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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
45,000 miles · Mar 14, 2012
Fuel System, Gasoline

THE GAS TANK IS NOT VENTING PROPERLY, RESULTING IN GAS SPRAY WHEN FILLING UP. MY VEHICLE IS SPRAYING FUEL AT EVERY FILLUP AND DOES NOT MATTER WHICH STATION, PUMP, PUMP POSITION, OR FILLING RATE. THE SPRAY CAN BE REDUCED BY SLOWING THE FILLING RATE WHEN CLOSE TO FULL BUT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO PREVENT OVERFLOW. THIS SPRAY IS ENO…

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THE GAS TANK IS NOT VENTING PROPERLY, RESULTING IN GAS SPRAY WHEN FILLING UP. MY VEHICLE IS SPRAYING FUEL AT EVERY FILLUP AND DOES NOT MATTER WHICH STATION, PUMP, PUMP POSITION, OR FILLING RATE. THE SPRAY CAN BE REDUCED BY SLOWING THE FILLING RATE WHEN CLOSE TO FULL BUT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO PREVENT OVERFLOW. THIS SPRAY IS ENOUGH TO AND HAS SOAKED MY SHOES AND PANTS. I HAVE RESEARCHED SEVERAL FORUMS AND CONTACTED MY DEALERSHIP. I AM TOLD THE TANK USUALLY NEEDS REPLACED AT A HIGH SERVICE COST. I AM REPORTING THIS AS A SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE MOST OWNERS CAN NOT IMMEDIATELY AFFORD A ~$900 SERVICE CHARGE. I WILL CONTINUE TO ATTEMPT TO MANAGE THIS OVERFILL SPRAY BY NOT FILLING IT ALL THE WAY UNTIL I CAN AFFORD THE REPAIR. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10451637

80,000 miles · Mar 12, 2012
Fuel System, Gasoline

WHEN FILLING UP MY GAS TANK, THE GAS PUMP DOES NOT STOP. THIS HAPPENS AT ALL STATIONS EVERY TIME. THE FUEL IS QUITE EXPLOSIVE WHEN FULL, AND JUMPS OUT OF THE TANK GETTING FUEL EVERYWHERE. IT JUMPS ABOUT A FOOT OUT OF THE TANK. YOU CAN HEAR THAT THERE IS AN AIR POCKET IN MY GAS TANK. I CAN NEVER FILL IT FULL AND HAVE TO STOP…

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WHEN FILLING UP MY GAS TANK, THE GAS PUMP DOES NOT STOP. THIS HAPPENS AT ALL STATIONS EVERY TIME. THE FUEL IS QUITE EXPLOSIVE WHEN FULL, AND JUMPS OUT OF THE TANK GETTING FUEL EVERYWHERE. IT JUMPS ABOUT A FOOT OUT OF THE TANK. YOU CAN HEAR THAT THERE IS AN AIR POCKET IN MY GAS TANK. I CAN NEVER FILL IT FULL AND HAVE TO STOP JUST SHORT. I ALSO HAVE TO CHECK MY FUEL BY TURNING THE IGNITION TO THE ON POSITION WHICH APPARENTLY NOW HAS MESSED WITH MY LOCKS ACCORDING TO THE MANUAL, IF YOU TURN IT TO THE ON/LOCK POSITION 4 TIMES IN A ROW IT DOES SOMETHING TO YOUR LOCKS. SO NOW MY LOCKS ARE MESSED UP TOO. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY STATED IT WOULD COST OVER 400 DOLLARS TO REPLACE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10451239

50,000 miles · Mar 7, 2012
Fuel System, Gasoline

AT OR AROUND 50,000 MILES, IT BECAME ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO FILL THE FUEL TANK WITHOUT A VIOLENT BACKSPLASH OF GAS. NO MATTER HOW SLOWLY YOU FILL, OR HOW MANY OPPORTUNITIES YOU GIVE IT TO VENT, YOU STILL END UP WITH A SPILL. WHEN I SAY SPILL, IT MEANS THAT GAS LITERALLY PROJECTS OUTWARD ONTO THE GROUND, AND DOWN THE SIDE OF T…

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AT OR AROUND 50,000 MILES, IT BECAME ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO FILL THE FUEL TANK WITHOUT A VIOLENT BACKSPLASH OF GAS. NO MATTER HOW SLOWLY YOU FILL, OR HOW MANY OPPORTUNITIES YOU GIVE IT TO VENT, YOU STILL END UP WITH A SPILL. WHEN I SAY SPILL, IT MEANS THAT GAS LITERALLY PROJECTS OUTWARD ONTO THE GROUND, AND DOWN THE SIDE OF THE CAR. OFTEN THE TIRE ENDS UP SOAKED, AND OCCASIONALLY YOUR CLOTHING AND OR SHOES. I HAVE FOUND OTHER PEOPLE ON AVENGER SITES COMPLAINING OF THE EXACT SAME THING, THEREFORE I KNOW THIS IS NOT RARE. AROUND THE SAME TIME THIS BEGAN, THE CAR ALSO BEGAN STALLING IN RAINY WEATHER. I DON"T KNOW IF THESE ARE CONNECTED, BUT IT SEEMS SUSPECT. APPARENTLY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THEIR DEALERSHIPS THAT THE ENTIRE FUEL TANK HAS TO BE CHANGED DUE TO A FAULTY ROLLOVER VALVE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10450682

84,000 miles · Feb 26, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling

PULLEY MAKING LOUD NOISE AND ALTERNATOR HAVE WHINE NOISE LIKE IT ABOUT TO START A FIRE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10449354

87,900 miles · Feb 23, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 68 MPH WHEN THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AND COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD; NOT EXCEEDING 20 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 68 MPH WHEN THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AND COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD; NOT EXCEEDING 20 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING DIAGNOSIS OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 87,900. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10449082

60,000 miles · Feb 20, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingCrash

GOING 65 MPH THE ETC LIGHT TURN ON AND I LOST POWER.THEN I TURN OFF THE ENGINE FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES AND IT TURN OFF BUT IT KEEPS LOSING POWER ALL THE TIME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10448513

98,000 miles · Feb 16, 2012
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT GEARS PROPERLY AND COULD NOT BE ACCELERATED OVER 35 MPH. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS EXTINGUISHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE COMPUTER TO THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT OPERATI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT GEARS PROPERLY AND COULD NOT BE ACCELERATED OVER 35 MPH. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS EXTINGUISHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE COMPUTER TO THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT OPERATING PROPERLY AND WAS KEEPING THE VEHICLE FROM COMING OUT OF SECOND GEAR. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

NHTSA ODI #10448164

120,000 miles · Feb 14, 2012
Electrical System

I OWN A 2008 DODGE AVENGER, PURCHASED IN 2008 WITH 20,000 MILES ON IT, I HAD NOT HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE UNTIL AUGUST 2011 WHEN MY VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF ON ME WHILE I WAS GOING 70 MILES AN HOUR, LOST ALL POWER, IT WAS AS IF MY CAR WAS NOT EVEN ON. I MANAGED TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BEFORE I WENT BACK DOWN T…

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I OWN A 2008 DODGE AVENGER, PURCHASED IN 2008 WITH 20,000 MILES ON IT, I HAD NOT HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE UNTIL AUGUST 2011 WHEN MY VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF ON ME WHILE I WAS GOING 70 MILES AN HOUR, LOST ALL POWER, IT WAS AS IF MY CAR WAS NOT EVEN ON. I MANAGED TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BEFORE I WENT BACK DOWN TO 0 MPH, MY CAR WOULD NOT TURN BACK ON AND I HAD IT TOWED TO A SHOP, THEY STATED THAT MY BATTERY WAS BAD AND I NEEDED A NEW ONE, I WAS SURPRISED BECAUSE THE BATTERY IS NOT EVEN 3 YEARS OLD. I GOT A NEW BATTERY AND CONTINUED TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH MY RPM'S AND MY CAR DID NOT ACCELERATE AS IT SHOULD HAVE NOR HAS BEFORE, MY RPM'S JERK UP AND DOWN AND MAKE MY CAR SHAKE WHILE IN PARK. NOW IN 2012 TWO WEEKS AGO I WAS DRIVING 40 MILES PER HOUR AND ALL OF A SUDDEN I FELT LIKE I LOST POWER AND MY BOLT LIGHT CAME ON AS WELL AS MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, I TOOK IT TO SHOP AND THEY STATED THAT IT WAS NOTHING, I NEED TO RESET MY COMPUTER AND THEY TRIED, I REPLACED MY AIR FILER, PUT FLUIDS IN MY CAR TO CLEAN IT OUT. I CALLED DODGE AND THEY CLAIM I NEED AN UPDATE ON MY COMPUTER, I TOLD THEM MY PROBLEM AND THEY DID NOT HAVE A STEADY ANSWER, I FEEL THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED I SEE MANY UPSET CUSTOMERS AND A CAR JUST SHUTTING OFF AND SLOWING DOWN LOSING POWER IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING CAN NO BE SAFE, AND THEY ARE SAYING THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE? THERE IS OBVIOUSLY SOMETHING WRONG IF IT JUST SHUTS OFF AND THE CHECK LIGHT COMES ON AND IT DOES NOT ACCELERATE OVER 25 MILES PER HOUR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10447870

79,200 miles · Feb 13, 2012
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL SPILLED OUT FROM THE FILLER NECK WHILE REFUELING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN THE DEALER AND THEY INFORMED HER THAT THE FAILURE MAY BE DUE TO THE FUEL TANK, BUT THEY WEREN'T EXACTLY SURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON AN INTERMITTENT B…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL SPILLED OUT FROM THE FILLER NECK WHILE REFUELING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN THE DEALER AND THEY INFORMED HER THAT THE FAILURE MAY BE DUE TO THE FUEL TANK, BUT THEY WEREN'T EXACTLY SURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 79,200. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10447775

58,000 miles · Feb 4, 2012
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Engine And Engine Cooling

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND THEN THE CAR JUST STARTED LIKE IT WAS WANTING TO CUT OFF WHEN I WAS GIVING IT THROTTLE THE CAR WAS JERKING BACK AND FOURTH I TOOK IT BACK TO THE PLACE I BOUGH IT FROM AND WAITING ON THEM TO FIX THE ISSUE. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10446644

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.