IllustrationWENT TO GO TO WORK AND CAR WOULD NOT COME OUT OF PARK. UNABLE TO MANUALLY RELEASE GEAR SELECTOR. HAD CAR TOWED TO DEALER, SHIFTER BROKE. LOSE OF USE OF CAR FOR THREE DAYS WHILE WAITING FOR PART. COST $154.43. *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
Power Train complaints
236 reports2008 DODGE AVENGER WILL NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK. *TR
MY CAR WAS STUCK IN PARK. NO WARNING OR ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION. IT HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY REPLACED A $20 PLASTIC PIECE UNDER THE GEAR SHIFTER THAT HAD BROKEN, $400 AND 2 DAYS LATER I HAD MY CAR BACK. THIS IS A LEADING TREND FOR THIS MODEL OF VEHICLE AND SHOULD BE A RECALL. *TR
2008 DODGE AVENGER: GEAR SHIFT WILL NOT ALLOW GEAR TO MOVE OUT OF PARK. OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. DODGE HAS NOT RECALLED TO FIX THE PART. THE COST OF REPAIR EXCEEDS $400. I HAVE REMOVED GEAR SHIFT PLATE AND HAVE TO MANUALLY MOVE A PLASTIC PART TO SHIFT GEARS. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY DANGEROUS. DODGE IS AWARE OF THE PROBLE…
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2008 DODGE AVENGER: GEAR SHIFT WILL NOT ALLOW GEAR TO MOVE OUT OF PARK. OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. DODGE HAS NOT RECALLED TO FIX THE PART. THE COST OF REPAIR EXCEEDS $400. I HAVE REMOVED GEAR SHIFT PLATE AND HAVE TO MANUALLY MOVE A PLASTIC PART TO SHIFT GEARS. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY DANGEROUS. DODGE IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM YET HAS NOT RECALLED IN ORDER TO FIX THE DEFECT - THEY ARE MAKING THE CUSTOMER FIX A MECHANICAL PROBLEM AT THE CUSTOMER'S COST. *TR
SEPT. 12,2010- I GOT IN MY CAR TO RUN ERRANDS AND MY CAR WOULD NOT GET OUT OF PARK. I OWN A 2008 DODGE AVENGER, NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE GEAR SHIFT TILL TODAY. *TR
OUR 2008 DODGE AVENGER SUDDENLY WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK. IT HAS 52,000 MILES ON IT. DEFECT WAS FOUND TO THE BRAKE INTERLOCK CABLE. DODGE ADVISED THAT IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER ANY RECALL. INTERNET SEARCH REVEALS THAT MANY AVENGERS ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. I BELIEVE IT IS A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM RELATED TO THE INTERLOCK S…
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OUR 2008 DODGE AVENGER SUDDENLY WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK. IT HAS 52,000 MILES ON IT. DEFECT WAS FOUND TO THE BRAKE INTERLOCK CABLE. DODGE ADVISED THAT IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER ANY RECALL. INTERNET SEARCH REVEALS THAT MANY AVENGERS ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. I BELIEVE IT IS A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM RELATED TO THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM, AND IS A SAFETY RELATED DEFECT. *TR
I OWN A 2008 DODGE AVENGER, BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW A COUPLE YEARS AGO. I GO GET IN MY CAR TODAY TO GET MY SON'S PRESCRIPTIONS AND PICK UP MY KIDS WHEN I FIND MY GEAR SHIFT LOCKED IN 'PARK'. NOW I WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR A TOW PLUS REPAIRS FOR SOMETHING THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL!!! BAD BUSINESS DODGE!!! I WILL NEVER OWN ANOTHER DO…
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I OWN A 2008 DODGE AVENGER, BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW A COUPLE YEARS AGO. I GO GET IN MY CAR TODAY TO GET MY SON'S PRESCRIPTIONS AND PICK UP MY KIDS WHEN I FIND MY GEAR SHIFT LOCKED IN 'PARK'. NOW I WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR A TOW PLUS REPAIRS FOR SOMETHING THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL!!! BAD BUSINESS DODGE!!! I WILL NEVER OWN ANOTHER DODGE. *TR
I DROVE MY 08 DODGE AVENGER TO A FRIENDS HOUSE, PUT THE CAR IN PARK, CAME BACK AN HOUR LATER AND THE CAR STARTED BUT I COULDN'T SHIFT GEARS. IT IS LABOR DAY, SO THE DEALERSHIP ISN'T OPEN AND MY CAR IS STUCK 20 MILES AWAY FROM MY HOUSE. THERE WAS NO WARNING TO THE SHIFTER MALFUNCTION, EVERYTHING WAS WORKING FINE AND THEN BOOM,…
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I DROVE MY 08 DODGE AVENGER TO A FRIENDS HOUSE, PUT THE CAR IN PARK, CAME BACK AN HOUR LATER AND THE CAR STARTED BUT I COULDN'T SHIFT GEARS. IT IS LABOR DAY, SO THE DEALERSHIP ISN'T OPEN AND MY CAR IS STUCK 20 MILES AWAY FROM MY HOUSE. THERE WAS NO WARNING TO THE SHIFTER MALFUNCTION, EVERYTHING WAS WORKING FINE AND THEN BOOM, CAN'T SHIFT. I SAVED FOR 2 YEARS TO BUY A NEW CAR AND HAVE LOVED THIS CAR FROM THE DAY I BOUGHT IT, NOW I AM NOT SO SURE BECAUSE THIS IS A MAJOR INCONVENIENCE, NEVERMIND THE FACT THAT IT IS NOT COVERED BY MY EXTENDED WARRANTY SO IT IS GOING TO COST A PRETTY PENNY TO HAVE THIS FIXED. I HAVE READ MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME MALFUNCTION ON THE SAME MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR OF MY CAR, IT SHOULD REALLY BE RECALLED. *TR
THIS WAS A SUDDEN FAILURE. MY FAMILY AND I ENJOY A GREAT DAY AT A THEME PARK, WE HEAD BACK TO THE PARKING GARAGE TO HEAD HOME. WE GET IN OUR FOUR DOOR 2008 DODGE AVENGER AND IT WILL NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK. THE VEHICLE TURNS ON GREAT, I CHECK THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, I TURN ON THE CAR, TURN OFF THE CAR AND THE SHIFTER WILL NOT BUDGE O…
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THIS WAS A SUDDEN FAILURE. MY FAMILY AND I ENJOY A GREAT DAY AT A THEME PARK, WE HEAD BACK TO THE PARKING GARAGE TO HEAD HOME. WE GET IN OUR FOUR DOOR 2008 DODGE AVENGER AND IT WILL NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK. THE VEHICLE TURNS ON GREAT, I CHECK THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, I TURN ON THE CAR, TURN OFF THE CAR AND THE SHIFTER WILL NOT BUDGE OUT OF PARK. I CALL A TOWING SERVICE AND HE SAID THIS HAPPENS WITH A LOT OF DODGE AVENGERS AND SEBRINGS. HE HAD TO PULL THE TRIM OFF WHERE THE SHIFTER IS LOCATED AND PUSH THIS PINK RELEASE DOWN AND THE SHIFTER MOVED FREELY. I CONTACTED A DODGE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT WILL COST ME $200.00 WHICH IS RIDICULOUS! I WENT ONLINE NO RECALL, BUT I FOUND THOUSANDS OF OTHER PEOPLE WHO ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED TO CHRYSLER AND GET A [XXX] RECALL ON THESE VEHICLES. THANK YOU. *TR INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
2008 DODGE AVENGER WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WILL NOT MOVE OUT OF PARK. DROVE CAR IN MORNING TO WORK AND 8 HOURS LATER AFTER STARTING AND THEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO SHIFT THE SHIFT LEVER WOULD NOT MOVER FROM PARK. BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW AND IT HAS ONLY 12,000 MILES AFTER 2 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP. *TR
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.