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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

Power Train complaints

236 reports
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157,000 miles · Dec 29, 2017
Electrical SystemPower TrainVehicle Speed Control

I'VE ALREADY HAD TO REPLACE THE POWER CONTROL MODULE (PCM) ONCE JUST A YEAR AND A HALF AGO, AND NOW I HAVE TO REPLACE IT AGAIN AND MY CAR HAS BEEN OUT OF COMMISSION AND SITTING AT A MECHANIC'S REPAIR SHOP FOR ALMOST 2 MONTHS NOW AFTER FIXING OTHER THINGS FIRST BEFORE FINALLY DETERMINING IT WAS THE PCM AGAIN. CAR WILL NOT REV ABO…

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I'VE ALREADY HAD TO REPLACE THE POWER CONTROL MODULE (PCM) ONCE JUST A YEAR AND A HALF AGO, AND NOW I HAVE TO REPLACE IT AGAIN AND MY CAR HAS BEEN OUT OF COMMISSION AND SITTING AT A MECHANIC'S REPAIR SHOP FOR ALMOST 2 MONTHS NOW AFTER FIXING OTHER THINGS FIRST BEFORE FINALLY DETERMINING IT WAS THE PCM AGAIN. CAR WILL NOT REV ABOVE 2.0 RPM AND IS IN "LIMP MODE" WITH THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ALONG WITH THE LIGHTNING BOLT SYMBOL PRESENT ON THE DASHBOARD.

NHTSA ODI #11057358

162,500 miles · Nov 26, 2017
Power Train

THE GEAR SHIFT IS STUCK AND WILL NOT MOVE FROM PARK. SHIFT STUCK IN PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY

NHTSA ODI #11048476

112,600 miles · Aug 3, 2017
Power Train

CAME HOME FROM WORK ONE DAY PARKED CAR AND WHEN CAME OUT LATER THAT DAY TO LEAVE MY CAR WOULDNT SHIFT OUT OF PARK. NOW HAVE TO PUSH A PINK BUTTON IN DOWN BY LEFT SIDE OF SHIFTER TO RELEASE IT TO SHIFT. I FEEL THIS IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE IF BUMPED WRONG ACCIDENT MAT OCCUR IF IT LOCKS UP

NHTSA ODI #11012712

100,000 miles · Jun 13, 2017
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE DIAGNOSTIC CODE READER INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM MALFUNCTION, LOOSE FUEL CAP, AND …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE DIAGNOSTIC CODE READER INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM MALFUNCTION, LOOSE FUEL CAP, AND THE BATTERY INPUT VOLTAGE WAS LOW. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION AND THE LOW BATTERY VOLTAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT SPOKE TO JENKINS CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP (2561 US-27, LAFAYETTE, GA 30728) WHO STATED THAT LABOR WOULD COST $85 PER HOUR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ODI #10994990

106,000 miles · Feb 27, 2017
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Power Train

WE HAVE BEEN HAVING A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH OUR CAR LATELY. FIRST PROBLEM WE HAD WAS WITH OUR ALARM SYSTEM. THE ALARM HAS GONE OFF ON US BOTH WHEN THE CAR IS OFF AND WHEN THE CAR IS ON. THE HORN STARTS AND WON'T GO OFF UNTIL AFTER ABOUT 5 MINUTES NO MATTER WHAT WE DO. WE HAVE TRY TURNING IT OF WITH OUR KEY ALARM, TURNING THE CAR …

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WE HAVE BEEN HAVING A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH OUR CAR LATELY. FIRST PROBLEM WE HAD WAS WITH OUR ALARM SYSTEM. THE ALARM HAS GONE OFF ON US BOTH WHEN THE CAR IS OFF AND WHEN THE CAR IS ON. THE HORN STARTS AND WON'T GO OFF UNTIL AFTER ABOUT 5 MINUTES NO MATTER WHAT WE DO. WE HAVE TRY TURNING IT OF WITH OUR KEY ALARM, TURNING THE CAR ON AND OFF, UNLOCKING THE DOORS BUT NOTHING SEEMS TO WORK. YESTERDAY WE WERE DRIVING OUR CAR AND THE CAR STALL AND WE WERE LUCKING TO BE ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE SAFETLY SINCE WE WERE COMING TO A STOP. AFTER A COUPLE ATTEMPTS, WE GOT THE CAR BACK ON AND RUNNING. I HAVE SEARCH THIS PROBLEM AND I FOUND THAT IT COULD BE THE TPMS. AS TO WHAT WE HAVE EXPERIENCE WITH THE CAR LATELY, WE ARE ALMOST SURE IT IS THIS. WE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND WE WERE TOLD THAT THIS RECALL WAS PERFORM BACK IN APRIL OF 2008 AND ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANYTHING THE CAR IS GOING THROUGH NOW AND WILL NOT REPLACE THE PART FOR US AGAIN. CAN YOU PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THE DEALERSHIP IS REQUIRED TO SWITCH THIS PART FOR US AGAIN SINCE OUR CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE OR IF WE WOULD HAVE TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #10957299

100,000 miles · Feb 1, 2017
Power Train

'TAKATA RECALL" I WAS LEAVING THE HOSPITAL ON JANUARY 1, 2017, I PUT THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE AND AS I SHIFTED TO DRIVE IT WAS NOTICEABLY SHIFTING ROUGH (NOT THE GEAR, THE SHIFT STICK)I WAS PROCEEDING TO PAY FOR PARKING AND A LADY WAS WAITING BEHIND ME FRUSTRATED. I MADE IT HOME WITH THE VEHICLE. I WAS UNABLE TO START IT AGAIN. I …

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'TAKATA RECALL" I WAS LEAVING THE HOSPITAL ON JANUARY 1, 2017, I PUT THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE AND AS I SHIFTED TO DRIVE IT WAS NOTICEABLY SHIFTING ROUGH (NOT THE GEAR, THE SHIFT STICK)I WAS PROCEEDING TO PAY FOR PARKING AND A LADY WAS WAITING BEHIND ME FRUSTRATED. I MADE IT HOME WITH THE VEHICLE. I WAS UNABLE TO START IT AGAIN. I NOTICED ALSO THAT THE SHIFTER SAYS THE VEHICLE IS IN PARK AND THE DASH READS THE VEHICLE IS IN REVERSE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10948882

Mileage unknown · Dec 8, 2016
EnginePower Train

WHEN DRIVING CAR WILL SUDDENLY STALL. THIS HAS HAPPEN GOING UNDER AND OVER 30MPH. HAD SEVERAL TIMES WHERE IT WON'T RESTART. TOWED IT TO MECHANIC, THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. CAR ONLY HAS 50,000 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10933798

178,000 miles · Nov 15, 2016
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL SENSOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 178,000.

NHTSA ODI #10926152

100,000 miles · Oct 6, 2016
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO PART UNAVAILABILITY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS ON BACK ORDER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ODI #10914179

Mileage unknown · Aug 9, 2016
Power Train

POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE FOR DODGE AVENGER ON BACKORDER DUE TO FAULTY SYSTEM - PART NOT AVAILABLE FROM CHRYSLER DEALERSHIPS BECAUSE OF HUGE INFLUX OF REQUESTS FOR THIS PART - REQUESTING THAT THIS BE CONSIDERED AS A RECALL SITUATION

NHTSA ODI #10894608

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.