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).
Wednesday October 10th 2018 approximately 10:30 a.m. I was on my way to smoothie kind in cooper city located inside of a plaza. As I turned into the parking spot with my foot already on the brake to slow down into said parking spot the vehicle accelerated on its own. I pumped the brakes once nothing stopped the vehicle and it went over the medium between parking spots and hit a unoccupied vehicle on the left front. Then stopped just before hitting a tree. I'am not sure what happened but their seems to be an electrical malfunction because my mileage has disappeared since.
I purchased this vehicle from a used car lot a year and a half ago. From the very first day I purchased the car, I had problems which are recorded with the place of purchase. I was told I could not get my money back. The only remedy offered was for the actual car dealership who sold me the vehicle would fix the problem. The first problem iv'e had started with the head lights, it then went onto my entire electrical system that gives mileage, warnings ect went out. Soon after that the alarm system, horn ,and door locking system. There after "a pin" in which holds the gear in place went out and would not operate. The next thing that went out was the entire air conditioning and heating system. On or around April 12 there was a what looked like a spark near the air conditioning panel. …
Vehicle stalls at traffic lights or in stopped traffic in wet weather. Mostly wet weather, but has occurred at least tree times in dry weather. Local good year ran a "wet test" on it, could not reproduce the stall. When this happens I put it in park, turn off the ignition, put on my hazards, and it starts back up with no problem. Mechanic cannot find the source. This is scary at the least and makes me nervous even thinking about having to drive when it is wet outside. I read a mention of a wiper motor.. That it May either be poorly grounded or is failing and drawing excessive current., he relates the stalling in wet weather to this as the wipers would either be on or in the delay setting. …
I have a 2008 Dodge Avenger 2.4 cylinder. My starter has been replacing four times in less than forty day time frame, yes that is what I said. The car cut off on me while driving without any warning while I was on the interstate, fortunate for me and another account grandchild didn't get killed. Dodge-Land of columbia, sc miss diagnosed and endangered me and on one account my then three year old grand baby, now four as of feb 2nd. I voiced my concerns asked if they checked wiring or see if something electrical; I said it doesn't make since, something is shorting or causing the starter to burn out, did you'll check. Dodge-Land said it's fixed now you don't have to worry, getting me to entrusted in what they say and believe, I did. Bill reassured me it was fixed said we checked it, it's not wiring, or nothing else, it's not electrical, pmc it's your starter, we checked it everything. …
We have been having a lot of problems with our car lately. First problem we had was with our alarm system. The alarm has gone off on us both when the car is off and when the car is on. The horn starts and won't go off until after about 5 minutes no matter what we do. We have try turning it of with our key alarm, turning the car on and off, unlocking the doors but nothing seems to work. Yesterday we were driving our car and the car stall and we were lucking to be able to pull to the side safetly since we were coming to a stop. After a couple attempts, we got the car back on and running. I have search this problem and I found that it could be the TPMS. As to what we have experience with the car lately, we are almost sure it is this. …
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. …
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. …
When I bought the vehicle the check engine light was on. I asked the dealer and he said he was just sitting for awhile when I drove away it was off then 2 weeks later came back on. When I took it to eurozone they told me it was the heads need replaced that's 2900.00. I looked to see if this part was recalled and if it had been replaced on my vehicle I am unable to see where if at all this has been addressed by the Dodge makers??? I love my vehicle I just want it to run like its suppose to also my tire light is on and have replaced all tires and still will not go off even after being reset. Also my car has an antifreeze smell like the car is hot but never shows that in the temp gauge it's getting hot at all. Please someone give me some info on what I can do to fix these problems???? Now the new light is my brake light illuminates when I am driving then shuts itself off.
Takata recall-the electronic throttle control light has been appearing in my car when I start it. I think it's absolutely insane the amount of complaints on the etc but yet nothing has been done about it. If Dodge is making a faulty part in their vehicles it should be covered under a recall or be fixed. I was driving 60 MPH when I noticed my accelerator and rpms were being weird. Luckily the flashing etc came on as I was coming into town so I was able to pull into a parking lot. The winter season is approaching and I can't rely on my $10,000 car? Something doesn't seem right there. I've had this car for two years and I can tell you already that I will never buy another one again. A recall needs to be announced. Absolutely ridiculous the amount of people having the same problem on the same car and nothing has been done.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Dodge Avenger. While driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled and the tire pressure monitoring system indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to mullen motors (55980 ny-25, southold, ny, [phone]), but the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and did not assist. The contact stated that the failure was similar to NHTSA campaign number: 08V152000 (electrical system). The failure mileage was 92,000. Consumer stated car stalled while driving 3 times. Vehicle has repaired.
Traction Control complaints in other Avenger years
Frequently asked questions
How common are traction control problems on the 2008 Dodge Avenger?
NHTSA has 32 complaints about the stability & traction control of the 2008 Dodge Avenger, 4% of the model year's 844 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2008 Dodge Avenger traction control problems?
No. NHTSA lists no stability & traction control 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 traction control problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 100,000 miles, and 4% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 2 fires and 0 injuries to stability & traction control 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.