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…
2008 Dodge Avenger cruise control problems
moderate 87 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $600 · see cruise control across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
87
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$600
1crash
When does it fail?
Of the 87 cruise control complaints filed for the 2008 Dodge Avenger, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 100,000-125,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 6 model years of Dodge Avenger we track for cruise control problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 87.
Owners have filed 87 cruise control complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
The failure pattern owners describe
The electronic throttle control system is the chronic failure here. Owners consistently describe a warning light (lightning bolt icon) that illuminates during normal driving, followed by the vehicle dropping into what amounts to limp mode—unable to exceed 10 to 40 MPH regardless of pedal input. A typical scenario: driving at highway speed, the warning light comes on, acceleration dies, the owner limps to the shoulder at 15 MPH or less. Some can restart and temporarily restore power; others cannot. Throttle response becomes delayed or non-existent. The vehicle may stall at traffic lights or during acceleration attempts.
On the flip side, a smaller subset reports unintended acceleration—engine revving to 5,000+ RPM while stationary or the pedal continuing to send the car faster after the driver's foot is off the gas, sometimes requiring hard braking to stop.
Dealers consistently point to throttle body failure, quoting $415 to $1,100 for replacement since the bad component is not sold separately. One owner reported his friend's vehicle required the part replaced three times without lasting resolution. Owners note the failure recurs intermittently or worsens over time, and restart often provides only temporary relief. Most dealers and independent mechanics acknowledge the issue as widespread among 2008 Avengers, yet Dodge has not recalled it. Owners report the manufacturer either claims isolated incidents or declines to assist with costs.
Same Dodge Avenger cruise control reports on nearby years: 2010
Failure modes owners describe
Electronic Throttle Control Warning Light with Loss of Power/Acceleration Limp Mode
The electronic throttle control warning light (often described as a lightning bolt icon) illuminates while driving, and the vehicle enters a reduced-power state where acceleration is severely limited or impossible. Vehicles commonly cap out at 10–40 MPH depending on the incident. The condition may be intermittent or persistent.
When: Occurs at various mileages from ~1,200 to 147,000 miles; many owners report 30,000–100,000 mile range. Can happen during highway driving, city driving, or acceleration attempts.
Symptoms owners cite: Electronic throttle control warning light illuminates (lightning bolt icon); Vehicle cannot accelerate beyond 10–40 MPH despite pedal input; Sudden loss of power or deceleration while driving; Vehicle may need to be restarted to regain normal operation (temporary fix); Check engine light may also illuminate; Delay in throttle response or hesitation on acceleration; Engine shaking or vibration at idle or while driving
Codes mentioned: Electronic throttle control failure, Throttle position sensor issue, Electronic control sensor failure
Repairs/costs cited: Throttle body replacement is the primary repair cited; dealers confirm the throttle body itself fails and cannot be repaired separately. Replacement costs cited: $415–$1,100. Some owners report the light clears temporarily after restart but failure recurs. One owner reported throttle body replaced 3 times without resolution.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Some owners report Dodge offered assistance or split repair costs; most report Dodge claims isolated incidents or offers no help. No recall issued despite 87 complaints in this cluster and owners citing widespread knowledge of the issue among mechanics and other Dodge owners.
Unintended Acceleration / Engine Rev
Engine RPMs increase rapidly without driver input, sometimes reaching 5,000+ RPM. The vehicle may accelerate independently or continue accelerating after the pedal is released. Occurs both when parked and while driving.
When: Reported from ~34,000 miles onward; some incidents at very low mileage (3,000 miles). Recurring intermittently and progressing in frequency.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine revs to 5,000+ RPM without pedal input; Vehicle accelerates independently while stopped or driving; Accelerator pedal continues to increase speed after driver foot is released; Requires hard brake pressure to stop the vehicle; Can occur even when vehicle is parked or in Park gear
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers unable to diagnose in some cases. One incident resulted in vehicle crashing into a ditch; airbags failed to deploy. Vehicle repairs unspecified in most complaints.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Not addressed in narratives; manufacturer made aware in at least one case but no action documented.
Engine Stalling on Throttle Control Failure
Vehicle stalls suddenly when the electronic throttle control system fails, typically triggered by the warning light illumination. Stalling can occur at idle, at traffic lights, or during driving.
When: Reported across a wide mileage range from ~20,000 to 130,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls suddenly, often triggered by electronic throttle control light; Stalling at traffic lights or while idling; Stalling during acceleration or deceleration attempts; Vehicle must be restarted; Stalling may recur shortly after restart
Codes mentioned: Electronic throttle control failure
Repairs/costs cited: Throttle body replacement is cited repair; one owner reported replacing air box assembly and manifold gasket before final throttle body replacement. No clear resolution in many cases.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One instance of Dodge agreeing to assist with repairs after dealer order (case #5). Most cases show no manufacturer support.
Cruise Control Disengagement / Failure
Cruise control disengages unexpectedly while engaged, or fails to operate. One case reports cruise control turning off at 55 MPH on freeway along with engine stopping.
When: Reported at highway speeds; one case at 65 MPH, another at 75 MPH.
Symptoms owners cite: Cruise control disengages suddenly while activated; Vehicle speed drops rapidly after disengagement; Lightning bolt warning light illuminates at time of disengagement; Risk of being rear-ended when speed drops without warning
Repairs/costs cited: No specific repair noted for cruise control itself; may be related to broader throttle control system.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Not documented.
Delayed or Cold-Start Throttle Resistance
Vehicle becomes resistant to acceleration when starting after extended parking periods or in cold weather, attributed to electronic throttle control failure.
When: Reported at ~116,000 miles; occurs after vehicle sits or in cold conditions.
Symptoms owners cite: Difficult to accelerate when starting vehicle after rest; Resistance to acceleration attempts in cold weather; Slow response to throttle input on startup
Codes mentioned: Electronic throttle control failed
Repairs/costs cited: Not repaired in reported case.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified; advised no recalls and offered no assistance.
Intermittent Warning Light with No Reproducible Failure
Electronic throttle control warning light illuminates intermittently but vehicle operates normally and light clears on restart or after a few moments. Dealer unable to diagnose because light is no longer on during inspection.
When: Reported at 42,000–69,000 miles; light illuminates after ~4 hours of driving.
Symptoms owners cite: Electronic throttle control light illuminates periodically; Light resets after a few moments or restart; No drivability issues noted at time of light illumination; Intermittent occurrence makes diagnosis difficult
Repairs/costs cited: Not repaired; dealer unable to diagnose.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer stated no recalls cover the failure.
Synthesized from 87 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
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…
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Dodge avenger. The contact stated that when attempting to start the vehicle after it had been sitting for extended periods or in cold weather, the vehicle would become resistant to acceleration attempts. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic who inspected the vehicle and advised the contact that the electronic throttle control failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The…
Had cruise control trouble with your 2008 Dodge Avenger?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the cruise control problem on the 2008 Dodge Avenger?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 87 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $600 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the cruise control typically fail?
Across the 85 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most cruise control failures cluster between 54,000 and 102,798 miles, with the median around 84,661. A quarter of owners report trouble before 54,000; a quarter make it past 102,798. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $600 for cruise control repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to cruise control?
No active recalls currently cover cruise control issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2008/Dodge/Avenger.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.