2008 Dodge Avenger Latches, locks and linkages Problems
- Complaints
- 22about this part
- Share
- 3%of 832 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 52,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 22 complaints about the latches, locks and linkages of the 2008 Dodge Avenger, 3% of the 832 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 52,000 miles. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I have a 2008 Dodge Avenger with 40,800 miles on it. I had a problem with the gear shifter stuck in park . The problem seems to be very common in many Dodge vehicles , it seems to be a very cheap plastic part . Could there be a recall on this problem????”
NHTSA complaint #10325054, filed 2010-04, 40,700 miles“Purchased my 2008 Dodge Avenger in april 2008 and have had nothing but problem after problem with it first the air bags were recalled then the latches on the doors were recalled. The tire pressure sensor light just never goes off most recently the fuel pump went on the vehicle costing me close to 700 and now the alternator which is going to cost me another 600. What kind of vehicle did Dodge build. This is some bs an all of this is while the vehicle only has about 65000 miles or less n it.”
NHTSA complaint #10407275, filed 2011-06, 55,000 miles“I went out to my car to leave work and I started my car as usual. I tried to shift out of park and I couldn't move the shifter. I tried everything suggested to me and I couldn't find how to bypass it in the owner's manual. (the service tech finally showed me how to do it once it was fixed) I finally called to have it towed to a close dealership where they fixed it. The gear shift mechanism broke. There is a pink plastic piece that holds the spring that activates the shift lock and the hook that actually holds the spring broke. …”
NHTSA complaint #10351795, filed 2010-08, 56,287 miles“This was a sudden failure. My family and I enjoy a great day at a theme park, we head back to the parking garage to head home. We get in our four door 2008 Dodge Avenger and it will not shift out of park. The vehicle turns on great, I check the emergency brake, I turn on the car, turn off the car and the shifter will not budge out of park. I call a towing service and he said this happens with a lot of Dodge avengers and sebrings. He had to pull the trim off where the shifter is located and push this pink release down and the shifter moved freely. …”
NHTSA complaint #10353858, filed 2010-09, 50,000 miles“Passenger's door latch failed while on the road. (my 6 year old son was sitting in passengers side when this occurred) door would not latch at all. Car taken to mack haik Dodge dealership in georgetown, tx. To be repaired. No recalls were noted although the service people had mentioned numerous problems of similar nature.”
NHTSA complaint #10257312, filed 2009-02, 46,000 milesRelated recalls
- 07V414000Sep 12, 2007On certain vehicles, the front door latch cable may become partially unseated from the interior release handle housing possibly causing the latch to stick in…Covers: Dodge Avenger 2007–2008, Chrysler Sebring 2007–2008
- 07V104000Mar 15, 2007On certain passenger vehicles, the front door latch cable may become partially unseated from the interior release handle housing causing the door latch to…Covers: Dodge Avenger 2007–2008
Related service bulletins
- 10032785Nov 18, 2009Dodge/chrysler: re-torque decklid latch bolts. Certain vehicles were shipped with the incorrect torque on the decklid latch mounting bolts and will require re-torque to 10nm…
Latches, locks and linkages: other model years
Other parts of the 2008 Dodge Avenger
236 complaintsElectrical system
219 complaintsVehicle speed control
138 complaintsEngine
116 complaintsAir bags
96 complaintsFuel system
70 complaintsEngine cooling
61 complaintsOther or unknown
47 complaintsBrakes
35 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
34 complaintsElectronic stability control
31 complaintsBody and structure
24 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2008 Dodge Avenger
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology