Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
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 owns a 2008 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated that while turning to the right, the passenger's side front wheel seemed to be rubbing against the rubber or plastic piece underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the front suspension cross member had failed due to excessive rust. The contact was informed that the front suspension cross member needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that there was no recall associated with the VIN related to the failure. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated that while reversing out of a parking lot, an abnormal snapping sound was coming from the vehicle. The contact had her husband inspect the vehicle and he discovered that the subframe had fractured due to severe corrosion. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was given an estimate for the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 146,000.
On 3-31-19 me and my 2 daughters were driving on expressway, I started smelling burning and seen smoke coming from hood on driver side of car, it appeared to be coming from the engine under hood and pulled to side of road. I turned car off and I told kids to get out and we walked down expressway. I told kids to stay there and went to walk back to open hood and check it, on my way back to it, it had started on fire. I went back to my kids and called police. Within ten minutes the whole car was engulfed in flames.
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
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated that the engine cradle and sub frame prematurely rusted and fractured while driving at a low rate of speed. The vehicle was coasted to a parking area. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic whom diagnosed that the engine cradle needed to be replaced but the vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer was not contacted for a diagnosis or repairs. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they had issued one recall on the engine and three TSB's on the engine but provided no solution for the engine cradle replacement. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
Subframe on my wife's car has rusted through and the stabilizer bar has went through it and she drives everyday with out little kids in the car and I would like someone to get back to me about the recalls and how I would be able to fix this subframe if calling is better please feel free to give me a call on my cell it's [redacted] my name is [redacted]
When at the fuel pump getting gas it overfills every time. Safety hazard has a rough idle when sitting at a stop light without a check engine light and no check engine light has come up for it. Speedometer is off door handle sticks not allowing me to close my door while I'm in it have to push the handle towards the door to get it to close. Trunk doesn't close all the way. Also when opening after it rains it leaks all over my stuff
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, an abnormal sound emitted from the vehicle without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine cradle was rusted and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated that while driving at 15 MPH, there was an abnormal noise and the vehicle suddenly stalled. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the sub frame was corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 110,000.
I was traveling Saturday afternoon and the driver's door open during travel. I was only going about 30 miles per hour and I had my seat belt on when this happened so no physical harm or damage occurred just very shaken up. I got out of my car to check the door and noticed that the latch was in the open position and would not lock or latch on. I was forced to drive home holding the door trying to keep it closed by placing my hand through an opened window while I drove. I called the dealership they were not aware of the previous recall and was told that I would have to pay out of pocket. I also contacted contact Chrysler at [phone] and was told that my car had already been repaired so I would have to pay out of pocket to have it repaired again..
Body complaints in other Avenger years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 2008 Dodge Avenger?
NHTSA has 24 complaints about the body & structure of the 2008 Dodge Avenger, 3% of the model year's 844 complaints. The component named most often is body (11 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Dodge Avenger body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure 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 body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 110,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 3 injuries to body & structure 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.