WATER BEHIND DRIVER SEAT ON FLOOR BOARD, LOCKING MECHANISM FOR PASSENGER DOOR STOPPED WORKING, REAR TAIL LIGHTS COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING, HAS A SHIFTING PROBLEM
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
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.
Exterior Lighting complaints
12 reportsTOOK THE CAR IN TO THE DEALER FOR A RECALL HOWEVER MY VIN DID NOT COME UP. I'M NOT SURE WHY WHEN THE RECALL INCLUDED MY YEAR MAKE. BRAKE LIGHT REVERSE AND SIGNALS ARE NOT WORKING . I HAVE 2 CHILDREN UNDER 10 YEARS OLD I TAKE TO SCHOOL AND AFTER SCHOOL FUNCTIONS. THIS IS A SERIOUS MATTER THAT NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED. THE ISSUES WIT…
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TOOK THE CAR IN TO THE DEALER FOR A RECALL HOWEVER MY VIN DID NOT COME UP. I'M NOT SURE WHY WHEN THE RECALL INCLUDED MY YEAR MAKE. BRAKE LIGHT REVERSE AND SIGNALS ARE NOT WORKING . I HAVE 2 CHILDREN UNDER 10 YEARS OLD I TAKE TO SCHOOL AND AFTER SCHOOL FUNCTIONS. THIS IS A SERIOUS MATTER THAT NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED. THE ISSUES WITH THE 2008 DODGE AVENGER ARE PART OF THE NATIONAL RECALL. WHEN DRIVING CREATES DANGEROUS CONDITIONS DUE TO NO FUNCTIONING SIGNALS OR WARNINGS. THE DEALER DID STATE IT WAS THE WHOLE BOX TIMP. THIS IS WHAT WAS RECALLED.
ELECTRICAL ISSUE. ODOMETER DROPS FROM 65 MPH TO 10 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. LIGHTS FLICKER . ABS LIGHT COMES ON DURING ALL THIS ALSO. ENIGINE STALLS ON OCCASSION. LOSS OF POWER TO ENGINE. ALL THIS HAPPENS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS!!!!!
HAVE BEEN HAVING MANY ISSUES WITH WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOP WORKING ALL OF A SUDDEN AND SOMETIMES DO NOT WORK FOR DAYS. WITH NO WARNING WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD AND STUTTER. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ROTATE WIPER SWITCH THEY MAY MOVE A LITTLE AND IF YOU TURN THEM OFF THEY WILL CONTINUE TO STUTTER ACROS…
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HAVE BEEN HAVING MANY ISSUES WITH WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOP WORKING ALL OF A SUDDEN AND SOMETIMES DO NOT WORK FOR DAYS. WITH NO WARNING WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD AND STUTTER. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ROTATE WIPER SWITCH THEY MAY MOVE A LITTLE AND IF YOU TURN THEM OFF THEY WILL CONTINUE TO STUTTER ACROSS WINDSHIELD. SOMETIMES THEY WORK NORMAL. I HAVE BEEN DOING A LOT OF RESEARCH AND THIS ISSUE IS ALL OVER THE INTERNET. CHRYSLER APPARENTLY REFUSES TO ADMIT THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH A FAULTY TIPM. TODAY I EXPERIENCED A TOTAL POWER FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. EVERYTHING STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING....NO WIPERS, TURN SIGNALS, HEADLIGHTS, BRAKE LIGHTS, INSTRUMENT PANEL. PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT AFTER ALMOST GETTING REAR ENDED WHILE TURNING. TURNED CAR OFF RESTARTED A FEW TIMES AND THEN EVERYTHING STARTED WORKING EXCEPT WIPERS. SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET KILLED IF THIS ISSUE IS NOT ADDRESSED!!
MY AVENGER IS VERY DANGEROUS AND I'M TRYING TO GET RID OF IT BECAUSE I FEAR FOR MINE AND MY CHILDREN'S SAFETY. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE HAS STALLED WHILE AT IDLE AND EVEN ONCE WHILE I WAS ACCELERATING ON A HIGHWAY- DOING OVER 60 MPH. IT ALSO CONTINUOUSLY HAS ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN, EITHER WHEN SLOWING DOWN OR SPEEDING UP…
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MY AVENGER IS VERY DANGEROUS AND I'M TRYING TO GET RID OF IT BECAUSE I FEAR FOR MINE AND MY CHILDREN'S SAFETY. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE HAS STALLED WHILE AT IDLE AND EVEN ONCE WHILE I WAS ACCELERATING ON A HIGHWAY- DOING OVER 60 MPH. IT ALSO CONTINUOUSLY HAS ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN, EITHER WHEN SLOWING DOWN OR SPEEDING UP IT WILL JUMP RPMS AND TAKE OFF ON ITS OWN. WHILE GOING THROUGH A SCHOOL ZONE THE CAR ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN AND I CAME VERY CLOSE TO HITTING TWO 5 YR OLDS CROSSING THE ROAD. I'VE HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, AS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON AND OFF ON ITS OWN AND JUST RECENTLY THE COMBINATION SWITCH STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY, ALMOST CAUSING ME TO BE REAR ENDED. I'VE CALLED DODGE AND THEY WANT $100 JUST TO LOOK AT THE CAR, WHICH I CANNOT AFFORD AFTER DUMPING MANY DOLLARS INTO TRYING TO FIX THESE LIFE THREATENING ISSUES. I'VE HAD IT SEEN THERE BEFORE AND THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG WHEN I PAID OVER $500 FOR REPAIR WORK. I'M FEARFUL FOR MY LIFE WHILE DRIVING AND ITS CAUSED ME MUCH STRESS AND ANXIETY. I'VE SPOKE TO SEVERAL OTHER AVENGER OWNERS THAT EXPERIENCE THE SAME PROBLEMS IN WHICH THEIR ONLY OPTION WAS TO TRADE IT IN BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T AFFORD TO BUY A NEW VEHICLE. I PERSONALLY WOULD JUNK IT MYSELF BECAUSE I WOULD NEVER WANT TO JEOPARDIZE ANOTHER PERSON OR THEIR CHILDREN'S LIFE, HOWEVER LIKE EVERYONE ELSE I CAN'T AFFORD IT AND WILL PROBABLY HAVE TO TRADE THE "PROBLEM" DOWN TO SOME UNKNOWING OF THE RISKS AND DANGERS OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER SPENDING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FOR WHAT I THOUGHT WAS A RELIABLE CAR I AM LEFT DRIVING A LEMON, TAKING PRESCRIBED ATIVAN FOR ANXIETY BECAUSE I AM CONSTANTLY IN FEAR OF DRIVING THE THING, AND UNABLE TO SELL BECAUSE NOBODY WANTS IT. THIS CAR HAD WRECKED MY LIFE, AND I ONLY WANT DODGE TO TAKE RESPONSIBLITY. IT'S A SHAME TO KNOW THAT I AM PUTTING EVERYONE'S LIVES IN DANGER & IT'S TAKING A TOLL ON MY HEALTH.
BRAKE LIGHTS OUT DUE TO WIRING PROBLEM PER MECHANIC. BRAKES LOCK UP AND SKID. DASH LIGHTS FLICKER AND DIM WHILE DRIVING. TURNING SIGNALS NOT WORKING AND ALL FUSES REPLACED. ALL PROBLEMS WHILE VEHICLE MOVING OR STATIONARY.
I WAS DRIVING TO THE STORE THROUGH MY NEIGHBORHOOD AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT KEPT COMING ON AND GOING OFF. EVEN AFTER I TURNED MY CAR OFF AND BACK ON IT DID THE SAME THING.
THE DASH LIGHTS GO ON & OF INTERMITTENTLY. SOMETIMES WHEN I STOP FOR GAS, THE DASH LIGHTS WONT COME ON WHEN I RESTART THE ENGINE. SOMETIMES THE WILL GO OFF WHILE DRIVING AND I HIT A BUMP. I AM UNABLE TO SEE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHEN THIS HAPPENS. *TR
I HAVE HAD MY BATTERY REPLACED (DID NOT HELP MY ISSUES). NEXT I SPENT A COUPLE HUNDRED TO HAVE MY "ELECTRICAL GROUND " REPAIRED (ALSO STILL HAD THE SAME ISSUES). MY ORIGINAL ISSUES (THAT HAVE NOT YET BEEN FIXED): CAR STALLING, CAR UNABLE TO START, ALL LIGHTS ON CAR FLICKERING. NOW MY REAR LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING (THEREFORE I AM U…
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I HAVE HAD MY BATTERY REPLACED (DID NOT HELP MY ISSUES). NEXT I SPENT A COUPLE HUNDRED TO HAVE MY "ELECTRICAL GROUND " REPAIRED (ALSO STILL HAD THE SAME ISSUES). MY ORIGINAL ISSUES (THAT HAVE NOT YET BEEN FIXED): CAR STALLING, CAR UNABLE TO START, ALL LIGHTS ON CAR FLICKERING. NOW MY REAR LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING (THEREFORE I AM UNABLE TO DRIVE THIS DODGE AVENGER SINCE IT IS AN EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD WHEN REAR LIGHTS/BLINKERS DO NOT WORK). . THE DEALER SAYS IT IS THE TIPM THAT HAS CAUSED ALL REAR LIGHTS TO NOT FUNCTION ANYMORE AS WELL AS THE ORIGINAL ISSUES I HAD. THIS IS A $1,000 REPAIR THAT I RECENTLY LEARN THOUSANDS OF CHRYSLER/DODGE VEHICLES HAD SAME ISSUE WITH. THIS DOES NOT SEEM FAIR THAT THE CONSUMER SHOULD PAY THE EXPENSE, WHEN CLEARLY THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL ITEM. DUE TO THIS BEING A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM AMONGST DODGE VEHICLES,. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED MY CAR AS A ROAD SAFETY HAZARD DUE TO NO BRAKE LIGHTS/TURN SIGNALS . *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS HAD MELTED. AS A RESULT, HEAD LIGHT WIRING HARNESS AND MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS HAD MELTED. AS A RESULT, HEAD LIGHT WIRING HARNESS AND MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 64,000.
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.
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