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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.

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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

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

61 reports
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83,000 miles · May 10, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITH AN INTERMITTENT ILLUMINATION OF THE WARNING INDICATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE THE ENGINE RESTARTED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESUME IN OPERATION. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED FOR THE MALFUNCT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITH AN INTERMITTENT ILLUMINATION OF THE WARNING INDICATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE THE ENGINE RESTARTED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESUME IN OPERATION. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED FOR THE MALFUNCTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.

NHTSA ODI #10458036

90,000 miles · May 10, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingVisibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW WAS OPENED BUT COULD NOT BE CLOSED. THE WINDOW REGULATOR MOTOR WAS REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WAS OVERHEATING ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT REFILLED THE COOLANT RESERVOIR BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE HAD ALSO BECOME RES…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW WAS OPENED BUT COULD NOT BE CLOSED. THE WINDOW REGULATOR MOTOR WAS REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WAS OVERHEATING ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT REFILLED THE COOLANT RESERVOIR BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE HAD ALSO BECOME RESISTANT TO ACCELERATION ATTEMPTS WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 96,000.

NHTSA ODI #10458030

141,000 miles · Apr 4, 2012
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

I HAVE BEEN RECEIVING ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL ERRORS FOR ABOUT A YEAR NOW (LIGHTNING BOLT BETWEEN INVERTED PARENTHESIS). IT HAPPENS SPORADICALLY BUT SEEMS TO OCCUR MORE FREQUENTLY. THE LAST EPISODE OCCURRED TODAY ON MY MORNING COMMUTE TO WORK - 04/04/2012, APPROXIMATELY 0725. THE ERROR CODE WILL FLASH AND IT BECOMES MORE DIF…

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I HAVE BEEN RECEIVING ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL ERRORS FOR ABOUT A YEAR NOW (LIGHTNING BOLT BETWEEN INVERTED PARENTHESIS). IT HAPPENS SPORADICALLY BUT SEEMS TO OCCUR MORE FREQUENTLY. THE LAST EPISODE OCCURRED TODAY ON MY MORNING COMMUTE TO WORK - 04/04/2012, APPROXIMATELY 0725. THE ERROR CODE WILL FLASH AND IT BECOMES MORE DIFFICULT TO ACCELERATE. WHEN I TAKE MY FOOT OFF OF THE GAS PEDAL TO DECELERATE, THE CAR WILL 'JERK'. SO FAR, I HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO CONTINUE DRIVING THE VEHICLE UNTIL I CAN FIND A PLACE TO PULL OVER. USUALLY, I CAN TURN THE CAR OFF THEN BACK ON AND THE ERROR CODE DISAPPEARS. THE CAR WILL DRIVE NORMALLY. I AM NOW EXPERIENCING THESE ISSUES 3-4 TIMES PER WEEK. THIS ISSUE IS CHRONICLED ON THE INTERNET WITH DETAILS IN DIFFERENT FORUMS. THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ON-GOING FREQUENT ISSUE THAT DODGE IS AWARE OF. FROM WHAT I HAVE RESEARCHED, THE DEALERSHIP MECHANICS SEEM TO BE AT A LOSS ON HOW TO REPAIR AND SUGGEST DIFFERENT REPAIRS THAT DON'T WORK...UNLESS THAT IS THEIR AIM. IN A TIME THAT PEOPLE ARE FINANCIALLY STRUGGLING, THESE MANUFACTURERS NEED TO REPAIR THE ISSUES THEY KNOW ABOUT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10454134

84,000 miles · Feb 26, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling

PULLEY MAKING LOUD NOISE AND ALTERNATOR HAVE WHINE NOISE LIKE IT ABOUT TO START A FIRE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10449354

60,000 miles · Feb 20, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingCrash

GOING 65 MPH THE ETC LIGHT TURN ON AND I LOST POWER.THEN I TURN OFF THE ENGINE FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES AND IT TURN OFF BUT IT KEEPS LOSING POWER ALL THE TIME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10448513

58,000 miles · Feb 4, 2012
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Engine And Engine Cooling

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND THEN THE CAR JUST STARTED LIKE IT WAS WANTING TO CUT OFF WHEN I WAS GIVING IT THROTTLE THE CAR WAS JERKING BACK AND FOURTH I TOOK IT BACK TO THE PLACE I BOUGH IT FROM AND WAITING ON THEM TO FIX THE ISSUE. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10446644

56,949 miles · Jan 24, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE ETC WARNING LIGHT. THE CONTACT REFERRED TO THE OWNER'S MANUAL REGARDING THE ETC AND THE OWNER'S MANUAL ADVISED PARKING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR A MECHANIC FOR RE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE ETC WARNING LIGHT. THE CONTACT REFERRED TO THE OWNER'S MANUAL REGARDING THE ETC AND THE OWNER'S MANUAL ADVISED PARKING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR A MECHANIC FOR REPAIRS OR INSPECTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,949.

NHTSA ODI #10445089

40,000 miles · Dec 18, 2011
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

MY 2008 AVENGER STALLS WHEN ACCELERATING. IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN WHEN IT IS WET AND COLD OUT. IT HAPPENS MOSTLY WHEN YOU ARE AT A COMPLETE STOP AND PUSH THE GAS OR WHEN YOU ARE SLOWING DOWN AND THE ACCELERATE. I HAVE ALMOST BEEN IN SEVERAL ACCIDENTS DUE TO THIS HAPPENING. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DODGE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY…

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MY 2008 AVENGER STALLS WHEN ACCELERATING. IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN WHEN IT IS WET AND COLD OUT. IT HAPPENS MOSTLY WHEN YOU ARE AT A COMPLETE STOP AND PUSH THE GAS OR WHEN YOU ARE SLOWING DOWN AND THE ACCELERATE. I HAVE ALMOST BEEN IN SEVERAL ACCIDENTS DUE TO THIS HAPPENING. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DODGE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THERE IS DEFINITELY SOMETHING WRONG. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10440316

Mileage unknown · Dec 5, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

VEHICLE ENGINE CUTS-OUT OR STALLS AT DURING DECELERATION OR WHEN STOPPED AT A LIGHT, AND ONLY ON DAYS IN WHICH IT IS RAINING. I HAVE TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER WITH NO LUCK IN SOLVING PROBLEM. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE THE VEHICLE BECOMES HARD TO CONTROL WHEN THE ENGINE CUTS-OUT ALL OF A SUDDEN LOSING POWER TO THE BRAKES AN…

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VEHICLE ENGINE CUTS-OUT OR STALLS AT DURING DECELERATION OR WHEN STOPPED AT A LIGHT, AND ONLY ON DAYS IN WHICH IT IS RAINING. I HAVE TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER WITH NO LUCK IN SOLVING PROBLEM. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE THE VEHICLE BECOMES HARD TO CONTROL WHEN THE ENGINE CUTS-OUT ALL OF A SUDDEN LOSING POWER TO THE BRAKES AND STEERING. VEHICLE STILL EXHIBITS SYMPTOMS OF PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10438624

70,000 miles · Nov 29, 2011
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine And Engine CoolingFire

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FROM A USED CAR LOT A YEAR AND A HALF AGO. FROM THE VERY FIRST DAY I PURCHASED THE CAR, I HAD PROBLEMS WHICH ARE RECORDED WITH THE PLACE OF PURCHASE. I WAS TOLD I COULD NOT GET MY MONEY BACK. THE ONLY REMEDY OFFERED WAS FOR THE ACTUAL CAR DEALERSHIP WHO SOLD ME THE VEHICLE WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. THE FIRS…

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I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FROM A USED CAR LOT A YEAR AND A HALF AGO. FROM THE VERY FIRST DAY I PURCHASED THE CAR, I HAD PROBLEMS WHICH ARE RECORDED WITH THE PLACE OF PURCHASE. I WAS TOLD I COULD NOT GET MY MONEY BACK. THE ONLY REMEDY OFFERED WAS FOR THE ACTUAL CAR DEALERSHIP WHO SOLD ME THE VEHICLE WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. THE FIRST PROBLEM IV'E HAD STARTED WITH THE HEAD LIGHTS, IT THEN WENT ONTO MY ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM THAT GIVES MILEAGE, WARNINGS ECT WENT OUT. SOON AFTER THAT THE ALARM SYSTEM, HORN ,AND DOOR LOCKING SYSTEM. THERE AFTER "A PIN" IN WHICH HOLDS THE GEAR IN PLACE WENT OUT AND WOULD NOT OPERATE. THE NEXT THING THAT WENT OUT WAS THE ENTIRE AIR CONDITIONING AND HEATING SYSTEM. ON OR AROUND APRIL 12 THERE WAS A WHAT LOOKED LIKE A SPARK NEAR THE AIR CONDITIONING PANEL. WHEN I REMOVED THE PANEL, THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT THERE WAS A SMALL SPARK OR FIRE THAT ACTUALLY MELTED A SWITCH ON THE COOLING AND HEATING ELEMENTS. IT HAS YET TO WORK SINCE THEN. TODAY THE 11/29/11 MY CAR COMPLETELY STALLED WHILE I WAS TURNING INTO A VERY DANGEROUS INTERSECTION. THIS CAR IS A TOTAL DEATH TRAP WAITING TO HAPPEN. UNFORTUNATELY I AM A SINGLE MOTHER OF 3 CHILDREN WITH VERY LITTLE OPTIONS FINANCIALLY TO DO OTHERWISE. I HAVE ATTEMPTED SEVERAL TIMES TO SCHEDULE RECALLS TO BE FIXED BY THE DODGE DEALER AND THEY HAVE NOT BEEN HELPFUL AT ALL. THERE IS NO RENTAL CAR OFFERED AND THE ESTIMATED TIME OF REPAIR IS NOT FEASIBLE. I HOPE THIS INFORMATION WILL HELP. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10437664

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.