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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.

About this comparison →

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

Unknown Or Other complaints

46 reports
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Mileage unknown · Oct 26, 2025
Service BrakesUnknown Or OtherWheelsCrash

Breaking system failed, it is available for inspection, I told the state trooper what happened along with several police officers, they agreed that the breaking system was not supposed to lock up which caused the car to skid several feet and the end results are that a very bad wreck happened which left my car undrivable and lock…

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Breaking system failed, it is available for inspection, I told the state trooper what happened along with several police officers, they agreed that the breaking system was not supposed to lock up which caused the car to skid several feet and the end results are that a very bad wreck happened which left my car undrivable and locked up, the car front disk breaks , front wheel drive,there not suppose to lock up. The air bag did go off, there was no warning sign to let you know you were going to crash, the car picked up speed even while the breaks were fully pushed to the floor when the car did not slow down this caused a wreck and totaled the front of my car resulting in the frame being severely damaged , hood push in, windshield busted, driver hit with air bag, car had to be pulled whiteout being able to be put in neutral which caused more damage to car. There was no warning until the breaks locked up and plowing into another automobile. Two other vehicles involved, could only see one , both were not moving, saw no break lights, no turn signal, this Caused the driver to be injured, driver had cruse control set to speed limit 55, trooper suggested was speeding they were not and they are white not Chinese.

NHTSA ODI #11695684

70,000 miles · Feb 25, 2020
EngineExterior LightingUnknown Or Other

WATER BEHIND DRIVER SEAT ON FLOOR BOARD, LOCKING MECHANISM FOR PASSENGER DOOR STOPPED WORKING, REAR TAIL LIGHTS COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING, HAS A SHIFTING PROBLEM

NHTSA ODI #11311512

123,456 miles · Dec 30, 2019
EngineUnknown Or Other

CATALYTIC CONVERTER SHOWS AS AN ERROR MESSAGE AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND WILL NEED LIKELY REPLACEMENT. THE HEATER DOES NOT WORK ON THE CAR, LIKELY DUE TO THE HEATER CORE. I JUST PURCHASED THE CAR AND IT HAD A RECENTLY REPLACED O2 SENSOR THAT WAS UNPLUGGED AS ITS INITIAL REASON FOR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THERE MAY BE OTHER CARS …

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CATALYTIC CONVERTER SHOWS AS AN ERROR MESSAGE AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND WILL NEED LIKELY REPLACEMENT. THE HEATER DOES NOT WORK ON THE CAR, LIKELY DUE TO THE HEATER CORE. I JUST PURCHASED THE CAR AND IT HAD A RECENTLY REPLACED O2 SENSOR THAT WAS UNPLUGGED AS ITS INITIAL REASON FOR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THERE MAY BE OTHER CARS WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS, AND I WANTED TO REPORT IT BECAUSE THESE ARE COSTLY REPAIRS.

NHTSA ODI #11292011

Mileage unknown · Dec 15, 2019
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

SOMETIMES WHEN ITS RAINING OR SNOWING WHEN MY CAR IS ON AT LEAST ONCE DURING MY TRIP MY CAR WILL TURN OFF EITHER WHEN I'M AT A STOP LIGHT/SIGN OR WHEN I BRAKE TO MAKE A TURN. I CAN SOMETIMES TELL WHEN ITS GOING TO TURN OFF BECAUSE THE CAR SPUTTERS (I DONT KNOW HOW ELSE TO DESCRIBE IT). EX YESTERDAY ON MY WAY TO WORK IT TURNED …

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SOMETIMES WHEN ITS RAINING OR SNOWING WHEN MY CAR IS ON AT LEAST ONCE DURING MY TRIP MY CAR WILL TURN OFF EITHER WHEN I'M AT A STOP LIGHT/SIGN OR WHEN I BRAKE TO MAKE A TURN. I CAN SOMETIMES TELL WHEN ITS GOING TO TURN OFF BECAUSE THE CAR SPUTTERS (I DONT KNOW HOW ELSE TO DESCRIBE IT). EX YESTERDAY ON MY WAY TO WORK IT TURNED OFF AS I WAS AT A STOP LIGHT SO I TURNED IT OFF AND BACK ON MORE MORE ISSUES ON MY 10 MILE TRIP. ON MY WAY BACK HOME (CAR SAT IN THE RAIN ALL DAY) MY CAR TURNED OFF AS I WAS LEAVING THE PARKING LOT OF MY JOB. WHEN I SAY MY CAR TURNED OFF I MEAN IT LOSES ALL POWER SO THAT WHEN I PRESS MY GAS CAR DOESNT GO ANYWHERE I HAVE TO TURN IT OFF AND BACK ON TO CONTINUE MY TRIP

NHTSA ODI #11289143

92,000 miles · Nov 13, 2019
Service BrakesSuspensionUnknown Or Other

BRAKES : I NEED TO REPLACE BRAKE PADS EVERY 3 MONTHS. (I RUN OVER 1600 MILES MONTHLY) A/C : THE PASSENGER SIDE BLOWS FREEZING COLD AIR AND THE DRIVERS SIDE BLOWS HOT. SUSPENSION : THE REAR KNUCKLE BUSHINGS FAILS TOO MUCH.

NHTSA ODI #11279727

134,414 miles · Jun 5, 2019
Unknown Or Other

THE SHIFTER IS STUCK IN PARK. FROM MY READING ON THE INTERNET, A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS SAME ISSUE, AND DESCRIBE IT AS SOMETHING HAS BROKEN FROM THE 'PINK THING', THAT IS CAUSING THE ISSUE. YOU CAN PRESS ON THE PINK THING, AND IT WILL ALLOW YOU TO DISENGAGE THE CAR FROM PARK, AND ALLOW YOU TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, SO THAT'S WH…

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THE SHIFTER IS STUCK IN PARK. FROM MY READING ON THE INTERNET, A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS SAME ISSUE, AND DESCRIBE IT AS SOMETHING HAS BROKEN FROM THE 'PINK THING', THAT IS CAUSING THE ISSUE. YOU CAN PRESS ON THE PINK THING, AND IT WILL ALLOW YOU TO DISENGAGE THE CAR FROM PARK, AND ALLOW YOU TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, SO THAT'S WHAT I DID... BUT IT DOESN'T SOLVE THE ISSUE, JUST LETS YOU SURPASS IT.

NHTSA ODI #11218165

120,000 miles · Apr 10, 2019
EngineUnknown Or Other

I PURCHASED A 2008 DODGE AVENGER SE 2.4L A FEW MONTHS AGO. CAR HAS BEEN SHUTTING OFF ON ME WHILE I AM DRIVING WITHOUT WARNING. THIS HAPPENED ON VITY STREETS AND HIGHWAY. SO FAR IT STARTS BACK UP BUT THEN WILL DO IT AGAIN UNEXPECTEDLY. I HAVE NEARLY WRECKED DUE TO THIS. I HAVE ALSO MISSED WORK 3 DAYS SO FAR THIS WEEK. I CALLED MA…

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I PURCHASED A 2008 DODGE AVENGER SE 2.4L A FEW MONTHS AGO. CAR HAS BEEN SHUTTING OFF ON ME WHILE I AM DRIVING WITHOUT WARNING. THIS HAPPENED ON VITY STREETS AND HIGHWAY. SO FAR IT STARTS BACK UP BUT THEN WILL DO IT AGAIN UNEXPECTEDLY. I HAVE NEARLY WRECKED DUE TO THIS. I HAVE ALSO MISSED WORK 3 DAYS SO FAR THIS WEEK. I CALLED MANY DEALERSHIPS AND TAKEN TO SHOP WITH NO SOLUTION. I HAVE MINOR PASSENGERS IN THIS CAR WHEN IT IS OCCURING. THE RECALL FOR THIS OSSUE WAS FOR AVENGERS 2007-2008 BEGINNING APRIL 15, 2007...MY CAR STATES IT WAS MANUFACTURED LESS THAN A MONTH LATER WITH THE SAME EXACT ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #11195516

141,210 miles · Feb 6, 2019
Unknown Or Other

AFTER HEAVY RAINING WATER GETS IN THE TRUNK WEIGHING IT DOWN MAKING THE HORN AND ALARM GO OFF AFTER I OPEN AND CLOSE THE TRUNK SEVERAL TIMES AND GETTING LOTS OF WATER INTO MY TRUNK ITSELF THEM I'M USUALLY ABLE TO SET THE ALARM AND IT NOT GO OFF ON ITS OWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT OR EARLY IN THE MORNING AS THIS HAPPENS U THINK…

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AFTER HEAVY RAINING WATER GETS IN THE TRUNK WEIGHING IT DOWN MAKING THE HORN AND ALARM GO OFF AFTER I OPEN AND CLOSE THE TRUNK SEVERAL TIMES AND GETTING LOTS OF WATER INTO MY TRUNK ITSELF THEM I'M USUALLY ABLE TO SET THE ALARM AND IT NOT GO OFF ON ITS OWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT OR EARLY IN THE MORNING AS THIS HAPPENS U THINK SOMEONE IS TRYING TO BREAK INTO YOUR VEHICLE IT HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 4 TIMES IN THE PAST MONTH AND A HALF PRETTY ANNOYED WATER SHOULDN'T GET INTO THE TRUNK THAT EASY THERE AREN'T ANY HOLES SHOWING WE'RE IT CAN GET INTO SO MUST RUN DOWN THE SEAMS OF THE BACK OF THE CAR SOMEHOW AND ENTERING.ALSO HAD THE TRANSMISSION FLUID CHECKED THEY PUT IT ON A LIFT AND HAD A SPECIAL TOOL THEY USED AND HAD TO LET IT RUN AND GET UP TO A CERTAIN TEMPERATURE TO BE ABLE TO TELL ME IF MY FLUID WAS LOW OR NOT AND IT WASN'T BECAUSE THEY SAID IT GOT TO THE CORRECT TEMPERATURE BUT FROM TIME TO TIME WHILE DRIVING THE CAR WILL JUST JERK AS IF THE TRANSMISSION FLUID IS LOW OR THE TRANSMISSION IS GOING OUT BUT IT ONLY HAPPENS LIKE MAYBE ONE OR TWICE OVER A 3 WEEK PERIOD SO NOT SURE WHAT IS UP WITH THAT

NHTSA ODI #11174831

150,800 miles · Jan 21, 2019
Unknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control

I JUST BOUGHT MY 2008 AVENGER. EVERYTHING WORKED AS NORMAL UNTIL I WENT TO WARM UP MY CAR TODAY AND LATER REALIZED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE IS ONLY BLOWING COLD AIR. I HAVE RESEARCHED AND FOUND HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS ARE HAVING THE EXACT ISSUE. THE ACTUATORS ARE FUNCTIONING. THE BLEND DOOR IS FINE. THE HEATER CORE ITSELF IS FI…

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I JUST BOUGHT MY 2008 AVENGER. EVERYTHING WORKED AS NORMAL UNTIL I WENT TO WARM UP MY CAR TODAY AND LATER REALIZED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE IS ONLY BLOWING COLD AIR. I HAVE RESEARCHED AND FOUND HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS ARE HAVING THE EXACT ISSUE. THE ACTUATORS ARE FUNCTIONING. THE BLEND DOOR IS FINE. THE HEATER CORE ITSELF IS FINE DUE TO HOT AIR COMING FROM DRIVER SIDE ONLY. THIS CAN CAUSE A MORE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AND MALFUNCTIONS AND SHOULD BE RECALLED DUE TO POOR HEATING ABILITIES THUS LACK OF DEFROST DURING WINTER MONTHS. I HAVE A SMALL FRAME I'M ABLE TO LOOK OUT AFTER WINDSHIELD HAS BEEN DEFROSTING FOR OVER 20 MINUTES. THAT'S THE WORST PART. THE OTHER ISSUE IS MY CRUISE CONTROL QUIT WORKING ALSO TODAY WHILE GOING 75 MPH DOWN THE HIGHWAY. I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED BECAUSE ONCE IT DISENGAGED, IT SLOWED DOWN TREMENDOUSLY. HAD I NOT BEEN QUICK AT ACCELERATING AGAIN, I WOULD BE PUTTING MY CAR IN THE SHOP FOR REAR END DAMAGE. WHETHER THEY ARE CONNECTED OR NOT, I DONT KNOW, BUT IT IS VERY STRANGE BOTH ISSUE AROUSE TODAY.

NHTSA ODI #11171260

Mileage unknown · Nov 15, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineUnknown Or Other

WHEN I FIRST PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON , I ASKED THE SALES PERSON WHY AND HE SAID HE HASN'T BEEN DROVE IN A WHILE . HE TOOK IT FOR A RIDE AND WHEN HE CAME BACK THE LIGHT WAS OFF . A WEEK LATER IT CAME BACK ON AND I TOOK IT TO AUTO ZONE THEY SAID IT WAS THE IGNITION COIL . I FIXED THAT AND IT STILL COMES UP R…

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WHEN I FIRST PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON , I ASKED THE SALES PERSON WHY AND HE SAID HE HASN'T BEEN DROVE IN A WHILE . HE TOOK IT FOR A RIDE AND WHEN HE CAME BACK THE LIGHT WAS OFF . A WEEK LATER IT CAME BACK ON AND I TOOK IT TO AUTO ZONE THEY SAID IT WAS THE IGNITION COIL . I FIXED THAT AND IT STILL COMES UP RANDOMLY. NOW MY CAR STILL SOUNDS HORRIBLE WHEN I START IT AND I HAVE TO REPLACE THE STARTER AND I'VE BARLEY HAD THE CAR SINCE MARCH . ALSO MY CAR TURNS OFF RANDOMLY NOW WHILE I'M IN A REVERSE MOTION. HAPPENS FREQUENTLY. ALSO THE TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT IS ON AND WON'T GO AWAY . I REPLACED TIRES AND THEY SAY IT'S A SENSOR. A LOT OF PROBLEMS AND THE SALES PERSON NEVER TOLD ME THERE WAS ANY RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #11151816

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.