IllustrationENGINE STALLING WITHOUT WARNING NO GAS PEDAL CAR RUNS AT IDLE ONLY. *TR
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Avenger years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
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 reportsI OWN A 2008 DODGE AVENGER AND IT HAS THE ISSUE OF GETTING STUCK IN THE PARK GEAR. IT'S NEVER HAPPENED UNTIL NOW AND IT CONSTANTLY KEEPS HAPPENING NOW. I'VE READ ON FORUMS WHERE MANY MORE DODGE AVENGER OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SOME PROBLEM. IF I CAN'T MOVE MY CAR FROM PARK THEN I CAN'T DRIVE IT ANYWHERE. I'VE CALLED DODGE IN WHI…
Read full complaint
I OWN A 2008 DODGE AVENGER AND IT HAS THE ISSUE OF GETTING STUCK IN THE PARK GEAR. IT'S NEVER HAPPENED UNTIL NOW AND IT CONSTANTLY KEEPS HAPPENING NOW. I'VE READ ON FORUMS WHERE MANY MORE DODGE AVENGER OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SOME PROBLEM. IF I CAN'T MOVE MY CAR FROM PARK THEN I CAN'T DRIVE IT ANYWHERE. I'VE CALLED DODGE IN WHICH THEY MENTION THAT THERE ARE NO RECALLS, BUT I BELIEVE IT A DEFECT. *TR
I HAVE TAKEN MY 2008 DODGE AVENGER TO 2 DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS ON 3 OCCASIONS FOR STALLING PROBLEMS. I HAVE THE INVOICES. THEY CONTINUE TO SAY THEY CANNOT VERIFY THE COMPLAINT. THE VEHICLE STALLS WHILE IDLING AND TONIGHT WHEN I PULLED OUT IT ALMOST STALLED. I RESEARCHED IT ONLINE AND THERE ARE OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME PRO…
Read full complaint
I HAVE TAKEN MY 2008 DODGE AVENGER TO 2 DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS ON 3 OCCASIONS FOR STALLING PROBLEMS. I HAVE THE INVOICES. THEY CONTINUE TO SAY THEY CANNOT VERIFY THE COMPLAINT. THE VEHICLE STALLS WHILE IDLING AND TONIGHT WHEN I PULLED OUT IT ALMOST STALLED. I RESEARCHED IT ONLINE AND THERE ARE OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM. THERE ARE REPORTS OF A RECALL FROM 2008 FOR THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM AS WELL AS THE EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE WITH MY GIRLS IN THE CAR. *TR
I TOOK MY SON TO THE ER ROOM AND MY CAR WAS RUNNING FINE. I COME OUT AND START MY CAR EVERYTHING WAS GOOD. I TRIED TO TAKE IT OUT OF PARK AND MY SHIFT GEAR WAS STUCK. I HAVE RESEARCHED AND A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. MY CAR IS ONLY TWO YEARS OLD. 2008 DODGE AVENGER. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE DRIVE SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WOULD INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER A MINIMUM OF SIX TIMES IN AN ATTEMPT TO REPAIR THE FAILURE UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY. UNKNOWN REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE BUT DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTL…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE DRIVE SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WOULD INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER A MINIMUM OF SIX TIMES IN AN ATTEMPT TO REPAIR THE FAILURE UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY. UNKNOWN REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE BUT DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER FOR AN ADDITIONAL REPAIR. THE DEALER ADVISED REPAIRS WOULD BE AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE DUE TO THE EXPIRATION OF THE FACTORY WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000 AND THE CURRENT WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 06/03/10*BF
I HAVE 28,000 MILES ON MY 2008 DODGE AVENGER HAD FOR 2 YEARS AND TODAY IT WONT SHIFT OUT OF PARK. *TR
THE CAR WILL AUTOMATICALLY SHUT DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND THE SHIFTER THEN THE CAR WILL LOCK UP, AND ONCE YOU PUT THE CAR INTO PARK IT WILL NOT SHIFT FROM PARK. THIS HAPPENED TO ME AND I WAS STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION. AFTER MUCH FRUSTRATION AND TRYING TO SHIFT THE CAR OUT OF PARK. THE LEVER THAT WAS…
Read full complaint
THE CAR WILL AUTOMATICALLY SHUT DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND THE SHIFTER THEN THE CAR WILL LOCK UP, AND ONCE YOU PUT THE CAR INTO PARK IT WILL NOT SHIFT FROM PARK. THIS HAPPENED TO ME AND I WAS STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION. AFTER MUCH FRUSTRATION AND TRYING TO SHIFT THE CAR OUT OF PARK. THE LEVER THAT WAS HOLDING THE CAR IN PARK SLIPPED OUT OF PLACE AND ALLOWED ME TO SHIFT THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL AND ME AND THE OFFICER HELPING ME WERE ABLE TO PUSH THE CAR TO THE NEAREST GAS STATION. THIS OCCURS OFTEN AND HAS OCCURRED 3 TIMES SINCE THAT TIME WHICH WAS THE FIRST. TO REPLACE THE PROBLEM IS TO REPROGRAM THE COMPUTER. THIS COST $270.00. THERE HAS BEEN MANY CASES THAT I HAVE READ ABOUT THIS HAPPENING. IT ALSO SEEMS TO HAPPEN TO EVERYBODY AROUND 40,000 TO 50,000 MILES ON THE CAR. *TR
GAS TANK DOES NOT STOP FILLING UP UNTIL IT OVERFLOWS. *TR
PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2008 AVENGER AND HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES FROM THE GET GO. CAN FEEL BRAKES SURGING THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL. TOOK IT IN AND WAS TOLD THAT BRAKES WASN'T COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. REPLACED ALL BRAKES AND HAD ROTORS TURNED AND PROBLEM STARTED AGAIN RIGHT AWAY. AND NOW ALSO WHENEVER YOU BRAKE HARD…
Read full complaint
PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2008 AVENGER AND HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES FROM THE GET GO. CAN FEEL BRAKES SURGING THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL. TOOK IT IN AND WAS TOLD THAT BRAKES WASN'T COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. REPLACED ALL BRAKES AND HAD ROTORS TURNED AND PROBLEM STARTED AGAIN RIGHT AWAY. AND NOW ALSO WHENEVER YOU BRAKE HARD THE BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE VEHICLE STALLED CONSTANTLY WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO ENGAGE BRAKE PEDAL AND WHEN SHE TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF THE BRAKES WOULD RESET. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY WOULD NOT OFFER HER ANY ASSISTANCE WITH TRADING IN THE VEHICLE. SHE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURE…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE VEHICLE STALLED CONSTANTLY WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO ENGAGE BRAKE PEDAL AND WHEN SHE TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF THE BRAKES WOULD RESET. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY WOULD NOT OFFER HER ANY ASSISTANCE WITH TRADING IN THE VEHICLE. SHE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER TOLD HER THAT SHE HAD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 350 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 48,000.
Official recalls
608V152000 · 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
1AQ10001 · 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.