2008 Dodge Avenger Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2008 Dodge Avenger ranks worst of 9 model years, with a complaint index of 100 and 831 complaints covering engine, transmission and electrical problems. It carries 6 recalls, including engine fires tied to coolant reaching the radiator fan motor connector, and NHTSA rates it Avoid relative to other Avenger years.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 100/100
- #1 of 9 Avenger years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 831
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 6
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 36
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 26
- Injuries
- 34
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 22
- 19 city / 27 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 34 / 1
Top 2008 Dodge Avenger problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine290 (35%)
- Transmission & Powertrain236 (28%)
- Electrical System223 (27%)
- Airbags96 (12%)
- Fuel System70 (8%)
- Brakes66 (8%)
- Other57 (7%)
- Structure & Body49 (6%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires41 (5%)
- Visibility & Wipers31 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Engine compartment fires reported with black smoke entering the cabin through air conditioning vents before the vehicle burned.
- Radiator fan motor connector contamination allowed coolant intrusion, leading to under-hood fires in multiple reports.
- Brakes reported failing to stop the car even with hard pedal pressure, resulting in collisions at both low and highway speeds.
- Front door latch cables became unseated, letting doors pop open or fail to latch while driving.
- Airbags failed to deploy in frontal and rollover crashes, including one case where the vehicle rolled multiple times.
- Driver seats reported reclining unexpectedly to a horizontal position after being rear-ended.
2008 Dodge Avenger recalls
6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 08V152000Apr 2, 2008Electrical System180,963 vehicles
Electrical system:wiring
Chrysler is recalling 180,963 my 2007-2008 sebring and dodge avenger vehicles equipped with a standard tire pressure monitoring system (tpms). Unused electrical connectors for the tpms may become corroded and could short circuit, which can cause a variety of conditions including engine no-start, dead battery, an inoperative cruise control or remote start system, and/or engine stalling.
Risk: Engine stalling could cause a crash without warning.
Remedy: Dealers will seal the wires for the tpms free of charge. The recall began on april 15, 2008. Owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
- NHTSA 07V473000Oct 10, 2007Engine102,042 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling:cooling system:radiator assembly
On certain vehicles equipped with 2.4 liter engines, the engine coolant may be drawn into the left radiator cooling fan motor connector.
Risk: This can cause an electrical short circuit and result in an engine compartment fire.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the connector for contamination or damage, install a wiring harness overlay, and replace the fan motor free or charge. The recall began on november 19, 2007. Owners may contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
- NHTSA 07V426000Sep 13, 2007Fuel System1,158 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly
On certain vehicles with all wheel drive, the fuel tank straps were improperly manufactured and could separate. This can cause the fuel tank to loosen and leak fuel.
Risk: Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source can result in an underbody fire.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel tank retention straps free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during october 2007. Owners may contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
2008 Dodge Avenger fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 19 MPG
- Highway
- 27 MPG
- Combined
- 22 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,950
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2008 compared with other Avenger years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2008 Dodge Avenger reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2008 Avenger ranks worst of 9 model years with a complaint index of 100 and 831 complaints, so it is rated Avoid compared to other Avenger years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Dodge Avenger?
- Engine issues make up 35% of complaints, followed by transmission and powertrain at 28% and electrical system problems at 27%, including several reported fires.
- Does the 2008 Dodge Avenger have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2008 Avenger, covering the tire pressure monitoring system, engine coolant intrusion into the radiator fan connector, fuel tank straps, front door latches, and airbag seat track sensors.
- What mileage do 2008 Avenger problems typically show up at?
- Median mileage at failure varies by system: engine problems at 85,000 miles, electrical issues at 91,000 miles, and transmission/powertrain issues at 54,000 miles.
- How does the 2008 Avenger compare to other years?
- It has the highest complaint index (100) and worst rank of any Avenger model year in the data, ahead of 2012 (88) and 2013 (75), which are also rated Avoid.