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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

Fuel System, Gasoline complaints

26 reports
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250,000 miles · Mar 27, 2023
Electrical SystemEngineFuel System, Gasoline

The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The battery, the check engine, and the throttle body warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the contact noticed an abnormal odor while the vehicle was parked. The contact noticed there was smoke comi…

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The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The battery, the check engine, and the throttle body warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the contact noticed an abnormal odor while the vehicle was parked. The contact noticed there was smoke coming from underneath the hood. The contact's father lifted the hood and removed the positive (+) charge cable from the battery. The contact's father replaced the battery and the alternator; however, the failure recurred while driving. The contact's father replaced the alternator for the second time. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 08V152000 (Electrical System) and 07V426000 (Fuel System, Gasoline), however, the dealer confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 255,000.

NHTSA ODI #11514061

93,000 miles · Apr 23, 2014
Electrical SystemFuel System, GasolinePower Train

INTERMITTENT LOSS OF POWER ON ACCELERATION AND UNDER LOAD. SUSPECTED THROTTLE BODY ISSUES WITH THROTTLE POSITIONER CODE SHOWING UP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10584357

132,500 miles · Dec 3, 2013
Electrical SystemFuel System, GasolineFire

VEHICLE STARTED HAVING ISSUES STARTING AND THEN IT WOULD START AND RUN FINE AND THEN DIE.I WAS CONTACTED AND NOTICED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS NOT COMING ON AND THEN WOULD ALL THE SUDDEN COME ON ANDTHEN QUIT SO I REMOVED THE REAR SEAT AND UNPLUGGED THE WIRE HARNESS AND COULD SEE WHERE IT HAD BEEN BURNED AND LOOKED AT THE TOP OF THE…

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VEHICLE STARTED HAVING ISSUES STARTING AND THEN IT WOULD START AND RUN FINE AND THEN DIE.I WAS CONTACTED AND NOTICED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS NOT COMING ON AND THEN WOULD ALL THE SUDDEN COME ON ANDTHEN QUIT SO I REMOVED THE REAR SEAT AND UNPLUGGED THE WIRE HARNESS AND COULD SEE WHERE IT HAD BEEN BURNED AND LOOKED AT THE TOP OF THE PUMP WHERE THE HARNESS PLUGS IN AND COULD SEE AND SMELL GAS.I REMOVED THE FUEL PUMP AND YOU COULD SEE WHERE ONE OF THE WIRE HARNESSES INSIDE THE FUEL TANK ON THE FUEL PUMP HAD BURNED A HOLE ALL THE WAY THROUGH.IN THE WHOLE PROCESS OF THIS NO FUSE EVER BLEW TO SHUT POWER OFF AND WAS TOLD THERE IS NO FUSE BY SOMEONE AT THE DODGE DEALER.I PROCEEDED TO LOOK ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND NUMEROUS ACCOUNTS OF THIS SAME ISSUE AND NOBODY HAS REPORTED IT THE CHANGED THERE FUEL PUMP BUT THAT DOES NOT FIX THE ISSUE. IF THERE IS NO FUSE TO BLOW SOMEBODY IS GOING TO GET HURT AND IF THERE IS A FUSE WHY ARE THEY NOT BLOWING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10554722

112,023 miles · Sep 11, 2013
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED SEVERAL TIMES AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AS THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE MECHANIC WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED, WHICH LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE FUEL INJECTOR. THE FUEL INJECTOR WAS REPLACED, HOWEVER T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED SEVERAL TIMES AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AS THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE MECHANIC WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED, WHICH LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE FUEL INJECTOR. THE FUEL INJECTOR WAS REPLACED, HOWEVER THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT MAIN COMPUTER MAY HAVE NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 112,023.

NHTSA ODI #10543102

40,000 miles · Feb 4, 2013
Fuel System, Gasoline

WHEN PUMPING GAS INTO MY 2008 DODGE AVENGER I GET OVERSPILL OF GAS COMING OUT OF TANK. I HEAR THE CLICK AND RELEASE OF GAS PUMP AND IMMEDIATELY GAS SPURTS OUT ONTO CAR AND ME. I LOOKED UP ON INTERNET AND IT APPEARS TO BE HAPPENING TO ALOT OF DODGE AVENGERS. IS THERE A RECALL? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10496299

59,560 miles · May 9, 2012
Fuel System, Gasoline

WHEN FILLING UP TANK THE TANK EJECTS ABOUT A QUART OF GASOLINE WHEN FINISHED PUMPING GAS. EVEN WHEN TRYING TO GO SLOW AT THE END. THE GASOLINE "BURPS" OUT ALL OVER THE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, THE OPERATOR AND GROUND. THIS ISN'T SAFE BECAUSE THE POTENTIALLY HOT ROTOR IS DIRECTLY UNDERNEATH THE FILL PORT MIGHT START A FIRE WHILE T…

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WHEN FILLING UP TANK THE TANK EJECTS ABOUT A QUART OF GASOLINE WHEN FINISHED PUMPING GAS. EVEN WHEN TRYING TO GO SLOW AT THE END. THE GASOLINE "BURPS" OUT ALL OVER THE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, THE OPERATOR AND GROUND. THIS ISN'T SAFE BECAUSE THE POTENTIALLY HOT ROTOR IS DIRECTLY UNDERNEATH THE FILL PORT MIGHT START A FIRE WHILE THE OPERATOR IS DOUSED WITH FUEL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10457849

96,000 miles · Apr 13, 2012
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REFUELING THE VEHICLE, FUEL SPILLED BACK OUT FROM THE FILLER NECK VALVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VENT TUBING AND THE NECK OF THE FUEL TANK WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS RE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REFUELING THE VEHICLE, FUEL SPILLED BACK OUT FROM THE FILLER NECK VALVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VENT TUBING AND THE NECK OF THE FUEL TANK WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.

NHTSA ODI #10455073

45,000 miles · Mar 14, 2012
Fuel System, Gasoline

THE GAS TANK IS NOT VENTING PROPERLY, RESULTING IN GAS SPRAY WHEN FILLING UP. MY VEHICLE IS SPRAYING FUEL AT EVERY FILLUP AND DOES NOT MATTER WHICH STATION, PUMP, PUMP POSITION, OR FILLING RATE. THE SPRAY CAN BE REDUCED BY SLOWING THE FILLING RATE WHEN CLOSE TO FULL BUT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO PREVENT OVERFLOW. THIS SPRAY IS ENO…

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THE GAS TANK IS NOT VENTING PROPERLY, RESULTING IN GAS SPRAY WHEN FILLING UP. MY VEHICLE IS SPRAYING FUEL AT EVERY FILLUP AND DOES NOT MATTER WHICH STATION, PUMP, PUMP POSITION, OR FILLING RATE. THE SPRAY CAN BE REDUCED BY SLOWING THE FILLING RATE WHEN CLOSE TO FULL BUT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO PREVENT OVERFLOW. THIS SPRAY IS ENOUGH TO AND HAS SOAKED MY SHOES AND PANTS. I HAVE RESEARCHED SEVERAL FORUMS AND CONTACTED MY DEALERSHIP. I AM TOLD THE TANK USUALLY NEEDS REPLACED AT A HIGH SERVICE COST. I AM REPORTING THIS AS A SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE MOST OWNERS CAN NOT IMMEDIATELY AFFORD A ~$900 SERVICE CHARGE. I WILL CONTINUE TO ATTEMPT TO MANAGE THIS OVERFILL SPRAY BY NOT FILLING IT ALL THE WAY UNTIL I CAN AFFORD THE REPAIR. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10451637

80,000 miles · Mar 12, 2012
Fuel System, Gasoline

WHEN FILLING UP MY GAS TANK, THE GAS PUMP DOES NOT STOP. THIS HAPPENS AT ALL STATIONS EVERY TIME. THE FUEL IS QUITE EXPLOSIVE WHEN FULL, AND JUMPS OUT OF THE TANK GETTING FUEL EVERYWHERE. IT JUMPS ABOUT A FOOT OUT OF THE TANK. YOU CAN HEAR THAT THERE IS AN AIR POCKET IN MY GAS TANK. I CAN NEVER FILL IT FULL AND HAVE TO STOP…

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WHEN FILLING UP MY GAS TANK, THE GAS PUMP DOES NOT STOP. THIS HAPPENS AT ALL STATIONS EVERY TIME. THE FUEL IS QUITE EXPLOSIVE WHEN FULL, AND JUMPS OUT OF THE TANK GETTING FUEL EVERYWHERE. IT JUMPS ABOUT A FOOT OUT OF THE TANK. YOU CAN HEAR THAT THERE IS AN AIR POCKET IN MY GAS TANK. I CAN NEVER FILL IT FULL AND HAVE TO STOP JUST SHORT. I ALSO HAVE TO CHECK MY FUEL BY TURNING THE IGNITION TO THE ON POSITION WHICH APPARENTLY NOW HAS MESSED WITH MY LOCKS ACCORDING TO THE MANUAL, IF YOU TURN IT TO THE ON/LOCK POSITION 4 TIMES IN A ROW IT DOES SOMETHING TO YOUR LOCKS. SO NOW MY LOCKS ARE MESSED UP TOO. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY STATED IT WOULD COST OVER 400 DOLLARS TO REPLACE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10451239

50,000 miles · Mar 7, 2012
Fuel System, Gasoline

AT OR AROUND 50,000 MILES, IT BECAME ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO FILL THE FUEL TANK WITHOUT A VIOLENT BACKSPLASH OF GAS. NO MATTER HOW SLOWLY YOU FILL, OR HOW MANY OPPORTUNITIES YOU GIVE IT TO VENT, YOU STILL END UP WITH A SPILL. WHEN I SAY SPILL, IT MEANS THAT GAS LITERALLY PROJECTS OUTWARD ONTO THE GROUND, AND DOWN THE SIDE OF T…

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AT OR AROUND 50,000 MILES, IT BECAME ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO FILL THE FUEL TANK WITHOUT A VIOLENT BACKSPLASH OF GAS. NO MATTER HOW SLOWLY YOU FILL, OR HOW MANY OPPORTUNITIES YOU GIVE IT TO VENT, YOU STILL END UP WITH A SPILL. WHEN I SAY SPILL, IT MEANS THAT GAS LITERALLY PROJECTS OUTWARD ONTO THE GROUND, AND DOWN THE SIDE OF THE CAR. OFTEN THE TIRE ENDS UP SOAKED, AND OCCASIONALLY YOUR CLOTHING AND OR SHOES. I HAVE FOUND OTHER PEOPLE ON AVENGER SITES COMPLAINING OF THE EXACT SAME THING, THEREFORE I KNOW THIS IS NOT RARE. AROUND THE SAME TIME THIS BEGAN, THE CAR ALSO BEGAN STALLING IN RAINY WEATHER. I DON"T KNOW IF THESE ARE CONNECTED, BUT IT SEEMS SUSPECT. APPARENTLY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THEIR DEALERSHIPS THAT THE ENTIRE FUEL TANK HAS TO BE CHANGED DUE TO A FAULTY ROLLOVER VALVE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10450682

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.