Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
660–25K
14425–50K
17350–75K
12375–100K
155100–150K
61150K+
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
126,704 miles · Jul 20, 2010
Power Train
THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER RT. AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF THE PARKING GEAR. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED AND THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 126,704. I LIVE 65 MILES FROM MY WORK AND NEAREST DEALERSHIP. VEHICLE…
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THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER RT. AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF THE PARKING GEAR. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED AND THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 126,704. I LIVE 65 MILES FROM MY WORK AND NEAREST DEALERSHIP. VEHICLE WILL BE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP TOMORROW TO BE FIXED. FROM THE MANY COMPLAINTS I FEEL THIS IS A DODGE DEFECT AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10344224
50,000 miles · Jul 20, 2010
Power Train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS STUCK IN THE PARK POSITION AND WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF POSITION. THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURRED ONE TIME. THE CONTACT HAD NOT SPOKEN WITH EITHER THE DEALERSHIP NOR THE MANUFACTURER WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND F…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS STUCK IN THE PARK POSITION AND WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF POSITION. THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURRED ONE TIME. THE CONTACT HAD NOT SPOKEN WITH EITHER THE DEALERSHIP NOR THE MANUFACTURER WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 50,000.
NHTSA ODI #10344218
38,000 miles · Jul 20, 2010
Power Train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK GEAR. THE CONTACT STATED HE VIEWED DETAILED INFORMATION REGARDING HOW TO DISENGAGE THE LINKAGE INSIDE OF THE ENGINE IN ORDER TO GET THE VEHICLE TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK. EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO PARK, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK GEAR. THE CONTACT STATED HE VIEWED DETAILED INFORMATION REGARDING HOW TO DISENGAGE THE LINKAGE INSIDE OF THE ENGINE IN ORDER TO GET THE VEHICLE TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK. EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO PARK, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT EXAMINED BY THE DEALER TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 38,000.
NHTSA ODI #10344156
100,000 miles · Jul 20, 2010
Power Train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND SHIFTED INTO PARK GEAR BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT BACK INTO DRIVE. THE CONTACT DISCONNECTED THE LINKAGE INSIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE THEN BEGAN TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT EXAMINED BY A DEALER OR LOCA…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND SHIFTED INTO PARK GEAR BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT BACK INTO DRIVE. THE CONTACT DISCONNECTED THE LINKAGE INSIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE THEN BEGAN TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT EXAMINED BY A DEALER OR LOCAL MECHANIC. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 100,000.
NHTSA ODI #10344154
44,873 miles · Jul 19, 2010
Power Train
IT HAPPENED AFTER THE CAR WAS PARKED FOR 2 DAYS. I WENT TO START IT UP, AND IT WOULDN'T COME OUT OF PARK. AFTER RUNNING A DIAGNOSTIC TEST THERE WERE NO ERRORS FOUND. I GOOGLE SEARCHED THE PROBLEM AND FOUND THIS LINK: HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/DODGE/AVENGER/2008/TRANSMISSION/TRANSMISSION_STUCK_IN_PARK.SHTML IN THERE WERE SIMIL…
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IT HAPPENED AFTER THE CAR WAS PARKED FOR 2 DAYS. I WENT TO START IT UP, AND IT WOULDN'T COME OUT OF PARK. AFTER RUNNING A DIAGNOSTIC TEST THERE WERE NO ERRORS FOUND. I GOOGLE SEARCHED THE PROBLEM AND FOUND THIS LINK: HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/DODGE/AVENGER/2008/TRANSMISSION/TRANSMISSION_STUCK_IN_PARK.SHTML IN THERE WERE SIMILAR ISSUES PEOPLE EXPRESSED ANGUISH OVER. I READ ONE POST TALKING ABOUT A PINK PLASTIC PART THAT HAD BEEN THE WHOLE ISSUE. SURE ENOUGH, I WENT TO MY CAR AND LOCATED THE PIECE AND DID AS OTHERS SAID, AND MY CAR WAS ABLE TO MOVE OUT OF PARK. I HAVE NOT CONTACTED A DEALERSHIP ABOUT THIS YET, BUT KNOWING CHRYSLER THEY PROBABLY WON'T OFFER THIS AS A RECALL/WARRANTY PART. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10344124
52,000 miles · Jul 19, 2010
Power Train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF THE PARKING GEAR. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 52,000. UPDATED 09/15/10. *LJ UPDATED 09/16/10
NHTSA ODI #10344081
43,700 miles · Jul 19, 2010
Air BagsElectrical SystemPower Train
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION: I WAS NOT ABLE TO PUT THE CAR INTO DRIVE, REVERSE OR NEUTRAL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10343975
36,056 miles · Jul 19, 2010
Power Train
I GOT OFF WORK YESTERDAY JULY 17 2010 AND ATTEMPTED 2 LEAVE. EXCEPT I COULDN'T BECAUSE WITHOUT WARNING MY 2008 DODGE AVENGER WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK..I. HAVE ONLY 36,056 MILES ON IT AND BECAUSE I DO WHEN I CALLED DODGE 24 HR ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE THEY WANTED ME 2 PAY FOR THE TOW FEE..BUT LUCKILY IT WAS A SATURDAY SO THE DEALER…
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I GOT OFF WORK YESTERDAY JULY 17 2010 AND ATTEMPTED 2 LEAVE. EXCEPT I COULDN'T BECAUSE WITHOUT WARNING MY 2008 DODGE AVENGER WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK..I. HAVE ONLY 36,056 MILES ON IT AND BECAUSE I DO WHEN I CALLED DODGE 24 HR ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE THEY WANTED ME 2 PAY FOR THE TOW FEE..BUT LUCKILY IT WAS A SATURDAY SO THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPT WAS CLOSED. I HAD 2 FIND A RIDE HOME AND WHEN I DID I GOOGLED THE PROBLEM AND IT TOOK ME 2 A WEBSITE CAR COMPLAINTS.COM AND ITS PLENTY OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM..SO I READ THREW MOST OF THEM AND EVERY 1 WAS SAYING HOW THEY PRESSED A PINK BUTTON UNDER THE GEARSHIFT MODULE 2 GET THE CAR OUT OF PARK..SO I GOT EXCITED WENT BACK 2 MY JOB WHERE MY CAR SAT IN THE PARKING LOT AND PRESSED DA PINK BUTTON WITH A FLAT HEAD SCREW DRIVER JST 2 GET THE CAR OUT OF PARK AND DROVE IT HOME WHERE I GOT IT SITTING TILL MONDAY MORNING WEN I CALL THE DODGE DEALERSHIP AND COMPLAIN BOUT THEIR FAULTY PIECE OF PLASTIC THAT'S MESSING EVERY 1S 08 AVENGER UP..I'M HAPPY I'M AVOIDING A $105 TOWING FEE BUT SO UNHAPPY AT WHAT I PREPARED 2 HEAR FROM THE DEALERSHIP 2 MORROW. THIS PROBLEM IS CHRYSLER DODGE FAULT AND SHOULD B RECALLED. I TAKE GREAT CARE OF MY VEHICLE AND I'VE BEEN ITS ONLY OWNER..IF THEY DON'T OFFER 2 PAY 4 IT WHICH I'M GUESSING THEY WON'T SINCE MAJORITY OF THE COMPLAINERS HAD 2 PAY OVER $300 LABOR FEES PLUS FOR A $45 PART IT WOULD B HIGHLY UNACCEPTABLE. PLEASE MAKE SURE DODGE RECALLS THIS AND GIVE THEIR ONCE HAPPY LOYAL CUSTOMERS THEIR MONEY BACK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10343897
Mileage unknown · Jul 18, 2010
Power TrainSteering
2008 DODGE AVENGER'S GEAR SHIFT WILL STOP WORKING FOR NO KNOWN REASON. NO WARNING IS GIVEN WHEN THIS HAPPENS. IN ORDER TO GET THE CAR TO SHIFT INTO GEAR, ON MUST COMPLETELY DISASSEMBLE THE CONSOLE TO FIND THE 'MAGICAL PINK SWITCH'. ONE YOU PULL THE PINK SWITCH THE GEAR SHIFT WILL MOVE TO REVERSE. THE DEALERSHIP IS CHARGING …
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2008 DODGE AVENGER'S GEAR SHIFT WILL STOP WORKING FOR NO KNOWN REASON. NO WARNING IS GIVEN WHEN THIS HAPPENS. IN ORDER TO GET THE CAR TO SHIFT INTO GEAR, ON MUST COMPLETELY DISASSEMBLE THE CONSOLE TO FIND THE 'MAGICAL PINK SWITCH'. ONE YOU PULL THE PINK SWITCH THE GEAR SHIFT WILL MOVE TO REVERSE. THE DEALERSHIP IS CHARGING APPROXIMATELY $300 FOR THE REPAIR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10343875
50,231 miles · Jul 16, 2010
Latches/locks/linkagesPower Train
DROVE THE 2008 AVENGER LAST NIGHT (THURSDAY 7/15/2010), PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. STARTED THE CAR TODAY (7/16/2010) AND CAR WILL NOT COME OUT OF PARK. STUCK HERE TILL MONDAY AND HAVE TO HAVE CAR TOWED TO DODGE DEALER. GOGGLED PROBLEM, AND FOUND 155 EXACT COMPLAINTS. *TR
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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