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2008 Dodge Avenger: problems, recalls and fuel economy
The 2008 Dodge Avenger has 844 owner complaints and 6 recalls on file with NHTSA, more of both than any other Avenger year in our data[1][2]. In a sample of complaints we read, owners describe stalling, throttle faults and shifting trouble[3][4][5]. Check the recall history and how the car stops and shifts before you buy.
Most reported problems
NHTSA has 844 complaints from owners of the 2008 Avenger[1]. Of those, 38 mention a crash, 26 a fire, 35 injuries and 1 a death[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one part.
Here are the biggest groups of complaints:
| Component group | Complaints | Median mileage at failure |
|---|---|---|
| Power train[3] | 240 | 53,222 |
| Electrical system[4] | 220 | 91,061 |
| Engine[7] | 177 | 83,000 |
| Speed control[5] | 139 | 88,000 |
| Air bags[8] | 100 | 72,500 |
We also read a small sample of complaint texts in each group. It is not a count of all owners, but it shows what people describe.
- Power train. In a sample of 12 complaints we read, 6 describe transmission trouble such as hard or bucking shifts, the car dropping into neutral or moving in reverse unexpectedly[3]. Another 3 describe a shifter that would not come out of park[3].
- Electrical system. In a sample of 12, 9 describe stalling or a loss of power[4]. Some also mention warning lights or recalls[4].
- Engine. In a sample of 12, 5 describe the engine stalling or cutting off, often while slowing to a stop[7]. 2 describe a fire[7].
- Speed control. In a sample of 12, 6 describe an electronic throttle warning light or throttle fault, and 4 describe the car surging or speeding up on its own[5].
Fires show up most in the electrical system group (13) and the engine group (12)[4][7]. Air bag complaints include 23 crashes and 25 injuries, and the 1 death in the year's complaints is listed under air bags[8].
Recalls
NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2008 Avenger[2]. Newest first:
- TPMS wiring (08V152). Unused electrical connectors for the tire pressure monitoring system can corrode and short circuit. That can cause no-start, a dead battery, cruise control or remote start not working, or stalling, and stalling could cause a crash without warning. Dealers seal the wires for free. It covers 180,963 vehicles, including the Sebring[9].
- Radiator fan connector (07V473). On cars with 2.4 liter engines[10], coolant can be drawn into the left radiator fan motor connector. That can short circuit and start an engine compartment fire. Dealers inspect the connector, add a wiring harness overlay and replace the fan motor for free. It covers 102,042 vehicles[10].
- Fuel tank straps (07V426). On certain all wheel drive cars, the tank straps were made wrongly and could separate. The tank can loosen and leak fuel, which could cause an underbody fire if something ignites it. Dealers replace the straps for free. It covers 1,158 vehicles[11].
- Front door latch (07V414). The front door latch cable can come partly unseated from the release handle housing. A door could stay unlatched, and an unbelted front occupant could be thrown out in a crash. Dealers add a backup retention feature to both front doors. It covers 72,333 vehicles and replaces and expands recall 07V104[12].
- Seat track sensors (07V240). The front seat position sensors used by the air bag system may not work properly, which could raise injury risk in some crashes. Dealers inspect and replace the sensors for free. It covers 798 vehicles[13].
- Front door latch (07V104). The same latch cable problem as above, found earlier. Its fix was superseded by 07V414. It covers 11,191 vehicles[14].
Check whether each recall was done on the specific car you are looking at. In the complaint sample we read, one owner says the stalling came back a month after the wiring recall repair[4].
Fuel economy
EPA lists several versions of the 2008 Avenger. All use regular gas, except one 2.7L listing that also allows E85[15].
| Version | City / highway / combined MPG | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, front-wheel drive[6] | 21 / 30 / 24 | $2,800 |
| 2.7L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, front-wheel drive[16] | 19 / 27 / 22 | $3,050 |
| 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, front-wheel drive[17] | 16 / 26 / 19 | $3,550 |
| 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, all-wheel drive[18] | 15 / 24 / 18 | $3,700 |
EPA bases annual cost on its current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new.
Safety ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star ratings on file for the 4-door front-wheel drive model show a rollover rating of 4 stars, with a rollover risk of 11.8%[19]. We have no other star ratings for this year.
Engine and size
EPA lists 2.4L 4-cylinder, 2.7L 6-cylinder and 3.5L 6-cylinder engines[6][15][17]. The RT and the SE/SXT have the same published size. These are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models[20][21].
How 2008 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 196 | 2 |
| 1996 | 157 | 2 |
| 1997 | 83 | 2 |
| 1998 | 58 | 2 |
| 1999 | 62 | 1 |
| 2000 | 22 | 1 |
| 2008 | 844 | 6 |
| 2009 | 67 | 2 |
| 2010 | 163 | 3 |
| 2011 | 209 | 3 |
| 2012 | 554 | 3 |
| 2013 | 548 | 5 |
| 2014 | 205 | 1 |
NHTSA data covers the Avenger for 1995 to 2000 and 2008 to 2014. The 2008 model year has the most complaints (844) and the most recalls (6) of all of those years[2].
- 2012 has the next highest complaint count, 554, and 2013 has 548[2].
- 2013 has the next most recalls, 5[2].
- 2009 has the fewest complaints of the later years, 67[2], and 2 recalls[2]. 2014 has the fewest recalls of the later years, 1[2].
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so a higher count does not prove a worse car. Still, 2008 stands out among Avenger years.
Should you buy a used 2008 Avenger?
The 2008 Avenger has the heaviest complaint and recall record of any Avenger year in our data[2]. The sample complaints we read point to stalling, throttle faults and shifting trouble[3][4][5]. All six recalls have a dealer remedy, and five of them say it is free, so confirm each one was done on the car you are looking at[9][10][11][12][13][14]. Test drive it for smooth shifting, easy shifts out of park and steady idling when you stop. Fuel costs also vary a lot by engine, from $2,800 to $3,700 a year by EPA estimates[6][18].
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Dodge Avenger?
- Power train is the largest complaint group at 240 of 844 complaints, then electrical system at 220 and engine at 177[1][3][4][7]. In the small sample we read, owners describe stalling, shifting trouble and throttle faults.
- How many recalls does the 2008 Dodge Avenger have?
- NHTSA lists 6 recalls, covering TPMS wiring, a radiator fan connector, fuel tank straps, door latches (two) and seat track sensors[9][10][11][12][13][14].
- What is the gas mileage of a 2008 Dodge Avenger?
- EPA combined ratings run from 18 MPG (3.5L all-wheel drive) to 24 MPG (2.4L front-wheel drive)[18][6].
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 844 owner complaints on file for the 2008 Dodge Avenger (38 mention a crash, 26 a fire, 35 injuries, 1 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Dodge Avenger model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- 240 complaints name the power train component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 53,222). NHTSA vehicle records
- 220 complaints name the electrical system component group (3 crashes, 13 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 91,061). NHTSA vehicle records
- 139 complaints name the speed control component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 88,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- EPA rating for Avenger, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 30 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- 177 complaints name the engine component group (6 crashes, 12 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 83,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 100 complaints name the air bags component group (23 crashes, 0 fires, 25 injuries, median mileage at failure 72,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 08V152, filed April 2, 2008: Electrical System › Wiring. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 07V473, filed October 10, 2007: Engine And Engine Cooling › Cooling System › Radiator Assembly. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 07V426, filed September 13, 2007: Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 07V414, filed September 12, 2007: Latches / Locks / Linkages › Doors › Latch. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 07V240, filed June 13, 2007: Air Bags › Frontal. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 07V104, filed March 15, 2007: Latches / Locks / Linkages › Doors › Latch. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Avenger, 2.7L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Gasoline or E85, Front-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 27 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Avenger, 2.7L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 27 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Avenger, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 26 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Avenger AWD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 24 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 11.8%. NHTSA vehicle records
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, AVENGER RT: length 191 in, width 72 in, height 59 in, wheelbase 109 in, curb weight 3,400 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, AVENGER SE/SXT: length 191 in, width 72 in, height 59 in, wheelbase 109 in, curb weight 3,400 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov