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
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Power train240
  2. Electrical system220
  3. Vehicle speed control139
  4. Engine117
  5. Air bags100
  6. Engine and engine cooling61
  7. Fuel/propulsion system44
  8. Electronic stability control (esc)31
  9. Fuel system, gasoline26
  10. Structure24
  11. Latches/locks/linkages23
  12. Steering21
  13. Equipment21
  14. 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
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20075
200830
200940
2010166
201174
201284
201390
201481
201570
201650
201739
201836
201941
202010
20216
202210
20235
20244
20253
20261

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.

03 —Owner reports

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 7, 2022Power train, Electrical systemODI 11492578

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 9, 2025Electrical system, Air bags, Visibility/wiperODI 11698451

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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 8, 2023Vehicle speed controlODI 11510723

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 24, 2026Unknown or other, EngineODI 11773373

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 20, 2021Air bagsODI 11444432

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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 31, 2016Engine and engine coolingODI 10871555
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.