DodgeAvenger20083.5L V6/dodge/avenger/2008/3-5l-v6/
JS platform

2008 Dodge Avenger — 3.5L V6

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2008 Avenger 3.5L V6.

Body PASSENGER CAREngine 3.5L V6Transmission Automatic 6-spd

The 2008 Dodge Avenger is a passenger car built on the JS platform, powered by a 3.5L V6 engine paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission, and requiring 5.5 quarts of 10W-30 oil per change; its EPA fuel economy is rated at 16 city, 26 highway, and 19 combined mpg. Within the model’s complaint history covering 1995 through 2015, the 2008 model year recorded the highest number of owner complaints—844 total—with the top issue area being the Power Train, and it also carries six recalls, marking it as the most problematic year in the Avenger’s reliability record.

Model year2010200920082007

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.5 qt w/ filterOEM · verified
Engine oil type10W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque85-115 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy16/26/19 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 86 · 525 CCA battery, OE oil filter 04884899AC. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 86 · 525 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP215-60R17OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter04884899AC alt 05281090AB
Engine air filter04891713AB alt 04891926AB
Spark plugSZFR5LP13G alt 68303923AA
BatteryBB34A901AA alt BB86F101AA
Front wiper bladesWBF00022AB alt WBF00024AB
Serpentine belt04891935AC alt 04891721AB
Thermostat68237102AA alt 55111016AC
Cabin air filter05058693AA

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 6-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length190.9 in
Overall width71.7 in
Overall height58.7 in
Wheelbase109.1 in
Curb weight3400 lb
Track (front / rear)61.8 / 61.4 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)62/38

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined16 / 26 / 19 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume94 cu ft
Cargo volume16 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.5 qt w/ filter of 10W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 85-115 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 20.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF+4
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity5
Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine Oil10W-30 · API · MS-6395
Engine Oil Capacity5.5 qt w/ filter

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts70 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts70 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine BoltsUpper: 8.8 ft-lbs; Lower: 16.6 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts17 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts21 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts17 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug20.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs21 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts85-115 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug26.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug26.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub118 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub181 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub118 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Spark Plug ManufacturerChampion
Spark Plug Gap0.050 in
Spark Plug Torque20.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.00 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity3.40 oz
Standard BCI Group Number86
Standard BCI Cranking Performance525 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)58.0 + or - 5.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance12+-0.6 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression100
Engine Oil Pressure45-105 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM3000 rpm
Intake Valve LashHydraulic in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket32 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle52 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket32 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle80 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.040; Rear: 0.040 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0006 in / 0.0002 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.0024 in / 0.0016 in / 0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.386 in / 1.02 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
120 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9020 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 6,000 mi; spark plugs at 102,000 mi; coolant every 100,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 100,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 6,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
At 12,000 miCV Joint Boot (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 12,000 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 24,000 miCV Joint Boot (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect) · Tie Rod (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 90,000 miPCV Valve (inspect)
Every 100,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 102,000 miSpark Plugs (replace) · Timing Belt (replace)
At 120,000 miTransmission Fluid & Filter (replace)

Owner how-tos

Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.

Common procedures

Key fob — remote (RKE) programming programming new fob buttons Dealer tool OEM · verified
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
WhyTransmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module
Anti-theft (SKIS) — module initialization after immobilizer module replacement Dealer tool OEM · verified
When neededAfter Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool
Also requiredThe vehicle's four-digit PIN code

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2008 model year registers 844 complaints, a dramatic escalation from the 2 complaints filed for 2007 and the 67 recorded for 2009, placing it at a sharp peak within its generation's federal record. With 6 recalls and 1 investigation, 2008 carries the highest complaint volume in the entire dataset—substantially exceeding even the elevated levels seen in 2012 and 2013—while the top complaint categories include Power Train, Electrical System, Vehicle Speed Control, and Air Bags, though the data does not specify underlying causes. That year also generated 38 crash-related and 26 fire-related complaints. Across the generation, the trend shows a severe anomaly in 2008 followed by a temporary drop in 2009 and a later rise through 2012–2013, suggesting 2008 was an outlier rather than part of a gradual escalation. Given its position as the highest-risk year in the series by complaint volume and its notable safety-related filings, this is not a good year to buy.

6
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
59
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
844
Owner complaints
38 involved a crash · 26 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 844 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train166
Electrical System81
Vehicle Speed Control71
Air Bags55
Engine37
Engine & Engine Cooling28
Fuel/Propulsion System22
Unknown Or Other21

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 6 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

08V152000Electrical System:WiringReported 02/04/2008

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 180,963 MY 2007-2008 SEBRING AND DODGE AVENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A STANDARD TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS). UNUSED ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS FOR THE TPMS MAY BECOME CORRODED AND COULD… Remedy: DEALERS WILL SEAL THE WIRES FOR THE TPMS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 15, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

07V104000Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:LatchReported 15/03/2007

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FRONT DOOR LATCH CABLE MAY BECOME PARTIALLY UNSEATED FROM THE INTERIOR RELEASE HANDLE HOUSING CAUSING THE DOOR LATCH TO STICK IN THE OPEN POSITION AND NOT BE SECURED TO THE STRIKER. Remedy: THIS ACTION IS SUPERSEDED (PLEASE SEE 07-V414.) DEALERS WILL ADD FREE OF CHARGE A SECONDARY FEATURE TO BOTH FRONT DOORS TO PREVENT THE DOOR LATCH CABLE FERRULE FROM BECOMING…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 59 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
1039542025-04-02Unknown Or OtherACTUATOR - A/C AND HEATER
1040872025-04-02Unknown Or OtherACTUATOR - A/C AND HEATER
91002262023-09-15Electrical SystemConnector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar…
91002262023-09-15Electrical SystemConnector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar…
90040092021-04-07Power TrainTransmission Kit with Torque Converter 1. All Promaster (VF) 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Avenger. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2008 Avenger 3.5L V6 take?

5.5 qt w/ filter of 10W-30 API MEETING CHRYSLER SPECIFICATION MS-6395, per the factory manual.

Does the 2008 Avenger have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 3.5L V6 get?

EPA figures are 16 city / 26 highway / 19 combined mpg.