RoadVitals

2008 Dodge Avenger Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
831
Latest Nov 9, 2025
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
62
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
2
Reports on file since Jun 7, 2007

What this page shows

Our database holds 831 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2008 Dodge Avenger. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 831 · page 1 of 34

AirbagsElectricalVisibility
Filed Nov 9, 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.

NHTSA ID
11698451
Incident
Nov 1, 2024
BrakesOther / unspecified
Filed Oct 26, 2025
Crash reported

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
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Apr 7, 2025

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.

NHTSA ID
11653167
Incident
Apr 6, 2025
Other / unspecifiedSteeringSuspension
Filed Nov 30, 2024

NO ACCIDENTS REARS TIRES LEANING INWARDS

NHTSA ID
11628094
Incident
Nov 30, 2024
Body & structureSuspension
Filed Oct 30, 2024

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
Interior & seats
Filed May 29, 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.

NHTSA ID
11591278
Incident
May 28, 2024
Mileage
144,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jan 25, 2024

Air bag warning light and alarm on the dash board.

NHTSA ID
11567680
Incident
Jan 2, 2024
Visibility
Filed Jun 1, 2023

when utilizing the front wipers during the rain the wipers will stop working at any giving time. also sometimes when you utilize the turn signals the wipers will come on and remain in the upward stuck position. after doing vigorous research about this known issue with dodge vehicle i came across a lot of information online with dodge owners of various models. the dodge avenger forum has tons of write ups of people complaining about the issue with their wipers intermitting operation function. many write up mention the tipm/fuse panel. my question is why hasnt dodge recall vehicle that are affected by this. my concern of this is a major safety issue i have priced the tipm and this would be a very expensive repair for an out of pocket expense especially if this is something that was created at the manufacturing level of this particular part this part definitely defective issues and dodge isn't doing nothing about this.

NHTSA ID
11524883
Incident
Apr 10, 2023
ElectricalEngine
Filed Apr 12, 2023
Fire reported

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.

NHTSA ID
11516753
Incident
Apr 11, 2023
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Mar 27, 2023

The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The battery, the check engine, and the throttle body warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the contact noticed an abnormal odor while the vehicle was parked. The contact noticed there was smoke coming from underneath the hood. The contact's father lifted the hood and removed the positive (+) charge cable from the battery. The contact's father replaced the battery and the alternator; however, the failure recurred while driving. The contact's father replaced the alternator for the second time. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 08V152000 (Electrical System) and 07V426000 (Fuel System, Gasoline), however, the dealer confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 255,000.

NHTSA ID
11514061
Incident
Oct 1, 2022
Mileage
250,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Mar 8, 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

NHTSA ID
11510723
Incident
Mar 3, 2023
BrakesElectricalEngine
Filed Jan 27, 2023

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
Electrical
Filed Dec 13, 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

NHTSA ID
11497275
Incident
Jul 29, 2022
Body & structure
Filed Nov 29, 2022

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
ElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Nov 7, 2022

The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start up after multiple attempts. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer and the contact was informed that the failure was related to the key. The key was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

NHTSA ID
11492578
Incident
Aug 1, 2018
Mileage
140,000 mi
AirbagsElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Oct 23, 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

NHTSA ID
11490446
Incident
Oct 23, 2022
Fuel system
Filed Oct 20, 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?

NHTSA ID
11490092
Incident
Aug 15, 2022
Airbags
Filed Sep 21, 2022

The dash warning light for an airbag problem came on yesterday.

NHTSA ID
11485654
Incident
Sep 21, 2022
Electrical
Filed Aug 25, 2022

I have been having issues since I bought the car about my battery dying even though it's been replaced twice. When jumping car it will drain whatever is charging it almost completely. Or it won't properly connect. Lights keep coming on on the dash even though it keeps being read and it always leads back to the battery or a wiring issue I looked into the recalls recently and noticed one of the recalls for wiring are causing the same issues I'm dealing with. I checked the Vin and it says 0 unprepared recalls. I don't know if there's ever been a repair of the issue or not. Whatever is going on is exactly the same as the recall. Hopefully we can get this sorted.

NHTSA ID
11481109
Incident
Jan 1, 2022
Suspension
Filed Jul 17, 2022

2008 Dodge Avenger Suspension Steering Crossmember K Frame 04094C Front, Suspension has rusted apart and is causing steering issues. Tire is coming loose from drive terrain causing wheel to hit frame while turning.

NHTSA ID
11474397
Incident
Jul 14, 2022
Fuel system
Filed Apr 10, 2022

Gas tank straps wore a hole in my gas tank because they move around

NHTSA ID
11460310
Incident
Apr 7, 2022
ElectricalFuel systemSteering
Filed Mar 23, 2022

I bought the car pre-owned. I knew almost immediately that there was a electrical problem because the inside lights would come on when I would break. I've had non stop problems with the car and until now I didn't know it was a recall problem. My gear shift linkage has went out stuck in gear. My water pump has gone out . It's overheated on numberous occasions smells like a electrical fire happening. The car won't start it stalls out all the time at least two times a day. The website says that my car has already received the recalls but the exact problems they have listed are the exact problems I'm having and it's a safety hazard for real. They told me I was going to have to pay to get it fixed since my car already received the recalls. I don't think this is fair I think that if they "fixed" it then it shouldn't be a problem now but it is so it seems like the "fix" didn't work I need help being pointed in the right direction of who can look at this and really fix it please

NHTSA ID
11458064
Incident
Jan 3, 2022
Airbags
Filed Dec 20, 2021

The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the airbags warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 176,000.

NHTSA ID
11444432
Incident
Dec 1, 2021
EngineFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Sep 3, 2021

Hi my name is [XXX] and I’m 28 years old and a full time single mom of 2 girls 24/7 and in February I bought a 2008 Dodge Avenger 2.7 and the day I drove it home the check engine light came on and well long story short there it took them a month to “fix” the issue and 3 days later after getting my car back after NOT having it for a month the check engine light came on again…needless to say here it is almost September 7 months later and there has many endless problems and the car dealership will not return my phone calls or texts or emails about my car and wanting to trade it in for another one on there lot !!! They are crooked people and shouldn’t be a business I have so much proof INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ID
11431658
Incident
Feb 3, 2021
ElectricalEngineSteering
Filed Aug 26, 2021

Engine stopped during a red light intersection, cranked up once and engine stopped again. After a dangerous intersection situation , car was towed by a pair of young boys to a safe spot. A serious accident may have resulted, if not for the quick help. Being an automotive teacher and passed shop owner inspected the situation and have come to a conclusion that the TPIM failed. No warning lights appeared during situation. Scanner will not pick up any codes when hooked up to try to correct problem. 2008 Avenger with 88000 miles, will take to dealership for repairs.

NHTSA ID
11430642
Incident
Aug 20, 2021

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.

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