10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
83,797 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 engine problems

engine problem

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2008 Dodge Avenger Owner Comments (Page 1 of 7)

problem #134

Jan 102010

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. While driving 30 mph, the engine seized. On other occasions, the vehicle spontaneously accelerated and then dragged. Also, the driver's seat belt detached without warning and the air bag warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the thermostat, clockspring, ECM manifold, throttle body, starter, battery, air fan, integrated power module, air conditioner, compressor, intake runner, steering wheel, and engine needed to be repaired. The vehicle was taken to brockton Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram (241020 belmont St, brockton, MA 02301, (781) 961-1550), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and did not assist. The failure mileage was 36,000. The VIN was invalid.

- West Bridgewater, MA, USA

problem #133

Jul 182019

Avenger

  • 140,000 miles
As I was traveling 65 mph down hwy 411 in centre, al my car (2008 Dodge Avenger) completely shutoff. I could barely get my car over to the side of the road due to the steering wheel wouldn't turn. Thank god it was 11 P.M on a Thursday night because if it would've been during the day this hwy is very busy and I could've caused a wreck and harmed myself or someone else. After I got on the side of the road I tried to start it back up a few times and it finally started back up but it wouldn't stop turning over until I cut it back off. Then I tried to start it again and it started but every light on my dash come on. I put it in drive and tried to drive it home but it wouldnt go over 15 mph. I had several vehicles run up on the back of my vehicle and I was actually afraid for my safety. When I got it home I shut it off and it wouldnt start back up. I then tried to start it back up the next morning and the electrical throttle control light come on and I still cant go over 15 mph. This should be a safety recall because I couldve been hurt bad or worse.

- Leesburg, AL, USA

problem #132

Sep 112012

Avenger

  • 45,000 miles
Continuous engine and electronic and fuel and electrical issues with check engine light is activated with no resolve.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #131

Jan 212019

Avenger

  • 150,800 miles

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

I just bought my 2008 Avenger. Everything worked as normal until I went to warm up my car today and later realized that the passenger side is only blowing cold air. I have researched and found hundreds if not thousands are having the exact issue. The actuators are functioning. The blend door is fine. The heater core itself is fine due to hot air coming from driver side only. This can cause a more electrical problems and malfunctions and should be recalled due to poor heating abilities thus lack of defrost during winter months. I have a small frame I'm able to look out after windshield has been defrosting for over 20 minutes. That's the worst part. The other issue is my cruise control quit working also today while going 75 mph down the highway. I was almost rear ended because once it disengaged, it slowed down tremendously. Had I not been quick at accelerating again, I would be putting my car in the shop for rear end damage. Whether they are connected or not, I dont know, but it is very strange both issue arouse today.

- Corinth, MS, USA

problem #130

Dec 202018

Avenger

  • 240,000 miles
In motion at random times my electronic throttle control light will flash at the same time I lose all power at any speed.....from coming into my driveway to highway speed 40-50mph to interstate speeds 65mph I was with my very I'll mom who has to travel with medical supplies and equipment and when she is in an accident, and left unable to get to her set destination, would suffer and did finally today....we had to sit parked for longer that she medically is able to because of this problem with the electronic throttle control. It should be recalled & resolved before someone in my car, or myself, gets hurt or killed. I have had my Avenger since February - March 2009 and today is December 2018 and it has happened for over 2 years to me just because I am still alive, don't mean it shouldn't be resolved. Again, this happened before I got to the mileage I am now and is still happening. My airbag light stays on and I don't know if it would even work......, if I was to impact from the loss of power that's caused from, the etc. Please recall & fix this.

- Maysville, WV, USA

problem #129

Oct 292018

Avenger

  • miles
Takata recall....air bag light keeps coming on the entire time driving...2. sometimes my driving lights don't work properly and at the very same time my windshield washer won't work at all while driving. 3. right side heat blows warm & passenger side blows cold wether parked or moving

- Sparta, TN, USA

problem #128

Jun 072018

Avenger

  • 156,000 miles

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

I was driving when I noticed the red lightning bolt light come on on the dash. Then the check oil light came on (and I don't need an oil change). My tire pressure light had been coming on that day, I assumed bc it was colder that day. As I was driving I was getting into the left turn lane and as I got to the end of the lane and straightened my wheel I noticed I couldn't really turn my wheel. Once I got the green arrow to turn, I put my foot on the gas and I wasn't moving. I turned my hazards on put it in park and turned it off when I noticed my car was already off. I started it back up and the lights on my dash went away and it was fine. I've also been noticed the past couple weeks that my car revs up whenever it feels like it. I'll be parked and the car will rev up or I'll be driving a steady speed and my car will just speed up. Sometime even when I'm braking to come to a stop my car will start zooming forward.

- Tallmadge, OH, USA

problem #127

Jan 152018

Avenger

  • miles
I was driving home from work and all lights when off and car shut off and I had no control I was driving on interstate

- Central, SC, USA

problem #126

Oct 202017

Avenger

  • 157,000 miles
I've already had to replace the power control module (PCM) once just a year and a half ago, and now I have to replace it again and my car has been out of commission and sitting at a mechanic's repair shop for almost 2 months now after fixing other things first before finally determining it was the PCM again. Car will not rev above 2.0 RPM and is in "limp mode" with the service engine light along with the lightning bolt symbol present on the dashboard.

- Visalia, CA, USA

problem #125

Sep 212016

Avenger

  • 92,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Avenger. While the vehicle was stationary, the rpms increased rapidly without warning. While the brake pedal was depressed, the vehicle accelerated independently. The contact used a significant amount of pressure to depress the brake pedal and was able to stop the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure occurred on more than one occasion. Rairdons Jeep Chrysler Dodge in bellingham, Washington was contacted about the failure and stated that there was no recall on the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.

- Bellingham, WA, USA

problem #124

Dec 182016

Avenger

  • 100,000 miles

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

Etc failure ( electronic throttle control ) approx. 100,00O on vehicle, highway going steady 65mph and light came on near total power failure. Restarted vehicle seemed to clear itself. Took to Dodge mechanic the computer says it did not happen.. replaced the (etc) and car is still not operating correctly..I have zero faith that the car is safe. Researched this etc issue which seems to be widespread.

- Pilesgrove, NJ, USA

problem #123

Nov 142016

Avenger

  • 178,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Avenger. While driving various speeds, the vehicle suddenly failed to accelerate and the electronic throttle control sensor illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 178,000.

- Palm Coast, FL, USA

problem #122

Aug 102016

Avenger

  • 85,954 miles
Gear shift got stuck in park and could not move vehicle. This was a customer Chrysler customer satisfaction notification K16. I talked to Dodge about this problem and they told me that in October 2010 before I bought the car the dealer checked the gearshift and determined it was safe and did not need to be reinforced. Obviously it did. The repair cost $342.54. As I've seen on the internet this happens to many Dodge Avengers and is a safety concern.

- Lititz, PA, USA

problem #121

Mar 122016

Avenger

  • 100,000 miles
My Avenger is very dangerous and I'm trying to get rid of it because I fear for mine and my children's safety. On several occasions the vehicle has stalled while at idle and even once while I was accelerating on a highway- doing over 60 mph. It also continuously has accelerated on its own, either when slowing down or speeding up it will jump rpms and take off on its own. While going through a school zone the car accelerated on its own and I came very close to hitting two 5 yr olds crossing the road. I've had electrical problems, as the check engine light will come on and off on its own and just recently the combination switch stopped working completely, almost causing me to be rear ended. I've called Dodge and they want $100 just to look at the car, which I cannot afford after dumping many dollars into trying to fix these life threatening issues. I've had it seen there before and they said nothing was wrong when I paid over $500 for repair work. I'm fearful for my life while driving and its caused me much stress and anxiety. I've spoke to several other Avenger owners that experience the same problems in which their only option was to trade it in because they couldn't afford to buy a new vehicle. I personally would junk it myself because I would never want to jeopardize another person or their children's life, however like everyone else I can't afford it and will probably have to trade the "problem" down to some unknowing of the risks and dangers of the vehicle. After spending thousands of dollars for what I thought was a reliable car I am left driving a lemon, taking prescribed ativan for anxiety because I am constantly in fear of driving the thing, and unable to sell because nobody wants it. This car had wrecked my life, and I only want Dodge to take responsiblity. It's a shame to know that I am putting everyone's lives in danger & it's taking a toll on my health.

- Lower Burrell, PA, USA

problem #120

May 242016

Avenger

  • 180,000 miles
My car is having all of the same problems that the vehicles form the TPMS recall had. My car isnt covered under the recall though. The cruise control wont work, the battery just goes dead, the remote start sysyem wont work, sometimes the engine wont start, the radio stays on all the time if you dont manually shut it off, the air bag light is on even though there is nothing wrong with it. I feel as though since my car has all the same problems and I have seen many more complaints from others on this site and other websites that the recall should be reevaluated and expanded to cover more of the same year of vehicles. Please do something about this for all of the owners having problems.

- Chenoa, IL, USA

problem #119

Jan 042016

Avenger

  • 102,798 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 mph, the vehicle failed to accelerate and the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the intake manifold and the sensor switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 102,798.

- Merced, CA, USA

problem #118

Jan 082016

Avenger

  • miles
The electronic throttle control light will flash while driving at any speed and the car loses power, to which I am forced to pull over and restart the car. Now I am having battery issues with the car as well. I have reported this once before and have had no offers to fix the problem. Now that my daughter is driving the car I am forced to report this again. I feel it is only right for Dodge to recall and fix this. Other Dodge owners have reported the same issue. It may have not caused an accident yet, but why wait until it does"????" I dont always have a safe spot to pull over to restart the car. It is very scary. It has happened several times in the last 6 months.

- Maysville, WV, USA

problem #117

Nov 142015

Avenger

  • 164,000 miles
Tire pressure monitoring system short circuits leading to faulty readings on gauge, cruise control won't operate at speeds over 40 mph, radio constantly skips from one station to another, etc. Contacted Chrysler about the recall on this (recall #: 08V152000) asking to have it repaired free of charge, but they refused. These issues occur when the vehicle is both stationary and mobile.

- Marshfield, WI, USA

problem #116

May 042015

Avenger

  • 150,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated that the etc warning light illuminated intermittently. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle speed decreased. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic on several occasions, but the failure was unable to be replicated. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.

- Charlestown, IN, USA

problem #115

Jul 302015

Avenger

  • 105,235 miles
My son purchased his 2008 Avenger used in 2014 from Oklahoma. He is in the military and while deployed I am maintaining his vehicle at the local dealership in Michigan with oil changes and service. While driving at 55mph on the freeway the TPMS light came on then the cruise control turned off. Then the engine light as I was exiting the freeway the engine stopped. I started the vehicle which stalled at every. Intersection and on turns would stall putting me in the opposite lane. When looking up recalls it showed the exact problem. I took the vehicle to the dealership. They stated no recall on this VIN# and the problem is his timing chain and of course the fee is $1500 dollars. It seems Fiat Chrysler is trying to do everything not to fix these older models.

- Detroit , MI, USA

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