2008 Dodge Avenger
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Transmission & Drivetrain
Transmission & Drivetrain leads by volume: 236 of 831 complaints (28%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more deaths (1) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | vs. 2008 Midsize Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,600–3,450 | 2,600–3,100 | 2,600–3,100 | |
| Combined MPG | 18–24 | 20–24 | 20–24 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 15–21 / 24–30 | 16–21 / 27–30 | 16–21 / 27–30 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 370–494 | 370–444 | 370–444 | |
| Complaints filed | 831 | 67 | 163 | |
| Recalls issued | 6 | 2 | 3 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 36 | 3 | 16 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 26 | 0 | 8 | |
| Injuries reported | 34 | 6 | 13 | |
| Deaths reported | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 5 | 3 | 3 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2008 Dodge Avenger have?
6 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2008 Dodge Avenger?
Transmission & Drivetrain: 236 of 831 NHTSA complaints (28%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Dodge Avenger get?
EPA rates it 18–24 MPG combined across 5 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2008 Dodge Avenger?
EPA estimates $2,600–$3,450 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (5)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 2.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 21 mpg (high) | 30 mpg (high) | 24 mpg (high) | $2,600 (low) | 370 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 6-spd | 6 | 3.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 16 mpg | 26 mpg | 19 mpg | $3,300 | 468 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 6-spd | 6 | 3.5L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 15 mpg (low) | 24 mpg (low) | 18 mpg (low) | $3,450 (high) | 494 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 2.7L | Front-Wheel Drive | Gasoline or E85 | Midsize Cars | 19 mpg | 27 mpg | 22 mpg | $2,850 | 404 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 2.7L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 19 mpg | 27 mpg | 22 mpg | $2,850 | 404 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 176 | 6 | 12 | 4 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 236 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 70 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical | 219 | 3 | 13 | 1 | 0 |
| Brakes | 66 | 9 | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Steering | 21 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 41 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 100 | 22 | 0 | 24 | 1 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 138 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 49 | 5 | 1 | 7 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 43 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Other | 57 | 4 | 3 | 6 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (6)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING · Campaign 08V152000 · Apr 2, 2008
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY · Campaign 07V473000 · Oct 10, 2007
Defect: ON CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.4 LITER ENGINES, THE ENGINE COOLANT MAY BE DRAWN INTO THE LEFT RADIATOR COOLING FAN MOTOR CONNECTOR.
Consequence: 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.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY · Campaign 07V426000 · Sep 13, 2007
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH · Campaign 07V414000 · Sep 12, 2007
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL ADD A SECONDARY RETENTION FEATURE TO BOTH FRONT DOORS. THIS ACTION WILL SUPERSEDE AND EXPAND A PREVIOUS SAFETY RECALL (PLEASE SEE 07V-104). THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 29, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL · Campaign 07V240000 · Jun 13, 2007
Defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FRONT SEAT TRACK POSITION SENSORS UTILIZED FOR THE AIR BAG SYSTEM MAY NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY.
Consequence: THIS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO FRONT SEAT OCCUPANTS DURING CERTAIN CRASH CONDITIONS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FRONT SEAT TRACK POSITION SENSORS AND REPLACE THEM FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALLBEGAN ON JUNE 18, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH · Campaign 07V104000 · Mar 15, 2007
Defect: 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.
Consequence: DURING CERTAIN CRASH CONDITIONS, THE POSSIBILITY OF A DOOR OPENING COULD CAUSE AN UNBELTED PASSENGER TO BE EJECTED, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURIES.
Remedy: THIS ACTION IS SUPERSEDED (PLEASE SEE 07-V414.) DEALERS WILL ADD FREE OF CHARGE A SECONDARY FEATURE TO BOTH FRONT DOORS TO PREVENT THE DOOR LATCH CABLE FERRULE FROM BECOMING UNSEATED AT THE INTERIOR FRONT DOOR RELEASE HANDLE HOUSING. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 30, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.