Problems · NHTSA complaints
2008 Dodge Avenger problems
Owners filed 845 complaints about the 2008 Dodge Avenger with NHTSA between Jun 2007 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is power train (240).
Complaints
845
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
38
Reported by owners
Fires
26
Reported by owners
Injuries
35
People reported injured
Deaths
1
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Power train240
- Electrical system220
- Vehicle speed control139
- Engine117
- Air bags100
- Engine and engine cooling61
- Fuel/propulsion system44
- Electronic stability control (esc)31
- Fuel system, gasoline26
- Structure24
- Latches/locks/linkages23
- Steering21
- Equipment21
- Visibility/wiper19
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 30, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
5
30
40
166
74
84
90
81
70
50
39
36
41
10
6
10
5
4
3
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 5 |
| 2008 | 30 |
| 2009 | 40 |
| 2010 | 166 |
| 2011 | 74 |
| 2012 | 84 |
| 2013 | 90 |
| 2014 | 81 |
| 2015 | 70 |
| 2016 | 50 |
| 2017 | 39 |
| 2018 | 36 |
| 2019 | 41 |
| 2020 | 10 |
| 2021 | 6 |
| 2022 | 10 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 4 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2026 | 1 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Power train
240 reports2 crashes
“The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start up after multiple attempts. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer and the contact was informed that the failure was related to the key. The key was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.”
Electrical system
220 reports3 crashes13 fires1 related recall
“My 2008 Dodge Avenger airbag light has been on for a while, I believe that’s something that is defective and should be fixed by the manufacture. I’d called a dealership and was told it was not a recall and therefore not covered. When the wipers are turned on in the morning and then turned off, they continue to wipe even turned off. When I use the right blinker, the light in the dashboard dims seems like an electrical problem. I believe other things might be wrong but I’m not a mechanic. I would like my car to get inspected for safety. Thank you.”
Vehicle speed control
139 reports1 crash
“The car runs perfect but all the sudden started dying while in reverse then a lightning bolt with lines on each side was flashing and the car died. So we changed the spark plugs and did a full service and it ran fine then started doing the same thing where it’s getting no power and won’t go at all. Let it sit for a minute then hen will drive fine for a little bit and start acting like it’s not getting any power i don’t understand what’s going on with it”
Engine
117 reports2 crashes3 fires
“So a month ago the car started running hot I’m unsure what the cause maybe and my reservoir has cracked. When I turn the ac or heat on the car begins to run hot as well.”
Air bags
100 reports23 crashes1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the airbags warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 176,000.”
Engine and engine cooling
61 reports4 crashes9 fires1 related recall
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BLOWER MOTOR FAN SWITCH MEDIUM AND LOW FUNCTIONS FAILED TO ACTIVATE. THE REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED BY THE CONTACT AND HE REPLACED THE BLOWER MOTOR SWITCH RELAY. THE CONTACT HAD MENTIONED THAT PRIOR TO THE RECENT FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE ENGINE COOLING FLUSHING WAS PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 07/27/16*LJ UPDATED 08/01/16.*JB”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.