IllustrationI HAVE A 2008 DODGE AVENGER AND MY CAR CANNOT CHANGE GEARS I CANNOT GET IT OUT OF PARK THEREFORE MY CAR IS NON OPERATIONAL. *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 reportsI GOT INTO MY DODGE AVENGER(2008) AND I COULDN'T PUT IT IN GEAR. THE SHIFTER WILL NOT MOVE. *TR
I HAVE A DODGE AVENGER, 2008. COULDN'T GET IT OUT OF PARK THIS MORNING AS I WAS RUSHING TO TAKE MY DAUGHTER TO THE HOSPITAL. SEEMS THE MANUFACTURER PUT A HIDDEN' LITTLE PINK PLASTIC PIECE DESCRIBED AS A SAFETY FEATURE IN THE CONSOLE. THIS LITTLE PINK PLASTIC PIECE SOMEHOW BROKE (JUST CANT UNDERSTAND HOW PLASTIC COULD BREAK). FRO…
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I HAVE A DODGE AVENGER, 2008. COULDN'T GET IT OUT OF PARK THIS MORNING AS I WAS RUSHING TO TAKE MY DAUGHTER TO THE HOSPITAL. SEEMS THE MANUFACTURER PUT A HIDDEN' LITTLE PINK PLASTIC PIECE DESCRIBED AS A SAFETY FEATURE IN THE CONSOLE. THIS LITTLE PINK PLASTIC PIECE SOMEHOW BROKE (JUST CANT UNDERSTAND HOW PLASTIC COULD BREAK). FROM WHAT IM READING THIS ISN'T UNCOMMON. WONDER HOW THEY'RE GONNA FEEL WHEN THERE'S A LAWSUIT? *TR
MY 2008 DODGE AVENGER SE WILL NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK.....WHILE DOING SOME RESEARCH I FOUND THAT OVER 50 CUSTOMERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THERE DODGE AVENGER HOWEVER THERE DOES NOT SEEM TO BE A RECALL YET!!!!!!!! BY PROVIDING THIS INFORMATION I HOPE SOMETHING CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS MAJOR PROBLEM. *TR
TRANSMISSION KEEPS SLIPPING; I'VE HAD MY CAR IN THE SHOP FOUR TIMES WITHIN TWO YEARS AND ALL THEY KEEP TELLING ME THAT IT IS NORMAL TO HAVE TO BRING THE CAR IN AND HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPROGRAMMED. *TR
FAULTY GEAR SHIFT MECHANISM CAUSED GEAR SHIFT SELECTOR TO STICK IN PARK. HAPPENED SUDDENLY, WITHOUT WARNING. HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. GEAR SELECTOR MECHANISM WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF $342.00. APPARENTLY A KNOWN ISSUE WHICH HAS HAPPENED TO THOUSANDS OF 2008 AND 2009 DODGE AVENGER OWNERS. NOT COVERED UNDE…
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FAULTY GEAR SHIFT MECHANISM CAUSED GEAR SHIFT SELECTOR TO STICK IN PARK. HAPPENED SUDDENLY, WITHOUT WARNING. HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. GEAR SELECTOR MECHANISM WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF $342.00. APPARENTLY A KNOWN ISSUE WHICH HAS HAPPENED TO THOUSANDS OF 2008 AND 2009 DODGE AVENGER OWNERS. NOT COVERED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY. RECALL NEEDED. *TR
I WENT TO GET IN MY CAR ABOUT A WEEK AND HALF AGO, TO GO TO WORK, AND I STARTED IT AND WENT TO PUT IT IN DRIVE, AND COULD NOT SHIFT IT OUT OF PARK. I LET OFF THE BRAKE, AND THEN BACK ON, AND THEN RETRIED, BUT STILL NOTHING. SO I TURNED IT OFF AND WAITED A FEW MINUTES, AND THEN RETRIED, BUT STILL COULD NOT GET IT OUT OF PARK. SO …
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I WENT TO GET IN MY CAR ABOUT A WEEK AND HALF AGO, TO GO TO WORK, AND I STARTED IT AND WENT TO PUT IT IN DRIVE, AND COULD NOT SHIFT IT OUT OF PARK. I LET OFF THE BRAKE, AND THEN BACK ON, AND THEN RETRIED, BUT STILL NOTHING. SO I TURNED IT OFF AND WAITED A FEW MINUTES, AND THEN RETRIED, BUT STILL COULD NOT GET IT OUT OF PARK. SO I WENT AND WOKE MY HUSBAND UP AND HE TRIED AND WE WERE STILL UNABLE TO GET IT OUT OF PARK. WE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY HAVE REPLACE NUMEROUS SHIFTERS IN VEHICLES JUST LIKE MINE IN THE PAST YEAR, AND IT WAS GOING TO BE AROUND $400.00! WE HAVE TRIED TO TAKE THE UP HOLDER OUT OF THE CONSOLE AND FIND THE RELEASE BUTTON THAT THE MANUAL TALKS ABOUT, BUT IT IS NOT WORKING EITHER! MY CAR IS STILL SITTING IN PARK IN THE DRIVEWAY! *TR
I WENT OUT TO MY CAR TO LEAVE WORK AND I STARTED MY CAR AS USUAL. I TRIED TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK AND I COULDN'T MOVE THE SHIFTER. I TRIED EVERYTHING SUGGESTED TO ME AND I COULDN'T FIND HOW TO BYPASS IT IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL. (THE SERVICE TECH FINALLY SHOWED ME HOW TO DO IT ONCE IT WAS FIXED) I FINALLY CALLED TO HAVE IT TOWED TO …
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I WENT OUT TO MY CAR TO LEAVE WORK AND I STARTED MY CAR AS USUAL. I TRIED TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK AND I COULDN'T MOVE THE SHIFTER. I TRIED EVERYTHING SUGGESTED TO ME AND I COULDN'T FIND HOW TO BYPASS IT IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL. (THE SERVICE TECH FINALLY SHOWED ME HOW TO DO IT ONCE IT WAS FIXED) I FINALLY CALLED TO HAVE IT TOWED TO A CLOSE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY FIXED IT. THE GEAR SHIFT MECHANISM BROKE. THERE IS A PINK PLASTIC PIECE THAT HOLDS THE SPRING THAT ACTIVATES THE SHIFT LOCK AND THE HOOK THAT ACTUALLY HOLDS THE SPRING BROKE. THE ENTIRE MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED COSTING $69.35 FOR THE PART AND APPROXIMATELY $129 FOR LABOR. AFTER RESEARCHING THE INCIDENT ONLINE, I FOUND OUT THIS IS A MAJOR RECURRING PROBLEM FOR THE DODGE AVENGER, IT COULD BE AVOIDED IF THE PART WAS MADE OUT OF METAL AND NOT PLASTIC. *TR
I BOUGHT A USED 2008 DODGE AVENGER ON 6/22/2010, ON 8/18/2010 I WAS LEAVING WORK STARTED MY CAR AND COULD NOT GET IT OUT OF "PARK". THIS HAPPENED WITHOUT ANY WARNING AS I HAD DRIVEN THE CAR 3 HOURS EARLIER WITH NO PROBLEMS AT ALL. CALLED THE DODGE DEALERSHIP THE NEXT DAY AND WAS TOLD THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM BUT NOT A RECALL …
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I BOUGHT A USED 2008 DODGE AVENGER ON 6/22/2010, ON 8/18/2010 I WAS LEAVING WORK STARTED MY CAR AND COULD NOT GET IT OUT OF "PARK". THIS HAPPENED WITHOUT ANY WARNING AS I HAD DRIVEN THE CAR 3 HOURS EARLIER WITH NO PROBLEMS AT ALL. CALLED THE DODGE DEALERSHIP THE NEXT DAY AND WAS TOLD THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM BUT NOT A RECALL AND WOULD COST OVER $300 TO REPAIR. THIS WAS ALL VERY CONFUSING TOO ME, WISH I KNEW WHAT WAS LOOKED AT OR THE CRITERIA TO CONSIDER THIS A RECALL. I WOULD THINK DODGE WOULD BE ABLE TO PULL A REPORT OF HOW MANY "SHIFT ASSEMBLIES" HAS BEEN REPAIRED. IT APPEARS FROM THE WEBSITE I HAVE FOUND A LOT OF DODGE CUSTOMERS HAVE EXPERIENCE THIS UNFORESEEN DEBACLE WHEN TRYING TO DRIVE OFF. *TR
2008 DODGE AVENGER GEAR SHIFT WILL NOT SHIFT FROM PARK INTO GEAR BECAUSE PLASTIC PART HOLDING SPRING ON SHIFTER LEVER BREAKS,STRANDING YOU WHEREVER YOU HAPPEN TO BE ACCORDING TO DISCUSSION GROUPS IT IS A PRETTY COMMON AND NUMEROUS DEFECT THAT SHOULD BE RECALLED AND FIXED. *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.