2008 Dodge Avenger: sudden unintended acceleration

Filed Oct 11, 2018 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 189,000 miles · FL · crash · fire

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.

Filed Jun 10, 2016 · Acceleration, Electrical · 100,000 miles · PA

My avenger is very dangerous and I'm trying to get rid of it because I fear for mine and my children's safety. On several occasions the vehicle has stalled while at idle and even once while I was accelerating on a highway- doing over 60 MPH. It also continuously has accelerated on its own, either when slowing down or speeding up it will jump rpms and take off on its own. While going through a school zone the car accelerated on its own and I came very close to hitting two 5 yr olds crossing the road. I've had electrical problems, as the check engine light will come on and off on its own and just recently the combination switch stopped working completely, almost causing me to be rear ended. I've called dodge and they want $100 just to look at the car, which I cannot afford after dumping many dollars into trying to fix these life threatening issues. I've had it seen there before and they said nothing was wrong when I paid over $500 for repair work. I'm fearful for my life while driving and its caused me much stress and anxiety. I've spoke to several other avenger owners that experience the same problems in which their only option was to trade it in because they couldn't afford to buy a new vehicle. I personally would junk it myself because I would never want to jeopardize another person or their children's life, however like everyone else I can't afford it and will probably have to trade the "problem" down to some unknowing of the risks and dangers of the vehicle. After spending thousands of dollars for what I thought was a reliable car I am left driving a lemon, taking prescribed ativan for anxiety because I am constantly in fear of driving the thing, and unable to sell because nobody wants it. This car had wrecked my life, and I only want dodge to take responsiblity. It's a shame to know that I am putting everyone's lives in danger & it's taking a toll on my health.

Filed Mar 2, 2014 · Acceleration, Transmission · 110,000 miles · WA

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).

Filed Nov 27, 2013 · Acceleration · 34,000 miles · NY

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

Filed Apr 17, 2013 · Acceleration · 35,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge avenger. The contact stated that while at a complete stop, the vehicle stalled. Additionally, the vehicle accelerated on its own while stopped with the brake pedal depressed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 35,000.

Filed Aug 30, 2011 · Acceleration, Electrical · 99,939 miles · IN

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge avenger. The contact stated that the etc warning light illuminated and as a result, she was unable to start the vehicle. In addition, the vehicle would surge forward intermittently. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was neither diagnosed nor repaired. The current and failure mileages were 99,939.

Filed May 16, 2011 · Acceleration · 20,000 miles · MI

Tl*the contact owns a 2008 dodge avenger. The contact stated the vehicle suddenly accelerated while the brake pedal was depressed. The failure was experienced numerous times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who performed a diagnostic test, but was unable to locate a failure code. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN information was not available. The failure mileage was 20,000 and the current mileage was 28,000.

Filed Apr 19, 2010 · Acceleration, Engine · 19,000 miles · WI

Tl*the contact owns a 2008 dodge avenger. When the contact started the vehicle the engine stalled; however, the vehicle began functioning normally with no warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. When the vehicle came to a complete stop it surged forward. The failure occurred intermittently while driving approximately 35 MPH. The vehicle had not been repaired for the malfunctions. The current and failure mileages were 19,000.

Filed Oct 14, 2008 · Acceleration, Engine · 10,000 miles · MA

Tl*the contact owns a 2008 dodge avenger. The vehicle accelerated on its own twice while stopped at a red light. When he parked the vehicle in the garage, it accelerated to 45 RPM's and decrease on its own. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The failure could not be duplicated. The failure mileage was 10,000 and current mileage was 10,350. Updated 11/6/08 *cn updated 11/10/08.