8.5

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$210
Average Mileage:
54,450 miles
Total Complaints:
146 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (65 reports)
  2. replaced shifter assembly (25 reports)
  3. press orange/pink button underneath trim surrounding stick (21 reports)
  4. dealer replaced under recall (10 reports)
  5. Dodge should have to replace it no charge (9 reports)
  6. put a compression spring over the cable on the pink module (5 reports)
2008 Dodge Avenger transmission problems

transmission problem

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2008 Dodge Avenger Owner Comments (Page 3 of 8)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #106

Sep 012010

Avenger SXT 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 36,500 miles

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

Same thing sure enough. Had a ton of places to be after work and car wouldn't shift out of park. I work at a govt facility and the badge and pass office is closed so I'm gonna have to wait until tomorrow to get it towed. Tried turning the steering wheel, turning the alarm on and off, turning the car on and off, etc. Just bought the car used through a dealership exactly 31 days ago!!! Dealer is sending a tow truck. But this forum helps so at least I can show them whats wrong and hopefully I can have my car back before the holday weekend. AUGH!!!!!

Dodge really needs to do a recall. and i hear the piece that causes the problem is plastic?!?!? What kind of sense does that make?!?! SMH

- Laura N., Newport News, VA, US

problem #105

Aug 302010

Avenger 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 44,391 miles

this annoying problem occured yesteday (8/31/10) afer I got off work. After sitting all day parked, I drove my car about 3 miles to a Rite Aid with no problem, but when I came out and tried to put the car in reverse it was stuck in "park," even though I had my foot on the brake. I was stuck for about 2 hrs before my wife showed up to pick me up. Fortunately, a mechanic saw my hood up and I told him what the problem was and he was able to jury rig something so I could manually shift the gears after taking off the gear assembly case cover. The auto-reset button which is accessible through the cupholder was disengaged also and would not work. This problem makes this care totally unreliable, since it can happen anytime or any place without any prior indication or warning.

When I called the dealership, to say they were "less than helpful," would be a gross understatement. The service mgr had a "don't care, not my problem," type attitude...especially when I said "no" to his question about having an extended warranty. He sternly gave me the "complaint number" for Chrysler which I immediately called, and after blowing off much steam was politely told by the representative that they had just recently (Monday, 8/30/10) issued a recall (number K16). Boy I was happy to hear this, cause I had already read some of the nightmare stories out here on this site last night where people had mentioned how much money they had to pay to get this fixed. I was especially happy because I was between paydays and didn't have any money set aside for such an emergency. In a few months I wil be trading this car in, and getting a Maxima because it has a good report from consumer reports. Thanks goodness Dodge did the right thing (finally)!

- shiri2, Gwynn Oak, MD, US

problem #104

Aug 282010

Avenger 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 67,494 miles

I am just very disappointed to experience this problem with a 2008 vehicle. It is sad to see so many others are experiencing the same concern. I wonder if there is a recall on this problem. If not there should be, this is not right. I'm trying to help the economy by investing my money in American made vehicles and this is what happens. Very discouraging. I was only able to move the vehicle by lifting up the cover to the gear shift and moving the pink cable cord towards the back with a screwdriver. I read this on one of the other messages. It was a big tip. I was looking at $100 towing fee. Until I can get some money together or find out if under warranty I am driving around with a screwdriver hoping and prayering this will work each time.

- kimpernell, Lithonia, GA, US

problem #103

Jul 202010

Avenger V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

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

Like many of you, my car didn't give me any signs of any problem, and actually I used it this morning. I came home, and got ready to take my little boy to his Therapy, and that's when it happened, it won't shift gears!! it's stuck in parking...have no clue what to do...by the way, I see a lot of the same complaints here, so what are they going to do about it??? is not in recall yet....

- adak, Elgin, SC, US

problem #102

Aug 212010

Avenger

  • Automatic transmission
  • 36,000 miles

when it rains very heavy or snows the car gets wet and stalls when trying to stop. I have had it to the dealer 3 times but they cannot find anything unless the car is having the problem. One day I'm sure it will kill me when someone rear ends me in the bad weather. Not being able to get the car out of park is the worst though. You are stuck with no idea of what is wrong. You have to research the problem yourself, and find out about the pink reset and use a screw driver to override it to move your car. A new car with 36,000 miles should not be having these problems. You have to pray in the state of MD the dealer has the parts and perhaps you can get if fixed without having to win the lottery.

- Patti M., Lusby, MD, US

problem #101

Aug 092010

Avenger LS

  • Automatic transmission
  • 61,000 miles

They were aware of this problem when they sold me the car in October of 2009. I would have rather paid the expense of replacing the plastic part then instead of paying for it to be towed, miss 2 days of work, then pay a $400 bill to have it repaired when it's 110 degrees outside. The exact thing as stated by everyone else on here is what happened to me. I got to work on a Monday morning, went out to deliver some mail and my car was stuck in park. Very frustrating. They should have to reimburse me for this.

- Kari F., Oklahoma City, OK, US

problem #100

Aug 182010

Avenger 3.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,000 miles

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

I expected to have problems with this plastic car at some point, but not this soon. I am glad I Googled the problem with the gear shift being stuck in park. Hopefully the knowledge gained will prevent the dealer from taking too much advantage of me when I have it towed in tomorrow.

Good luck on getting a recall from Dodge! A 20 cent piece of pink plastic, and $300 in labor, I am sure. Wonder why they had to go out of business..hummmmm?????

- jbradeyyb, Matthews, NC, US

problem #99

Aug 172010

Avenger SXT V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 86,000 miles

YESTERDAY AFTER GETTING OFF WORK, WENT OUT GOT INTO MY CAR AND COULD NOT GET IT OUT OF PARK. AFTER READING COMPLAINTS I C THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM.. NOW TELL ME HOW IN THE HELL THEY MAKE US PAY FOR IT. I LUV MY DODGE BUT HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR FROM JUMP SEEMS TO ME DODGE IS SELLING BULLSHIT CARS AND ASKING BUYERS TO FIX PROBLEM AT OUT EXPENSE. COME ON EVERYONE THATS HAVING TRHIS LOCK GEAR PROBLEM COMPLAIN, COMPLAIN, COMPLAIN..WE WANT WHAT WE SPEND OUR MONEY FOR NOT BULLSHIT.

- bbooker, Dallas, TX, US

problem #98

Jul 192010

Avenger SXT

  • Automatic transmission
  • 44,000 miles

I drove my car yesterday morning, no problem. Got up to take my daughter to school and car wouldn't move out of park. Called Dodge, they claimed not many people are having this issue. Had my car towed to repair shop and found out I needed to replace my gear shifter and in addition this is an ongoing issue with Dodge Avengers and Chrysler 300's that the manufacturer refuses to address. Because it is such a big problem the dealership actually sold out of the gear shifters within a few days of having in stock. I was told they have to reorder at least every few days after having 30 gear shifters in stock. I will never buy Dodge again, EVER!!!!

- daraline, Round Rock, TX, US

problem #97

Aug 122010

Avenger SE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 45,000 miles

Dodge representative told me they were glad I called rather than post a complaint here like everyone else here has, but they had not recieved enough complaints that they would do anything about it. Please call Dodge headquarters at 1-800-423-6343 and complain and she also said to file a complaint at http://www.nhtsa.gov/

- greenmo, Jackson, MO, US

problem #96

Aug 162010

Avenger SE 2.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,005 miles

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

I came home from working out. I am in the Marine Corps. After having 30 minutes to get ready because i was carpooling, I got in my car at 0740, started the car and what do you know. The car won't shift out of park! Needless to say, I was late to work, and I just had a baby that is now 7 weeks old. We need this car! Where's the recall DODGE?!

- Lance L., Havelock, NC, US

problem #95

Jul 242010

Avenger

  • Manual transmission
  • 58,000 miles

a real PITA!! until you find out how to make it work. I'm lucky to have a father to call when things like this occur. He googled it and found out about taking the silver plate off and inserting something to push the pink button back toward the rear of the car...(keep foot on brake ) and shifting it. It worked for me and so far it's working fine. I will be calling the dealership to find out if it's a recall yet or not

- kellyla, Prairieville, LA, US

problem #94

Aug 122010

Avenger 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 8,000 miles

Can you say BULLSHIT!!!!!!! NO RECALL ARE THEY SERIOUS? Apparently this is a major issue. I have to work in the morning! How in the heck am I supposed to get there? This is absolutely ridiculous and unacceptable! They want us to keep them in business by purchasing there product, but the product is unsatisfactory! Therefore as soon as I am able I am washing my hands of this wretched vehicle! Also thanks to the other victims of dodge. your suggestions were a great help.

- Kia W., Nashville, TN, US

problem #93

Aug 112010

Avenger

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,000 miles

I drove to work today, went on lunch break and my car starts but will not move out of park. I call my husband, my brother and a few patients and orther people looked at car, could not get it out of park. I called about the warranty and they told me they do not think it is covered under my EXTENDED warranty plan. HOW can something that does not allow your car to shift out of gear not be covered on warranty or without warranty? I havent had car 2 years yet and it would not be an issue if they would just fix it...NO CHARGE.

I have had several cars FORD, TOYOTA, MAZDA, that were way older than this car that probably would have been recalled before now to have problem fixed. It's not the money it's time lost, not eating lunch, having car towed, finding a way to work...JUST FIX IT before someone else gets stranded or cant turn off car. I MAY NOT EVER BUY A DODGE again and it's a shame my husband loves DODGE. Signed very frustrated.

- tmersmann, Florence, KY, US

problem #92

Aug 132010

Avenger SD

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,000 miles

I got out of work, got in my car and it would not get out of park had to towe it home

- Juan L., San Fernando, CA, US

problem #91

Aug 102010

Avenger SXT 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 21,100 miles

Should order a recall, this type of problem nowadays is ridiculous. Bought it used from Dodge dealership and have had all of its maintenance services done there and still this happens.

- Gonzalo I., Corpus Christi, TX, US

problem #90

Aug 092010

Avenger 2.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 38,000 miles

Well, at least I'm not the first to have this happen to. Like many other complaints, the car was in the driveway, no prior warning until this morning when my wife was going to run errands and she said the shifter was "stuck in park". I did all the things I knew to do, i.e. step on the brake, etc. I called the dealership and told the service manager that the transmission was locked up. He said it probably wasn't the transmission but instead was the shifter, (his statement was, "There have been some problems with the shifter locking up on this model.") I called AAA and had it towed to the dealership to see what the problem really was.

The tow truck driver said there is a shifter release lever in the console and you can access that lever by pulling back the rubber cup holder insert nearest the shifter. There is a slot there and you can stick your finger in and feel the lever. Press down on it and it is suppose to release the shifter as long as everything else associated with the shifter is operating correctly. Secretly, I was hoping it was a transmission problem because I have the extended warranty and would get a new tranny out of it, but as luck would have it, that wasn't it and this part is not covered under the warranty.

I have learned a lesson before on things like this, so everyone that has had to pay out of pocket for this repair.......HANG ON TO YOUR RECEIPT and the WORK ORDER. Whenever the magic number of repairs for this problem is reached, they have to issue a recall and if you're able to show you paid out of pocket for the repair, they MUST reimburse you for the repair. (Thanks GM for that lesson) Total cost of repairing this problem: $302.00 + the frustration.

- captchet, Wilmington, NC, US

problem #89

Aug 042010

Avenger 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 45,000 miles

I am so ticked off, my husband was gone with our other vehicle, I had our two kids in the car loaded up ready to go and go to pull out and my gear is freaking stuck in Park....This is crazy that this is not recalled after all the complaints!!!

- britnie, Springfield, TN, US

problem #88

Jul 142010

Avenger

  • Automatic transmission
  • 62,000 miles

My husband drove the car to work with no problem. After working an 8 hour shift he got into the car only to realize the car would not shift out of park. After about 30 minutes of him trying to get the car into gear he had to find a ride home. When he made it home, since we did not have a manual and of course the dealership was closed, I had no way of receiving help. I looked online for a manual and stumbled on this website, so I sent my husband and his friend back to the car. He took the silver part around the gear shift off with a butter knife and underneath it was the pink button that was mentioned on this site as his friend pushed the brakes, my husband pulled the pink part towards the back of the car and put the car in reverse and then into drive. Once he made it home and put the car into park it was stuck again and would not go into a different shift. I did not try the pink button again. This car is not that old is this is definitely a manufacturer problem that needs to be fixed for free. That is not a normal wear and tear. It is very dangerous and I can not image if I were out of town. ( We were planning to go out of town next week in the car.) I'm going to try to exchange my car because I do not want to deal with another issue with this car. It is wayyyyyyyy too soon. I want to thank you all for the help. That saved me from paying a tow truck. But as far as dodge goes ..........from my point of view none of their cars are good including the dodge stratus. I think I'm going to swap my ride for a ford. Perfect timing.

- reginac, Byram, MS, US

problem #87

Aug 032010

Avenger 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 71,000 miles

I love my 2008 Dodge Avenger, never had a problem until now. Dodge really needs recall on these, the cars are great until this happened. Esp. when it's so unexpected, without a notice or warning. Don't know yet how much it will cost to replace, I am using butter knife now in order to push pink button back to shift from park. Once again Dodge really needs to have recall in order to correct this problem.

- Dorothy R., Eudora, AR, US

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