10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 13
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
89,809 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2008 Dodge Avenger electrical problems

electrical problem

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2008 Dodge Avenger Owner Comments (Page 7 of 11)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #95

May 282014

Avenger 4-cyl

  • 150,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated that immediately after starting the vehicle, flames started to emit from the drivers side speaker. The contact stated that she used a fire extinguisher to put out the fire. There were no injuries reported. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 150,000. Updated 8/12/14 the consumer stated the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but, refused assistant because the vehicle was repaired before it was inspected. Updated 08/21/2014

- Alton , IL, USA

problem #94

Apr 062014

Avenger

  • 71,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated that while waiting at a traffic stop, the vehicle stalled and the tire pressure monitoring system warning lamp illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the technician was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 08V152000 (electrical system). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 71,000.

- Pace , FL, USA

problem #93

Mar 082014

Avenger 4-cyl

  • 94,000 miles
While driving on the highway a service light came on in my car and my car started slowing down to 5-10 miles an hours on the highway where it would not go. I let the car sit for a few minutes and it started up and drove normal again. It has happened while I was going 35 miles per hour where it will do the same thing. The lighting bolt symbol light comes on.

- Independence, MO, USA

problem #92

Jul 172011

Avenger

  • 36,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated that when he engaged the turning signal, the windshield wipers would activate simultaneously without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the technician was unable to diagnose a failure. A monitoring system was placed in the vehicle to help diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 36,000 and the current mileage was 115,000.

- Pardeeville, WI, USA

problem #91

Apr 212014

Avenger

  • 93,000 miles
Intermittent loss of power on acceleration and under load. Suspected throttle body issues with throttle positioner code showing up.

- Fayetteville, WV, USA

problem #90

Nov 072008

Avenger

  • 20,000 miles
Car running sluggish no power, taken to dealer nothing wrong, clicking in engine compartment when air conditioner on, dealer, nothing wrong, transmission pulling. Soon after electrical, loud popping noise coming from passenger side everytime the air conditioner/heater turned on then off, defroster out on passenger side, and rear window, not working at all, air bag light turns on wont turn off, have to move front seat back then forward till light turns off, so irritated and disappointed expected better from Dodge, american made?? wow lost for words. Car is falling apart, I need my heater and defroster someone please help.

- Ontario, CA, USA

problem #89

Apr 152014

Avenger 6-cyl

  • 52,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The cars electrical wiring is messed up.... power steering is tight at tinge... windows roll up tooo much U hear it grinding.... U can't have the heat and radio on at the sane tinge cause it's nothing but static..... it says gascap where the mileage is..... somtimes it won't show the mileage..... I.bought this from a dealership. One month ago are they reliable to fix this or is there a legal way I can..... from the looks of it they sold me a car with recall problemsm.

- Manchester, NH, USA

problem #88

Feb 172009

Avenger 4-cyl

  • 48,000 miles
On or about Feb. 17, 2009 and continuing to present, my 2008 Avenger has had numerous problems shifting. The problem started with hard shifting and transmission slippage. Now, when driving at 45mph when the car goes to shift into overdrive, and misses 4th gear. There is a sudden loss of gears and the tachometer climbs rapidly because the overdrive gear will not engage. When engine RPM is lowered, car downshifts into 2nd gear (limp mode) and will not shift normally until the vehicle is turned off and re-started. The sudden loss of speed may result in a crash and personal injury to the occupants of the vehicle. I have seen numerous complaints on this problem and have noticed a lot of service bulletins related to improper shifting of the 2008 Avenger. Even though Dodge is aware of the problems with the powertrain control module, they have refused to issue a recall on the module placing the safety of its customers below the importance of their profits.

- Corpus Christi, TX, USA

problem #87

Apr 032014

Avenger 4-cyl

  • 126,000 miles
Battery light warning came on, cruise control stopped working, car would no longer shift or was drivable. This occurred on the freeway and we were almost hit. Once stopped the car would not turn back on. This appears to be connected to either recall H07, which may be recurring, or to an item that should be recalled relating to the electronic throttle control. There are multiple incidents regarding this item. I've had several completed recalls that don't appear to have been completed or are recurring.

- Mesa, AZ, USA

problem #86

Feb 202014

Avenger

  • 93,745 miles
My vehicles etc light (code P2112) came on while getting on the expressway at 65 mph and it went into "limp mode" causing my vehicle to jerk severely and my speed to drop down to 30 mph immediately. After nearly being hit by a semi I was able to get to the emergency lane and my check engine light came on as well. The vehicle will not go faster than 10 mph.

- Akron, OH, USA

problem #85

Feb 212014

Avenger

  • 171,215 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I was driving home and the car bucked like it was going to stall, just then I lost my dashboard lights, car kept running but sluggish. Got home to see if anyone else had this problem and found out that there was a recall for this issue, exactly what had happened to me was described on Chrysler's recall page. So I called Chrysler and they told me it wasn't my model, yet everything I read, even on your page, says 2008 Dodge Avenger and the problems I know have are described to a tee. Any help in this situation would be greatly appreciated as I don't have the money to fix Chrysler's problem. Thank you! recall id #74738 NHTSA campaign id- 08V152000 Chrysler recall no. H07.

- Howell, NJ, USA

problem #84

Feb 212014

Avenger 4-cyl

  • miles
The electronic throttle control on my 2008 Dodge Avenger broke. This is a known problem to Dodge but they have a 2 to 3 week back log on the part to fix this problem. Now I don't have my car for 2 to 3 weeks and I now have to rent one. If this is a known problem why hasn't a recall be placed on this part" why if this is known do they have such a back log on parts. If this is a known problem why am I paying for a rental car? this is a total lack of customer service on a corporation level. This is not the first car I have had this kind of problem with when it comes to Dodge products. As a loyal Dodge driver for the last 20 years this is the last straw. Their incompetence as a company can no longer be overlooked and brushed away. When will they accept responsibility for the product they produce and stand behind it" although I expect Dodge to do nothing as usual they have just lost one more customer.

- Oak Grove, MO, USA

problem #83

Feb 012014

Avenger 4-cyl

  • 70,000 miles
I was driving on the highway going 55mph and the electronic throttle indicator light came on and my car failed to increase speed and started to jerk slightly. The rpms then jumped from 1700 about to over 2500 then started pushing 3000 and wouldn't go down until I was off the highway and going 30mph. My RPM was still around 2500. I was able to pull over and turn my car off and that seemed to fix the issue, until I needed to go on the highway again. Everytime my car went to shift to a higher gear when I was hitting between 50 and 55mph it would happen. It took my car to a mechanic who told me my car was undrivable because this would ruin my transmission. I now have a completely dead car due to the part I need being nationally unavailable.

- Anacortes, WA, USA

problem #82

Feb 052014

Avenger 4-cyl

  • 84,500 miles
Was coming to a stop off of the interstate and all of a sudden lost speed power. Was unable to go over 10 mph from my stopping point. The etc light was flashing. I have not yet taken it to a mechanic. I did shut the car off and restarted and it seems to be running fine now.... but will this happen again?

- Moorhead, MN, USA

problem #81

Jan 072014

Avenger

  • 116,000 miles
While I was driving home from work I was driving approx 50 mph and I lose power and my electronic control throttle light came on. I couldn't go faster then 5 mph and my RPM wouldn't pass 2,000 I pulled over on side of road turned off the car and try to restart but it would only run for a few seconds and cut out again. My home town mechanic said that the issue was the throttle body. The total cost in repair is roughly 500 dollars, and reading online there are more drivers out there having the same issue. I think Dodge should do a recall on there 2008 Dodge Avengers and up.

- Springwater, NY, USA

problem #80

Jan 022014

Avenger 4-cyl

  • 100,000 miles
While driving, vehicle immediately malfunctioned, preventing RPM in excess of 2500rpm and capping speed at 5mph uphill or 30mph downhill (incline dependent). At this time, electronic throttle control light appeared on dash. Since this time (3 days so far), the vehicle has been inoperable. Attempts to determine the cause of this malfunction by searching the internet have shown numerous other consumers have had similar problems, particularly with this make and model (2008 Dodge Avenger), and attribute it to a problem with the throttle body - either throttle body itself, throttle position sensor, wires leading to throttle body, electrical control of throttle body, I.e. whether malfunction is battery-life-dependent, etc.

- Fairview, NJ, USA

problem #79

Jul 102013

Avenger

  • 79,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated that the air bag sensor warning light was illuminated and flashing. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was informed by the manufacturer that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number id number: 07V240000 (air bags). The contact also stated that she experienced multiple defects involving the electrical system including an inoperable cruise control function, a sporadic loss of engine power, and the vehicle stalling when the remote key was used to open the doors. The manufacturer was notified and the contact was informed that the vehicle was also not included in NHTSA campaign 08V152000 (electrical system). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced the same defects as listed in both recalls. The failure mileage was 79,000.

- Eureka, MT, USA

problem #78

Dec 172013

Avenger

  • 130,000 miles
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.

- Roeland Park, KS, USA

problem #77

Nov 302013

Avenger 4-cyl

  • 132,500 miles
Vehicle started having issues starting and then it would start and run fine and then die.I was contacted and noticed that the fuel pump was not coming on and then would all the sudden come on andthen quit so I removed the rear seat and unplugged the wire harness and could see where it had been burned and looked at the top of the pump where the harness plugs in and could see and smell gas.I removed the fuel pump and you could see where one of the wire harnesses inside the fuel tank on the fuel pump had burned a hole all the way through.in the whole process of this no fuse ever blew to shut power off and was told there is no fuse by someone at the Dodge dealer.I proceeded to look on the internet and found numerous accounts of this same issue and nobody has reported it the changed there fuel pump but that does not fix the issue. If there is no fuse to blow somebody is going to get hurt and if there is a fuse why are they not blowing.

- Webb, AL, USA

problem #76

Nov 102013

Avenger

  • 89,000 miles
Was going down interstate, went through tollbooth, around 55mph the etc light came on and the gas pedal no longer accelerated the car. Vehicle speed rapidly dropped and I had to pull over to avoid an accident. Turned vehicle off, restarted it and drove another 50 feet before the same thing happened. Turned the vehicle off a second time and restarted. Haven't had the problem since yesterday. However after researching this issue, the etc unit on the 2008 Dodge Avenger is an extremely faulty unit and this happens to a lot of people. Typical repair is around $800. This needs to be a recallable item. I had my daughter in the car and we were nearly rear ended due to the speed drop on a three lane highway. I will be reporting this to Chrysler as well.

- Biddeford, ME, USA

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