The Lemon Index
20092nd generation
Avoid · most complaints: transmission & drivetrain
315 owner complaints, first 3 years 18–24 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2008 Toyota Camry 862008 Honda Accord 2102008 Nissan Altima 65
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2008 Dodge Avenger
- Engine stalling148 complaintsmostly at 40,000–109,000 miles (64,000–175,000 km)
- Throttle body / loss of power51 complaintsmostly at 61,000–112,000 miles (98,000–180,000 km)
- Airbag light / sensor27 complaintsmostly at 48,000–100,000 miles (77,000–161,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 845 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008 Dodge Avenger (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 34,000 and 60,000 miles (55,000–97,000 km) (the middle half of the 275 complaints, of all 315 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K miles (97K km) Right in the range where most owners reported problems.
- At 100K and 150K miles (161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 08V152000 (electrical), 07V473000 (engine) and 07V426000 (fuel system, gasoline) done? It has 6 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Dodge sent dealers 59 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Harsh transmission engagement or clunk when shifting out of reverse or from drive, through…”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Dodge's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 315 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 34K to 60K miles (55K to 97K km) on the car (275 of all 315 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
2008 Dodge Avenger r/t with 3.5l engine and 6 speed auto stick will not shift from park.
2008 Dodge Avenger owner · NHTSA complaint 10280066
More owner reports
Defective shift assembly, locks the car into park and cannot shift at all. Can't drive the car. Has to be towed to dealer and pay to fix a defective part that apparently, many 2008 Dodge Avenger owners have had problems with.
NHTSA complaint 10347886
2008 Dodge Avenger sxt will not shift out of park. Brake switch activates but gear shifter will not move past park safety stop.
NHTSA complaint 10350273
Problems Dodge told dealers about
Dodge sent dealers 59 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Harsh transmission engagement or clunk when shifting out of reverse or from drive, through…
- Torque converter shudder with coordinated change or shift quality improvements
- Vehicle Exhibits Vibration From The Transmission During Vehicle Launch (X43 Warranty Extension 5
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 6
- Electrical · recall issued 2008
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 180,963 MY 2007-2008 SEBRING AND DODGE AVENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A STANDARD TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS).
- Engine · recall issued 2007 2.4L engines only
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.4 LITER ENGINES, THE ENGINE COOLANT MAY BE DRAWN INTO THE LEFT RADIATOR COOLING FAN MOTOR CONNECTOR.
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2007
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES WITH ALL WHEEL DRIVE, THE FUEL TANK STRAPS WERE IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED AND COULD SEPARATE.
Show all 6 recalls
- Latches/locks/linkages · recall issued 2007
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 INOPERAT…
- Airbags · recall issued 2007
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FRONT SEAT TRACK POSITION SENSORS UTILIZED FOR THE AIR BAG SYSTEM MAY NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY.
- Latches/locks/linkages · recall issued 2007
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.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- ClosedFleet vehicle recall completion audit2010–2015
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,500–$3,350 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.4L 4-cyl, 2.7L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl.
Every Dodge Avenger year. 2008 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
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<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/dodge-avenger/?y=2008" title="Dodge Avenger reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="353" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/dodge-avenger/2008/">Lemon Index</a> (2008 Dodge Avenger reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2008 Dodge Avenger reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew about twice the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 218; 100 is average, lower is better). The Dodge Avenger year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2010.
What are the most common 2008 Dodge Avenger problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (52%), engine (14%) and electrical (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2008 Dodge Avenger have?
6 safety recalls (latest: electrical). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Dodge Avenger get?
18 to 24 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2008 Dodge Avenger problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 34,000 and 60,000 miles (55,000–97,000 km) (the middle half of the 275 complaints, of all 315 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K miles, a 2008 is right in the range where most owners reported problems. At 100K and 150K miles, a 2008 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2008 Dodge Avenger have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 52% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2008 Dodge Avenger cost in fuel a year?
About $2,500 to $3,350 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2008 Dodge Avenger have?
2.4L 4-cyl, 2.7L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl.
What Dodge Avenger year is better than the 2008?
Nearby, the 2010 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (a bit over half as many complaints as the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works