2008 Dodge Avenger Body & structure Problems

The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated that while turning to the right, the passenger’s 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 was 120,000.

NHTSA ID

11622723

Incident

Jan 30, 2023

Mileage

120,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11495288

Incident

Nov 21, 2022

Mileage

146,000 mi

WATER LEAKING INTO TRUNK RUNNING RISK OF SHORTING OUT THE BRAKE LIGHT SYSTEM. HAVE A WARRANTY AND MOPAR REFUSES TO FIX THE PROBLEM UNDER MY BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ID

11321471

Incident

Apr 16, 2020

Mileage

170,000 mi

WHEN AT THE FUEL PUMP GETTING GAS IT OVERFILLS EVERY TIME. SAFETY HAZARD HAS A ROUGH IDLE WHEN SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT WITHOUT A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME UP FOR IT. SPEEDOMETER IS OFF DOOR HANDLE STICKS NOT ALLOWING ME TO CLOSE MY DOOR WHILE I'M IN IT HAVE TO PUSH THE HANDLE TOWARDS THE DOOR TO GET IT TO CLOSE. TRUNK DOESN'T CLOSE ALL THE WAY. ALSO WHEN OPENING AFTER IT RAINS IT LEAKS ALL OVER MY STUFF

NHTSA ID

11287929

Incident

May 16, 2019

Mileage

120,000 mi

SUBFRAME ON MY WIFE'S CAR HAS RUSTED THROUGH AND THE STABILIZER BAR HAS WENT THROUGH IT AND SHE DRIVES EVERYDAY WITH OUT LITTLE KIDS IN THE CAR AND I WOULD LIKE SOMEONE TO GET BACK TO ME ABOUT THE RECALLS AND HOW I WOULD BE ABLE TO FIX THIS SUBFRAME IF CALLING IS BETTER PLEASE FEEL FREE TO GIVE ME A CALL ON MY CELL IT'S [XXX] MY NAME IS [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

11207149

Incident

May 13, 2019

Mileage

245,354 mi

ON 3-31-19 ME AND MY 2 DAUGHTERS WERE DRIVING ON EXPRESSWAY, I STARTED SMELLING BURNING AND SEEN SMOKE COMING FROM HOOD ON DRIVER SIDE OF CAR, IT APPEARED TO BE COMING FROM THE ENGINE UNDER HOOD AND PULLED TO SIDE OF ROAD. I TURNED CAR OFF AND I TOLD KIDS TO GET OUT AND WE WALKED DOWN EXPRESSWAY. I TOLD KIDS TO STAY THERE AND WENT TO WALK BACK TO OPEN HOOD AND CHECK IT, ON MY WAY BACK TO IT, IT HAD STARTED ON FIRE. I WENT BACK TO MY KIDS AND CALLED POLICE. WITHIN TEN MINUTES THE WHOLE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES.

NHTSA ID

11194533

Incident

Mar 31, 2019

Mileage

130,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE CRADLE AND SUB FRAME PREMATURELY RUSTED AND FRACTURED WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO A PARKING AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHOM DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE CRADLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED FOR A DIAGNOSIS OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY HAD ISSUED ONE RECALL ON THE ENGINE AND THREE TSB'S ON THE ENGINE BUT PROVIDED NO SOLUTION FOR THE ENGINE CRADLE REPLACEMENT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ID

11081503

Incident

Mar 1, 2018

Mileage

120,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUB FRAME WAS CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

NHTSA ID

10948740

Incident

Jan 15, 2017

Mileage

110,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, AN ABNORMAL SOUND EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE CRADLE WAS RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ID

10888709

Incident

Jul 25, 2016

Mileage

100,000 mi

I WAS EXITING OUT OF A PARKING LOT IN TOWN AND TRAFFIC WAS BACK UP AND AT A STANDSTILL. AS I ATTEMPTED TO TURN LEFT A CAR TRIED PASSING THE STOPPED TRAFFIC IN A NO PASSING ZONE. THE VEHICLE HIT THE FRONT OF MY CAR, TOTALING IT. THE BUMPER WAS ON THE GROUND , RADIATOR SIDEWAYS, HOOD CRINKLED, FENDERS DESTROYED. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CAR THAT HIT ME WAS GOING FAST AND CAUSED MAJOR DAMAGE. TAYLORVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT POLICE REPORT NUMBER 15-341

NHTSA ID

10786497

Incident

Oct 20, 2015

Mileage

88,000 mi

ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, ROOF OF THE CAR, VERY FRONT CORNER, THE PAINT IS CHIPPING BACK IN THE FORM OF A PERFECT SQUARE AND STARTING TO RUST. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENT TO CREATE THIS. ALSO A SPOT ON THE LOWER FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR THERE IS SOME RUST. THE CAR HAS BEEN GARAGE KEPT FOR THE MOST PART AND WELL MAINTAINED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10533400

Incident

Aug 1, 2013

Mileage

62,182 mi

UPON EXITING MY VEHICLE I SHUT MY DOOR HITTING THE KEY LOCK ON MY KEY CHAIN AND REALIZED THAT MY DOOR WOULD NOT SHUT CAUSING ME TO TIE A ROPE TO A PIECE INSIDE THE CAR TO KEEP THE DOOR SHUT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10525277

Incident

Jul 17, 2013

Mileage

126,121 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LATCH DISCONNECTED FROM THE HOUSING CAUSING THE DOOR TO NOT TO LOCK. THE POWER LOCKS FEATURE DID NOT LOCK THE DOOR AS WELL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN I.D. NUMBER 07V414000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES). THE CONTACT PERSONALLY REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. *TR

NHTSA ID

10497801

Incident

Feb 4, 2013

Mileage

50,000 mi

AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, I HEARD SOME WIND SO I CHECKED WINDOW BUTTON, I THEN HEARD DOOR ALARM GO OFF AND AS I ATTEMPTED TO EXIT HIGHWAY ON AN EXIT RAMP THE DOOR SWUNG OPEN!! MY PASSENGER HAD TO PHYSICALLY HOLD IT CLOSE AS BEST SHE COULD UNTIL WE FOUND A SAFE PLACE TO STOP TO SEE IF WE COULD IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. WE TRIED MANY TIMES TO CLOSE IT BUT COULD NOT GET IT TO LATCH. WE SCROUNGED AROUND ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD LOOKING FOR SOMETHING TO TIE IT TOGETHER WITH TO GET IT OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND BACK HOME! I'M GLAD MY GRANDCHILDREN WERE NOT WITH ME! *TR

NHTSA ID

10489195

Incident

Dec 18, 2012

Mileage

112,251 mi

I WAS TRAVELING SATURDAY AFTERNOON AND THE DRIVER'S DOOR OPEN DURING TRAVEL. I WAS ONLY GOING ABOUT 30 MILES PER HOUR AND I HAD MY SEAT BELT ON WHEN THIS HAPPENED SO NO PHYSICAL HARM OR DAMAGE OCCURRED JUST VERY SHAKEN UP. I GOT OUT OF MY CAR TO CHECK THE DOOR AND NOTICED THAT THE LATCH WAS IN THE OPEN POSITION AND WOULD NOT LOCK OR LATCH ON. I WAS FORCED TO DRIVE HOME HOLDING THE DOOR TRYING TO KEEP IT CLOSED BY PLACING MY HAND THROUGH AN OPENED WINDOW WHILE I DROVE. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF THE PREVIOUS RECALL AND WAS TOLD THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET. I ALSO CONTACTED CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403 AND WAS TOLD THAT MY CAR HAD ALREADY BEEN REPAIRED SO I WOULD HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET TO HAVE IT REPAIRED AGAIN.. *TR

NHTSA ID

10476840

Incident

Sep 22, 2012

Mileage

80,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED WHENEVER IT RAINED WATER WAS UNDER THE HOOD. THE BATTERY, ALTERNATOR, AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED TO FUNCTION WHEN THE WATER ENTERED THE VEHICLE. THE BATTERY LIGHTS AND ELECTRIC BOLT WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPAIRED THE ALTERNATOR AND THE POWER STEERING; HOWEVER, THEY FAILED TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 83,000.

NHTSA ID

10473137

Incident

Jun 8, 2012

Mileage

74,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH FRONT DOORS WOULD EXPERIENCE A FAILURE IN WHICH THEY WOULD NOT LATCH SHUT. THE DOORS WOULD ALSO EXPERIENCE A FAILURE IN WHICH THEY WOULD NOT OPEN. THE FAILURES OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V414000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES: DOORS: LATCH). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

NHTSA ID

10454702

Incident

Apr 7, 2012

Mileage

65,000 mi

I HAVE A LEAKY TRUNK IN MY 2008 DODGE AVENGER. MY WINDOW ALSO STOPPED WORKING ON MY DRIVERS SIDE. AFTER SEARING THE INTERNET I DISCOVERED MANY OTHERS WITH THIS SAME ISSUE. IF AN OFFICIAL RECALL NOTICE WAS MADE THIS WOULD PREVENT VEHICLE OWNERS FROM SPENDING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS ON REPAIRS THAT SHOULD BE MADE BY THE DEALER. THE TRUNK HAS BEEN LEAKY SINCE I BOUGHT THE CARD AND DODGE KEEPS TELLING ME NOTHING IT WRONG. IT ALSO MAKES MY THIRD BREAK LIGHT GO OUT I'VE BEEN ISSUED 3 POLICE WARNINGS FOR THIS. I HOPE I NEVER GET A TICKET. ALSO, MY WINDOW IS NOW STUCK DOWN AND IF IT RAINS I WILL HAVE DAMAGE. AS FOR THE TRUNK ITS ALSO MOLDY AND MAKES ME SICK WHEN I GET INTO THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ID

10375275

Incident

Jan 9, 2011

Mileage

90,000 mi

I HAVE A DODGE AVENGER, 2008. COULDN'T GET IT OUT OF PARK THIS MORNING AS I WAS RUSHING TO TAKE MY DAUGHTER TO THE HOSPITAL. SEEMS THE MANUFACTURER PUT A HIDDEN' LITTLE PINK PLASTIC PIECE DESCRIBED AS A SAFETY FEATURE IN THE CONSOLE. THIS LITTLE PINK PLASTIC PIECE SOMEHOW BROKE (JUST CANT UNDERSTAND HOW PLASTIC COULD BREAK). FROM WHAT IM READING THIS ISN'T UNCOMMON. WONDER HOW THEY'RE GONNA FEEL WHEN THERE'S A LAWSUIT? *TR

NHTSA ID

10352604

Incident

Aug 29, 2010

Mileage

40,136 mi

ONE PROBLEM AFTER ANOTHER BACK HUMP BRAKE LIGHT DOES NOT WORK DUE TO WATER POURING INTO THE TRUNK. (THRU THE TRUNK LATCH; SMELLS LIKE A CAT USED AS A LITTER BOX)! NO LIGHT GOES ON TO LET ME KNOW THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT NO LONGER WORKS. CARPET IN TRUNK IS RUINED FROM THE WATER. LEAVES KEEP SHOWING UP INTO A CLOSED TRUNK? HOW ARE THEY GETTING IN? CAN NOT USE THE TRUNK FOR ANYTHING! CALLED DODGE AND FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THEN; THEY TOLD ME I WAS THE ONLY REPORT AT THIS TIME. ON THE ROAD MY HUSBAND AND I NOTICED THAT ALMOST ALL 2008 DODGE AVENGERS ON THE ROAD MUST HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. CHECK YOUR MIDDLE BACK BRAKE LIGHT; IT'S BURNT OUT TRUST ME WE SAW MANY ON THE ROAD. THEN CHECK FOR WATER IN THE TRUNK IT WILL BE THERE. CALL DODGE PLEASE' *TR

NHTSA ID

10320037

Incident

Aug 28, 2009

ONE PROBLEM AFTER ANOTHER BACK HUMP BRAKE LIGHT DOES NOT WORK DUE TO WATER POURING INTO THE TRUNK. (THRU THE TRUNK LATCH; SMELLS LIKE A CAT USED AS A LITTER BOX)! NO LIGHT GOES ON TO LET ME KNOW THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT NO LONGER WORKS. CARPET IN TRUNK IS RUINED FROM THE WATER. LEAVES KEEP SHOWING UP INTO A CLOSED TRUNK? HOW ARE THEY GETTING IN? CAN NOT USE THE TRUNK FOR ANYTHING! CALLED DODGE AND FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THEN; THEY TOLD ME I WAS THE ONLY REPORT AT THIS TIME. ON THE ROAD MY HUSBAND AND I NOTICED THAT ALMOST ALL 2008 DODGE AVENGERS ON THE ROAD MUST HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. CHECK YOUR MIDDLE BACK BRAKE LIGHT; IT'S BURNT OUT TRUST ME WE SAW MANY ON THE ROAD. THEN CHECK FOR WATER IN THE TRUNK IT WILL BE THERE. CALL DODGE PLEASE' *TR

NHTSA ID

10320027

Incident

Aug 28, 2009

IM WAS LOOKING AT THE CRASH RATINGS BECAUSE I JUST PURCHASE A 2008 AVENGER, IF THE DOORS CAN OPEN WITH SIDE IMPACT, CAN YOU RECALL THE CARS TO FIX THIS ISSUE, BEFORE SOME ONE LOSES A LIFE OR WHAT CAN I DO TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID

10232576

Incident

Jun 25, 2008

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2008 AVENGER WITH THE 2.4L VVT 4CYLINDER AND TRADED IN MY 2001 DAKOTA WITH A 4.7L V8 MAGNUM FOR IT. I REGRET IT. I WOULD HAVE DON'T BETTER OFF BUYING A FORD. YES, THIS CAR GETS GOOD HIGHWAY GAS MILEAGE BUT IT HAS CAUSED NOTHING BUT HEADACHES BEYOND THAT POINT. IF I DRIVE AROUND TOWN IT SUCKS THE GAS LIKE NO TOMORROW. THE RPM'S ARE WAY TO HIGH. THE CAR SHIFTS AROUND 3,000 OR HIGHER RPM'S WHETHER IT IS WARM OR COLD. WHEN THE SHIFTS, IT IS NOT SMOOTH. THERE HARD SHIFTS. MY FIANCE'S 1999 DURANGO WITH 135,000 MILES ON IT SHIFTS BETTER THAN THIS CAR DOES. RANDOMLY THE CAR WILL DIE WHEN I COME TO A COMPLETE STOP FOR A STOP LIGHT/SIGN. THERE WAS ONE OCCASION WHERE I WAS DRIVING DOWN ONE OF THE BUSIEST ROADS IN OUR TOWN AND IT DIED WHILE I WAS DOING ABOUT 40MPH. BEFORE IT DIES, IT SHAKES REAL BAD FOR ABOUT 3 SECONDS THEN I LOSE EVERYTHING. THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR DOOR HANDLE WILL NOT MOVE. IT IS LIKE IT IS FROZEN IN PLACE. THE HANDLE WILL NOT PULL OUT AT ALL. IT WILL OPEN JUST FINE FROM THE INSIDE BUT I CAN'T DO ANYTHING FROM STANDING OUTSIDE THE CAR. MY DOORS SQUEAK WHEN I OPEN AND CLOSE THEM. WHENEVER I TURN THE WHEEL THE CAR GROANS AT ME. I'VE TAKEN IT TO MY LOCAL DEALER ABOUT 3 TIMES. WHEN I TOLD THEM ABOUT THE SHIFTING, RPM'S, AND RANDOMLY DYING THEY JUST SAID THEY COULDN'T GET IT TO ACT UP. FINALLY, TWO OTHER NEW AVENGERS CAME INTO THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENT WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS. NOW THEY TELL ME THEY WILL LOOK INTO IT. MY 2001 DAKOTA WITH 142,000 MILES NEVER GAVE ME THIS MUCH TROUBLE THE ENTIRE TIME I OWNED IT. I HAD IT A LITTLE OVER 2 YEARS AND PUT AROUND 50,000 MILES ON IT AND ONLY CHANGED THE OIL AND DID A TUNE UP. *TR

NHTSA ID

10214317

Incident

Nov 12, 2007

Mileage

12,295 mi

THERE IS VISIBLE DENTING/BUCKLING TO THE UNDERBELLY OF MY 2008 DODGE AVENGER. I SENT A FORMAL LETTER TO CHRYSLER HQTRS BACK IN LATE JULY AND THEY TOOK MORE THAN A MONTH TO RESPOND TO MY LETTER. I SPOKE WITH A WOMAN WITH THE BETTER BUSINESS SECTION OF CHRYSLER ON THE 28TH OF AUGUST AND BASICALLY WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO AND THAT MY VEHICLE WOULD BE LOOKED AT BY THE DEALERSHIP. I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME ME THAT IT WAS A NATURAL CURVE IN THE SUBFRAME? WHILE OUT ON THEIR LOT I NOTICED 10 OTHER AVENGERS WITH A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT DESIGN TYPE (MORE RIGID AND STURDY I.E. NO DENTING) TO THE UNDERBELLY THAN MINE. I ONLY SAW 1 OTHER AVENGER LIKE MINE WITH THE SAME DEFECT. I FEEL THAT THERE IS A COVERUP TAKING PLACE. THIS IS A THREAT TO THE SAFETY AND THE INTEGRITY OF DESIGN OF THE VEHICLE. THERE IS NO TELLING WHAT WOULD OCCUR IF INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT, HEAD-ON OR REAR-ENDED? THE OUTCOME SO FAR HAS BEEN UNSATISFACTORY AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE I CAN DO? THIS IS A MAJOR CONCERN THAT NEEDS THE ATTENTION FROM THE GOVERNMENT AND CHRYSLER CORP. *TR

NHTSA ID

10205313

Incident

May 5, 2007