MYRModel Year Report

2008 Dodge Avenger

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2008 Dodge Avenger
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
831
Recalls
6

Campaigns on file for 2008

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Power train

29% of complaints

Complaints per year

1995: 196 complaints 1995 1996: 157 complaints 1997: 83 complaints 1997 1998: 58 complaints 1999: 62 complaints 1999 2000: 22 complaints 2007: 2 complaints 2008: 831 complaints 2008 831 2009: 67 complaints 2010: 163 complaints 2011: 209 complaints 2011 2012: 554 complaints 2013: 548 complaints 2013 2014: 205 complaints 2015: 1 complaint 2015
1995: 196 complaints 1995 1996: 157 complaints 1996 1997: 83 complaints 1997 1998: 58 complaints 1998 1999: 62 complaints 1999 2000: 22 complaints 2000 2007: 2 complaints 2007 2008: 831 complaints 2008 831 2009: 67 complaints 2009 2010: 163 complaints 2010 2011: 209 complaints 2011 2012: 554 complaints 2012 2013: 548 complaints 2013 2014: 205 complaints 2014 2015: 1 complaint 2015
1995: 196 complaints 1995 1996: 157 complaints 1996 1997: 83 complaints 1997 1998: 58 complaints 1998 1999: 62 complaints 1999 2000: 22 complaints 2000 2007: 2 complaints 2007 2008: 831 complaints 2008 831 2009: 67 complaints 2009 2010: 163 complaints 2010 2011: 209 complaints 2011 2012: 554 complaints 2012 2013: 548 complaints 2013 2014: 205 complaints 2014 2015: 1 complaint 2015

2008: 831 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
1995196
1996157
199783
199858
199962
200022
20072
2008831
200967
2010163
2011209
2012554
2013548
2014205
20151

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Power train

29% · 237 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and floor shift.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated the dealer issued a safety campaign since the power transmission remained stuck in gear. The vehicle was repaired under the safety campaign; however, the failure continued to occur.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-08-31

Electrical system

26% · 220 reports

Most commonly citing wiring and horn.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Dodge Avenger. While driving approximately 65 MPH, the headlamps illuminated independently and all the warning indicators illuminated intermittently on the instrument panel.

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-11-29

We own a 2008 Dodge Avenger. We received a recall letter (H07)concerning an electrical wiring problem that could cause the car to cut off without notice.

NHTSA ODI report, 2008-05-08

Vehicle speed control

17% · 138 reports

Most commonly citing cruise control and throttle.

CRASH

Engine

14% · 115 reports
CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated that the air conditioner failed. The contact also stated that the engine caught on fire, in which he beleived was directly related to the air conditioning failure.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-08-23

Also filed under Equipment

Air bags

12% · 97 reports

Most commonly citing frontal.

CRASHINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

Airbag did not fully deploy from steering wheel, curtain airbags ABS seat airbags never deployed on driver side , shoulder strap of seat belt locked out. Resulting in multiple injuries to me which I was driver- not sure how accident happened.

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-12-09

Also filed under Seat belts

I was in a 2008 Dodge Avenger that was a rental car. I was driving through a construction area when the truck in front of me slammed on its brakes.

NHTSA ODI report, 2008-02-01

Also filed under Service brakes, hydraulic

Safety timeline

6 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2007-04-30Latches/locks/linkages07V104000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    2007-06-18Air bags07V240000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2007-10-15Fuel system, gasoline07V426000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2007-10-29Latches/locks/linkages07V414000 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…

    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.…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2007-11-19Engine and engine cooling07V473000 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. ▮
    2008Complaint volume 831 complaints filed for this model year.
  7. R
    2008-04-15Electrical system08V152000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. I
    2010-11-18Audit queryClosed 2015-12-28 Fleet Vehicle Recall Completion Audit

Buy-smart checklist

2008 Dodge Avenger — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Power train: 237 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 220 reports on file for this year.
  • Vehicle speed control: 138 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 07V104000 · Latches/locks/linkages
  • Recall 07V240000 · Air bags
  • Recall 07V426000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 07V414000 · Latches/locks/linkages
  • Recall 07V473000 · Engine and engine cooling
  • Recall 08V152000 · Electrical system
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years2 years

FAQ

Is the 2008 Dodge Avenger reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2008 Dodge Avenger is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Dodge Avenger?
The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 29% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2008 Dodge Avenger have?
6 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.