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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

Wheels complaints

9 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

Mileage unknown · Nov 30, 2024
SteeringSuspensionWheels

NO ACCIDENTS REARS TIRES LEANING INWARDS

NHTSA ODI #11628094

Mileage unknown · Aug 23, 2019
Air BagsEngineWheels

MY OIL LIGHT CAME ON AND ALL IT DOES IS DING AND THERE IS NO CODE SHOWING UP. THE TIRE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AMD OFF EVEN THOUGH ALL THE TIRES HAVE THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF AIR PRESSURE. THE AIRBAG LIGHT STARTED COMING ON IF I TURN THE CAR OFF AND RESTART IT DOES GO OFF BUT SOMETIMES IT WILL TURN BACK ON

NHTSA ODI #11245957

82,600 miles · Jul 17, 2018
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemWheels

TODAY IS JULY 17, 2018. I DISCOVERED THERE WERE 6 RECALLS ON THE 2008 DODGE AVENGER I PURCHASED A MONTH AND A HALF AGO, BUT THE DEALER NEVER BOTHERED TO DISCLOSE ANY OF THIS INFORMATION TO ME. WHEN I ASKED WHY THE SENSOR LIGHT WAS ON I WAS TOLD IT WAS NOTHING IMPORTANT, JUST THE AIR PRESSURE ON THE TIRES DUE TO LEAKAGE, AND ALL …

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TODAY IS JULY 17, 2018. I DISCOVERED THERE WERE 6 RECALLS ON THE 2008 DODGE AVENGER I PURCHASED A MONTH AND A HALF AGO, BUT THE DEALER NEVER BOTHERED TO DISCLOSE ANY OF THIS INFORMATION TO ME. WHEN I ASKED WHY THE SENSOR LIGHT WAS ON I WAS TOLD IT WAS NOTHING IMPORTANT, JUST THE AIR PRESSURE ON THE TIRES DUE TO LEAKAGE, AND ALL IT NEEDED WAS A CAP ON THE VALVE STEM. THE CAPS ON THE VALVE STEMS OF TWO WHEELS WERE REPLACED BUT THE LIGHT STAYED ON. A FEW DAYS AFTER THE PURCHASE, I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 66 MPH WHEN THE CAR STARTED JERKING AS IF THE FUEL WAS GASPING; IT SCARED ME TO DEATH! TWO WEEKS AFTER THE PURCHASE, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, AND WOULDN'T GO OFF; THE CAR MUST BE TAKEN IN FOR DIAGNOSTIC WHICH I'M TOLD WILL COST ALMOST $100 TO FIND OUT WHY THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE IT WITH THE ENGINE LIGHT ON AND THE OTHER LIGHT BLINKING, SO THE CAR WILL JUST SET IN THE PARKING AREA UNTIL I CAN RAISE ENOUGH MONEY TO PAY FOR THE $250 DEDUCTIBLE ON THE EXTENDED WARRANTY I PURCHASED FOR $1,500, AND THE PROBLEM MAY NOT EVEN BE COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. ALSO, FIRST THE DEALER SOLD ME THE CAR WITHOUT A KEY FOB WHICH I KNEW NOTHING ABOUT IT UNTIL THE HORN STARTED HONKING AND LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING WHEN I UNLOCKED THE DOOR TO GET BACK INTO THE CAR A COUPLE OF DAYS AFTER THE PURCHASE. THE SALES PERSON TOLD ME I COULD GET ONE MADE AT A DISCOUNT, BUT WHEN I WENT BACK TO PURCHASE IT I WAS TOLD I WAS MISTAKEN. AFTER SHOPPING AROUND IT COST ME OVER $100 TO GET ONE MADE (THOUGH THE DEALER WOULD HAVE CHARGED ME OVER $200.)

NHTSA ODI #11112060

Mileage unknown · Feb 4, 2016
Wheels

MY TIRES PRESSURE LIGHT COMES ON A LOT EVEN AFTER HAVING THE TIRE PRESSURE FIXED. NOT SURE IF THIS IS NORMAL.

NHTSA ODI #10824269

164,000 miles · Dec 3, 2015
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed ControlWheels

TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM SHORT CIRCUITS LEADING TO FAULTY READINGS ON GAUGE, CRUISE CONTROL WON'T OPERATE AT SPEEDS OVER 40 MPH, RADIO CONSTANTLY SKIPS FROM ONE STATION TO ANOTHER, ETC. CONTACTED CHRYSLER ABOUT THE RECALL ON THIS (RECALL #: 08V152000) ASKING TO HAVE IT REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE, BUT THEY REFUSED. THESE ISSU…

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TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM SHORT CIRCUITS LEADING TO FAULTY READINGS ON GAUGE, CRUISE CONTROL WON'T OPERATE AT SPEEDS OVER 40 MPH, RADIO CONSTANTLY SKIPS FROM ONE STATION TO ANOTHER, ETC. CONTACTED CHRYSLER ABOUT THE RECALL ON THIS (RECALL #: 08V152000) ASKING TO HAVE IT REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE, BUT THEY REFUSED. THESE ISSUES OCCUR WHEN THE VEHICLE IS BOTH STATIONARY AND MOBILE.

NHTSA ODI #10808109

105,235 miles · Aug 10, 2015
EngineVehicle Speed ControlWheels

MY SON PURCHASED HIS 2008 AVENGER USED IN 2014 FROM OKLAHOMA. HE IS IN THE MILITARY AND WHILE DEPLOYED I AM MAINTAINING HIS VEHICLE AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP IN MICHIGAN WITH OIL CHANGES AND SERVICE. WHILE DRIVING AT 55MPH ON THE FREEWAY THE TPMS LIGHT CAME ON THEN THE CRUISE CONTROL TURNED OFF. THEN THE ENGINE LIGHT AS I WAS EXIT…

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MY SON PURCHASED HIS 2008 AVENGER USED IN 2014 FROM OKLAHOMA. HE IS IN THE MILITARY AND WHILE DEPLOYED I AM MAINTAINING HIS VEHICLE AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP IN MICHIGAN WITH OIL CHANGES AND SERVICE. WHILE DRIVING AT 55MPH ON THE FREEWAY THE TPMS LIGHT CAME ON THEN THE CRUISE CONTROL TURNED OFF. THEN THE ENGINE LIGHT AS I WAS EXITING THE FREEWAY THE ENGINE STOPPED. I STARTED THE VEHICLE WHICH STALLED AT EVERY. INTERSECTION AND ON TURNS WOULD STALL PUTTING ME IN THE OPPOSITE LANE. WHEN LOOKING UP RECALLS IT SHOWED THE EXACT PROBLEM. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY STATED NO RECALL ON THIS VIN# AND THE PROBLEM IS HIS TIMING CHAIN AND OF COURSE THE FEE IS 1500.00 DOLLARS. IT SEEMS FIAT CHRYSLER IS TRYING TO DO EVERYTHING NOT TO FIX THESE OLDER MODELS.

NHTSA ODI #10747355

35,000 miles · Oct 31, 2012
Wheels

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE VALVE STEM FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE TIRES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 35,00…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE VALVE STEM FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE TIRES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 35,000.

NHTSA ODI #10482809

60,000 miles · Jun 9, 2010
Power TrainTiresWheels

I HAVE BEEN VERY VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH MY 2008 AVENGER.. SEEMS LIKE I'VE EXPERIENCED ONE PROBLEM AFTER THE OTHER.. THE FIRST WAS THE TPMS, WHICH A RECALL WAS MADE AND THAT WAS FIXED. 2ND I HAD TO REPLACE THE WHOLE GEAR SHIFT BECAUSE IT WOULDN'T COME OUT OF PARK... I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY ADVISED ME THAT THEY SAW A SIGN…

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I HAVE BEEN VERY VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH MY 2008 AVENGER.. SEEMS LIKE I'VE EXPERIENCED ONE PROBLEM AFTER THE OTHER.. THE FIRST WAS THE TPMS, WHICH A RECALL WAS MADE AND THAT WAS FIXED. 2ND I HAD TO REPLACE THE WHOLE GEAR SHIFT BECAUSE IT WOULDN'T COME OUT OF PARK... I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY ADVISED ME THAT THEY SAW A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE ON THOSE PARTS AND ALOT OF THE AVENGERS WERE EXPERIENCING THE SAME THING. 3RD, NOW THE BEARINGS INSIDE THE ALTERNATOR HAVE BROKE.. AND I HAVE TO REPLACE THE WHOLE ALTERNATOR ITSELF. WE AGAIN CALLED THE DODGE HOUSE AND THEY ALSO EXPLAINED HOW MANY REQUEST THEY ARE GETTING REF THIS PART AND HAVING TO KEEP THEM IN STOCK CONTINUOUSLY. EVERYONE I KNOW THAT HAS AN AVENGER HAVE ALL EXPERIENCED ALL OF THESE SAME PROBLEMS.. AND MY QUESTION IS AT WHAT POINT DOES DODGE START ISSUING A RECALL?? IF DODGE CAN CALL THE DEALERSHIPS AND GET A TALLY ON ALL AMOUNT OF REPLACEMENT PARTS THEY WOULD BE SURPRISED AND REALIZE THAT A RECALL DOES NEED TO BE IN EFFECT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10335580

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.