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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
54,000 miles · Aug 30, 2012
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System

WHILE DRIVING MY CAR, THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR LOST POWER AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM AND IT SEEMS THAT IT IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE. PLEASE RECALL NOW FOR SAFETY REASONS! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10473055

50,000 miles · Aug 23, 2012
EngineEquipmentFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER FAILED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE, IN WHICH HE BELEIVED WAS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE AIR CONDITIONING FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO FA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER FAILED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE, IN WHICH HE BELEIVED WAS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE AIR CONDITIONING FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO FAILURES FOUND WITHIN THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE LATER RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

NHTSA ODI #10472080

51,000 miles · Aug 23, 2012
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HEARD A TICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE BEARINGS WERE WEARING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED THE C…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HEARD A TICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE BEARINGS WERE WEARING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CONTACT NHTSA TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000.

NHTSA ODI #10472073

93,782 miles · Aug 21, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STOPPED ACCELERATING AND BECAME STUCK IN A LOW GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO DIFFERENT MECHANICS FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNSURE ABOUT THE F…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STOPPED ACCELERATING AND BECAME STUCK IN A LOW GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO DIFFERENT MECHANICS FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNSURE ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,782 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 94,780.

NHTSA ODI #10471774

9,100 miles · Aug 19, 2012
Unknown Or Other

GEARS LOCK IN PARK ..FIRST OF ME HAVING / KNOWING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM . I'VE ONLY OWN THIS CAR (2008 AVENGER) A YR & A HALF ... NOW IT'S AT THE DEALERSHIP WAITING ON CONFIRMATION FROM CHRYSLER.. .

NHTSA ODI #10472163

64,000 miles · Aug 18, 2012
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

CAR STUCK IN GEAR, CANT REDUCE SPEED, POWERTRAIN MODULE NEEDS TO BE REPLACE, I'VE HAD THE CAR ONLY FOR 1 1/2. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10471394

40,000 miles · Aug 15, 2012
Fuel/propulsion System

MY 2008 DODGE AVENGER WILL SPILL FUEL AT EVERY REFUELING REGARDLESS IF I USE THE LOCKING MECHANISM ON THE FUEL PUMP OR IF I FILL BY HAND WHEN THE TANK GETS TO FULL TANK. IT'S ALMOST LIKE THERE IS TOO MUCH PRESSURE BUILT UP THAT IT SPITS FUEL BACK OUT. THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH A LOT OF NEW AVENGERS. JUST DO A SIMPLE GOOGL…

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MY 2008 DODGE AVENGER WILL SPILL FUEL AT EVERY REFUELING REGARDLESS IF I USE THE LOCKING MECHANISM ON THE FUEL PUMP OR IF I FILL BY HAND WHEN THE TANK GETS TO FULL TANK. IT'S ALMOST LIKE THERE IS TOO MUCH PRESSURE BUILT UP THAT IT SPITS FUEL BACK OUT. THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH A LOT OF NEW AVENGERS. JUST DO A SIMPLE GOOGLE SEARCH ON "DODGE AVENGER GAS OVERFLOWS". DODGE PLEASE ISSUE A RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10470840

Mileage unknown · Aug 15, 2012
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control

DRIVING MY CAR FINE ONE MINUTE,GET IN IT THE NEXT DAY AND THERE'S AN LIGHTING BOLT ON MY DASH. THE CAR WON'T GO OVER 20MPH. THE LIGHT BLINKS THAN I SHUT CAR OFF AND RESTART IT AND THE LIGHT JUST STAYS ON. COUPLE WEEKS LATER THE LIGHT GOES AWAY. THEN WEEKS LATER AFTER A MONTH OF NO LIGHT,LIGHT COMES BACK ON. I TAKE IT TO DEALER A…

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DRIVING MY CAR FINE ONE MINUTE,GET IN IT THE NEXT DAY AND THERE'S AN LIGHTING BOLT ON MY DASH. THE CAR WON'T GO OVER 20MPH. THE LIGHT BLINKS THAN I SHUT CAR OFF AND RESTART IT AND THE LIGHT JUST STAYS ON. COUPLE WEEKS LATER THE LIGHT GOES AWAY. THEN WEEKS LATER AFTER A MONTH OF NO LIGHT,LIGHT COMES BACK ON. I TAKE IT TO DEALER AND THEY SAY THE CODES FOR THE THROTTLE SHOWED UP. THEY CLEANED IT OUT,PUT A NEW FILTER ON AND SENT ME ON MY WAY. DRIVING FOR A GOOD WEEK WITH NO LIGHT,HERE COMES LIGHT AGAIN. SOMETIMES IT RESETS IT SELF AFTER I RESTART CAR BUT NOW THE LIGHT STAYS ON. 20MPH. CHRYSLER NEEDS TO RECALL THIS CAR. TOO MANY PEOPLE WITH THE SAME CAR,SAME PROBLEM AND THEY JUST IGNORE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10470702

101,555 miles · Aug 10, 2012
Electrical SystemPower Train

WHILE PULLING OUT FROM A STOPLIGHT AND ACCELERATING UP A GRADE, MY 2008 DODGE AVENGER MADE A LOUD POPPING NOISE AND BEGAN TO SPUTTER AND LOSE POWER. THE CAR WOULD NOT GO OVER 10 MPH AND A LIGHTING BOLT SYMBOL APPEARED ON MY DASH DISPLAY. I DRIFTED THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND COULD NOT MOVE. AFTER LETTING IT SIT AND TURNI…

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WHILE PULLING OUT FROM A STOPLIGHT AND ACCELERATING UP A GRADE, MY 2008 DODGE AVENGER MADE A LOUD POPPING NOISE AND BEGAN TO SPUTTER AND LOSE POWER. THE CAR WOULD NOT GO OVER 10 MPH AND A LIGHTING BOLT SYMBOL APPEARED ON MY DASH DISPLAY. I DRIFTED THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND COULD NOT MOVE. AFTER LETTING IT SIT AND TURNING THE CAR OFF AND ON, THE LIGHTING BOLT IMAGE ON MY DASH DISAPPEARED AND THE CAR COULD BE DRIVEN. SINCE THEN, THE CAR SPORADICALLY STUTTERS FOR NO APPARENT REASON AND I THEN PULL OFF THE GAS FEARING A REPEAT OF THE ABOVE INCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10470102

70,650 miles · Aug 8, 2012
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control

WHILE DRIVING THIS MORNING, MY CAR HESITATED AND STALLED. I WAS ABLE TO GET MY CAR RESTARTED, BUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER A COUPLE OF MINUTES OF DRIVING, THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR LOST POWER AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. IT WAS VERY STRESSFUL BECAUSE THIS ALL HAPPENED DURING RUSH HOUR TR…

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WHILE DRIVING THIS MORNING, MY CAR HESITATED AND STALLED. I WAS ABLE TO GET MY CAR RESTARTED, BUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER A COUPLE OF MINUTES OF DRIVING, THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR LOST POWER AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. IT WAS VERY STRESSFUL BECAUSE THIS ALL HAPPENED DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC IN WASHINGTON DC. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM AND IT SEEMS THAT IT IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE... PLEASE RECALL NOW FOR SAFETY REASONS!!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10469652

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.