Model year record

2008 Dodge Avenger recalls & problems

The 2008 Dodge Avenger has 6 safety recalls and 832 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is power train (237 complaints).

Recalls6safety recalls

Complaints832filed by owners

Crashes · fires36 · 26reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths34 · 1reported in complaints

2008 Dodge Avenger in an NHTSA crash test — NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

Electrical systemApr 2, 2008

Wiring

Recall 08V152000180,963 vehicles

Problem: 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.
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.

Engine and engine coolingOct 10, 2007

Cooling system › Radiator assembly

Recall 07V473000102,042 vehicles

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

Fuel system, gasolineSep 13, 2007

Storage › Tank assembly

Recall 07V4260001,158 vehicles

Problem: 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.
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.

Latches/locks/linkagesSep 12, 2007

Doors › Latch

Recall 07V41400072,333 vehicles

Problem: 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.
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.

Air bagsJun 13, 2007

Frontal

Recall 07V240000798 vehicles

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

Latches/locks/linkagesMar 15, 2007

Doors › Latch

Recall 07V10400011,191 vehicles

Problem: 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.
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.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2008 Dodge Avenger 4DR. w/SAB

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	★★★★★
Rollover risk	11.8%

2008 Dodge Avenger NHTSA side crash test — NHTSA side barrier crash test

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Avenger

24mpg combined

City / highway	21 / 30 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.4 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,800/year to fuel

Avenger FFV

22mpg combined

City / highway	19 / 27 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.7 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel

Avenger

22mpg combined

City / highway	19 / 27 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.7 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel

Avenger

19mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 26 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.5 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel

Avenger AWD

18mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.5 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 6-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Floor shift	237	2	0	1	54,000 mi
Electrical systemWiring; Horn	220	3	13	1	91,377 mi
Vehicle speed controlCruise control; Throttle	138	1	0	0	87,950 mi
Engine	116	2	3	3	101,850 mi
Air bagsFrontal	97	21	0	24	72,500 mi
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Cooling system	61	4	9	1	54,700 mi
Unknown or other	47	4	2	6	121,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system	42	0	2	0	80,552 mi
Electronic stability control (esc)	31	2	2	0	103,000 mi
Fuel system, gasolineDelivery › Fuel pump; Storage › Tank assembly	26	0	3	0	57,300 mi
StructureBody; Body › Door	24	1	1	3	105,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkagesDoors › Latch; Trunk lid › Lock	22	0	0	0	52,000 mi

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Engine
So a month ago the car started running hot Iâm unsure what the cause maybe and my reservoir has cracked. When I turn the ac or heat on the car begins to run hot as well.
Sep 1, 2026
Air bags
My 2008 Dodge Avenger airbag light has been on for a while, I believe thatâs something that is defective and should be fixed by the manufacture. Iâd called a dealership and was told it was not a recall and therefore not covered. When the wipers are turned on in the morning and then turned off, they continue to wipe even turned off. When I use the right blinker, the light in the dashboard dims seems like an electrical problem. I believe other things might be wrong but Iâm not a mechanic. I would like my car to get inspected for safety. Thank you.
Nov 1, 2024
Service brakesCrash
Breaking system failed, it is available for inspection, I told the state trooper what happened along with several police officers, they agreed that the breaking system was not supposed to lock up which caused the car to skid several feet and the end results are that a very bad wreck happened which left my car undrivable and locked up, the car front disk breaks , front wheel drive,there not suppose to lock up. The air bag did go off, there was no warning sign to let you know you were going to crash, the car picked up speed even while the breaks were fully pushed to the floor when the car did not slow down this caused a wreck and totaled the front of my car resulting in the frame being…
Oct 25, 2025
Electrical system
The recalls associated to my vehicle are the same exact problems I am experiencing. My car is stalling and stalled on the highway. I couldnât accelerate and had to drive with my hazards.
Apr 6, 2025
Steering
NO ACCIDENTS REARS TIRES LEANING INWARDS
Nov 30, 2024
Suspension
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated that while turning to the right, the passengerâs side front wheel seemed to be rubbing against the rubber or plastic piece underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the front suspension cross member had failed due to excessive rust. The contact was informed that the front suspension cross member needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that there was no recall associated with the VIN related to the failure. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage…
Jan 30, 2023 · 120,000 miles
Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated that the front driver's side door failed to latch securely. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 07V104000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages) and 07V414000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages). The dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the recalls. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 144,000.
May 28, 2024 · 144,000 miles
Air bags
Air bag warning light and alarm on the dash board.
Jan 2, 2024

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

Fleet Vehicle Recall Completion AuditClosed
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…
AQ10001 · opened Nov 18, 2010 · closed Dec 28, 2015