2008 Dodge Avenger: problems, recalls and reliability
6 recalls and 831 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (25% of complaints); the 2007 and 2009 and 2010 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 2008
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 831 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The recalls associated to my vehicle are the same exact problems I am experiencing. My car is stalling and stalled on the highway. I couldn't accelerate and had to drive with my hazards.”Owner report · Engine · Apr 2025
“My 2008 Dodge Avenger airbag light has been on for a while, I believe that's something that is defective and should be fixed by the manufacture. I'd 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 I'm not a mechanic. I would like my car to get inspected for safety. Thank you.”Owner report · Visibility/Wiper · Nov 2024
“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.”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · May 2024
Show 7 more owner reports
“I was idling at a stop light when I noticed my car began to smoke shortly after the check engine, check oil and the battery alert all simultaneously came on. I then pulled over to a near alleyway when a burst of flames arose from the hood of the car.”Owner report · Engine · Apr 2023
“The car runs perfect but all the sudden started dying while in reverse then a lightning bolt with lines on each side was flashing and the car died. So we changed the spark plugs and did a full service and it ran fine then started doing the same thing where it's getting no power and won't go at all. Let it sit for a minute then hen will drive fine for a little bit and start acting like it's not getting any power i don't understand what's going on with it”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Mar 2023
“The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated that while reversing out of a parking lot, an abnormal snapping sound was coming from the vehicle. The contact had her husband inspect the vehicle and he discovered that the subframe had fractured due to severe corrosion. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was given an estimate for the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 146,000.”Owner report · Structure · Nov 2022
“While driving my airbag light came on I checked for recalls it tells me there is no unrepaired recalls on my car but something's not right”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2022
“I saw there was a recall for the same car as mine but one year earlier. My car is leaking gas which was the effects of this recall. Could it possibly be affecting the 2008 also?”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Aug 2022
“Car keeps have the battery light come on out of nowhere and already replaced battery alternator and the cables for battery last winter which then had to be clipped because it was extremely hot and melting my cables and other wires. I have had nothing but electrical issues since I bought it the beginning of last winter something needs to be done and I shouldn't have to keep paying for parts on faulty electrical and parts the manufacturer should and I have no recalls on my 08 Dodge avenger how is that even possible?”Owner report · Engine · Aug 2022
“The voltage constantly reading low we have bought a new battery new alternator and still reading the same thing battery constantly coming back on and staying on than all the lights starts popping up on the dash than the car cuts off many dodge users said it turned off to be there pcm and i feel that dodge needs to do a recall”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2022
When filing, owners marked a crash in 36 of these complaints and injuries in 34 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 6 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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.
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.4 LITER ENGINES, THE ENGINE COOLANT MAY BE DRAWN INTO THE LEFT RADIATOR COOLING FAN MOTOR CONNECTOR.
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.
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.
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.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FRONT SEAT TRACK POSITION SENSORS UTILIZED FOR THE AIR BAG SYSTEM MAY NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY.
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.
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.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2008 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Avenger by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2008 Dodge Avenger reliable?
NHTSA has 831 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 2008 Dodge Avenger. The most complained-about area is power train (25% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2008 Dodge Avenger problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 70,650 miles or less.
Does the 2008 Dodge Avenger have open recalls?
6 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.