2008 Dodge Avenger Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2008 Avenger most often describe either a shifter that will not move out of Park or electronic-throttle events in which the vehicle loses power or will not accelerate. Electrical faults are also common and are frequently traced by mechanics to the power module (TIPM) that controls many body functions. Reported mileages vary widely, from under 20,000 to well past 150,000, and many complaints were filed years after purchase.

1. 1
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Shifter stuck in Park / will not come out of gear

   • 169 complaints (20%)
   • median 52,457 mi at 2.8 yrs old (153 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $360 (median of 19 quotes)
   • filed 2007–2022

   Owners describe starting the car and finding the gear selector locked in Park, with repeated attempts to move it unsuccessful even with the brake pressed. Some report the override button under the cupholder not working either, and a few removed the shifter plate to move a plastic part by hand. According to complaints, dealers replaced the shifter assembly, and some owners said the part was in stock because the same repair had been done often. Reported across a wide mileage range from about 9,000 to 159,000 miles, often with no warning beforehand.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: With the engine running and the brake applied, cycle the shifter through every position several times and confirm it releases from Park each time. Ask whether the shifter assembly or interlock spring has been serviced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I own a 2008 Dodge Avenger, bought it brand new a couple years ago. I go get in my car today to get my son's prescriptions and pick up my kids when I find my gear shift locked in 'park'. Now I will have to pay for a tow plus repairs for something that should have been a recall!!! Bad business Dodge!!! I will never own another Dodge.”

   NHTSA complaint #10354079, filed 2010-09, 60,000 miles

   “I was getting ready for work, had to be there by 7am. My fiance' had already left for work. I went to start my car and it wouldn't come out of park. Tried over and over to get it out of park. As a result of this happening I was late for work and I can't afford to be late for work. We are docked points when we are late or miss work and I am never late and never miss work. You can be terminated with just 4 points. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10339790, filed 2010-06, 62,000 miles
2. 2
   Vehicle speed control

   Electronic throttle control light, loss of power

   • 136 complaints (16%)
   • median 90,000 mi at 5.4 yrs old (129 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $675 (median of 8 quotes)
   • filed 2008–2023

   Complaints describe the electronic throttle control light coming on while driving, followed by a loss of power or a refusal to accelerate, sometimes at highway speed. In several cases owners pulled over and restarted the car to continue; others had the throttle body or electronic throttle replaced. Some report dealers could not reproduce the fault when the light had already reset. Mostly reported between roughly 40,000 and 125,000 miles, with a few at lower mileage.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether the throttle body or electronic throttle assembly has been replaced, and have a scan tool check for stored throttle codes rather than relying on the dash light being off.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving on the interstate, my car suddenly dropped to 20mph and I had to pull off the road. I didn't have anywhere to pull over so I put my flashers on and drove as far right as I could until I had room to pull off the road. It was a very busy part of the interstate and I could have easily been ran over. I had to have it towed to the local dealership where they replaced and electric throttle. This is an issue Dodge chrysler has been aware of for many years. It should be recalled.”

   NHTSA complaint #10482656, filed 2012-10, 95,000 miles

   “I had my electronic throttle control replaced in the winter of 2013. As I was driving on the highway, the car lost all power and would not turn back on. After seeing the many complaints here I was sure chrysler would cover it, but they did not. They, in fact, told me that they explicitly were not covering all of the complaints on this part! Today, I learned that now I am having electrical problems again. My right turn signal and brake light work whenever they want, no rhyme or reason. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10630186, filed 2014-09, 146,000 miles
3. 3
   Electrical system

   Stalling and electrical faults traced to the power module

   • 197 complaints (24%)
   • median 79,000 mi at 5.9 yrs old (166 state mileage)
   • 11 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $705 (median of 14 quotes)
   • filed 2007–2025

   Owners report random stalling, horn sounding on its own, turn signals and lights working intermittently, wipers stopping mid-windshield and dash lights dropping out. Several complaints state that a mechanic identified the totally integrated power module (TIPM) or fuse box as the source, sometimes after replacing the wiper switch and motor first without success. Usually reported above 90,000 miles, though some instances appear earlier.

   Recall 08V1520005 related service bulletins

   What to check: Test the horn, wipers, turn signals and cruise control, and ask whether the power module or fuse box has ever been replaced. A recall covers corroded unused TPMS connectors that can short and cause stalling; ask whether that recall repair was done.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My car horn goes off periodically and stays on when im driving or parked without me blowing it .also my seat belt light comes on every time I turn on the vehicle .when im driving the engine oil light comes on the wheel tighten up and the vehicle slows down and cuts completely off. I have been driving on busy streets when this happen as well as express ways. Once it cuts off if I sit and a couple minutes the car may start back driving like nothing happen...usually. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10629814, filed 2014-09, 79,000 miles

   “My issue is the windshield wipers stop working or work intermittently, which is a huge problem when it is raining. This is very dangerous. When we started looking up the issue online we noticed a lot of other people having the same issue among other issues. We first tried to replace the switch - still had the problem, then the wiper motor - still had the problem. Now we are told by the Dodge dealership that it prob. Is a wiring issue or the total integrated fuse box thing. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10712528, filed 2015-04, 90,000 miles
4. 4
   Engine cooling

   Overheating and loss of heat / heater core

   • 28 complaints (3%)
   • median 80,000 mi at 6.3 yrs old (25 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2008–2026

   Complaints describe the engine overheating with the temperature warning light on and coolant missing from the reservoir, sometimes recurring after refilling. Others report no heat from the vents and repeated heater core replacements; some mention filters installed to try to keep debris out of the core. Spread from about 63,000 to 180,000 miles, with several reports past 100,000.

   Recall 07V473000

   What to check: Check coolant level and condition, look for coolant residue near the radiator fan connector on 2.4L cars, and confirm the heater blows warm air at idle.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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, filed 2019-12, 123,456 miles

   “My vehicle has been in the repair shop for the same issue over four times within the past two years. The first complaint on 2/19/13. The malfunction is with the vehicle heating system. The first heater core was replaced on 1/20/14, the second heater core on 2/27/14, the third heater core on 4/18/14, and the fourth on 11/12/14. The vehicle loses heat. There have been special filters installed in my vehicle as well, trying to resolve any issue before it reaches the heater core, this attempt has failed as well. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10654907, filed 2014-11, 110,630 miles

Buying note. Check the shifter operation and throttle response carefully on a test drive, and ask for service records covering the shifter, throttle body and power module. A pre-purchase scan for stored codes and a look at the radiator fan connector and coolant level are worthwhile on a car of this age.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.