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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
47,009 miles · Apr 5, 2010
Electrical System

APRIL 5, 2010 MY 2008 DODGE AVENGER TOTALLY STALLED OUT ON ME AND I HAD TO MANEUVER MY VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND PUT MY VEHICLE INTO PARK. THIS IS THE THIRD INCIDENT IN WHICH THIS HAS HAPPENED,THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS ON THE HIGHWAY GOING 55 MPH AND STALLED OUT WITH TRAFFIC IN BACK OF ME.I CURRENTLY HAVE MY VEHICLE IN TH…

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APRIL 5, 2010 MY 2008 DODGE AVENGER TOTALLY STALLED OUT ON ME AND I HAD TO MANEUVER MY VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND PUT MY VEHICLE INTO PARK. THIS IS THE THIRD INCIDENT IN WHICH THIS HAS HAPPENED,THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS ON THE HIGHWAY GOING 55 MPH AND STALLED OUT WITH TRAFFIC IN BACK OF ME.I CURRENTLY HAVE MY VEHICLE IN THE SHOP BECAUSE MY CAR SHUT DOWN ONCE AGAIN AND THE RADIO COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. EVERYTIME THIS HAPPEN THERE ARE NO CODES WHICH APPEAR ON THE DIAGNOSTICS. I AM CONFUSED WHAT TO DO ABOUT THIS VEHICLE IT IS UNSAFE AND WANT TO KNOW WHAT I CAN DO. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10323890

49,000 miles · Apr 5, 2010
Power Train

THE GEAR SHIFTER GOT STUCK IN PARK. IT HAD WORKED FINE PREVIOUSLY WITHOUT ANY HITCHES. WE HAVE OWNED THE CAR SINCE DEC. 2009 AND NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE GEAR SHIFT STICKING. THEN ONE NIGHT IT WAS JUST STUCK. WE HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK AND THE GUY HAD TO MANUALLY PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE SO WE COULD GET IT TO THE DEALER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10323864

56,685 miles · Apr 1, 2010
Power Train

2008 DODGE AVENGER. WILL NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK INTO ANY GEAR PAST REVERSE. CAN GET IT TO GO INTO REVERSE IF HOLD THE SHIFTER MANUALLY, BUT FEELS SPRING LOADED BACK INTO PARK.

NHTSA ODI #10323388

63,000 miles · Mar 29, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. HE STATED THAT BOTH THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKE PADS HAD WORN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY SANDED DOWN THE BRAKES BUT THE PROCEDURE DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. FURTHERMORE, THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMATED ALONG WITH THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE WARNING LIG…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. HE STATED THAT BOTH THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKE PADS HAD WORN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY SANDED DOWN THE BRAKES BUT THE PROCEDURE DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. FURTHERMORE, THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMATED ALONG WITH THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE WARNING LIGHT, FOLLOWED BY THE ENGINE OVERHEATING. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP IN REGARDS TO THE ENGINE FAILURE AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CONTACT HAD NOT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 63,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 32,000.

NHTSA ODI #10322714

38,000 miles · Mar 29, 2010
Power Train

MY 2008 DODGE AVENGER IS HAVING A MAJOR SHIFTING ISSUE. WHEN YOU SHIFT THE CAR INTO DRIVE IT WILL POP OUT AND LAND INTO NUTURAL. THERE IS ALSO TIMES THAT THIS WILL BE VERY HARD TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK. THERE IS SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET THAT SHOWS THE SAME ISSUES. I CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAVE HEARD COMPL…

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MY 2008 DODGE AVENGER IS HAVING A MAJOR SHIFTING ISSUE. WHEN YOU SHIFT THE CAR INTO DRIVE IT WILL POP OUT AND LAND INTO NUTURAL. THERE IS ALSO TIMES THAT THIS WILL BE VERY HARD TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK. THERE IS SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET THAT SHOWS THE SAME ISSUES. I CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAVE HEARD COMPLAINTS BUT HAS NOT HEARD OF A RECALL. MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND WILL COST ME TO BRING IT IN TO GET IT LOOKED AT. PLEASE LET ME KNOW HOW I CAN MOVE FORWARD TO GET THIS INTO A RECALL BEFORE THIS POPS OUT OF DRIVE WHEN I AM GOING 55 MPH AND HAVE AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI #10322696

62,000 miles · Mar 21, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE ON A 2008 DODGE AVENGER ON I 271. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10321274

58,000 miles · Mar 16, 2010
Power Train

BOUGHT THE CAR USED. 41,000 MILES. CAR STALLS WHEN COMING TO A STOP AT STOP LIGHTS AND STOP SIGNS WHEN IT IS RAINING. TALKED WITH DEALER AND STATED NOTHING NOTED ABOUT THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10320075

Mileage unknown · Mar 15, 2010
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkagesStructure

ONE PROBLEM AFTER ANOTHER BACK HUMP BRAKE LIGHT DOES NOT WORK DUE TO WATER POURING INTO THE TRUNK. (THRU THE TRUNK LATCH; SMELLS LIKE A CAT USED AS A LITTER BOX)! NO LIGHT GOES ON TO LET ME KNOW THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT NO LONGER WORKS. CARPET IN TRUNK IS RUINED FROM THE WATER. LEAVES KEEP SHOWING UP INTO A CLOSED TRUNK? HOW ARE THE…

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ONE PROBLEM AFTER ANOTHER BACK HUMP BRAKE LIGHT DOES NOT WORK DUE TO WATER POURING INTO THE TRUNK. (THRU THE TRUNK LATCH; SMELLS LIKE A CAT USED AS A LITTER BOX)! NO LIGHT GOES ON TO LET ME KNOW THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT NO LONGER WORKS. CARPET IN TRUNK IS RUINED FROM THE WATER. LEAVES KEEP SHOWING UP INTO A CLOSED TRUNK? HOW ARE THEY GETTING IN? CAN NOT USE THE TRUNK FOR ANYTHING! CALLED DODGE AND FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THEN; THEY TOLD ME I WAS THE ONLY REPORT AT THIS TIME. ON THE ROAD MY HUSBAND AND I NOTICED THAT ALMOST ALL 2008 DODGE AVENGERS ON THE ROAD MUST HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. CHECK YOUR MIDDLE BACK BRAKE LIGHT; IT'S BURNT OUT TRUST ME WE SAW MANY ON THE ROAD. THEN CHECK FOR WATER IN THE TRUNK IT WILL BE THERE. CALL DODGE PLEASE' *TR

NHTSA ODI #10320037

Mileage unknown · Mar 15, 2010
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkagesStructure

ONE PROBLEM AFTER ANOTHER BACK HUMP BRAKE LIGHT DOES NOT WORK DUE TO WATER POURING INTO THE TRUNK. (THRU THE TRUNK LATCH; SMELLS LIKE A CAT USED AS A LITTER BOX)! NO LIGHT GOES ON TO LET ME KNOW THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT NO LONGER WORKS. CARPET IN TRUNK IS RUINED FROM THE WATER. LEAVES KEEP SHOWING UP INTO A CLOSED TRUNK? HOW ARE THE…

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ONE PROBLEM AFTER ANOTHER BACK HUMP BRAKE LIGHT DOES NOT WORK DUE TO WATER POURING INTO THE TRUNK. (THRU THE TRUNK LATCH; SMELLS LIKE A CAT USED AS A LITTER BOX)! NO LIGHT GOES ON TO LET ME KNOW THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT NO LONGER WORKS. CARPET IN TRUNK IS RUINED FROM THE WATER. LEAVES KEEP SHOWING UP INTO A CLOSED TRUNK? HOW ARE THEY GETTING IN? CAN NOT USE THE TRUNK FOR ANYTHING! CALLED DODGE AND FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THEN; THEY TOLD ME I WAS THE ONLY REPORT AT THIS TIME. ON THE ROAD MY HUSBAND AND I NOTICED THAT ALMOST ALL 2008 DODGE AVENGERS ON THE ROAD MUST HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. CHECK YOUR MIDDLE BACK BRAKE LIGHT; IT'S BURNT OUT TRUST ME WE SAW MANY ON THE ROAD. THEN CHECK FOR WATER IN THE TRUNK IT WILL BE THERE. CALL DODGE PLEASE' *TR

NHTSA ODI #10320027

65,000 miles · Mar 15, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, HydraulicCrashFire

ON MARCH 5, 2010 (FRIDAY) - APPROXIMATELY 5:30 P.M., WHILE DRIVING ON SUNRISE HIGHWAY IN LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK, AN INDICATOR LIGHT WENT ON INSIDE MY 2008 DODGE AVENGER, IN THE SHAPE OF A LIGHTNING BOLT IN MY CAR. LITERALLY 30 SECONDS LATER, AND BEFORE THERE WAS TIME TO REACT AT ALL, MY BRAKES STOPPED WORKING AND THERE WAS NO W…

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ON MARCH 5, 2010 (FRIDAY) - APPROXIMATELY 5:30 P.M., WHILE DRIVING ON SUNRISE HIGHWAY IN LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK, AN INDICATOR LIGHT WENT ON INSIDE MY 2008 DODGE AVENGER, IN THE SHAPE OF A LIGHTNING BOLT IN MY CAR. LITERALLY 30 SECONDS LATER, AND BEFORE THERE WAS TIME TO REACT AT ALL, MY BRAKES STOPPED WORKING AND THERE WAS NO WAY TO STOP MY VEHICLE. I HAD JUST ABOUT MADE IT TO THE EXIT RAMP WHEN I REALIZED BY LOOKING IN THE REARVIEW MIRROR THAT THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM MY CAR. AS I HAD STEERED ONTO THE EXIT RAMP, I OPENED THE DOOR AND SAW FLAMES SHOOTING FROM THE UNDERNEATH PART OF MY CAR. WITHOUT THINKING TWICE I JUMPED FROM THE MOVING VEHICLE (WHICH AT THE TIME STILL WAS GOING AT ABOUT 20 MPH). I WAS NOT HURT PHYSICALLY BUT WAS EXTREMELY SHAKEN UP. ANOTHER TRAVELER WHO HAD PULLED UP ON THE SERVICE ROAD TO HELP ME, INFORMED ME THAT THE CAR WAS ON FIRE FOR AT LEAST 1/4 OF A MILE ON THE HIGHWAY AND THAT HE HAD BEEN ATTEMPTING TO FLAG ME DOWN. AFTER I HAD ESCAPED THE VEHICLE, THE CAR CONTINUED IN A DIAGONAL PATH TOWARD ONCOMING RUSH HOUR HIGHWAY TRAFFIC. THE FIRE CONTINUE TO BURN AND HAD BECOME VERY BAD, TO THE POINT WHERE THE ENTIRE FRONT HALF OF THE CAR WAS ABLAZE. THE ONLY THING THAT STOPPED THE OUT OF CONTROL VEHICLE WAS A WIRE FENCE IN THE DIVIDER BETWEEN THE SERVICE ROAD AND MAIN HIGHWAY. THE INSURANCE COMPANY AND MANUFACTURER ARE CURRENTLY IN THE PROCESS OF INVESTIGATING. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TOOK AT LEAST 15-20 MINS TO RESPOND WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BECOME SEVERELY DAMAGED TO THE POINT WHERE IT IS NOW EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO ASCERTAIN A CAUSE. MY INSURANCE ONLY COVERED MY CAR LOAN AND NOW I AM OUT MONEY FOR THE DOWN PAYMENT ON A NEW VEHICLE. THIS SITUATION IS VERY SERIOUS. THERE COULD HAVE BEEN CHILDREN OR ELDERLY PERSONS IN THE VEHICLE WHO COULD HAVE DIED. PLEASE HELP ME INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE. I CONSIDER MYSELF LUCKY TO STILL HAVE MY LIFE AND EVALUATE THE SITUATION AS HAVING INITIATED A DUTY TO KEEP OTHERS SAFE FROM DANGERS OF THE SAME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10319998

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.