Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Dodge Avenger owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The car runs perfect but all the sudden started dying while in reverse then a lightning bolt with lines on each side was flashing and the car died. So we changed the spark plugs and did a full service and it ran fine then started doing the same thing where it's getting no power and won't go at all. Let it sit for a minute then hen will drive fine for a little bit and start acting like it's not getting any power i don't understand what's going on with it
In motion at random times my electronic throttle control light will flash at the same time I lose all power at any speed.....from coming into my driveway to highway speed 40-50mph to interstate speeds 65mph I was with my very I'll mom who has to travel with medical supplies and equipment and when she is in an accident, and left unable to get to her set destination, would suffer and did finally today ....we had to sit parked for longer that she medically is able to because of this problem with the electronic throttle control. It should be recalled & resolved before someone in my car, or myself, gets hurt or killed. I have had my Avenger since February - March 2009 and today is December 2018 and it has happened for over 2 years to me just because I am still alive, don't mean it shouldn't be resolved. Again, this happened before I got to the mileage I am now and is still happening. …
As I was traveling 65 MPH down hwy 411 in centre, al my car (2008 Dodge Avenger) completely shutoff. I could barely get my car over to the side of the road due to the steering wheel wouldn't turn. Thank god it was 11 p.m on a Thursday night because if it would've been during the day this hwy is very busy and I could've caused a wreck and harmed myself or someone else. After I got on the side of the road I tried to start it back up a few times and it finally started back up but it wouldn't stop turning over until I cut it back off. Then I tried to start it again and it started but every light on my dash come on. I put it in drive and tried to drive it home but it wouldnt go over 15 MPH. I had several vehicles run up on the back of my vehicle and I was actually afraid for my safety. When I got it home I shut it off and it wouldnt start back up. …
I just bought my 2008 Avenger. Everything worked as normal until I went to warm up my car today and later realized that the passenger side is only blowing cold air. I have researched and found hundreds if not thousands are having the exact issue. The actuators are functioning. The blend door is fine. The heater core itself is fine due to hot air coming from driver side only. This can cause a more electrical problems and malfunctions and should be recalled due to poor heating abilities thus lack of defrost during winter months. I have a small frame I'm able to look out after windshield has been defrosting for over 20 minutes. That's the worst part. The other issue is my cruise control quit working also today while going 75 MPH down the highway. I was almost rear ended because once it disengaged, it slowed down tremendously. …
I was driving when I noticed the red lightning bolt light come on on the dash. Then the check oil light came on (and I don't need an oil change) . My tire pressure light had been coming on that day, I assumed bc it was colder that day. As I was driving I was getting into the left turn lane and as I got to the end of the lane and straightened my wheel I noticed I couldn't really turn my wheel. Once I got the green arrow to turn, I put my foot on the gas and I wasn't moving. I turned my hazards on put it in park and turned it off when I noticed my car was already off. I started it back up and the lights on my dash went away and it was fine. I've also been noticed the past couple weeks that my car revs up whenever it feels like it. I'll be parked and the car will rev up or I'll be driving a steady speed and my car will just speed up. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Dodge Avenger. While driving at 50 MPH, the cruise control was activated but would independently turn off. In addition, the contact stated that while at a stop light and the brake pedal was depressed the rpms increased. The contact also stated that while at a stop, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was able to restart. The tire pressure warning light and engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed but the parts that needed to be repaired were unknown. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was aware of NHTSA campaign number: 08V152000 (electrical system) however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was 47,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Dodge Avenger. While driving 30 MPH, the engine seized. On other occasions, the vehicle spontaneously accelerated and then dragged. Also, the driver's seat belt detached without warning and the air bag warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the thermostat, clockspring, ECM manifold, throttle body, starter, battery, air fan, integrated power module, air conditioner, compressor, intake runner, steering wheel, and engine needed to be repaired. The vehicle was taken to brockton Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram (241020 belmont st, brockton, ma 02301, [phone]), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and did not assist. The failure mileage was 36,000. The VIN was invalid.
My son purchased his 2008 Avenger used in 2014 from oklahoma. He is in the military and while deployed I am maintaining his vehicle at the local dealership in michigan with oil changes and service. While driving at 55mph on the freeway the TPMS light came on then the cruise control turned off. Then the engine light as I was exiting the freeway the engine stopped. I started the vehicle which stalled at every. Intersection and on turns would stall putting me in the opposite lane. When looking up recalls it showed the exact problem. I took the vehicle to the dealership. They stated no recall on this VIN# and the problem is his timing chain and of course the fee is 1500.00 dollars. It seems Fiat Chrysler is trying to do everything not to fix these older models.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH with the cruise control activated, the vehicle accelerated independently to 100 MPH. When the brakes were engaged, the vehicle speed would only decrease to 60 MPH. Also, the contact turned off the vehicle but it continued to accelerate. The contact had to crash into in a ditch in order to stop the vehicle and the air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed and no injuries were sustained. The vehicle was repaired. The dealer was unable to diagnose the failure. The contact experienced the failure on numerous occasions. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was unavailable. The approximate failure mileage was 3,000.
My car is having all of the same problems that the vehicles form the TPMS recall had. My car isnt covered under the recall though. The cruise control wont work, the battery just goes dead, the remote start sysyem wont work, sometimes the engine wont start, the radio stays on all the time if you dont manually shut it off, the air bag light is on even though there is nothing wrong with it. I feel as though since my car has all the same problems and I have seen many more complaints from others on this site and other websites that the recall should be reevaluated and expanded to cover more of the same year of vehicles. Please do something about this for all of the owners having problems.
Acceleration complaints in other Avenger years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2008 Dodge Avenger?
NHTSA has 139 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2008 Dodge Avenger, 16% of the model year's 844 complaints. The component named most often is cruise control (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Dodge Avenger acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 2008 Dodge Avenger, though it has 6 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2008 Dodge Avenger acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 88,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to speed control & acceleration problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.