Illustration2008 DODGE AVENGER WITH 21000 MILES AND STUCK GEAR SHIFT BOX. *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, 2.6L V-6, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, 38000 MILES. GEAR SHIFTER STUCK IN PARK. THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING THIS FAILURE WAS TAKING PLACE. VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN THE DAY BEFORE, PARKED OVERNIGHT AND THE NEXT MORNING THE SHIFTER WAS STUCK IN PARK. AFTER DOING RESEARCH ON THIS PROBLEM, IT APPEARS THIS HAS BEEN…
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2008 DODGE AVENGER, 2.6L V-6, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, 38000 MILES. GEAR SHIFTER STUCK IN PARK. THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING THIS FAILURE WAS TAKING PLACE. VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN THE DAY BEFORE, PARKED OVERNIGHT AND THE NEXT MORNING THE SHIFTER WAS STUCK IN PARK. AFTER DOING RESEARCH ON THIS PROBLEM, IT APPEARS THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE FOR THIS MAKE AND MODEL OF CHRYSLER/PLYMOUTH PRODUCT EFFECTING UPWARDS OF 500 - 600 VEHICLES ACROSS THE NATION WITH THE REPAIR COSTS RANGING FROM $230.00 - $400.00 +, NOT INCLUDING THE TOWING CHARGES AND OTHER OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES. THIS REPAIR IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A DESIGN FLAW AND THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE RECALLED AND REPAIRED AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER. *TR
DEFECTIVE SHIFT ASSEMBLY, LOCKS THE CAR INTO PARK AND CANNOT SHIFT AT ALL. CAN'T DRIVE THE CAR. HAS TO BE TOWED TO DEALER AND PAY TO FIX A DEFECTIVE PART THAT APPARENTLY, MANY 2008 DODGE AVENGER OWNERS HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH. THE DEALER IS SAYING THAT SINCE OUR WARRANTY "JUST" RAN OUT IT WILL BE AT LEAST $350 TO FIX. I UNDERSTAN…
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DEFECTIVE SHIFT ASSEMBLY, LOCKS THE CAR INTO PARK AND CANNOT SHIFT AT ALL. CAN'T DRIVE THE CAR. HAS TO BE TOWED TO DEALER AND PAY TO FIX A DEFECTIVE PART THAT APPARENTLY, MANY 2008 DODGE AVENGER OWNERS HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH. THE DEALER IS SAYING THAT SINCE OUR WARRANTY "JUST" RAN OUT IT WILL BE AT LEAST $350 TO FIX. I UNDERSTAND THAT THE PART COST .75 CENTS. WHAT OUR ARE RIGHTS!!!!! *TR
2008 DODGE AVENGER WILL NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK. AFTER INVESTIGATION, THE SPRING THAT CONNECTS THE SHIFT LOCK AND THE BRAKE HAS BROKEN OFF. THIS HAS CAUSED ME NOT TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE MY CAR. IT HAS BEEN STUCK IN THE DRIVEWAY FOR ABOUT SIX WEEKS. *TR
A SPRING ON THE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY BROKE/MELTED AND NOW THE WHOLE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY HAS TO BE REPLACED . *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE GEAR WOULD NOT RELEASE WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK. THE MANUFACTURER FILED REPORT 19810862 AND STATED THAT SOMEONE WOULD NOTIFY HER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 57,719. UPDATED 10/20/10 *…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE GEAR WOULD NOT RELEASE WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK. THE MANUFACTURER FILED REPORT 19810862 AND STATED THAT SOMEONE WOULD NOTIFY HER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 57,719. UPDATED 10/20/10 *BF UPDATED 10/26/10
DEFECTIVE SHIFT ASSEMBLY, LOCKS THE CAR INTO PARK AND CANNOT SHIFT AT ALL. CAN'T DRIVE THE CAR. HAS TO BE TOWED TO DEALER AND PAY TO FIX A DEFECTIVE PART THAT APPARENTLY, MANY 2008 DODGE AVENGER OWNERS HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH. *TR
I HAVE HAD NO ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE. 2008 DODGE CHARGER... PURCHASED APPROXIMATELY 6 MONTHS AGO, USED AND AS/IS. JUST TOOK IT TO FOR AN OIL CHANGE TWO WEEKS AGO, DRIVE IT ON THE WEEKENDS REGULARLY WITH ZERO ISSUES. GOT IN VEHICLE TODAY TO PICK UP CHILDREN AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK. THERE IS NO RECALL, NOTHING BE…
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I HAVE HAD NO ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE. 2008 DODGE CHARGER... PURCHASED APPROXIMATELY 6 MONTHS AGO, USED AND AS/IS. JUST TOOK IT TO FOR AN OIL CHANGE TWO WEEKS AGO, DRIVE IT ON THE WEEKENDS REGULARLY WITH ZERO ISSUES. GOT IN VEHICLE TODAY TO PICK UP CHILDREN AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK. THERE IS NO RECALL, NOTHING BEING DONE ABOUT THIS ISSUE THAT I HAVE RESEARCHED AND FOUND TO BE A "NON-ISSUE" BY DODGE. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS SAME PROBLEM, AND FOUND NUMEROUS PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE... GEAR SHIFT MODULE DOES NOT WORK AND IT'S ALL OF A SUDDEN WITH NO ISSUES LEADING UP TO IT. RECALL PLEASE. AND THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE OF ALL THE "WHAT-IFS" THAT REMAIN WITH THIS SCENARIO. *TR
MY CAR IS STUCK IN PARK AND WILL NOT MOVE GEARS. I HAVE RESEARCHED ON THIS AND CAME TO FIND OUT THERE ARE NUMEROUS OF OTHER CUSTOMERS WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT. *TR
2008 DODGE AVENGER WILL NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR. THE CAR HAS ABOUT 50K MILES ON IT. I HAVE READ THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. *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.