2008 Dodge Avenger: won't start

Filed Mar 23, 2022 · Electrical, Fuel system · NV

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. I don't think this is fair I think that if they "fixed" it then it shouldn't be a problem now but it is so it seems like the "fix" didn't work I need help being pointed in the right direction of who can look at this and really fix it please

Filed Jul 25, 2019 · Acceleration, Electrical · 140,000 miles · AL

As I was traveling 65 MPH down hwy 411 in centre, al my car (2008 dodge avenger) completely shutoff. I could barely get my car over to the side of the road due to the steering wheel wouldn't turn. Thank god it was 11 p.m on a thursday night because if it would've been during the day this hwy is very busy and I could've caused a wreck and harmed myself or someone else. After I got on the side of the road I tried to start it back up a few times and it finally started back up but it wouldn't stop turning over until I cut it back off. Then I tried to start it again and it started but every light on my dash come on. I put it in drive and tried to drive it home but it wouldnt go over 15 MPH. I had several vehicles run up on the back of my vehicle and I was actually afraid for my safety. When I got it home I shut it off and it wouldnt start back up. I then tried to start it back up the next morning and the electrical throttle control light come on and I still cant go over 15 MPH. This should be a safety recall because I couldve been hurt bad or worse.

Filed Apr 12, 2019 · Electrical · 165,000 miles · CA

Electrical system:wiring unused electrical connectors for the TPMS may become corroded and could short circuit, which can cause a variety of conditions including engine no-start, dead battery, an inoperative cruise control or remote start system, and/or engine stalling.. I have bought 2 new batteries the electrical problem is creating my battery to die. When I am driving it's causing my light engine light to stay on and stall.

Filed Feb 25, 2018 · Driver assistance, Electrical · IN

Tire pressure monitoring system indicator light came on. Every since I have been having various problem with this car. Such as engine rough idling/stalling, transmission issues, tire pressure monitor don't work, engine won't start/dead battery. Just a lot of unusual problems. I be driving the vehicle city or highway. Don't matter whether I am driving straight or turning. This vehicle will stall in the middle of the road. Yet stall right back up. All started after the tire pressure monitoring light came on. I believe it has something to do with the tire monitor system. I have been taken chances, hoping that it will go away like it started. My repair service can't fine the problem and said to check for recalls. These unsafe conditions have been going on for a while. Help needed

Filed Dec 10, 2016 · Electrical, Engine · 133,000 miles · TX

While driving a lightning bolt in parentheses symbol popped up on the dash. Car began idling and would not exceed 10 miles per hour. Then the radio turned off and lights began to dim. So I parked the car and turned it off. The car would not start back up. I got it towed to a local shop for a diagnostic and was told it was the battery. So I got it replaced, that same day about 6 hours later, the exact same thing happened. Thank god we were not on the highway. I researched the symbol and a lot of related stories were discussed. I believe there is some need for a recall because others weren't as fortunate as us. Please take this into consideration because lives are at stake. Thank you

Filed Sep 17, 2016 · Engine · 110,000 miles · IL

I was on highway I-80 and the horn started going off on its own. Engine started to lose power but thankfully it kept going and I made it home. Went to auto shop and they disconnected both horns. A week later, after I stopped, turned the engine off and tried to restart it, the engine would not start. Had the battery jumped and the car started. A week later the engine shut off again while driving. Stopped at red light on very busy street and the engine just shut down. Had vehicle towed to mechanic. It started. Mechanic could not find anything wrong. Tested the battery and it was good. Drove car home. 4 days later car would not start again. Waited 15 minutes and engine started. I am terrified to drive this vehicle! I don't know when the vehicle will stop. This vehicle is hazardous and could cause a fatal accident!!!

Filed Sep 10, 2016 · Electrical · 120,000 miles · FL

Takata recall, my 2008 dodge avenger has always drained batteries fast I thought nothing of it at first until my car began not to start, now it does not start, kills batteries, cruise control does not work, and now the AC is having problems, I looked into the recalls and everything that is going wrong with my car matches the recall that took place in april 2008. I now fear that my car will turn off while I am driving. Please fix this problem before it escalates.

Filed Jul 4, 2016 · Electrical, Engine · 180,000 miles · GA

Got home, put car in park & let go of the brake. Noticed I was rolling backwards so I quickly pushed on the brake. Looked on my dash & it indicated the car was in reverse, so I pushed on the gear shifter to make sure it was pushed all the way up, which it was. I then turned the car off & tried to turn it back on. The car then wouldn't start 7 the gears would not change. Looked online, seen there was a common issue with the pink plastic piece connected to the gear. Pushed the pink plastic piece in & it allowed me to switch gears when it was held in but I am still unable to crank my car & even when the gears are switched the dashboard says the car is still in reverse. Looked up recalls & sure enough there is a recall but of course when I entered my car information it doesn't apply to my car. I also have replaced the alternator 4 times in 3 years. I was told that it is a poor design that causes the alternator to wear down & lock up so quickly. I will ever buy another chrystler dodge vehicle in my life. This car has by far been the worst investment of my life. I really hope something happens to get these cars off of the road forever before they end up killing someone due to the highly poor design of everything in them!

Filed May 25, 2016 · Acceleration, Airbags · 180,000 miles · IL

My car is having all of the same problems that the vehicles form the TPMS recall had. My car isnt covered under the recall though. The cruise control wont work, the battery just goes dead, the remote start sysyem wont work, sometimes the engine wont start, the radio stays on all the time if you dont manually shut it off, the air bag light is on even though there is nothing wrong with it. I feel as though since my car has all the same problems and I have seen many more complaints from others on this site and other websites that the recall should be reevaluated and expanded to cover more of the same year of vehicles. Please do something about this for all of the owners having problems.

Filed Feb 6, 2015 · Electrical · 120,000 miles · FL

While driving the car all of a sudden the cruise control shifts off and the rpms start going up to 5 rpms if I barely touch the gas. So I pull over and shut the car off and then the car will not crank back up. Have replaced the battery and alternator both two times. *tr updated 3/30/2016

Filed Oct 1, 2014 · Acceleration, Electrical · 80,000 miles · MI

Shortly after I purchased my '08 dodge avenger I started having trouble w/the etc. It felt like the vehicle was jolting on acceleration or if I was at a steady high rate of speed (75-80 MPH). The etc indicator came on. I contacted the dealer & informed them of the issue & my concern about the reliability of the vehicle. It was in & out of the shop 3 times in the 1st month of purchase for the etc. I was told it was a speed sensor yet my etc light was on after replacement. After having etc sensor cleaned & etc software flashed the problem appeared to go away. Almost 2 years later the problem is back & worse. My etc indicator came on, vehicle stalled while idling, started jolting while accelerating & while maintaining a steady speed. It began revving at a complete stop w/full pressure applied to the break (vehicle would jump forward; I feared it would run itself into another vehicle). While slowing down it would rev & accelerate (creating the possibility of hitting another vehicle) w/out pressure on the gas pedal. It died while driving & wouldn't start restart. When it did start the etc was on & it wouldn't get past 1000rpm or above 20mph & had a very rough idle. A tune-up was done, etc sensor cleaned, air-intake system cleaned, & load test done to see if the battery was going bad. This vehicle is incredible unsafe to drive, after researching it appears that I am not the first person w/this issue. Dodge needs to recall this throttle body, it's extremely dangerous. The repairs on this vehicle are extensive & the problem isn't fixed. Advised replacing throttle body is the next step. Told it wouldn't be a guaranteed fixed because the throttle body for this model appears a faulty & I would likely be dealing w/this problem for the length of ownership. Recorded vehicle during some of incidents since I was told 1st time I was told "unable to duplicate, flashed software."

Filed Aug 6, 2014 · Acceleration, Electrical · 140,453 miles · KY

I started the car and it drove normally for 1/4 mile. Car then began bucking and would not accelerate over 20mph. Electric throttle light came on. Shop said the electric throttle needed to be replaced. Got it replaced in june of 2013. In august of 2014, my battery light came on. Car drove normally. Stopped after an hour trip. Two hours later car wouldn't start. Received a jump, car started but would not accelerate over 25 MPH. Electric throttle light, check engine light, and battery light are on. To the shop I go again...almost two months after the warranty has expired...