Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
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 contact owned a 2008 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated that while her grandson was driving at an unknown speed, he lost control of the vehicle. The contact was informed by the police officer, that the vehicle flipped 4 times and the driver was not wearing his seat belt, which caused the driver to be ejected from his seat and was found half inside the cab and half outside the driver's side window. The contact stated all the other air bags deployed, except the front driver side airbag. The contact was informed the driver was deceased when the police and the front passenger sustained injuries on her left shoulder, chest pains, a laceration on her right leg, and scratches on her left leg. The contact stated the front passenger did seek medical attention at the hospital. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not drivable. The insurance company deemed the vehicle a total loss. …
My 2008 Dodge Avenger airbag light has been on for a while, I believe that's something that is defective and should be fixed by the manufacture. I'd called a dealership and was told it was not a recall and therefore not covered. When the wipers are turned on in the morning and then turned off, they continue to wipe even turned off. When I use the right blinker, the light in the dashboard dims seems like an electrical problem. I believe other things might be wrong but I'm not a mechanic. I would like my car to get inspected for safety. Thank you.
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the airbags warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 176,000.
Takata recall- I have been in two accidents with my Dodge Avenger 08. First was when I hit a deer my entire body was slammed into the steering column, knew out teeth and broke bones months ago, no airbag deployed nor did not seat belt engage. The car was in motion traveling about 40 miles an hour. The second accident was run off the road by a van traveling in the middle of the road coming at me. I had to serve hard right, I ended up in a deep ditch in which I slammed into a cement washy again no airbag, no seat belt, hit my head so hard I was knocked unconscious, severe facial trauma, back, neck and head. Still have no short term memory as well as severe back pain this has ruined my life. Invalid VIN consumer stated she was the only person in the car and there was no fatality. Updated 10/18/18 see also odi 11149522.
Tl* the contact owned a 2008 Dodge Avenger. While driving 50 MPH, the contact drove off the road and crashed into a cement barrier in an effort to avoid a crash with another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy and the seat belts failed to operate as intended. The contact sustained a severe concussion, bleeding on the brain, a sprained ankle, a fractured nose, fractured ribs, and severe back trauma. Medical attention was required. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to a recovery facility. A police report was filed. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were notified. The approximate failure mileage was 187,000. See also 11139251.
Tl* the contact owned a 2008 Dodge Avenger. While driving at approximately 45 MPH, the contact crashed head on into another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. Prior to the incident, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact sustained rib and wrist injuries and the passenger sustained lacerations. Medical attention was not received. It was unknown if a police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.
I was exiting out of a parking lot in town and traffic was back up and at a standstill. As I attempted to turn left a car tried passing the stopped traffic in a no passing zone. The vehicle hit the front of my car, totaling it. The bumper was on the ground , radiator sideways, hood crinkled, fenders destroyed. My airbags did not deploy. The car that hit me was going fast and caused major damage. Taylorville police department police report number 15-341
"Takata recall" I was traveling northbound and a car crossed into my lane trying to make a left turn rt into my vehicle. The driver of the other vehicle admits to looking at his phone prior to turning. He hit my front driver side traveling head on with a turning motion with both of us traveling approximately 35 m.p.h. My airbag never deployed and my seatbelt unlocked allowing me to hit my head on the ceiling/roof of my car.
I was in a car accident and the airbag did not deploy and the seatbelt did not restrain me. I hit the steering wheel really hard. I have chest pains, and migraines. I am now waiting for my mri results. I was driving on a city street about to get on the highway. My car was totaled out by the insurance company updated 12/11/18
My son was traveling east on interstate 64 when another car came upon him traveling at a high rate of speed and slammed on his brakes. The road was wet and the other car started sliding out of control and hit my sons car in the passenger front door and push the whole car into a rock wall. The airbags did not deployed at all.
Related recalls
Air bags › Frontal
On certain passenger vehicles, the front seat track position sensors utilized for the air bag system May not function properly.
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.
Airbag complaints in other Avenger years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2008 Dodge Avenger?
NHTSA has 100 complaints about the air bags of the 2008 Dodge Avenger, 12% of the model year's 844 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (11 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Dodge Avenger airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 07V-240 (frontal, Jun 13, 2007). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2008 Dodge Avenger airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 75,000 miles, and 11% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 23 crashes, 0 fires and 25 injuries and 1 death to air bags 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.