NO ACCIDENTS REARS TIRES LEANING INWARDS
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
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.
Steering complaints
21 reportsI bought the car pre-owned. I knew almost immediately that there was a electrical problem because the inside lights would come on when I would break. I've had non stop problems with the car and until now I didn't know it was a recall problem. My gear shift linkage has went out stuck in gear. My water pump has gone out . It's ov…
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I bought the car pre-owned. I knew almost immediately that there was a electrical problem because the inside lights would come on when I would break. I've had non stop problems with the car and until now I didn't know it was a recall problem. My gear shift linkage has went out stuck in gear. My water pump has gone out . It's overheated on numberous occasions smells like a electrical fire happening. The car won't start it stalls out all the time at least two times a day. The website says that my car has already received the recalls but the exact problems they have listed are the exact problems I'm having and it's a safety hazard for real. They told me I was going to have to pay to get it fixed since my car already received the recalls. I don't think this is fair I think that if they "fixed" it then it shouldn't be a problem now but it is so it seems like the "fix" didn't work I need help being pointed in the right direction of who can look at this and really fix it please
Engine stopped during a red light intersection, cranked up once and engine stopped again. After a dangerous intersection situation , car was towed by a pair of young boys to a safe spot. A serious accident may have resulted, if not for the quick help. Being an automotive teacher and passed shop owner inspected the situation and…
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Engine stopped during a red light intersection, cranked up once and engine stopped again. After a dangerous intersection situation , car was towed by a pair of young boys to a safe spot. A serious accident may have resulted, if not for the quick help. Being an automotive teacher and passed shop owner inspected the situation and have come to a conclusion that the TPIM failed. No warning lights appeared during situation. Scanner will not pick up any codes when hooked up to try to correct problem. 2008 Avenger with 88000 miles, will take to dealership for repairs.
THE SUBFRAME / ENGINE CRADLE OF MY 20008 DODGE AVENGER IS TOTALLY RUSTED OUT WITH BIG HOLES IN IT. IT'S SO BRITTLE YOU CAN EASILY PUT A SCREW DRIVER THROUGH WHAT'S LEFT. THIS WAS DISCOVERED BY BELLE TIRE WHEN I WAS GETTING MY TIRES ROTATED. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER SINCE IT WAS NEW. THIS CAR WAS BROUGHT FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND …
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THE SUBFRAME / ENGINE CRADLE OF MY 20008 DODGE AVENGER IS TOTALLY RUSTED OUT WITH BIG HOLES IN IT. IT'S SO BRITTLE YOU CAN EASILY PUT A SCREW DRIVER THROUGH WHAT'S LEFT. THIS WAS DISCOVERED BY BELLE TIRE WHEN I WAS GETTING MY TIRES ROTATED. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER SINCE IT WAS NEW. THIS CAR WAS BROUGHT FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND INSPECTION EVERY 3,000 MILES SINCE NEW AT GOLLING CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI. THE CAR WAS ALSO PURCHASED FROM THIS SAME DEALERSHIP.
SUBFRAME ON MY WIFE'S CAR HAS RUSTED THROUGH AND THE STABILIZER BAR HAS WENT THROUGH IT AND SHE DRIVES EVERYDAY WITH OUT LITTLE KIDS IN THE CAR AND I WOULD LIKE SOMEONE TO GET BACK TO ME ABOUT THE RECALLS AND HOW I WOULD BE ABLE TO FIX THIS SUBFRAME IF CALLING IS BETTER PLEASE FEEL FREE TO GIVE ME A CALL ON MY CELL IT'S [XXX] MY…
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SUBFRAME ON MY WIFE'S CAR HAS RUSTED THROUGH AND THE STABILIZER BAR HAS WENT THROUGH IT AND SHE DRIVES EVERYDAY WITH OUT LITTLE KIDS IN THE CAR AND I WOULD LIKE SOMEONE TO GET BACK TO ME ABOUT THE RECALLS AND HOW I WOULD BE ABLE TO FIX THIS SUBFRAME IF CALLING IS BETTER PLEASE FEEL FREE TO GIVE ME A CALL ON MY CELL IT'S [XXX] MY NAME IS [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
MY AIRBAG LIGHT CONSTANTLY TURNING ON AND OFF WHEN I TURN LEFT OR RIGHT MY CAR NEVER BEEN WRECKED BEFORE
COULD NOT USE CRUISE CONTROL THEN AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND WOULD NOT GO OFF THEN IT WAS HARD TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC HE FOUND IT TO BE THE CLOCK SPRING HE TELLS ME HE'S NOT SURE IF I HAVE A ACCIDENT THE AIR BAGS ARE GOING TO WORK AND I COULD END UP NOT BEING ABLE TO TURN LEFT OR RIGHT IN MY VEHICLE THE…
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COULD NOT USE CRUISE CONTROL THEN AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND WOULD NOT GO OFF THEN IT WAS HARD TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC HE FOUND IT TO BE THE CLOCK SPRING HE TELLS ME HE'S NOT SURE IF I HAVE A ACCIDENT THE AIR BAGS ARE GOING TO WORK AND I COULD END UP NOT BEING ABLE TO TURN LEFT OR RIGHT IN MY VEHICLE THE ESTIMATE IS FOR 1000.00 I DON'T HAVE THAT. IF ITS THAT SERIOUS THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL OR INVESTIGATION INTO THIS PROBLEM.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED, THE STEERING SEIZED, AND THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE DROVE UP A HILL AND FLIPPED OVER. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UN…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED, THE STEERING SEIZED, AND THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE DROVE UP A HILL AND FLIPPED OVER. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
THERE IS A POPPING AND KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM FRONT END AND CAN BE HEARD AND FELT THROUGH STEERING. IT SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING IS GOING TO FALL APART. IM TERRIFIED TO DRIVE MY KIDS AROUND. FOUND MANY MANY POSTS WITH EXACT SAME PROBLEM FROM OWNERS OF 2008-2011 MODELS. IT SEEMS TO BE THE RACK AND PINION THAT IS DEFECTIVE! *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE RACK AND PINION HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO IDENTIFY EXACTLY…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE RACK AND PINION HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO IDENTIFY EXACTLY WHAT IN THE RACK AND PINION WAS MALFUNCTIONING. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO THE CONTACT'S PERSONAL MECHANIC AND THE STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACED BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE MECHANIC THEN INSTALLED THE ORIGINAL STEERING PUMP BACK ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,000.
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.
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