This seems to be a common occurrence as I have heard this same scenario amongst many dodge owners. A few days ago, my 2008 dodge avenger suddenly stopped accelerating as my foot was pressing the gas. It dropped down to a speed of 45mph and would not let me accelerate above this. The dash board also displayed a red lightning bolt . When I looked in the manual it advised that I get my vehicle serviced immediately and that it was an issue with the electronic stability control, most commonly this is described as the electronic throttle control. Given that my complaint resembles that of many others both on this sight and across dodge forums, I would feel it necessary for a recall of this part.
2008 Dodge Avenger acceleration complaints
Page 3 of 6: complaints 41 to 70 of 138, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Was driving down the highway and noticed a delayed response when pushing down on the accelerator, moments later I was unable to accelerate and the car's electronic throttle control light appeared. The car was unable to go more then 15 MPH. I had to have the car towed. I did not receive a warning before this happened however, I did notice my car stalling a little bit a day prior to this happening. I see I am not the only person with this problem, now I have to see how much money this is going to cost me. I am a college student and need my car but not this types of expense and safety risks it comes with. There are 125,000 miles on the car at this time.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge avenger. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning and could not be restarted. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the throttle body needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 138,000. Updated 4/28/14*cn
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge avenger. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the accelerator pedal vibrated abnormally as the rpms rapidly fluctuated and the interior lights became dim. Additionally, the vehicle would not accelerate over 10 MPH. The failure recurred as the contact traveled at various speeds. A local mechanic performed a diagnostic and located the failure at the throttle body. The throttle body was cleaned in addition to the air filter and the battery being replaced however ,the failure was not corrected. The failure mileage was 70,000 and the current mileage was 71,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge avenger. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle began to lose power as the check engine and the throttle warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic where they stated that the spark plugs and coil needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the throttle warning light remained illuminated. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 23,500. The VIN was unavailable.
The electronic throttle control and the engine light are constantly coming on and going off. This has been going on for two weeks now. I called a dodge dealer and they told me that the recall for this very same issue is not for my car. My VIN supposedly is not in the sequence chrysler decided to recall. I don't know what to do.
We have experienced a drop in RPM's in wet weather, mainly at lower speeds during a deceleration mode that felt like the vehicle would die. A slow response to a panicked foot was always what happened. This began at approx. 25,000-30,000 miles. Never while in the dealer repair shop. While driving our 2008 avenger, there was a rapid deceleration that occurred accompanied by the etc light coming on and flashing. I applied gas and nothing happened, then a split second later, the vehicle suddenly accelerated, etc light went out. I slowly accelerated to 55 MPH and noticed that the rpms were higher than usual (3200) for the speed and also felt a hiccup or cutting out feel. I thought that I had lost 4th gear? My husband and I are seasoned auto service advisors & are very much in tune with our vehicles. Along with the aforementioned issues, now at freeway speeds, RPM's will drop; while the engine feels as if it will cut off & etc light comes on, then goes out. I have done extensive research & found on this the federal safety agency website, approx. 90% of complaints for like vehicles to be exact or similar to what we are experiencing. I stopped looking after 5 pages.(95% of 1st 5 pages are filled with like concerns). I will be contacting the chrysler corporation as well. Why an official recall has not been announced, befuddles me. I hope this obvious safety issue does not get ignored any longer. 110,000 is on the vehicle odometer now. The mileage we have on our vehicle is a similar common denominator that is easily seen on the other etc related complaints for 2008 avengers. *note-stop light sw. & accelerator position sensor have been replaced per recommendation of chrysler technician. This made no difference. (except in our bank account).
The electronic throttle control on my 2008 dodge avenger broke. This is a known problem to dodge but they have a 2 to 3 week back log on the part to fix this problem. Now I don't have my car for 2 to 3 weeks and I now have to rent one. If this is a known problem why hasn't a recall be placed on this part? Why if this is known do they have such a back log on parts. If this is a known problem why am I paying for a rental car? This is a total lack of customer service on a corporation level. This is not the first car I have had this kind of problem with when it comes to dodge products. As a loyal dodge driver for the last 20 years this is the last straw. Their incompetence as a company can no longer be overlooked and brushed away. When will they accept responsibility for the product they produce and stand behind it? Although I expect dodge to do nothing as usual they have just lost one more customer.
My dodge avenger had a throttle control light illuminated on the dash when first starting the vehicle. Thereafter, the car first would not go over 20 MPH. Later this problem progressed. The car only had a small amount of power. It could get up to 30-40 MPH on flat areas but struggled to maintain 5 MPH on inclines. The vehicle would also shake violently when the transmission was in gear but the vehicle was stopped do to engine vibrations. I have replaced the part and the car is still havin the same problem. At this point I'm not sure how to proceed.
I was driving on the highway going 55mph and the electronic throttle indicator light came on and my car failed to increase speed and started to jerk slightly. The rpms then jumped from 1700 about to over 2500 then started pushing 3000 and wouldn't go down until I was off the highway and going 30mph. My RPM was still around 2500. I was able to pull over and turn my car off and that seemed to fix the issue, until I needed to go on the highway again. Everytime my car went to shift to a higher gear when I was hitting between 50 and 55mph it would happen. It took my car to a mechanic who told me my car was undrivable because this would ruin my transmission. I now have a completely dead car due to the part I need being nationally unavailable.
Was coming to a stop off of the interstate and all of a sudden lost speed power. Was unable to go over 10 MPH from my stopping point. The etc light was flashing. I have not yet taken it to a mechanic. I did shut the car off and restarted and it seems to be running fine now .... But will this happen again?
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge avenger. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the electronic throttle control failed without warning. The failure recurred three times over a period of eighteen months. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnosis or repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000. Updated 03/31/14*lj the consumer stated on 3/9/14, while driving, the etc light illuminated again. All power to vehicle was lost. The consumer pulled over and restarted the vehicle. The consumer was then able to continue home. Updated 04/01/2014
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge avenger. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled while driving 60 MPH. The vehicle was taken an independent mechanic for inspection where the contact was informed that the throttle body needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge avenger. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled as a lighting bolt icon illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to a local mechanic, who stated that the throttle control body needed to be replaced. The contact did not replace the throttle control body. The contact did not call the manufacturer. The failure mileage was 75,000. The VIN was not available.
While I was driving home from work I was driving approx 50 MPH and I lose power and my electronic control throttle light came on. I couldn't go faster then 5 MPH and my RPM wouldn't pass 2,000 I pulled over on side of road turned off the car and try to restart but it would only run for a few seconds and cut out again. My home town mechanic said that the issue was the throttle body. The total cost in repair is roughly 500 dollars, and reading online there are more drivers out there having the same issue. I think dodge should do a recall on there 2008 dodge avengers and up.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge avenger. The contact was driving approximately 50 MPH when the vehicle became resistant to acceleration attempts. Additionally, the electronic control throttle sensor warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic, who determined that the throttle body had malfunctioned. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 112,000.
While driving, vehicle immediately malfunctioned, preventing RPM in excess of 2500rpm and capping speed at 5mph uphill or 30mph downhill (incline dependent). At this time, electronic throttle control light appeared on dash. Since this time (3 days so far), the vehicle has been inoperable. Attempts to determine the cause of this malfunction by searching the internet have shown numerous other consumers have had similar problems, particularly with this make and model (2008 dodge avenger), and attribute it to a problem with the throttle body - either throttle body itself, throttle position sensor, wires leading to throttle body, electrical control of throttle body, I.e. Whether malfunction is battery-life-dependent, etc.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge avenger. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, the electronic throttle control warning light illuminated and the vehicle failed to accelerate. The contact mentioned that on some occasions, the vehicle had to be towed to his home. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for a diagnostic. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage was 123,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge avenger. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 MPH, the electronic throttle control warning light illuminated and the vehicle would not accelerate. The contact shut the engine off and once restarted, the vehicle began shaking violently. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 88,000.
Was driving down the highway and noticed a delayed response when pushing down on the accelerator, moments later I was unable to accelerator and the car's electronic throttle control light appeared, the car was unable to go more then 15mph. Took the car to a service station where they ran a diagnostic test and no defaults were found.
Car lost acceleration at 35 MPH electronic throttle light came on. Acceleration came back up. Next day no problems. The following day car was sputtering and light came on again then went off. Lost acceleration again at 30mph, with light coming on and then going off. 1 hour later when turning on car electronic throttle light is flashing and the whole car is shaking badly. I was able to coast the 1/4 mile home since there was no traffic with the car shaking the entire way and the light flashing. 10 minutes later had to go out and move car no issues. This is a serious problem. I had this fixed exactly a year ago. Being told it was something clogging a hose. I find that hard to believe when so many other people are having the exact same problem and almost getting killed when driving. Do a recall dodge. Because we shouldn't have to pay to fix things when the mechanics aren't sure what the problem is. I'm praying I can make it to my garage safely tomorrow morning. I'm terrified to drive my car and haven't in 2 days.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge avenger. The contact stated that the electric throttle warning lamp illuminated as the vehicle idled at various speeds. The vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic, who replaced unknown parts on the vehicle but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000 and the current mileage was 107,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge avenger. The contact stated that while sitting at a stop, the engine rpms increased to 5,000 as the engine roared abnormally. The failure was recurring. The vehicle was taken to an authorized mechanic, who was unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 34,000 and the current mileage was 134,000. The consumer stated he experienced sudden acceleration issues, along with stalling. The acceleration issues have been ongoing and within the last few months, it seemed to be occurring more frequently. About 6 months ago, his wife was sitting in the passenger seat, with the vehicle in park, and when he returned, she explained how the vehicle revved up above 5 RPM's. After the incident, the consumer took his wife to an appointment and while stopped at a stop sign, behind another vehicle the vehicle revved extremely high and jumped forward almost causing him to hit the vehicle in front of him. The consumer had to apply extreme pressure to the brake, to stop the vehicle. The vehicle also stalled while at a stop light, in drive. Updated 01/09/14
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge avenger. The contact stated that while driving approximately 75 MPH with the cruise control activated, a lighting bolt icon light illuminated as the cruise control independently deactivated. The warning light stopped illuminating after the contact shut the engine off and restarted the vehicle. The contact stated the warning light continued to illuminate intermittently, the RPM reading increased and the vehicle was hesitant upon acceleration. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis where the technician stated that the electronic throttle body would have to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 98,879.
My dodge avenger had a throttle control light illuminated on the dash when first starting the vehicle. Thereafter, the car first would not go over 20 MPH. Later this problem progressed. The car only had a small amount of power. It could get up to 30-40 MPH on flat areas but struggled to maintain 5 MPH on inclines. The vehicle would also shake violently when the transmission was in gear but the vehicle was stopped do to engine vibrations. I am currently in the progress of replacing the avengers throttle body. Normally I wouldn't report this, but when I called the dealer to order the part he informed me that they have been replacing a lot of these lately due to problems.
The electronic throttle control light comes on and makes the car impossible to drive. This has been an issue for me for 10 months. I have read about many others having this exact problem with no luck or help from dodge. After cleaning and replacing the few affordable things, I still can not go more than a few days without the light coming back on. It usually sits in the driveway at least until I can afford the recommended $1100 repair that dodge refuses to fix. I will never ever buy another dodge.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge avenger. The contact stated that while traveling various speeds, the vehicle suddenly lost acceleration power as the throttle control warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure could not be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was 93,000.
Was going down interstate, went through tollbooth, around 55mph the etc light came on and the gas pedal no longer accelerated the car. Vehicle speed rapidly dropped and I had to pull over to avoid an accident. Turned vehicle off, restarted it and drove another 50 feet before the same thing happened. Turned the vehicle off a second time and restarted. Haven't had the problem since yesterday. However after researching this issue, the etc unit on the 2008 dodge avenger is an extremely faulty unit and this happens to a lot of people. Typical repair is around $800. This needs to be a recallable item. I had my daughter in the car and we were nearly rear ended due to the speed drop on a three lane highway. I will be reporting this to chrysler as well.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge avenger. While driving 65 MPH, the contact stated that the vehicle stalled when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection. The contact was advised that the entire throttle body needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the incident. The approximate failure mileage was 89000. ...updated 03/07/14 *bf also, the transmission did not shift properly.
On the highway in an attempt to accelerate, the electronic throttle control light began to flash and the car lost power. I had to get onto the shoulder and put my hazards on and try and drive the car while never getting over 20mph. After restarting the car it drove ok, however, there was no passing acceleration when the pedal is to the floor. Leading up to this event, the car has been stuttering when shifting between gears. My wife had the same issue with her caliber before she got rid of it. There needs to be a recall!!!
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