Is the 2008 Dodge Avenger a bad year?
844 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 240, 24× a quiet Avenger year.
Consider selling
Half of all transmission complaints about the 2008 Dodge Avenger were filed between 41k and 73k miles. You're at 54,000 miles.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2008 Avenger owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 54,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 240 (28%) | 41k–73k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Fuel systemSTANDS OUT | 72 (9%) | 48k–101k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 219 (26%) | 57k–128k miles · ahead | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 170 (20%) | 56k–121k miles · ahead | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Speed controlSTANDS OUT | 139 (16%) | 58k–110k miles · ahead | — |
| Air bags | 100 (12%) | 46k–108k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Brakes | 31 (4%) | 13k–88k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Visibility and wipers | 34 (4%) | 70k–127k miles · ahead | — |
| Stability control | 31 (4%) | 91k–146k miles · ahead | — |
| Body structure | 23 (3%) | 72k–122k miles · ahead | — |
| Latches and locks | 22 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Equipment | 21 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Steering | 21 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Suspension | 18 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 54,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 844 complaints: 38 mention a crash · 26 mention a fire · 25 report an injury · 17 say the car was towed.
2 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Oct 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
I have a 2008 Dodge avenger it got stuck in park and I could not get it out. I called a mechanic friend who showed me a little pink switch that should release it to what ever gear you need.
I was leaving work for the day and started my vehicle as usual, but was unable to shift from park to reverse or any other mode for that matter.
I took my son to the er room and my car was running fine. I come out and start my car everything was good. I tried to take it out of park and my shift gear was stuck.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 54,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2008 Dodge Avenger: 6
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. Engine stalling could cause a crash without warning.
On certain vehicles equipped with 2.4 liter engines, the engine coolant may be drawn into the left radiator cooling fan motor connector. This can cause an electrical short circuit and result in an engine compartment fire.
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. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source can result in an underbody fire.
On certain vehicles, the front door latch cable may become partially unseated from the interior release handle housing possibly causing the latch to stick in the unlatched position or the lock function to become inoperative. Driving a vehicle with an unlatched door can result in an unbelted front seat occupant falling out of the vehicle or being ejected in a crash, causing increased risk of injury.
On certain passenger vehicles, the front seat track position sensors utilized for the air bag system may not function properly. This could increase the risk of injury to front seat occupants during certain crash conditions.
On certain passenger vehicles, the front door latch cable may become partially unseated from the interior release handle housing causing the door latch to stick in the open position and not be secured to the striker. During certain crash conditions, the possibility of a door opening could cause an unbelted passenger to be ejected, increasing the risk of injuries.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Dodge: 29
Repair instructions Dodge sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2008 Dodge Avenger. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Service Four Piece Oil Pan Gasket All Cummins Equipped Vehicles ONLY The replacement oil pan gasket can be a four piece gasket rather than a single piece gasket
Vehicle Exhibits Vibration From The Transmission During Vehicle Launch (X43 Warranty Extension 5 Years 160,000 KMS)
UConnect and Voice Recognition Inoperative
STAR Center News No. 78 - Jan/Feb 2013: Instead of limiting the use of the tether anchor to 48 pounds…
NHTSA defect investigations: 1
Fleet Vehicle Recall Completion Audit
Neighbouring years
2009 Avenger: 67 complaints, keep it.
Every Dodge Avenger year
2000 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · All Avenger years side by side
Other Dodge models: Dodge Caliber · Dodge Caravan · Dodge Challenger · Dodge Charger · Dodge Dakota · Dodge Dart · Dodge Durango · Dodge Grand Caravan · Dodge Intrepid · Dodge Journey · Dodge Magnum · Dodge Neon · Dodge Nitro · Dodge Ram · Dodge Ram Quad Cab · Dodge Sprinter 2500 · Dodge Stratus. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2008 Dodge Avenger a bad year?
844 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 240, 24× a quiet Avenger year. At 54,000 miles the tool says: Consider selling. Half of all transmission complaints about the 2008 Dodge Avenger were filed between 41k and 73k miles. You're at 54,000 miles.
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Dodge Avenger?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: transmission and drivetrain (240), fuel system (72), electrical system (219), engine (170), speed control (139). Half of the transmission complaints were filed between 41k–73k miles.
How many recalls does the 2008 Dodge Avenger have?
6 recall campaigns list this model year: Electrical system (NHTSA 08V-152), Engine and cooling (NHTSA 07V-473), Fuel system (NHTSA 07V-426), Latches and locks (NHTSA 07V-414) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.