176 of the 1,238 complaints about the 2008 Dodge Avenger are about the engine — 14% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 82,800 miles.
176
Complaints
6
Crashes
12
Fires
2
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
ENGINE
The recalls associated to my vehicle are the same exact problems I am experiencing. My car is stalling and stalled on the highway. I couldn’t accelerate and had to drive with my hazards.
NHTSA complaint #11653167 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #11516753 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #11514061 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
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?
NHTSA complaint #11503923 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
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 “fix” 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).
NHTSA complaint #11431658 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #11430642 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
TL* 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.
NHTSA complaint #11378285 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
TL* 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.
NHTSA complaint #11338450 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
MY VEHICLE LOST POWER IN THE MIDDLE OF OPERATION , I ALSO LOST POWER STEERING AND BRAKING DURING THIS EVENT.
NHTSA complaint #11325672 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
WATER BEHIND DRIVER SEAT ON FLOOR BOARD, LOCKING MECHANISM FOR PASSENGER DOOR STOPPED WORKING, REAR TAIL LIGHTS COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING, HAS A SHIFTING PROBLEM
NHTSA complaint #11311512 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #11292011 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
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
NHTSA complaint #11287929 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
TL* 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.
NHTSA complaint #11278288 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
I WAS DRIVING DOWN ROAD AFTER FILLING GAS TANK CAR STARTING SPITTING, GAS HAND FLOATING UP AND DOWN, LIGHT FLASHING,
NHTSA complaint #11267840 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
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 ON
NHTSA complaint #11245957 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
TL* 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.
NHTSA complaint #11246036 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
TL* 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.
NHTSA complaint #11233779 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
VEHICLE STALLS OUT WHILE DRIVING. NO WARNING, JUST SHUTS OFF.
NHTSA complaint #11210342 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
VEHICLE STALLED WHILE STOPPING AT STOP SIGN OR RED LIGHT WHILE DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #11205921 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
TL* 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. *TT CONSUMER STATED CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING 3 TIMES. VEHICLE HAS REPAIRED.
NHTSA complaint #11196439 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #11195516 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
ON 3-31-19 ME AND MY 2 DAUGHTERS WERE DRIVING ON EXPRESSWAY, I STARTED SMELLING BURNING AND SEEN SMOKE COMING FROM HOOD ON DRIVER SIDE OF CAR, IT APPEARED TO BE COMING FROM THE ENGINE UNDER HOOD AND PULLED TO SIDE OF ROAD. I TURNED CAR OFF AND I TOLD KIDS TO GET OUT AND WE WALKED DOWN EXPRESSWAY. I TOLD KIDS TO STAY THERE AND WENT TO WALK BACK TO OPEN HOOD AND CHECK IT, ON MY WAY BACK TO IT, IT HAD STARTED ON FIRE. I WENT BACK TO MY KIDS AND CALLED POLICE. WITHIN TEN MINUTES THE WHOLE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES.
NHTSA complaint #11194533 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
CONTINUOUS ENGINE AND ELECTRONIC AND FUEL AND ELECTRICAL ISSUES WITH CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ACTIVATED WITH NO RESOLVE.
NHTSA complaint #11186911 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
ELECTRICAL ISSUE. ODOMETER DROPS FROM 65 MPH TO 10 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. LIGHTS FLICKER . ABS LIGHT COMES ON DURING ALL THIS ALSO. ENIGINE STALLS ON OCCASSION. LOSS OF POWER TO ENGINE. ALL THIS HAPPENS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS!!!!!
NHTSA complaint #11175947 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND GOES OFF BEFORE I CAN GET IT CHECKED FOR THE CODE AND ONE DAY AS THE CODE READER WAS BEING PLUGGED IN THE LIGHT WENT OFF SO STILL HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO GET A CODE FOR WHATEVER IS CAUSING IT TO COME ON AND OFF BUT DOES IT RANDOMLY AND THE EMERGENCY BREAK LIGHT COMES ON WHEN IT'S IN DRIVE AND THE EMERGENCY BREAK ISN'T ENGAGED BUT AFTER DRIVING A FEW MILES IT GOES OFF I HAVE CHECKED THE BREAK FLUID EVERYTIME BUT IT'S READING FULL IT'S HAPPENED AT LEAST 4 TIMES IN DECEMBER OF 2018 AND AT LEAST 3 TIMES IN JANUARY AND 2 TIMES IN FEBRUARY 2019
NHTSA complaint #11174835 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. WHEN THE HEATER WAS ACTIVATED, HOT AIR BLEW OUT OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE VENT AND THE REST OF THE VENTS BLEW OUT COLD AIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 160,000.
NHTSA complaint #11172103 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
WHEN I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. I ASKED THE DEALER AND HE SAID HE WAS JUST SITTING FOR AWHILE WHEN I DROVE AWAY IT WAS OFF THEN 2 WEEKS LATER CAME BACK ON. WHEN I TOOK IT TO EUROZONE THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE HEADS NEED REPLACED THAT'S 2900.00. I LOOKED TO SEE IF THIS PART WAS RECALLED AND IF IT HAD BEEN REPLACED ON MY VEHICLE I AM UNABLE TO SEE WHERE IF AT ALL THIS HAS BEEN ADDRESSED BY THE DODGE MAKERS??? I LOVE MY VEHICLE I JUST WANT IT TO RUN LIKE ITS SUPPOSE TO ALSO MY TIRE LIGHT IS ON AND HAVE REPLACED ALL TIRES AND STILL WILL NOT GO OFF EVEN AFTER BEING RESET. ALSO MY CAR HAS AN ANTIFREEZE SMELL LIKE THE CAR IS HOT BUT NEVER SHOWS THAT IN THE TEMP GAUGE IT'S GETTING HOT AT ALL. PLEASE SOMEONE GIVE ME SOME INFO ON WHAT I CAN DO TO FIX THESE PROBLEMS???? NOW THE NEW LIGHT IS MY BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATES WHEN I AM DRIVING THEN SHUTS ITSELF OFF.
NHTSA complaint #11151917 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
WHEN I FIRST PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON , I ASKED THE SALES PERSON WHY AND HE SAID HE HASN'T BEEN DROVE IN A WHILE . HE TOOK IT FOR A RIDE AND WHEN HE CAME BACK THE LIGHT WAS OFF . A WEEK LATER IT CAME BACK ON AND I TOOK IT TO AUTO ZONE THEY SAID IT WAS THE IGNITION COIL . I FIXED THAT AND IT STILL COMES UP RANDOMLY. NOW MY CAR STILL SOUNDS HORRIBLE WHEN I START IT AND I HAVE TO REPLACE THE STARTER AND I'VE BARLEY HAD THE CAR SINCE MARCH . ALSO MY CAR TURNS OFF RANDOMLY NOW WHILE I'M IN A REVERSE MOTION. HAPPENS FREQUENTLY. ALSO THE TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT IS ON AND WON'T GO AWAY . I REPLACED TIRES AND THEY SAY IT'S A SENSOR. A LOT OF PROBLEMS AND THE SALES PERSON NEVER TOLD ME THERE WAS ANY RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #11151816 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR STALLS THE ELECTRICAL DOES NOT SHUT OFF BUT I LOOS THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE BUT THE CAR STARTS BACK UP IMMEDIATELY THIS HAPPENS IN THE MIDDLE OF INTERSECTIONS, ON THE FREEWAY AND WHILE TURNING.
NHTSA complaint #11151207 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE AND THE ANTI-THEFT IMMOBILIZER WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE STALLED, BUT WAS ABLE TO RESTART AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS. THE DEALER (TETERBORO CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM, 469 ROUTE 46, LITTLE FERRY, NJ 7643, (877)-215-5760) WAS CONTACTED, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
NHTSA complaint #11113838 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.