KnownCarProblems2008 Dodge Avenger Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 831 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Dodge Avenger, most often about the transmission (28% of complaints, typically around 54,000 miles). It is the most complained-about Avenger model year since 2000 and has 6 recalls.
Most common 2008 Dodge Avenger problems
Transmission
236 complaints · 28%Half of these problems showed up before 54,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, manual transmission.
I have a 2008 Dodge Avenger it got stuck in park and I could not get it out. I called a mechanic friend who showed me a little pink switch that should release it to what ever gear you need. It does not work unless you push it yourself. I notice online that they have a lot of people who own 2008 avengers with the same…
Tl contact owns a 2008 Dodge Avenger. While driving approximately 10 MPH on normal road conditions. While proceeding to a traffic light the gear shifted into park without assistance. There were no prior warnings. Roadside assistance was called to the scene. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer for inspection.…
Electrical
219 complaints · 26%Half of these problems showed up before 91,000 miles. Parts named most often: wiring, horn.
While driving on highway, etc light came on signifying problem with throttle component. After doing research, it appears that this is an ongoing problem with Dodge vehicles including the 2008 Avenger. Many statements online urged to open claim here as this can be an expensive problem that is not covered by warranty or…
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, the voltage indicator began to illuminate and the engine would not accelerate. The contact was able to maneuver the vehicle into a turning lane with less traffic. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed the…
Engine
176 complaints · 21%Half of these problems showed up before 83,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, cooling system, exhaust system.
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Avenger. While driving approximately 50 MPH, the engine stalled with an intermittent illumination of the warning indicator. The vehicle was coasted to the side of the road where the engine restarted. The contact was able to resume in operation. The vehicle had not been diagnosed for the…
We bought this car used a year ago. Soon after the AC compressor went out. We had it repaired. Then the brakes went out. Had them fixed, but they still grind and are not right. Had the rotars looked at and fixed, but still not good. Then the AC blew again, had it repaired again. Then we heard a loud noise when car…
Speed control
138 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 88,000 miles. Parts named most often: cruise control, throttle.
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Avenger. While the contact was driving approximately 55 MPH, the electronic throttle control warning indicator illuminated intermittently and the vehicle failed to accelerate beyond the speed being driven. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where they informed the…
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…
Air bags
96 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 75,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
On 1/12/12 at about 545am I was driving to work on a rainy day. While traveling on 95 north bound at about 55mph my wiper blades stop working and so did my steering wheel. My steering column was not controling my wheels and I hydroplained while trying to stop my car. My car spun around numerous times before slamming…
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated that the air bag sensor warning light was illuminated and flashing. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was informed by the manufacturer that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number id number: 07v240000 (air bags). The contact…
Fuel system
70 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 69,000 miles. Parts named most often: delivery, storage.
When refueling, gas tank does not vent properly which results in a significant amount of gas being burped out of the fill tube resulting in spilled fuel. Often spilled fuel splashes onto driver, rear quarter panel, and drivers side rear wheel. Safety is always a concern when there is unexpected and unnecessary fuel…
When fueling up, the pump shuts off automatically but pressure inside the tank causes fuel to "gush" out of the tank all over the side of the vehicle, the ground and me if I'm standing too close. This has been an issue for many months. I've tried several fuel stations, several pumps at the same station. All cause gas…
Other or unspecified
46 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 121,000 miles.
Drivers side door won't close. There was a recall on other avengers for this same issue but not for my car itself. Had to drive two hours back home with the door tied shut. Extremely dangerous and should be checked into for other avengers, maybe expand the recall? Car was parked when this happened.
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.…
Visibility and wipers
34 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 90,000 miles. Parts named most often: power window devices and controls, defroster/defogger/hvac system, windshield, windshield wiper/washer.
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated that the front passenger side window was opened but could not be closed. The window regulator motor was replaced. In addition, the vehicle was overheating abnormally. The contact refilled the coolant reservoir but the failure recurred. The vehicle had also…
My issue is the windshield wipers stop working or work intermittently, which is a huge problem when it is raining. This is very dangerous. When we started looking up the issue online we noticed a lot of other people having the same issue among other issues. We first tried to replace the switch - still had the problem…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2008 Dodge Avenger recalls
Electrical: wiring
Risk: Engine stalling could cause a crash without warning.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Engine: radiator assembly
Risk: This can cause an electrical short circuit and result in an engine compartment fire.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
On certain vehicles equipped with 2.4 liter engines, the engine coolant may be drawn into the left radiator cooling fan motor connector.
Fuel system: tank assembly
Risk: Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source can result in an underbody fire.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Doors and locks: latch
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: frontal
Risk: This could increase the risk of injury to front seat occupants during certain crash conditions.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
On certain passenger vehicles, the front seat track position sensors utilized for the air bag system may not function properly.
Doors and locks: latch
Risk: During certain crash conditions, the possibility of a door opening could cause an unbelted passenger to be ejected, increasing the risk of injuries.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Fleet vehicle recall completion audit
Summary
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
Questions about the 2008 Dodge Avenger
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Dodge Avenger?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: transmission (236 complaints, typically around 54,000 miles); electrical (219 complaints, typically around 91,000 miles); engine (176 complaints, typically around 83,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2008 Dodge Avenger have?
- 6 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from April 2, 2008 (electrical). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2008 a bad year for the Dodge Avenger?
- It is the most complained-about Avenger model year since 2000, with 831 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.