Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
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 driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The battery, the check engine, and the throttle body warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the contact noticed an abnormal odor while the vehicle was parked. The contact noticed there was smoke coming from underneath the hood. The contact's father lifted the hood and removed the positive (+) charge cable from the battery. The contact's father replaced the battery and the alternator; however, the failure recurred while driving. The contact's father replaced the alternator for the second time. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 08V152000 (Electrical System) and 07V426000 (Fuel System, Gasoline), however, the dealer confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. …
I bought the car pre-owned. I knew almost immediately that there was a electrical problem because the inside lights would come on when I would break. I've had non stop problems with the car and until now I didn't know it was a recall problem. My gear shift linkage has went out stuck in gear. My water pump has gone out . It's overheated on numberous occasions smells like a electrical fire happening. The car won't start it stalls out all the time at least two times a day. The website says that my car has already received the recalls but the exact problems they have listed are the exact problems I'm having and it's a safety hazard for real. They told me I was going to have to pay to get it fixed since my car already received the recalls. …
Hi my name is [redacted] and I'm 28 years old and a full time single mom of 2 girls 24/7 and in February I bought a 2008 Dodge Avenger 2.7 and the day I drove it home the check engine light came on and well long story short there it took them a month to "fix" the issue and 3 days later after getting my car back after NOT having it for a month the check engine light came on again...needless to say here it is almost September 7 months later and there has many endless problems and the car dealership will not return my phone calls or texts or emails about my car and wanting to trade it in for another one on there lot !!! They are crooked people and shouldn't be a business I have so much proof
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated to pick up speed upon depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact noticed upon removing the wiring harness there was an internal fire, which burned the components pertaining to the fuel pump that burned into the fuel tank and the housing. The vehicle was not able to be driven due to the failure. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 07V426000 (fuel system, gasoline). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.
Today is July 17, 2018. I discovered there were 6 recalls on the 2008 Dodge Avenger I purchased a month and a half ago, but the dealer never bothered to disclose any of this information to me. When I asked why the sensor light was on I was told it was nothing important, just the air pressure on the tires due to leakage, and all it needed was a cap on the valve stem. The caps on the valve stems of two wheels were replaced but the light stayed on. A few days after the purchase, I was driving about 66 MPH when the car started jerking as if the fuel was gasping; it scared me to death! Two weeks after the purchase, the engine light came on while I was driving on the freeway, and wouldn't go off; the car must be taken in for diagnostic which I'm told will cost almost $100 to find out why the engine light was on. …
Vehicle started having issues starting and then it would start and run fine and then die.I was contacted and noticed that the fuel pump was not coming on and then would all the sudden come on andthen quit so I removed the rear seat and unplugged the wire harness and could see where it had been burned and looked at the top of the pump where the harness plugs in and could see and smell gas.I removed the fuel pump and you could see where one of the wire harnesses inside the fuel tank on the fuel pump had burned a hole all the way through.in the whole process of this no fuse ever blew to shut power off and was told there is no fuse by someone at the Dodge dealer.I proceeded to look on the internet and found numerous accounts of this same issue and nobody has reported it the changed there fuel pump but that does not fix the issue. …
I've owned the car since it was new. A couple of times this past summer when filling the fuel tank, the fuel overflowed before the gas nozzle automatically shut off. At first I thought it was a faulty gas nozzle. Recently it has been overflowing every time I fill up, regardless of which gas station or pump. The past 5-6 times it has overflowed. It is a significant amount of fuel that comes back, and it doesn't just trickle out. If you are not standing off to the side it will spray you. Then it runs down the side of the car and the left rear wheel. I am careful to stop the pump before it gets full, but even then it sometimes overflows. I would estimate the average amount of fuel spillage to be around 12 ounces.
I have a 2008 Dodge Avenger that burst into flames all of a sudden when I was headed home from work during rush hour on a city street doing between 25-30 miles an hour. There was no warning when a man started shouting for me to get out of the car. In another half an hour my kids would have been in the car. This is the third time I've heard of this happening with this Chrysler made car, yet the insurance is giving me the run-a-round. I'm sure with instructions from Chrysler. I need them to pay up, I need to be able to get to work and take my children to day care. I could have been killed cause there is obviously a defect in the engine or fuel system.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated that the ABS sensor illuminated and the brakes failed shortly afterwards. The contact also stated that the brakes took longer than usual to stop the vehicle. Furthermore, there was a major fuel tank leak and the odor of fuel was noticed outside the vehicle. Lastly, the check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and planned to be repaired once the contact ordered the correct fuel tank straps. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The failure mileage was 68,000.
The TPMS warning light came on but tires were fine. At that time the engine would stall at take off and for a few miles after. As for the airbag, when I adjust the drivers seat, the airbag light would come on and stay on during the drive. I checked for recalls on this site and found that both of them were on but when I called the warranty they said that my VIN was not listed but the year make and model was. I took it in and they charged me $100.00 for diagnostics! They said they fixed it but it still stalls and the light still comes on.
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
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.
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.
Fuel System complaints in other Avenger years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2008 Dodge Avenger?
NHTSA has 72 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2008 Dodge Avenger, 9% of the model year's 844 complaints. The component named most often is delivery › fuel pump (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Dodge Avenger fuel system problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 07V-426 (tank assembly, Sep 13, 2007). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2008 Dodge Avenger fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 69,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 6 fires and 1 injury to fuel & propulsion system 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.