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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

What owners actually said

831 reports
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

95,000 miles · Oct 30, 2012
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineVehicle Speed Control

WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, MY CAR SUDDENLY DROPPED TO 20MPH AND I HAD TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. I DIDN'T HAVE ANYWHERE TO PULL OVER SO I PUT MY FLASHERS ON AND DROVE AS FAR RIGHT AS I COULD UNTIL I HAD ROOM TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. IT WAS A VERY BUSY PART OF THE INTERSTATE AND I COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN RAN OVER. I HAD TO HAVE IT T…

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WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, MY CAR SUDDENLY DROPPED TO 20MPH AND I HAD TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. I DIDN'T HAVE ANYWHERE TO PULL OVER SO I PUT MY FLASHERS ON AND DROVE AS FAR RIGHT AS I COULD UNTIL I HAD ROOM TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. IT WAS A VERY BUSY PART OF THE INTERSTATE AND I COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN RAN OVER. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY REPLACED AND ELECTRIC THROTTLE. THIS IS AN ISSUE DODGE CHRYSLER HAS BEEN AWARE OF FOR MANY YEARS. IT SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10482656

77,000 miles · Oct 26, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE SAME FAILURE OCCURRED PREVIOUSLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACT AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE SAME FAILURE OCCURRED PREVIOUSLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACT AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 87,000.

NHTSA ODI #10482345

45,000 miles · Oct 23, 2012
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THE RPM GAUGE BEGAN TO FLUCTUATE RAPIDLY WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. SEVERAL MINUTES LATER THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL FUNCTION. THE FOLLOWING DAY THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THE RPM GAUGE BEGAN TO FLUCTUATE RAPIDLY WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. SEVERAL MINUTES LATER THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL FUNCTION. THE FOLLOWING DAY THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY A MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,000. UPDATED 12/7/12 *CN THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIND ANY PROBLEMS. UPDATED 12/17/12

NHTSA ODI #10481562

57,000 miles · Oct 23, 2012
Power Train

LEAVING HOME TO GO TO WORK, STARTED CAR AND NOTICED LIGHTNING BOLT INDICATOR LIGHT ON. SHUT CAR OFF AND RESTARTED - LIGHT NOT THERE. PUT CAR IN GEAR AND NOTICED SHAKING AND LOW IDLING. ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE AND WAS ONLY ABLE TO REACH A SPEED OF 15 MPH. PULLED TO SIDE OF ROAD AND SHUT CAR OFF. RESTARTED - NO LIGHT BUT STIL…

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LEAVING HOME TO GO TO WORK, STARTED CAR AND NOTICED LIGHTNING BOLT INDICATOR LIGHT ON. SHUT CAR OFF AND RESTARTED - LIGHT NOT THERE. PUT CAR IN GEAR AND NOTICED SHAKING AND LOW IDLING. ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE AND WAS ONLY ABLE TO REACH A SPEED OF 15 MPH. PULLED TO SIDE OF ROAD AND SHUT CAR OFF. RESTARTED - NO LIGHT BUT STILL NOT ACCELERATION PAST 15MPH AND CAR STILL IDLING SLOWLY AND SHAKING. PULLED BACK INTO DRIVEWAY AND LEFT IT THERE. WITH ALL THE OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10481495

63,528 miles · Oct 22, 2012
Visibility/wiper

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ENGAGING THE TURN SIGNALS WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD ENGAGE ERRONEOUSLY. SEVERAL DEALERS WERE NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE BUT NONE OFFERED ANY ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT ALSO RENDERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ENGAGING THE TURN SIGNALS WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD ENGAGE ERRONEOUSLY. SEVERAL DEALERS WERE NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE BUT NONE OFFERED ANY ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT ALSO RENDERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 63,528. UPDATED 5/22/13 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE WIPERS WOULD GO OFF AND ON WITHOUT THE USE OF THE TURN SIGNAL, AS WELL. UPDATED 05/30/2013 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10481469

89,000 miles · Oct 22, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE THROTTLE SENSOR WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WITH A SUDDEN REDUCTION IN ACCELERATION POWER. THE VEHICLE THEN INDEPENDENTLY DECELERATED TO 20 MPH. THE CONTACT MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE THROTTLE SENSOR WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WITH A SUDDEN REDUCTION IN ACCELERATION POWER. THE VEHICLE THEN INDEPENDENTLY DECELERATED TO 20 MPH. THE CONTACT MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE THROTTLE HARNESS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000.

NHTSA ODI #10481434

47,000 miles · Oct 2, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE WITHIN A FEW MINUTES. THE VEHICLE ALSO EXHIBIT A JERKING MOTION WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO INDEPENDENT MECHANICS FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE THROT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE WITHIN A FEW MINUTES. THE VEHICLE ALSO EXHIBIT A JERKING MOTION WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO INDEPENDENT MECHANICS FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE THROTTLE WAS CLEANED TWICE BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000.

NHTSA ODI #10478262

80,000 miles · Sep 24, 2012
Structure

I WAS TRAVELING SATURDAY AFTERNOON AND THE DRIVER'S DOOR OPEN DURING TRAVEL. I WAS ONLY GOING ABOUT 30 MILES PER HOUR AND I HAD MY SEAT BELT ON WHEN THIS HAPPENED SO NO PHYSICAL HARM OR DAMAGE OCCURRED JUST VERY SHAKEN UP. I GOT OUT OF MY CAR TO CHECK THE DOOR AND NOTICED THAT THE LATCH WAS IN THE OPEN POSITION AND WOULD NOT LO…

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I WAS TRAVELING SATURDAY AFTERNOON AND THE DRIVER'S DOOR OPEN DURING TRAVEL. I WAS ONLY GOING ABOUT 30 MILES PER HOUR AND I HAD MY SEAT BELT ON WHEN THIS HAPPENED SO NO PHYSICAL HARM OR DAMAGE OCCURRED JUST VERY SHAKEN UP. I GOT OUT OF MY CAR TO CHECK THE DOOR AND NOTICED THAT THE LATCH WAS IN THE OPEN POSITION AND WOULD NOT LOCK OR LATCH ON. I WAS FORCED TO DRIVE HOME HOLDING THE DOOR TRYING TO KEEP IT CLOSED BY PLACING MY HAND THROUGH AN OPENED WINDOW WHILE I DROVE. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF THE PREVIOUS RECALL AND WAS TOLD THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET. I ALSO CONTACTED CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403 AND WAS TOLD THAT MY CAR HAD ALREADY BEEN REPAIRED SO I WOULD HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET TO HAVE IT REPAIRED AGAIN.. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10476840

61,000 miles · Sep 24, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control

FOR THE PAST 6 MONTHS I'VE BEEN GETTING A LIGHTENING BOLT INDICATOR LIGHT COMING ON. THE CAR WILL STALL. NOW IT'S SO BAD THAT THIS MORNING IT WOULD NOT GO PAST 10 MPH. THE LIGHT GOES OFF BY THE TIME I CAN GET INTO THE SHOP. A FRIEND HAD THE SAME EXACT CAR WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEMS AND THE DEALERSHIP HAD TO REPLACE HER THR…

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FOR THE PAST 6 MONTHS I'VE BEEN GETTING A LIGHTENING BOLT INDICATOR LIGHT COMING ON. THE CAR WILL STALL. NOW IT'S SO BAD THAT THIS MORNING IT WOULD NOT GO PAST 10 MPH. THE LIGHT GOES OFF BY THE TIME I CAN GET INTO THE SHOP. A FRIEND HAD THE SAME EXACT CAR WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEMS AND THE DEALERSHIP HAD TO REPLACE HER THROTTLE BODY 3 TIMES AND IT STILL WOULDN'T FIX IT. THIS CAR NEEDS A RECALL SINCE I CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX A $500 PROBLEM OVER AND OVER AND OVER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10476839

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.