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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
48,300 miles · Jun 7, 2010
Power Train

I HAVE A 2008 DODGE AVENGER THAT HAS A DEFECTIVE GEAR SHIFT. MY CAR WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND I WAS ALMOST INJURED TRYING TO GET OUT OF THE CAR WHEN I DISCOVERED THE CAR WOULD NOT COME OUT OF PARK AFTER I TURNED BACK ON. THIS MAY NOT BE CONSIDERED A SAFETY PROBLEM TO DODGE BUT DEPENDING ON WHERE YOUR CAR IS WHEN YOU TURN…

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I HAVE A 2008 DODGE AVENGER THAT HAS A DEFECTIVE GEAR SHIFT. MY CAR WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND I WAS ALMOST INJURED TRYING TO GET OUT OF THE CAR WHEN I DISCOVERED THE CAR WOULD NOT COME OUT OF PARK AFTER I TURNED BACK ON. THIS MAY NOT BE CONSIDERED A SAFETY PROBLEM TO DODGE BUT DEPENDING ON WHERE YOUR CAR IS WHEN YOU TURN IT OFF IT DOES REALLY BECOME A SAFETY ISSUE. THIS WAS THE FIRST INCIDENT I HAVE HAD WITH THIS PROBLEM AND I AM ATTEMPTING TO GET THIS REPAIRED NOW. THIS REALLY HAS BEEN A PAIN FOR ME AND MY BANK ACCOUNT!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10335035

44,000 miles · Jun 6, 2010
Power Train

CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10334791

58,000 miles · Jun 6, 2010
Power Train

WENT TO GO LEAVE WORK AT 9:30 AT NIGHT AND THE CAR WILL NOT GO INTO DRIVE. THE GEAR SHIFTER SEEMS TO BE STUCK IN PARK. HAD TO GET IT TOWED TO THE DODGE DEALER NEARBY. I HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE WHILE RESEARCHING IT ONLINE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10334774

56,000 miles · Jun 5, 2010
Power Train

03JUN10 WHILE ATTEMPTING TO LEAVE FOR WORK, I COULD NOT GET MY VEHICLE OUT OF PARK. I CALLED A DODGE DEALERSHIP AND THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT CLAIMED THEY KNEW NOTHING ABOUT THIS. I CALLED A FEW DIFFERENT MECHANICS AND THEY BOTH STATED IT COULD BE A BRAKE SAFETY SWITCH AND TO TRY A MANUAL OVER RIDE SWITCH NEAR THE GEAR SHIFTER. TR…

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03JUN10 WHILE ATTEMPTING TO LEAVE FOR WORK, I COULD NOT GET MY VEHICLE OUT OF PARK. I CALLED A DODGE DEALERSHIP AND THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT CLAIMED THEY KNEW NOTHING ABOUT THIS. I CALLED A FEW DIFFERENT MECHANICS AND THEY BOTH STATED IT COULD BE A BRAKE SAFETY SWITCH AND TO TRY A MANUAL OVER RIDE SWITCH NEAR THE GEAR SHIFTER. TRIED THE OVER RIDE WITH NEGATIVE RESULTS. CAR IS STILL STUCK IN PARK. DID AN INTERNET SEARCH AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON OCCURRENCE, ONE THAT IT SEEMS DODGE IS DOING NOTHING TO CORRECT. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ISSUED FOR THIS DEFECTIVE PART. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10334769

40,000 miles · Jun 4, 2010
Visibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED WATER ENTERING AND LEAKING ONTO THE FRONT PASSENGERS FLOOR BOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE HEATER CORE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AND WAS CAUSING THE WATER FAILURE. THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED WATER ENTERING AND LEAKING ONTO THE FRONT PASSENGERS FLOOR BOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE HEATER CORE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AND WAS CAUSING THE WATER FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT WITH THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING REPAIRS TO THE HEATER CORE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 40,000.

NHTSA ODI #10334542

Mileage unknown · Jun 3, 2010
Power Train

GEAR SHIFT ON MY 2008 DODGE AVENGER STUCK IN PARK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10334488

91,400 miles · Jun 2, 2010
Power Train

I GOT INTO MY 2008 DODGE AVENGER THIS MORNING, WHICH WAS PURCHASED IN FEBRUARY 2009 AND THE GEAR SHIFT WOULD NOT MOVE OUT OF PARK. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL AS REPORTED ON WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM. PLEASE FORCE CHRYSLER TO RECALL AND FIX THIS ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10334350

Mileage unknown · Jun 1, 2010
Power Train

THE 2008 DODGE AVENGER IS STUCK IN PARK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10334157

46,000 miles · May 31, 2010
Power Train

WENT TO START CAR. STARTED UP NO PROBLEM. TRIED TO PUT CAR IN REVERSE COULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK. HAD TO SEARCH ONLINE TO FIND OUT HOW TO PUSH A SMALL LEVER UNDER THE CENTER CONSOLE PANELS TO BE ABLE TO SHIFT THE CAR, AND ITS NOT THE EMERGENCY RELEASE IN THE OWNERS MANUAL. FIRST TIME I HAVE EVER HAD A PROBLEM BUT THERE ARE COUN…

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WENT TO START CAR. STARTED UP NO PROBLEM. TRIED TO PUT CAR IN REVERSE COULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK. HAD TO SEARCH ONLINE TO FIND OUT HOW TO PUSH A SMALL LEVER UNDER THE CENTER CONSOLE PANELS TO BE ABLE TO SHIFT THE CAR, AND ITS NOT THE EMERGENCY RELEASE IN THE OWNERS MANUAL. FIRST TIME I HAVE EVER HAD A PROBLEM BUT THERE ARE COUNTLESS REPORTS ONLINE FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10333975

54,000 miles · May 24, 2010
Power Train

I HAVE A 2008 DODGE AVENGER IT GOT STUCK IN PARK AND I COULD NOT GET IT OUT. I CALLED A MECHANIC FRIEND WHO SHOWED ME A LITTLE PINK SWITCH THAT SHOULD RELEASE IT TO WHAT EVER GEAR YOU NEED. IT DOES NOT WORK UNLESS YOU PUSH IT YOURSELF. I NOTICE ONLINE THAT THEY HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO OWN 2008 AVENGERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. SO…

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I HAVE A 2008 DODGE AVENGER IT GOT STUCK IN PARK AND I COULD NOT GET IT OUT. I CALLED A MECHANIC FRIEND WHO SHOWED ME A LITTLE PINK SWITCH THAT SHOULD RELEASE IT TO WHAT EVER GEAR YOU NEED. IT DOES NOT WORK UNLESS YOU PUSH IT YOURSELF. I NOTICE ONLINE THAT THEY HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO OWN 2008 AVENGERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. I WILL BE BRINGING MINE TO THE DEALERSHIP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10332015

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.