10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
100,382 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2008 Dodge Avenger engine problems

engine problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2008 Dodge Avenger:

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

2008 Dodge Avenger Owner Comments (Page 1 of 6)

problem #114

Apr 112023

Avenger

  • miles

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

I was idling at a stop light when I noticed my car began to smoke shortly after the check engine, check oil and the battery alert all simultaneously came on. I then pulled over to a near alleyway when a burst of flames arose from the hood of the car.

- Warren , MI, USA

problem #113

Oct 012022

Avenger

  • 250,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The battery, the check engine, and the throttle body warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the contact noticed an abnormal odor while the vehicle was parked. The contact noticed there was smoke coming from underneath the hood. The contact's father lifted the hood and removed the positive (+) charge cable from the battery. The contact's father replaced the battery and the alternator; however, the failure recurred while driving. The contact's father replaced the alternator for the second time. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 08V152000 (Electrical System) and 07V426000 (Fuel System, Gasoline), however, the dealer confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 255,000.

- Hibbing, MN, USA

problem #112

Aug 012022

Avenger

  • miles
Car keeps have the battery light come on out of nowhere and already replaced battery alternator and the cables for battery last winter which then had to be clipped because it was extremely hot and melting my cables and other wires. I have had nothing but electrical issues since I bought it the beginning of last winter something needs to be done and I shouldn-€™t have to keep paying for parts on faulty electrical and parts the manufacturer should and I have no recalls on my 08 Dodge avenger how is that even possible?

- Hibbing , MN, USA

problem #111

Feb 032021

Avenger 6-cyl

  • miles

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

Hi my name is [XXX] and I-€™m 28 years old and a full time single mom of 2 girls 24/7 and in February I bought a 2008 Dodge Avenger 2.7 and the day I drove it home the check engine light came on and well long story short there it took them a month to -€œfix-€ the issue and 3 days later after getting my car back after NOT having it for a month the check engine light came on again-€¦needless to say here it is almost September 7 months later and there has many endless problems and the car dealership will not return my phone calls or texts or emails about my car and wanting to trade it in for another one on there lot !!! They are crooked people and shouldn-€™t be a business I have so much proof INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Sweet Home , OR, USA

problem #110

Aug 202021

Avenger

  • miles
Engine stopped during a red light intersection, cranked up once and engine stopped again. After a dangerous intersection situation, car was towed by a pair of young boys to a safe spot. A serious accident may have resulted, if not for the quick help. Being an automotive teacher and passed shop owner inspected the situation and have come to a conclusion that the TPIM failed. No warning lights appeared during situation. Scanner will not pick up any codes when hooked up to try to correct problem. 2008 Avenger with 88000 miles, will take to dealership for repairs.

- Alamo, TX, USA

problem #109

Jun 212018

Avenger

  • 180,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated that while driving, the check engine, overheating, tire pressure and electronic throttle control system warning lights illuminated. The vehicle stalled and was restarted and operated as intended. The contact stated that she depressed the accelerator pedal quickly due to the vehicle starting to shake. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed that the wiring for the temperature gauge needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that she was not provided with diagnostic information on the stalling. The vehicle was not yet taken to an authorized dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and the contact was informed that an email would be forwarded to her. The email was not received from the manufacturer. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #108

Jun 212020

Avenger

  • 100,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered and overheated. The check engine and engine temperature warning lights were illuminated. The contact pulled over to allow the engine temperature to decrease to a safe vehicle operating temperature. After cooling off, the vehicle was restarted however, while driving to her destination the vehicle again overheated. The contact pulled over and checked the coolant reservoir only to find that there was no coolant in the reservoir. The contact added coolant to the reservoir however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was towed to the residence and then towed to butitta brothers automotive (3012 N main St, rockford, il 61103 815-962-7914 to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was 100,000. The VIN was not available.

- Rockford, IL, USA

problem #107

May 232020

Avenger 6-cyl

  • miles
My vehicle lost power in the middle of operation, I also lost power steering and braking during this event.

- Newnan, GA, USA

problem #106

Oct 012018

Avenger

  • 70,000 miles
Water behind driver seat on floor board, locking mechanism for passenger door stopped working, rear tail lights completely stopped working, has a shifting problem

- Molalla, OR, USA

problem #105

Dec 242019

Avenger

  • 123,456 miles
Catalytic converter shows as an error message and check engine light and will need likely replacement. The heater does not work on the car, likely due to the heater core. I just purchased the car and it had a recently replaced O2 sensor that was unplugged as its initial reason for the check engine light. There may be other cars with similar problems, and I wanted to report it because these are costly repairs.

- Claxton, GA, USA

problem #104

May 162019

Avenger

  • 120,000 miles

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

When at the fuel pump getting gas it overfills every time. Safety hazard has a rough idle when sitting at a stop light without a check engine light and no check engine light has come up for it. Speedometer is off door handle sticks not allowing me to close my door while I'm in it have to push the handle towards the door to get it to close. Trunk doesn't close all the way. Also when opening after it rains it leaks all over my stuff

- Huntington, UT, USA

problem #103

Oct 222019

Avenger

  • 130,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Avenger. While driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Hondru Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of elizabethtown (located at 2005 S market St, elizabethtown, pa 17022, (717) 367-6644) was contacted via phone and stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 08V152000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.

- Middletown, PA, USA

problem #102

Apr 012019

Avenger

  • 144,575 miles
I was driving down road after filling gas tank car starting spitting, gas hand floating up and down, light flashing,

- Florence, SC, USA

problem #101

Jan 102010

Avenger

  • 36,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Avenger. While driving 30 mph, the engine seized. On other occasions, the vehicle spontaneously accelerated and then dragged. Also, the driver's seat belt detached without warning and the air bag warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the thermostat, clockspring, ECM manifold, throttle body, starter, battery, air fan, integrated power module, air conditioner, compressor, intake runner, steering wheel, and engine needed to be repaired. The vehicle was taken to brockton Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram (241020 belmont St, brockton, MA 02301, (781) 961-1550), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and did not assist. The failure mileage was 36,000. The VIN was invalid.

- West Bridgewater, MA, USA

problem #100

Aug 222019

Avenger

  • miles
My oil light came on and all it does is ding and there is no code showing up. The tire light keeps coming on amd off even though all the tires have the right amount of air pressure. The airbag light started coming on if I turn the car off and restart it does go off but sometimes it will turn back

- Cleveland, GA, USA

problem #99

May 202019

Avenger

  • 68,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated that the ABS sensor illuminated and the brakes failed shortly afterwards. The contact also stated that the brakes took longer than usual to stop the vehicle. Furthermore, there was a major fuel tank leak and the odor of fuel was noticed outside the vehicle. Lastly, the check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and planned to be repaired once the contact ordered the correct fuel tank straps. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The failure mileage was 68,000.

- Lock Port, NY, USA

problem #98

May 012019

Avenger

  • miles
Vehicle stalls out while driving. No warning, just shuts off.

- Westerville, OH, USA

problem #97

May 042019

Avenger

  • 96,200 miles
Vehicle stalled while stopping at stop sign or red light while driving.

- Utica, NY, USA

problem #96

Nov 012018

Avenger 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 92,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Avenger. While driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled and the tire pressure monitoring system indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to mullen motors (55980 NY-25, southold, NY, (631) 765-3564), but the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and did not assist. The contact stated that the failure was similar to NHTSA campaign number: 08V152000 (electrical system). The failure mileage was 92,000. Consumer stated car stalled while driving 3 times. Vehicle has repaired.

- Mattituck, NY, USA

problem #95

Apr 102019

Avenger

  • 120,000 miles
I purchased a 2008 Dodge Avenger SE 2.4L a few months ago. Car has been shutting off on me while I am driving without warning. This happened on vity streets and highway. So far it starts back up but then will do it again unexpectedly. I have nearly wrecked due to this. I have also missed work 3 days so far this week. I called many dealerships and taken to shop with no solution. I have minor passengers in this car when it is occuring. The recall for this ossue was for Avengers 2007-2008 beginning April 15, 2007...my car states it was manufactured less than a month later with the same exact issue.

- Rockport, IN, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?