Sep 14, 2010
Power Train

WENT TO GO TO WORK AND CAR WOULD NOT COME OUT OF PARK. UNABLE TO MANUALLY RELEASE GEAR SELECTOR. HAD CAR TOWED TO DEALER, SHIFTER BROKE. LOSE OF USE OF CAR FOR THREE DAYS WHILE WAITING FOR PART. COST $154.43. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10355629

70,000 miles · Sep 14, 2010
Air Bags

AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON, ESPECIALLY AFTER ADJUSTING DRIVERS SEAT. STOPPED CAR AND WIGGLES WIRE CONNECTION UNDER SEAT, FIXED THE ISSUE, BUT HAS REOCCUR SEVERAL TIMES,. I ALSO RECEIVED A SHOCK FROM THE WIRE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10355626

50,100 miles · Sep 14, 2010
Power Train

2008 DODGE AVENGER WILL NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10355476

60,000 miles · Sep 13, 2010
Power Train

MY CAR WAS STUCK IN PARK. NO WARNING OR ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION. IT HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY REPLACED A $20 PLASTIC PIECE UNDER THE GEAR SHIFTER THAT HAD BROKEN, $400 AND 2 DAYS LATER I HAD MY CAR BACK. THIS IS A LEADING TREND FOR THIS MODEL OF VEHICLE AND SHOULD BE A RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10355215

70,000 miles · Sep 13, 2010
Power Train

2008 DODGE AVENGER: GEAR SHIFT WILL NOT ALLOW GEAR TO MOVE OUT OF PARK. OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. DODGE HAS NOT RECALLED TO FIX THE PART. THE COST OF REPAIR EXCEEDS $400. I HAVE REMOVED GEAR SHIFT PLATE AND HAVE TO MANUALLY MOVE A PLASTIC PART TO SHIFT GEARS. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY DANGEROUS. DODGE IS AWARE OF THE PROBLE…

Read full complaint

2008 DODGE AVENGER: GEAR SHIFT WILL NOT ALLOW GEAR TO MOVE OUT OF PARK. OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. DODGE HAS NOT RECALLED TO FIX THE PART. THE COST OF REPAIR EXCEEDS $400. I HAVE REMOVED GEAR SHIFT PLATE AND HAVE TO MANUALLY MOVE A PLASTIC PART TO SHIFT GEARS. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY DANGEROUS. DODGE IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM YET HAS NOT RECALLED IN ORDER TO FIX THE DEFECT - THEY ARE MAKING THE CUSTOMER FIX A MECHANICAL PROBLEM AT THE CUSTOMER'S COST. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10355136

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.