8.6

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$360
Average Mileage:
53,550 miles
Total Complaints:
43 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (36 reports)
  2. dodge released a tsb today for this problem (1 reports)
  3. electric throttle needs to be recalled (1 reports)
  4. engine flush (1 reports)
  5. need a new engine (1 reports)
  6. replace control switch in steering column (1 reports)
2008 Dodge Avenger engine problems

engine problem

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2008 Dodge Avenger Owner Comments (Page 2 of 3)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #23

Mar 082011

Avenger 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 31,400 miles

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

So I was driving home the other day and while sitting at a stop light, the car just shut off. All electrical worked fine, it restarted just fine and had no issues making the 30miles home. I had only driven it about 2 miles from work so far, was waiting at the stop light about 30 seconds and dead. I had just rained quite a bit but I didn't drive thru any standing water. Hope someone else has had similar problems and Dodge figures out what the deal is. It's at the dealership now to get looked at, I'll repost if it gets fixed.

Update from Mar 12, 2011: So I took it to the dealer, had fuel induction (injectors) replaced and an ethanol treatment. Apparently the increased ethanol in gas causes water vapor to build up in the fuel line and can cause a stall, especially if it's raining. Was told that Dodge recommends you get the treatment every 30Kmiles. So far, runs great.

- Timothy H., Crestview, FL, US

problem #22

Mar 022011

Avenger

  • Automatic transmission
  • 64,000 miles

my daughter owns the 2008 dodge avenger and the problem that she has is that the cars rpm,s will drop and the car will stall after she has been driving for a while. It doesn't happen all the time but when it does it is really frustrating and rather dangerous, especially when my grandson is in the car with her! I have taken it to a mechanic and he cant find anything wrong with it and naturally when he drives it or when I drive it nothing happens. Does anyone have this problem and if so what can we do to fix it? My daughter says that shes not crazy and that she knows her car I do believe her but I don't know what to do to fix the problem. I was told that maybe moisture got into the engine that might cause this to happen is that possible???

- rickyg, New Baltimore, Mich., US

problem #21

Dec 142010

Avenger 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 68,000 miles

I was wondering if anyone had a real fix on the stalling when stopping and when driving the dodge avenger. To me the car is a piece of work. I have tried to talk to 3 Chrysler dealers abt the issue and they say it is nothing or bring it in. well I am not driving a car that you do not what is going to happen when you put your foot on the pedal. Tomorrow i am going to pick up a camshaft position sensor. and see if fixes it. That is what I have seen so far as a fix or a tmps or a computer chip( what kind).... Any solid fixes would be great. Thanks

- Jason C., Morrow, OH, US

problem #20

May 032010

Avenger SXT 2.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 25,000 miles

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

My 2008 Dodge Avenger battery is dying. I keep getting it charged, but something electrical doesn't turn off when the car is off. I personally turn the air, stereo, etc to the off setting, but this doesn't work. My thoughts are that the MyGig Radio system is the problem. It draws more energy than Chrysler/Dodge expected.

Anyone else have this problem?

- mgavenger, Milwaukee, WI, US

problem #19

Oct 062010

Avenger SXT V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 68,000 miles

I bought this car in Feb 2009 and it only had 25000 miles on it. Shortly after I purchased this car from Mac Haik Dodge it started having trouble. The check engine light kept coming on and I took it in to get it looked at only to be told nothing was wrong. Then of course the problem kept getting worse and the check engine and oil light was coming on. Took the car back in and then they told me we can help you bc you car is 100 miles of factory warranty. I did get the extend warranty but it really isn't worth the paper the printed it on. I took the car to another dealership where they worked on my car. The check oil light continued to come on every fourth key turn, but would go back off as soon as I turned the car off. They then said it was just a sensor. Replaced and did a tune up.

Worst of the Worst happened June of 2010. My water pump went out without warning. They had to replace my heads etc. My check oil light came back on again. This time they replaced the PCM twice. Finally Oct 6th I was driving down a VERY busy road in Austin going about 65 mph and my car just shut off. Couldn't steer it had no control and almost went nose first into a ditch. (Looking back now I wish it had) Had it towed to the dealership where they finally got it to start after 4 hours but it was really rough. Computer gave tons of codes. Track down where the codes came from but could find no problem. They started my car once more and no trouble. They did this for two days then gave it back to me. My car ran fine when I picked it up and half the next day. Then on Saturday Oct 9 my car died on me again while driving. This time I had my kids in the car. Thank God I wasn't going so fast as we were just leaving the house.

This car is going to kill me!!!!! Dodge really needs to do something, but I can't find anyone to help me find the right people.

- Dawn H., Taylor, TX, US

problem #18

Dec 012008

Avenger 2.7

  • Automatic transmission
  • 29,000 miles

car stalls when coming to a stop or already at a stop. dodge says it is my imagination. but it seems to only happen in the rain, sun, cold, hot and warm days since the first time it happened i think its up to about 45-50 times and counting

- Richard F., New London, CT, US

problem #17

Jun 302010

Avenger SXT

  • Automatic transmission
  • 32,000 miles

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

I purchased the car the end of June 2010 I had a problem the next day took it back to the dealer that sold it to me, and he did something and it was ok. A few day later I was having the same problem and took it back and they told me to take it to a Dodge dealership they know their cars which I did. They didn't find anything wrong with it and the car was still under Manufacture warranty. They said pay attention as I drive to see if anything show up on the monitor it didn't and it happened again and I took it back a month later they still under manufacture warranty and they couldn't find anything wrong and they didn't find any recalls on the problem. They said continue driving it and they replaced a chip due to a another problem with the car and they said that would fix it. It didn't and I took it back about a month later due to they said give the chip time to read through the car. This time they found that there was a problem and they are still trying different things to stop the car from shutting off. its been at the dealership for 6 days. They can't replace it due to the manufacturer warranty was up but I bought a 6 yr bumper to bumper warranty from dodge the first time I brought it in. But they said they still can't replace their car that they can't fix. Nor will the warranty cover rental due to they don't know the problem yet to send to the warranty company. This does not make any sense and I already got an attorney.

- Crystal H., Pittsburgh, PA, US

problem #16

Jun 102009

Avenger SXT 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 32,000 miles

I bought this car so I would not have maintence expenses for a while, guess I made a big mistake on this one. Right away it started stalling when I was driving and lights on the dash started coming on, airbags, check engine, brake and others. It was temporarily fixed under warranty then occurred again shortly after warranty expired. Dodge told me this was no longer covered and I spent 1300. dollars on a car that was just over a year old to have the exact same sensors issues replaced, guess they decided to use the same sensors that were already recalled. If I could this car would be at the bottom of Lake Michigan.

- aholden, South Bend, IN, US

problem #15

Aug 042009

Avenger SXT 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 18,000 miles

Used auto-start, factory installed, to start car. Went to leave house car was not running, no big deal, hit unlock on key fob, not working. First time I EVER used key to unlock door. Long story short get jump from roadside assistance, dealer cannot replicate problem, car kept for day and half, NO LOANER, next purchase Ford or Toyota!!! BTW Date and mileage inaccurate just found this site 7/12/10. Dodge needs you and I to buy extended warranty so we can feel better about their P.O.S. Anyone see the irony here?!?

- Gary C., Dayton, OH, US

problem #14

Feb 052010

Avenger

  • Automatic transmission
  • 12,500 miles

My car started about a month ago revving the engine while stopped. Fortunately I was at a stop and had my foot firmly on the brake. It stalled once at a light. Again I was stopped. Last night I was driving maybe 5 mph (in a parking lot) and it stalled. No fault can be found and the dealership's idea is to just drive it and see what happens. This is dangerous!! Any advice?

- cundheim, Jacksonville, FL, US

problem #13

Dec 182009

Avenger SXT 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 22,000 miles

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

Currently 22,000 plus miles on my Avenger. I love the car, I just hate the stalls every time it is wet out. Stalls rounding corners, at stop lights, etc. any time the vehicle idles low, and only when it rains. Dealer performed recalls on the tire sensors, still same problem. Dealer attached computer to vehicle to "record" the issue when it happened, however, equipment was not on vehicle when it was raining or snowing. Car runs perfectly in the summer, spring, winter and fall are horrible. Dealer can not duplicate, there must not be anything wrong!! The clock in my stereo also loses time.....

- avengerowner, Reynoldsburg, OH, US

problem #12

Jun 022009

Avenger 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 48,326 miles

My car started giving me trouble over weeks. At first it would stall when started and put in drive or reverse but after u put back in park and start again it would be okay. Then it went to doing it once a week. Then twice a week. Now its everytime u get in it and go down the road but now it has gotten worse. Now when u have driven it for 15 to 30 mins. with the air conditioning on if you stop it quits once this happens you can get it to start again then it goes a little ways then quits. after that happens lights in dash board come on and it is the check engine and the electronic throttle lights but these lights only come on after u keep trying the start the car and it just keeps cranking and cranking. U can keep try to start the car but it only cranks and cranks then maybe out of 10 times trying to start the car it may start but if it does it loses power or rpms and quits it will keep doing this over and over you're stuck where ever you are. But the next day you can get in the car and start it and it works but if you go anywhere you're stuck there because it starts the same crap again sometimes u can push it back home but its dangerous because its stalling on you and losing power the whole way home. Does anyone have and soultions to this problem?

- Misty C., Vansant, VA, US

problem #11

Dec 012008

Avenger SXT 2.7L, V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,000 miles

Like many of you, All I hear from the dealer is "the computer cant find anything" The other day the car actually violently shook for 40 seconds, turned the car off, restarted and it did it again. The stalling has become a daily occurrence, and is getting annoying. Hopefully the dealer will find something this time.

- S J., Limington, ME, US

problem #10

Mar 022009

Avenger SXT 2.7L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 18,641 miles

As the car is coming to a stop, the RPM drops to a dangerously low level and the car stalls. Or the real fun treat is when the cars' computer discovers that the RPMs are too low and revs the engine. If you are trying to stop and the engine is gunned, you are gonna jump forward into the perpendicular traffic at the intersection. There are thousands of boards similar to this one, and thousands of identical complaints. Why isn't there a recall? I know, they are waiting until someone is killed!

- Ryan B., St Thomas, Ontario, Canada

problem #9

Dec 192008

Avenger SE 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 31,000 miles

Well I received a letter in the mail saying that there was a recall on the avenger something about tire pressure and it causes engine stalling or delayed start up. I was experiencing this about twice a week my car just wouldnt turn over when i went to start it. And then on December 19, 2008 we had a major ice storm and i was going about 19 mph and my car shut off i lost all control couldn't steer the wheel or anything which led me to slide off the road and bump into a telephone pole. I took my avenger to the dealership this week to have the recall notice and they called me and told me everything was fine and to come get it. That was Monday. Today is Thursday and last night i was driving home from work when my car stalled ON THE HIGHWAY! I called dodge and they told me i could bring it in and they would take a look at it. Thats all that they would tell me. So i have to take it YET AGAIN to be without a car!

- Nicole S., Akron, OH, US

problem #8

Jan 212009

Avenger SXT 2.7L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 21,401 miles

Have had my Avenger into Dodge several times because of the engine stalling when coming to a stop. They were unable to find anything wrong nor could they recreate the problem. However.....good news finally came today 3 Feb 09. Dodge has released a TSB on the engine stalling issue with the 08 Avengers. The dealership has to order the parts which may take a few weeks but the will replace the air pressure evaporator and reprogram the computer. I hope this helps anybody with the same problem as mine.

- markedinred, Kingston, Ontario, Canada

problem #7

Jan 222009

Avenger SXT 2.7L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 21,127 miles

When coming to a stop, RPM's extremely low and vehicle stalls. Only happens when temperature is below -5. Dealership unable to find cause and unable to replicate problem. No warning lights come on when vehicle stalls so computer won't register a fault. Lucky so far that my son hasn't been in the car when occurred, as both times it stalled was in snowstorms and almost was rear-ended by vehicle unable to stop behind me. Please if anyone knows how to help, let me know

- markedinred, Kingston, Ontario, Canada

problem #6

Dec 082007

Avenger SXT 2.7L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 12,000 miles

My engine has stalled several times. at speeds under 15 mph while coming to a stop. They are telling me the same thing,they cannot reproduce the problem. We need to find more people with this problem so we can do more about it. Also, let me know if your having other problems. My cars brake light and air bag light come on intermittently, knocking under front end, 2 leaks in the trunk, 1 in the door soaking the floor and stereo loosing time. please respond! daynejthomas@yahoo.com

- Dayne T., Severn, MD, US

problem #5

Feb 012008

Avenger SXT 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 7,000 miles

This is what I found out about the unexpected stalling with 2008 Dodge Advengers.

In both cases when the car stalled the wipers were on high and triggered a short that stalled out the entire car. WE found this out, not the mechanics at Dodge. While on the highway for the second time, the car stalled out as soon as the wipers were turned on high.

AFTER, we told this to the mechanics they found the control switch in the steering column was the problem. It also shorts out the air bag. Run an electronic test with each of the control turned on separately. i.e., wipers, cruise controls, lights, etc, anything on the steering wheel. the car will start to stall

Bob Boast Dodge in Bradenton Florida is well aware of this problem.

- Nick M., Parrish, FL, US

problem #4

Mar 182008

Avenger SXT

  • Automatic transmission
  • 6,778 miles

Well after having my avenger looked at by a dodge mechanic and said there is nothing wrong wit it, I was driving it (only 1 day after being at the shop) with my 2 month old son in it and lost all power yet again. However this time I was almost hit from behind by another driver!! I happened to be right down the street from the dealership and drove it straight there. My husband & I spoke to the service manager, who said again there is no recall on the car, no problems reported of this on the internet or in the U.S. He said he would drive the car all day yesterday and all day today, but if the car doesn't do anything then there is not much they can do for us, but maybe call in a Chrysler engineer who probably still wouldn't find any problems. HELP!!!! if ANYONE has experienced this problem email me ASAP!!!

- Heather S., Brook Park, OH, US

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