2008 Dodge Avenger Brakes Problems

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 severely damaged , hood push in, windshield busted, driver hit with air bag, car had to be pulled whiteout being able to be put in neutral which caused more damage to car. There was no warning until the breaks locked up and plowing into another automobile. Two other vehicles involved, could only see one , both were not moving, saw no break lights, no turn signal, this Caused the driver to be injured, driver had cruse control set to speed limit 55, trooper suggested was speeding they were not and they are white not Chinese.

NHTSA ID

11695684

Incident

Oct 25, 2025

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?

NHTSA ID

11503923

Incident

Aug 1, 2022

BRAKES : I NEED TO REPLACE BRAKE PADS EVERY 3 MONTHS. (I RUN OVER 1600 MILES MONTHLY) A/C : THE PASSENGER SIDE BLOWS FREEZING COLD AIR AND THE DRIVERS SIDE BLOWS HOT. SUSPENSION : THE REAR KNUCKLE BUSHINGS FAILS TOO MUCH.

NHTSA ID

11279727

Incident

Jan 1, 2017

Mileage

92,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS SENSOR ILLUMINATED AND THE BRAKES FAILED SHORTLY AFTERWARDS. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE BRAKES TOOK LONGER THAN USUAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE. FURTHERMORE, THERE WAS A MAJOR FUEL TANK LEAK AND THE ODOR OF FUEL WAS NOTICED OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. LASTLY, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND PLANNED TO BE REPAIRED ONCE THE CONTACT ORDERED THE CORRECT FUEL TANK STRAPS. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.

NHTSA ID

11233779

Incident

May 20, 2019

Mileage

68,000 mi

TOOK THE CAR IN TO THE DEALER FOR A RECALL HOWEVER MY VIN DID NOT COME UP. I'M NOT SURE WHY WHEN THE RECALL INCLUDED MY YEAR MAKE. BRAKE LIGHT REVERSE AND SIGNALS ARE NOT WORKING . I HAVE 2 CHILDREN UNDER 10 YEARS OLD I TAKE TO SCHOOL AND AFTER SCHOOL FUNCTIONS. THIS IS A SERIOUS MATTER THAT NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED. THE ISSUES WITH THE 2008 DODGE AVENGER ARE PART OF THE NATIONAL RECALL. WHEN DRIVING CREATES DANGEROUS CONDITIONS DUE TO NO FUNCTIONING SIGNALS OR WARNINGS. THE DEALER DID STATE IT WAS THE WHOLE BOX TIMP. THIS IS WHAT WAS RECALLED.

NHTSA ID

11181725

Incident

Feb 12, 2019

BRAKE LIGHTS OUT DUE TO WIRING PROBLEM PER MECHANIC. BRAKES LOCK UP AND SKID. DASH LIGHTS FLICKER AND DIM WHILE DRIVING. TURNING SIGNALS NOT WORKING AND ALL FUSES REPLACED. ALL PROBLEMS WHILE VEHICLE MOVING OR STATIONARY.

NHTSA ID

10807517

Incident

Oct 1, 2015

Mileage

98,880 mi

I WAS UNABLE TO START MY CAR AS THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION, AND I COULD NOT RELEASE THE BREAK OR TURN MY WHEEL. I TRIED FOR 25 MINUTES. I ROCKED THE CAR WHILE IT WAS IN PARK AND THE BACK AND FORWARD AND THEN THE KEY TURN AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE.

NHTSA ID

10734256

Incident

Jul 15, 2015

Mileage

118,000 mi

I WENT TO PUT MY CAR IN PARK AND WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE THE CAR CONTINUED FORWARD. I LOOKED TO SEE IF I DIDN'T PUT THE CAR IN PARK FULLY AND THE GEAR SHIFT IS IN PARK HOWEVER, THE GEAR INDICATOR SAYS THE CAR IS STILL IN DRIVE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10712631

Incident

Apr 24, 2015

Mileage

115,512 mi

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 YARD. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10680629

Incident

Sep 2, 2013

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 VEHICLE BUT IT CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT HAD TO CRASH INTO IN A DITCH IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000.

NHTSA ID

10651730

Incident

Nov 3, 2008

Mileage

3,000 mi

WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND NOTICED A DELAYED RESPONSE WHEN PUSHING DOWN ON THE ACCELERATOR, MOMENTS LATER I WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATOR AND THE CAR'S ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL LIGHT APPEARED, THE CAR WAS UNABLE TO GO MORE THEN 15MPH. TOOK THE CAR TO A SERVICE STATION WHERE THEY RAN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND NO DEFAULTS WERE FOUND. *TR

NHTSA ID

10556565

Incident

Dec 17, 2013

Mileage

130,000 mi

I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR. WHEN I FIRST PURCHASED IT 2 MONTHS LATER MY SHIFTER GOT STUCK I WAS STRANDED AT WORK. AFTER THAT I HAVE HAD VARIOUS PROBLEMS FROM THE ALTERNATOR, BATTERY, AND COMPRESSOR GOING OUT VARIOUS TIMES AND IT IS NOT EVEN OVER 100,000 MILES. I LOOKED UP THERE WERE RECALLS ON THE CAR BACK IN 07 AND 08. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THAT THEY FIXED IT BUT I FEEL LIKE IT WAS NOT FIXED AND I HAD THE SHIFTER PROBLEM RIGHT WHEN I PURCHASED THAT IS THE ONLY THING THEY SAID THEY CAN FIX. *TR

NHTSA ID

10476486

Incident

Mar 28, 2008

Mileage

35,000 mi

WE BOUGHT THIS CAR USED A YEAR AGO. SOON AFTER THE AC COMPRESSOR WENT OUT. WE HAD IT REPAIRED. THEN THE BRAKES WENT OUT. HAD THEM FIXED, BUT THEY STILL GRIND AND ARE NOT RIGHT. HAD THE ROTARS LOOKED AT AND FIXED, BUT STILL NOT GOOD. THEN THE AC BLEW AGAIN, HAD IT REPAIRED AGAIN. THEN WE HEARD A LOUD NOISE WHEN CAR IDLING THAT SOUNDS LIKE A SCREAM. THEN THE AC BLEW AGAIN AND NOW THEIR IS A GRINDING NOISE IN ENGINE AND IT SOUNDS LIKE A LAWN MOWER. WE ARE VERY UNHAPPY AND WROTE TO DODGE.OH WAIT THIS IS ALL FOLLOWING THE SHIFTER BREAKING (PIN ISSUE) AND HAVING TO ASK DODGE TO MAKE THIS A RECALL WHICH THEY DID. *TT

NHTSA ID

10459473

Incident

Jul 12, 2011

Mileage

85,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED AND SUDDENLY THERE WAS A LOUD GRINDING NOISE WITH A DELAYED RESPONSE. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOUR DIFFERENT TIMES FOR THE IDENTICAL DEFECT AND BOTH FRONT BRAKES WERE REPLACED EACH TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE CONTINUOUS MALFUNCTION. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,900.

NHTSA ID

10442248

Incident

Mar 10, 2010

Mileage

12,900 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR HAD IT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKES HE HEARD A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO ADVISED HIM THAT HE NEEDED NEW BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. IN ADDITION TO THE FAILURES THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW WOULD FREEZE IN ONE SPOT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED NOR WAS IT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000.

NHTSA ID

10416886

Incident

Jul 20, 2011

Mileage

80,000 mi

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 INTERNET IT SEEMS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM BECAUSE CHRYSLER USED A PLASTIC PART FOR THE GEAR SHIFT SPRING THIS IS CRAZY I AM STILL PAYING OFF MY CAR PLEASE HELP! *TR

NHTSA ID

10349429

Incident

Aug 13, 2010

Mileage

512,125 mi

I WENT TO GO GET IN MY CAR TO GO TO WORK AFTER RETURNING HOME 3 HOURS EARLIER AND MY PARK WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK. MY WIFE AND I TOOK APART THE CONSOLE TO FIND OUT IF ANYTHING WAS JAMMED IN IT SUCH AS LOSE CHANGE BUT THERE WASN'T. SHE DECIDED TO GO ONLINE TO DO SOME RESEARCH AND DISCOVERED THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO A LOT OF PEOPLE. I HAVE 88,000 MILES ON MY 2008 DODGE AVENGER BUT I TAKE GREAT CARE WITH MAINTENANCE. OF COURSE THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL BUT I HOPE THEY DO. THE PINK BUTTON EVERYONE IS REFERRING TO WE HAVE NOT TRIED YET... *TR

NHTSA ID

10346181

Incident

Jul 29, 2010

Mileage

88,000 mi

CAR DROVE FINE, PARKED IN DRIVEWAY, WENT BACK OUT TEN MINUTES LATER AND IT WOULDN'T SHIFT OUT OF PARK. AND THE OVERRIDE THE OWNERS MANUAL SUGGESTS WOULDN'T WORK EITHER. IT WAS SUCH AN INCONVENIENCE. WHEN I CALLED THE TOW COMPANY, THEY STARTED LAUGHING. I WAS ABOUT THE 25TH DODGE THEY WERE GOING TO TOW SO FAR FOR THE WEEK! I GUESS THIS IS A PLASTIC PIECE DOWN NEAR THE SHIFTER THAT BREAKS IN HIGH HEAT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10345607

Incident

Jul 26, 2010

Mileage

72,804 mi

I HAVE 2008 DODGE AVENGER AND THE AUTOMATIC GEAR SHIFT STICK LOCK UP IN THE PARK POSITION. THE OVERRIDE BUTTON UNDER THE CUP HOLDER FAILED TO WORK ALSO. I READ ON THE INTERNET THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED FREQUENTLY WITH THIS VEHICLE MODEL. MY CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY BUT I STILL HAD TO PAY A $50 CONTRACT CHARGE. THE COMPANY SAID THAT THEY HAD THESEPARTS IN STOCK BECAUSE THEY HAVE RECEIVED SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE 2008 DODGE AVENGERS. THIS IS AN AWFUL FEELING WHEN YOU GET SOMEWHERE AND YOUR VEHICLE LOCKS IN THE PARK POSITION AND NO ONE HAS AN ANSWER. *TR

NHTSA ID

10343629

Incident

Jul 11, 2010

Mileage

49,000 mi

VERY MANY 2008 DODGE AVENGERS ARE HAVING AN ISSUE WITH THE GEAR SHIFTERS GETTING STUCK IN PARK, INCLUDING MINE. (SEE WEBSITE AT THE LINK PASTED FOR PROOF: HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/DODGE/AVENGER/2008/TRANSMISSION/GEAR_SHIFT_MODULE_LOCK_UP.SHTML) SINCE MY CAR WAS JUST UNDER THE 36,000 MILE CUTOFF FOR THE FACTORY WARRANTY I WAS ABLE TO GET THE DEALERSHIP TO COVER TOWING AND FIXING IT FOR FREE. HOWEVER, THIS APPARENTLY HAPPENS PRETTY OFTEN WITH THESE CARS SO WHAT AM I GOING TO DO THE NEXT TIME THIS HAPPENS AND THE TIME AFTER THAT??? THERE IS A SPRING ATTACHED TO A PINK BUTTON ON THE GEAR SHIFTER THAT KEEPS POPPING OFF OF EVERYBODY'S CAR. THERE NEEDS TO BE A MAJOR RECALL ON THIS!! *TR

NHTSA ID

10343020

Incident

Jul 6, 2010

Mileage

35,105 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD INDEPENDENTLY ILLUMINATE SPORADICALLY. THE DEALER TOPPED OFF THE BRAKE FLUIDS, YET THERE WERE NO REPAIRS. THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE AND TOPPED OFF THE BRAKE FLUIDS YET AGAIN. THE FAILURE PERSISTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER A THIRD TIME. THE DEALER ADVISED THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO AN INTERNAL FAILURE WITH THE SWITCH BRAKE FLUID LEVEL. THE FAILURE CONTINUED AND THE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO CHECK AND SET THE BRAKE FLUID LEVEL AND INSTALLED A NEW RESERVOIR. THE FAILURE PERSISTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOUR ADDITIONAL TIMES WHERE THE BRAKES WERE CHECK, BRAKE FLUID WAS REFILLED AND A FOUR WHEEL BRAKE INSPECTION WAS PERFORMED, ALL OF WHICH DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,490 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 16, 563. UPDATED 09/24/10. *LJ UPDATED 09/24/10

NHTSA ID

10339995

Incident

Sep 18, 2008

Mileage

3,490 mi

THE LATCH THAT LETS YOU TAKE THE CAR OUT OF PARK IS MALFUNCTIONING THAT ONLY ALLOWS YOU TO TAKE THE CAR OUT OF PARK BY PUSHING A PINK LATCH BUTTON UNDER THE SHIFTER. *TR

NHTSA ID

10330917

Incident

Feb 20, 2010

Mileage

20,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. HE STATED THAT BOTH THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKE PADS HAD WORN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY SANDED DOWN THE BRAKES BUT THE PROCEDURE DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. FURTHERMORE, THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMATED ALONG WITH THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE WARNING LIGHT, FOLLOWED BY THE ENGINE OVERHEATING. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP IN REGARDS TO THE ENGINE FAILURE AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CONTACT HAD NOT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 63,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 32,000.

NHTSA ID

10322714

Incident

Mar 15, 2010

Mileage

63,000 mi

ON MARCH 5, 2010 (FRIDAY) - APPROXIMATELY 5:30 P.M., WHILE DRIVING ON SUNRISE HIGHWAY IN LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK, AN INDICATOR LIGHT WENT ON INSIDE MY 2008 DODGE AVENGER, IN THE SHAPE OF A LIGHTNING BOLT IN MY CAR. LITERALLY 30 SECONDS LATER, AND BEFORE THERE WAS TIME TO REACT AT ALL, MY BRAKES STOPPED WORKING AND THERE WAS NO WAY TO STOP MY VEHICLE. I HAD JUST ABOUT MADE IT TO THE EXIT RAMP WHEN I REALIZED BY LOOKING IN THE REARVIEW MIRROR THAT THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM MY CAR. AS I HAD STEERED ONTO THE EXIT RAMP, I OPENED THE DOOR AND SAW FLAMES SHOOTING FROM THE UNDERNEATH PART OF MY CAR. WITHOUT THINKING TWICE I JUMPED FROM THE MOVING VEHICLE (WHICH AT THE TIME STILL WAS GOING AT ABOUT 20 MPH). I WAS NOT HURT PHYSICALLY BUT WAS EXTREMELY SHAKEN UP. ANOTHER TRAVELER WHO HAD PULLED UP ON THE SERVICE ROAD TO HELP ME, INFORMED ME THAT THE CAR WAS ON FIRE FOR AT LEAST 1/4 OF A MILE ON THE HIGHWAY AND THAT HE HAD BEEN ATTEMPTING TO FLAG ME DOWN. AFTER I HAD ESCAPED THE VEHICLE, THE CAR CONTINUED IN A DIAGONAL PATH TOWARD ONCOMING RUSH HOUR HIGHWAY TRAFFIC. THE FIRE CONTINUE TO BURN AND HAD BECOME VERY BAD, TO THE POINT WHERE THE ENTIRE FRONT HALF OF THE CAR WAS ABLAZE. THE ONLY THING THAT STOPPED THE OUT OF CONTROL VEHICLE WAS A WIRE FENCE IN THE DIVIDER BETWEEN THE SERVICE ROAD AND MAIN HIGHWAY. THE INSURANCE COMPANY AND MANUFACTURER ARE CURRENTLY IN THE PROCESS OF INVESTIGATING. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TOOK AT LEAST 15-20 MINS TO RESPOND WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BECOME SEVERELY DAMAGED TO THE POINT WHERE IT IS NOW EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO ASCERTAIN A CAUSE. MY INSURANCE ONLY COVERED MY CAR LOAN AND NOW I AM OUT MONEY FOR THE DOWN PAYMENT ON A NEW VEHICLE. THIS SITUATION IS VERY SERIOUS. THERE COULD HAVE BEEN CHILDREN OR ELDERLY PERSONS IN THE VEHICLE WHO COULD HAVE DIED. PLEASE HELP ME INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE. I CONSIDER MYSELF LUCKY TO STILL HAVE MY LIFE AND EVALUATE THE SITUATION AS HAVING INITIATED A DUTY TO KEEP OTHERS SAFE FROM DANGERS OF THE SAME. *TR

NHTSA ID

10319998

Incident

Mar 5, 2010

Mileage

65,000 mi

PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2008 AVENGER AND HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES FROM THE GET GO. CAN FEEL BRAKES SURGING THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL. TOOK IT IN AND WAS TOLD THAT BRAKES WASN'T COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. REPLACED ALL BRAKES AND HAD ROTORS TURNED AND PROBLEM STARTED AGAIN RIGHT AWAY. AND NOW ALSO WHENEVER YOU BRAKE HARD THE BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON. *TR

NHTSA ID

10312552

Incident

Sep 1, 2009

Mileage

23,000 mi