VehicleVerdict

2008 Dodge Avenger problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 1,238 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 5.3 times the median Avenger year — the 2008 model ranks #1 of 15 Avenger years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 54 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (252), transmission (237), and engine (176), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

1,238

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

1

Investigations

63

Crash-involved

40

Fires reported

54

Injuries

1

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2008 compare to other Avenger years?

Avenger NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted1,238 complaints1995: 254 complaints1996: 235 complaints1997: 109 complaints1998: 72 complaints1999: 96 complaints2000: 33 complaints2007: 2 complaints2008: 1,238 complaints2009: 99 complaints2010: 248 complaints2011: 311 complaints2012: 837 complaints2013: 871 complaints2014: 329 complaints2015: 1 complaints
Avenger NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Avenger years to avoid →

What are the most common 2008 Dodge Avenger problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System25220%
Transmission23719%
Engine17614%
Speed Control13811%
Airbags978%
Fuel System706%
Other554%
Brakes373%
Visibility & Wipers343%
Tires & Wheels282%
Body & Structure242%
Latches & Locks222%
Steering212%
Suspension181%
Lighting121%
Seat Belts101%
Seats60%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)10%

Does the 2008 Dodge Avenger have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

08V152000Electrical SystemApril 2, 2008 · 180,963 units

Defect

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

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.

07V473000EngineOctober 10, 2007 · 102,042 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.4 LITER ENGINES, THE ENGINE COOLANT MAY BE DRAWN INTO THE LEFT RADIATOR COOLING FAN MOTOR CONNECTOR.

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.

07V426000Fuel SystemSeptember 13, 2007 · 1,158 units

Defect

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

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.

07V414000Latches & LocksSeptember 12, 2007 · 72,333 units

Defect

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

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.

07V240000AirbagsJune 13, 2007 · 798 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FRONT SEAT TRACK POSITION SENSORS UTILIZED FOR THE AIR BAG SYSTEM MAY NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY.

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.

07V104000Latches & LocksMarch 15, 2007 · 11,191 units

Defect

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

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE RIGHT SPEAKER HAD MELTED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · June 21, 2015 · fire

“THE FIRST ONE WAS ON AUGUST 7TH 2010 THE CAR SLID AND I HIT AN EMBANKMENT THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK WE WERE PRETTY SHOOK UP I MESSED UP THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE WITH THE CRASH THE SECOND INCIDENT HAPPENED ON AUGUST 13 2010 THE CARS GEAR WILL NOT SHIFT IT IS STUCK WE ARE TRYING TO FIX BY LOOKING AT THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · August 13, 2010 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED, THE STEERING SEIZED, AND THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE DROVE UP A HILL AND FLIPPED OVER. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A SALVAGE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · September 2, 2013 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY TO 100 MPH. WHEN THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE SPEED WOULD ONLY DECREASE TO 60 MPH. ALSO, THE CONTACT TURNED OFF THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · November 3, 2008 · crash

“I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT AND THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEATBELT DID NOT RESTRAIN ME. I HIT THE STEERING WHEEL REALLY HARD. I HAVE CHEST PAINS, AND MIGRAINES. I AM NOW WAITING FOR MY MRI RESULTS. I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET ABOUT TO GET ON THE HIGHWAY. MY CAR WAS TOTALED OUT BY THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · October 29, 2018 · crash

2008 Dodge Avenger — common questions

Is the 2008 Dodge Avenger reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 1,238 complaints put the 2008 model at #1 of 15 Avenger years. It is one of the Avenger years to avoid.

What are the most common 2008 Avenger problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (252 complaints), transmission (237 complaints), engine (176 complaints).

Does the 2008 Dodge Avenger have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2008 Dodge Avenger. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2008 Dodge Avenger under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Dodge Avenger years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Avenger years to avoid are 2008, 2013, 2012. The cleanest record among Avenger years belongs to 2015.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.