10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
81,758 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2008 Dodge Avenger:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #11

Jul 182014

Avenger 6-cyl

  • 100,000 miles
My 2008 Dodge Avenger has been intermittently losing rpms while driving for the past two months. The body shop initally told me that I needed my throttle body cleaned and a new battery. I paid for these repairs and the next day my car was doing the same thing. I am so afraid that I will be in an accident when the car loses power and I have to either continuously pump the gas pedal or put the car in neutral and then restart the car while it is still moving. I am only able to pull off the road half the time and the rest of the time other vehicles are behind me going at the speed that I was going prior to the car losing power...sidenote there is power to the car itself because the radio or the ac will still be on but the engine gets no gas. I would really like for Chrysler/Dodge to let us consumers know what is going on because I see that a lot of people are experiencing the same issue.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #10

Mar 282014

Avenger

  • 91,212 miles
This seems to be a common occurrence as I have heard this same scenario amongst many Dodge owners. A few days ago, my 2008 Dodge Avenger suddenly stopped accelerating as my foot was pressing the gas. It dropped down to a speed of 45mph and would not let me accelerate above this. The dash board also displayed a red lightning bolt. When I looked in the manual it advised that I get my vehicle serviced immediately and that it was an issue with the electronic stability control, most commonly this is described as the electronic throttle control. Given that my complaint resembles that of many others both on this sight and across Dodge forums, I would feel it necessary for a recall of this part.

- Elkhart Lake, WI, USA

problem #9

Mar 262014

Avenger 4-cyl

  • 125,667 miles
Was driving down the highway and noticed a delayed response when pushing down on the accelerator, moments later I was unable to accelerate and the car's electronic throttle control light appeared. The car was unable to go more then 15 mph. I had to have the car towed. I did not receive a warning before this happened however, I did notice my car stalling a little bit a day prior to this happening. I see I am not the only person with this problem, now I have to see how much money this is going to cost me. I am a college student and need my car but not this types of expense and safety risks it comes with. There are 125,000 miles on the car at this time.

- Kalamazoo, MI, USA

problem #8

Mar 072014

Avenger 4-cyl

  • 128,000 miles
The electronic throttle control and the engine light are constantly coming on and going off. This has been going on for two weeks now. I called a Dodge dealer and they told me that the recall for this very same issue is not for my car. My VIN supposedly is not in the sequence Chrysler decided to recall. I don't know what to do.

- Howell, MI, USA

problem #7

Feb 242012

Avenger 4-cyl

  • miles
Ever since I purchased my 2008 Dodge Avenger I have been burdened with a multitude of issues. My car stalled while I was sitting at a red light, no warning..it just died. Tire pressure light was always on. Vehicle launches/ jerks forward when cruising at a speed of 45 or below. (and this all happened with my first year of owning the car in 2008) in 2011 gear stick got stuck in the park position..I can go on but section is for airbags, which did not deploy during an accident I had last year, 2012. I slipped on black ice, which sent my car into a tail spin resulting me hitting...actually bouncing off of the guard rail a few times. Prior to the 2012 accident I have had instances where the airbag lights would randomly turn on, indicating a problem..then shutting off by itself. I would schedule appointments with the dealership, but by the time the appointment date arrives, the airbag light would magically disappear! I called Dodge customer service today, as the airbag indicator is back on again..I was told by the representative that there is nothing that they can do for me. She basically told me that I'm fresh out of luck, even though there is a recall, and I am experiencing the exact airbag issue as described in the recall, own the exact make, model and year vehicle. She said my VIN is not included in the recall, so there is nothing Dodge can do. I think the entire 2008 Dodge Avenger fleets are lemons and it is about time Dodge own up to their mistakes, they have no regard for their customers safety. When you are not stalling on the highways and byways, you are left stranded because you can not shift your gear out of park...oh and the airbag issue...its crucial, but unfortunalely Dodge does not think so.

- Raynham, MA, USA

problem #6

Jan 212013

Avenger

  • 155,000 miles
I am fixing my throttle control body for the second time. I bought the 1800 dollar extended warranty and this work is not covered. To fix its 500 each time. The dealership just says tough luck mr.....the Dodge company just passes you from person to person until you either give up or hear sorry not our problem. This should not fail at all never mind two times in one year!!! I am telling everyone that will listen to not buy a Dodge product....

- Pawtucket , RI, USA

problem #5

Oct 282012

Avenger

  • 95,000 miles
While driving on the interstate, my car suddenly dropped to 20mph and I had to pull off the road. I didn't have anywhere to pull over so I put my flashers on and drove as far right as I could until I had room to pull off the road. It was a very busy part of the interstate and I could have easily been ran over. I had to have it towed to the local dealership where they replaced and electric throttle. This is an issue Dodge Chrysler has been aware of for many years. It should be recalled.

- Yukon, OK, USA

problem #4

Feb 032012

Avenger

  • 58,000 miles
I was driving on the highway and then the car just started like it was wanting to cut off when I was giving it throttle the car was jerking back and fourth I took it back to the place I bough it from and waiting on them to fix the issue.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #3

Apr 122011

Avenger 4-cyl

  • 70,000 miles
I purchased this vehicle from a used car lot a year and a half ago. From the very first day I purchased the car, I had problems which are recorded with the place of purchase. I was told I could not get my money back. The only remedy offered was for the actual car dealership who sold me the vehicle would fix the problem. The first problem iv'E had started with the head lights, it then went onto my entire electrical system that gives mileage, warnings ect went out. Soon after that the alarm system, horn, and door locking system. There after "a pin" in which holds the gear in place went out and would not operate. The next thing that went out was the entire air conditioning and heating system. On or around April 12 there was a what looked like a spark near the air conditioning panel. When I removed the panel, there was evidence that there was a small spark or fire that actually melted a switch on the cooling and heating elements. It has yet to work since then. Today the 11/29/11 my car completely stalled while I was turning into a very dangerous intersection. This car is a total death trap waiting to happen. Unfortunately I am a single mother of 3 children with very little options financially to do otherwise. I have attempted several times to schedule recalls to be fixed by the Dodge dealer and they have not been helpful at all. There is no rental car offered and the estimated time of repair is not feasible. I hope this information will help.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #2

Jul 012011

Avenger

  • 76,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 mph, the electronic control indicator light began to illuminate on the instrument panel. When pressure was applied to the accelerator pedal, the vehicle would only accelerate to speeds of 15 mph. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where it was in the process of having the failure diagnosed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 76,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Mustang , OK, USA

problem #1

Mar 262009

Avenger

  • 18,870 miles
Driving on wet roads a loss of power occurs. Sometimes to problem can corrected by shifting into 3rd gear.(4spd automatic).dealers-2 cannot find the trouble. I am taking a list of recalls, defects, & complaints to dealer and company rep.

- Romulus, MI, USA