8.1
pretty bad- Typical Repair Cost:
- $580
- Average Mileage:
- 69,050 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 27 complaints
Most common solutions:
- replace alternator (21 reports)
- not sure (5 reports)
- replace the decoupler (1 reports)
I noticed the car was extremely loud but I didn't know why, and I found out there was something possibly wrong with the alternator. I couldn't get the car to crank one day and I thought it was the battery at first then I figured out the alternator may be messed up. I called to have it towed and the guy tried to give me a jump...it worked for 10 seconds then blew out and caught on fire. I finally got the alternator replaced and it ran me 500.
- Robert K., Birmingham, AL, US
I bought this car brand new in 2008. It has been the worst car, ever! Tonight, I drove home from work, stopped by the store, when I came out my car was just dead. Wouldn't turn over, nothing...just a click. A guy tried giving me a jump and it wouldn't start. Called a tow truck and the car started, had it towed to shop, and it started when the tow trucker pulled it off the truck, he tried it one more time and nothing, just a click. I am 99% sure it is going to be alternator especially after reading all of these complaints. I will NEVER buy another Dodge or any Chrysler product. I have replaced power windows, brakes and rotors multiple times, there seems to be something not hitting right with the transmission, headliner is falling down in the back. Awful, awful car. I will be up a while so that I can post complaints about every problem I have had with this crap bucket.
- dawnienic, Raleigh, NC, US
My 08 avenger has a lot of problems, Alarm started at night and can not stop, engin overheat, coollant system leaking, car could not start at parking lot. This time alternator failed. I do not know what is next. my 98 camry never had these problems and still running well.
- Suyi C., Cockeysville, MD, US
ROUND TWO! Really?!!! As a single mother with a son in college, I do not have the money to keep fixing this piece of junk!
- Corrynn B., Wichita, KS, US
All these people are spending hundreds of dollars on a alternator when the de-coupler can be replaced for a quarter of the cost but the garages don't want to be bothered to do it!
- 87 vette, Moosic, PA, US
Alternator went bad before 50k miles in my brand new car. This car is MADE to break and cost you money... Dealer wanted at least 600$ to replace. I went to a local shop and had it replaced for 300$
- Tara A., Cleveland, OH, US
Just bought this used piece of junk in November 2011 to "upgrade" my daughter's car from an old Jeep Grand Cherokee that finally bit the dust. My two mistakes...buying a Chrysler product and replacing it with another Chrysler product. That will NEVER happen again. So, the check engine light comes on. Tried to get it to the local dealership. They tell me, after making an appointment on their website, 1. that the person I made the appointment with hasn't worked there in 2 months. 2. That they are backed up two weeks and want me to leave the car there. Finally, out of concern for my daughter's safety, I contacted a local auto shop recommended by friends. They checked the car and said it was...ding, ding, ding...the alternator. Fixed it the same day. $450.00. Daughter gets home this evening and the check engine light is on again. Go figure... I wish I had done more homework and had seen all these complaints about the Avenger issues before I bought it. I have a 10 year old Chevy. Guess what, it still runs like it is brand new. Only a few repairs made to it over the last few years. So, guess what I will and won't buy from now on. Come on Chrysler! Own up to your errors and make it right!
- jptexas, San Angelo, TX, US
For my car being a 2008, the alternator should not be going out! Its giving off a humming noise, followed by a rattle. I havent had any issues with the alternator not charging the battery SO FAR, but its getting ridiculous. I just replaced the power steering pump because the power steering went out while driving 80mph on the freeway. (not cool) Over all, the car looks nice, and runs decent. My estimated repair cost for the alternator and a new belt is going to cost me upwards of $200. For those of you wondering why its only going to cost me that much, I do my own vehicle maintenace and troubleshooting. On average, this job would cost the average Joe a cool $500-$700. My suggestion to all you Joes out there is to get some kind of mechanical skills up in your life. Things tend to cost less if you dont take your car to the dealership every time it starts to queef.
- Matt C., San Diego, CA, US
60k and the alternator has failed. Did Dodge/Chrysler assume I had never owned a car before and would'nt be able to acknowledge that they manufacture lemons?
I will not buy a Chrysler again, and could care less if the company tanked. Times are hard, money is hard to come by. I am an unemployed student working only part time. This money to fix the car has to come from somewhere, so I guess my only option is to put off graduation a little longer so that I can afford the $600 repair bill.
Thanks Chrysler for putting your name on such piece of quality! You will make it easier for me to spot the lemons next time!(THE ONES WITH THE DODGE/CHRYSLER LOGO)
- Jarvey D., Worcester, MA, US
i notice a very loud knocking sound. it was very loud just being still like in the drive or at a stop sign. i got it looked at and they told me it was my alternator and the alternator was draining my battery so now i need a battery. I am barely getting 40 hours a week and purchasing a battery and alternator is not in my budget.
It is very sad that this muti-million dollar corporation will not put a recall on this part. I am going to try to sell this lemon and tell everyone i know to NOT purchase Dodge -chrysler. Remember: word of month and the internet is the best free advisement ever.
I will tell it to anyone that will listern. Help your customers. when a big percentage of your customers go somewhere eles, you will be out of business
- greentn, Collierville, TN, US
As i told the dodge dealership in columbus ga .a alternator dosent go out at 50.645 miles. i feel at least i could pay labor and dodge replace the alternator , i think they feel im a crazy female, well i will get their attention on this matter. i have had more problems not listed yet please read on
- smp13, Columbus, GA, US
I have had nothing but problems with my 2008 Dodge Avenger SXT. #1 - Gear selector stopped working and had to have car towed since it was stuck in park. #2 - Passenger side window will not roll up. #3 - Timing Chain & Oil Pan have been replaced. #4 - Alternator is gone out. $783 from the dealer to fix. I kept hearing this rattling sound and grinding. I'm so through. I called Chrysler to complain about the problems I have had. I'm waiting to hear if they will help with repair costs. I doubt it. They pretend they will help, but will call you back and say, "Sorry, but there is nothing I can do. Your warranty has expired." UUUGGGHHH!!!!
- Lyn B., Esl, IL, US
I have had this car for three years....because I'm the second owner, of course the original warranties don't count. I'm extremely upset that I have to pay almost $600.00 to get my alternator fixed when Dodge should have it fixed. Apparently, this is a huge problem - there are so many complaints other than mine. To top it off, no warning lights or anything appeared on the dash of my car. Totally disgusted!
- Christine L., Hatfield, PA, US
I have not had this problem fixed yet but got a quote. Can't afford to fix it yet for fixing all the other problems I have previopusly mentioned. I think Chrysler should fix it!!! can you help me with this lemon?
- Jeff E., Momence, IL, US
We had just gotten back in town from a road trip and noticed a loud rattling/knocking sound. There were no notifications on my panel to alert me of any problems - just a loud rattling/knocking sound. Upon taking my car to the dealer, it was discovered that I was in need of an alternator. THANK GOD I had a warranty and only had to pay $105.60!!! Without the warranty the cost would've been $563.85. I have only had my car for 2yrs and this is the second major concern I have experienced - the first was a faulty gear shift module. After viewing some of the other complaints with the alternator, I hope Dodge takes a closer look into the alternator problems that are occurring.
- patrice g, Milwaukee, WI, US
We heard the rattling and knocking sounds that it seems most people have heard and being new to the area and not knowing any other mechanics we took our Avenger to the dealership to find out what it is. Funny thing, as soon as we showed up the service estimator spouted off something about the alternator right off the bat. ONLY 55,000 MILES ON THE CAR! We haven't added any electrical components like amplifiers or audio/video systems to the car, and we drive it reasonably. I know the potholes in and around Topeka are pretty bad and maybe that had something to do with the excessively premature failure of the bearings in the component, but when all these other people are complaining about it failing 5,000-15,000 miles later than mine it makes it seem like something else is going on. Typical response from the manufacturer: If people aren't dying from it then there's no real need to fix it. The dealership wants to put a new MOPAR unit on the car, that way I have another 50,000-75,000 miles before that one fails, too. Right?
- Dallas M., Topeka, KS, US
the car was making a knocking noisy but very loud. Took the car to mechanic results need to change the alternator with the pulley since it comes in one piece. Called the chrysler headquaters and said "how weird that had never happened to this car" . Quess what not covered by them so i paid $750.00 out of my pocket . Does anyone know where we could complain to get your money back .This is bulls*** .
- lizcarrillo, Los Angeles, CA, US
all i have to say is this car is a 2008 and i really don't do alot of driving just to work and back and i live 5 minutes from work. so for a 2008 how in the hell can the alternator be going bad the dealer wants around $ 500.00 to fix. they are crazy. the factory warranty should fix this sh*t....... . they say a bearing or something is messing up within the alternator and should fix before it messes up the belt also. there is no way i can afford another alternator, I'm barely making it financially, get my pic.
- Jimmy Z., Highland, CA, US
Absolutely furious . On my 2008 Avenger the alternator went out in August of 2010! This is one problem among many others that I am dealing with this car. I bought it with 10,000 miles on the car. The alternator should not have gone out this soon with only 70,000 miles. I did speak with Chrysler Customer Service and they said they couldn't help me because the car is out of warranty and I don't have an extended warranty. After having the car park for a month, relying on my boyfriend car to get back and forth to work and pick up my kids from school. It end up cost me $600 for the alternator and a battery because the alternator was draining the battery. I will never purchase a Chrysler or Dodge car ever again in my lifetime. Highly Piss
- mekisha, Steger, IL, US
All of a sudden one day my car started to sound like a helicopter with a motorcycle in it. I'm like WTF! I bought it used with 60,000 miles and had it for about 5 months. I know absolutely nothing about cars so I took it to get checked out and they told me I needed an ac compressor. (I guess that's another complaint).
Shortly after the car just speed on me and wouldn't restart at the grocery store, my cousin came and gave me a jump and it started but the next day it was out again. My mom jumped it and a couple hours later it stopped again. Now it won't start at all. My boyfriend is convinced it's the alternator.
I'm in between jobs and his business was closed. Money is super tight! The auto shop wants over $1000 to replace the ac compressor, which I know is some bs... Either way I don't have the money and my car has been sitting in the garage for about a month now. Luckily we have a 2001 Bonneville that has over 250,000 miles on it and STILL WORKS JUST FINE! After reading all the complaints I'm sure there will be many more problems in the future. I'm gonna sell this piece of $h!t asap! Fu©k them!
- nykee11, Milwaukee, WI, US