2008 Dodge Avenger AWD Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2008 Dodge Avenger AWD, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Airbags423.5%
- Transmission211.8%
- Fuel system211.8%
- Other / unspecified211.8%
- Powertrain (other)211.8%
- Interior & seats15.9%
- Seat belts15.9%
- Electrical15.9%
- Engine15.9%
- Driver assistance15.9%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
LA BOMBA DE GASOLINA SE HA DAADA 2 VECES, YA QUE SE QUIEBRA EL TUBITO DONDE SE CONECTA LA MAGUERA DE GASOLINA. SE ENCIENDE Y SE APAGA LA IMAGEN DE LA BOLSA DE AIRE DE ACUERDO AL CLIMA Y MAS CUANDO HACE CALOR. EL SISTEMA ELECTRICO POR CAMBIO DE BUJIAS SE TIENE QUE RESETEAR LA COMPUTADORA YA ES LA SEGUNDA VEZ QUE PASA Y ME ESTA CONSTANDO, GRACIAS.
"TAKATA RECALL" I WAS TRAVELING NORTHBOUND AND A CAR CROSSED INTO MY LANE TRYING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN RT INTO MY VEHICLE. THE DRIVER OF THE OTHER VEHICLE ADMITS TO LOOKING AT HIS PHONE PRIOR TO TURNING. HE HIT MY FRONT DRIVER SIDE TRAVELING HEAD ON WITH A TURNING MOTION WITH BOTH OF US TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 35 M.P.H. MY AIRBAG NEVER DEPLOYED AND MY SEATBELT UNLOCKED ALLOWING ME TO HIT MY HEAD ON THE CEILING/ROOF OF MY CAR.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
I PURCHASED A 2008 DODGE AVENGER ABOUT A YEAR AGO, A FEW DAYS AFTER I GOT THE CAR THE GEAR SHIFT GOT STUCK AND I COULDN'T GET THE CAR OUT OF PARK. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THE SALES GUY WHO SOLD ME MY CAR TOLD ME THAT I WAS PROBABLY DOING SOMETHING WRONG, ABOUT AN 15MINS LATER THE CAR WENT IN TO DRIVE, AND I DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING ABOUT IT. TODAY I TRIED TO UP MY CAR IN DRIVE AND IT WOULDN'T GOING IN TO DRIVE AT ALL. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT I HAD TO GO THROUGH DODGE BECAUSE I WAS OUT OF THE 30DAYS. I THEN CALLED THE DODGE DEALERSHIP AND HE TOLD ME I WOULD HAVE TO PAY ABOUT $1300 TO GET MY CAR FIXED. *TR
2008 DODGE AVENGER: SHIFTER ASSEMBLY PRONE TO BREAK. CHRYSLER IS AWARE, BUT HAS NOT RECALLED THE PART. WHEN THE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY BREAKS, SHIFTING BECOMES IMPOSSIBLE. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM IS KNOWN TO BE A FAULTY DESIGN AND THE USE OF A BRITTLE PLASTIC COMPONENT WITHIN THE ASSEMBLY. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
LA BOMBA DE GASOLINA SE HA DAADA 2 VECES, YA QUE SE QUIEBRA EL TUBITO DONDE SE CONECTA LA MAGUERA DE GASOLINA. SE ENCIENDE Y SE APAGA LA IMAGEN DE LA BOLSA DE AIRE DE ACUERDO AL CLIMA Y MAS CUANDO HACE CALOR. EL SISTEMA ELECTRICO POR CAMBIO DE BUJIAS SE TIENE QUE RESETEAR LA COMPUTADORA YA ES LA SEGUNDA VEZ QUE PASA Y ME ESTA CONSTANDO, GRACIAS.
THE FILE SHOWS THAT THIS CARS HAS HAD THE FUEL TANK STRAP WE'RE REPLACE AS THE RECALL STIPULATED BUT ON OCTOBER 2013 THE FUEL TANK STARTED TO LEAK. AFTER INSPECTION, THERE WAS A LOT OF WEAR BETWEEN THE FUEL STRAP AND THE TANK ITSELF, ENOUGH WEAR TO START LEAKING. WHEN REMOVING THE STRAP, THE FUEL STARTED LEAKING A LOT MORE. THERE WAS ENOUGH MOVEMENT THAT THE STEEL ON THE TANK WHERE THE TANK PASSES WAS SHINY. HAD TO REPLACE THE TANK AND PAY FOR IT MYSELF. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
2008 DODGE AVENGER R/T. AWD. THE DOOR LOCKING MECHANISM FAILS. THE DOOR WILL NOT STAY CLOSED NOR WILL IT LOCK. THE DODGE DEALERSHIP FIXED IT ONCE FOR $100.00. AFTER A FEW MONTHS, IT HAPPENED AGAIN. DOOR FLIES OPEN, WILL NOT STAY CLOSED. TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP, NOW THEY WANT $211.00 TO TRY AND FIX IT A DIFFERENT WAY BECAUSE THE FACTORY CLIPS (REQUIRED) AREN'T WORKING. THEY HOPE (BUT WILL NOT GUARANTEE) THAT THIS WILL FIX THE PROBLEM. CALLED DODGE, THEY WILL LOOK INTO IT, (SO RUDELY PUT)! NOT CONCERNED WITH THE DOOR FLYING OPEN. THEY ACTUALLY TOLD ME TO MAKE SURE MY CHILDREN WEAR THEIR SEAT BELTS SO IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN, THEY WON'T FALL OUT OF THE CAR. *TR
I PURCHASED A 2008 DODGE AVENGER ABOUT A YEAR AGO, A FEW DAYS AFTER I GOT THE CAR THE GEAR SHIFT GOT STUCK AND I COULDN'T GET THE CAR OUT OF PARK. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THE SALES GUY WHO SOLD ME MY CAR TOLD ME THAT I WAS PROBABLY DOING SOMETHING WRONG, ABOUT AN 15MINS LATER THE CAR WENT IN TO DRIVE, AND I DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING ABOUT IT. TODAY I TRIED TO UP MY CAR IN DRIVE AND IT WOULDN'T GOING IN TO DRIVE AT ALL. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT I HAD TO GO THROUGH DODGE BECAUSE I WAS OUT OF THE 30DAYS. I THEN CALLED THE DODGE DEALERSHIP AND HE TOLD ME I WOULD HAVE TO PAY ABOUT $1300 TO GET MY CAR FIXED. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER AWD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE RPMS WOULD INCREASE TO THREE TO FOUR THOUSAND, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LUNGE FORWARD ABNORMALLY. THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE BRIEFLY FOLLOWED BY THE VEHICLE POWERING DOWN AND STALLING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 109,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
CAR WAS FINE AND ONE DAY WENT TO DRIVE IT AND IT WOULDN'T SHIFT OUT OF PARK. TRIED FIR DAYS AND STILL IT WOULDN'T BUDGE. CALLED DODGE TO SEND OUT A FLAT BED TRUCK AND THE DRIVER SAID THIS HAS BEEN A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE AVENGER SO HE KNEW TO TAKE OFF THE SILVER SHIFT RIM AND RELEASE THE CAR FROM PARK TO AT LEAST GET US TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT WILL TAKE AT LEAST 2 DAYS TO GET THE PROBLEM FIXED. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
2008 DODGE AVENGER R/T. AWD. THE DOOR LOCKING MECHANISM FAILS. THE DOOR WILL NOT STAY CLOSED NOR WILL IT LOCK. THE DODGE DEALERSHIP FIXED IT ONCE FOR $100.00. AFTER A FEW MONTHS, IT HAPPENED AGAIN. DOOR FLIES OPEN, WILL NOT STAY CLOSED. TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP, NOW THEY WANT $211.00 TO TRY AND FIX IT A DIFFERENT WAY BECAUSE THE FACTORY CLIPS (REQUIRED) AREN'T WORKING. THEY HOPE (BUT WILL NOT GUARANTEE) THAT THIS WILL FIX THE PROBLEM. CALLED DODGE, THEY WILL LOOK INTO IT, (SO RUDELY PUT)! NOT CONCERNED WITH THE DOOR FLYING OPEN. THEY ACTUALLY TOLD ME TO MAKE SURE MY CHILDREN WEAR THEIR SEAT BELTS SO IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN, THEY WON'T FALL OUT OF THE CAR. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
"TAKATA RECALL" I WAS TRAVELING NORTHBOUND AND A CAR CROSSED INTO MY LANE TRYING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN RT INTO MY VEHICLE. THE DRIVER OF THE OTHER VEHICLE ADMITS TO LOOKING AT HIS PHONE PRIOR TO TURNING. HE HIT MY FRONT DRIVER SIDE TRAVELING HEAD ON WITH A TURNING MOTION WITH BOTH OF US TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 35 M.P.H. MY AIRBAG NEVER DEPLOYED AND MY SEATBELT UNLOCKED ALLOWING ME TO HIT MY HEAD ON THE CEILING/ROOF OF MY CAR.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
LA BOMBA DE GASOLINA SE HA DAADA 2 VECES, YA QUE SE QUIEBRA EL TUBITO DONDE SE CONECTA LA MAGUERA DE GASOLINA. SE ENCIENDE Y SE APAGA LA IMAGEN DE LA BOLSA DE AIRE DE ACUERDO AL CLIMA Y MAS CUANDO HACE CALOR. EL SISTEMA ELECTRICO POR CAMBIO DE BUJIAS SE TIENE QUE RESETEAR LA COMPUTADORA YA ES LA SEGUNDA VEZ QUE PASA Y ME ESTA CONSTANDO, GRACIAS.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING, MY ETC LIGHT CAME ON. IT STAYED ON. NO ISSUE WITH DRIVING. I JUST HAD $900 WORTH OF WORK ON THIS CAR DUE TO A FAULTY COMPUTER. I NOW AM FINDING THE ETC LIGHT IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS AND NO SOLUTION. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
CRUISE CONTROL WORKS ONLY UP TO 40 MPH. ANY ATTEMPT TO ENGAGE CRUISE CONTROL BEYOND 40 MPH IS FUTILE. IT DOES NOTHING.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .