Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 93 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Dodge Magnum, and it carries 5 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 47 | 51% |
| Electrical system | 8 | 9% |
| Engine | 6 | 6% |
| Air bags | 4 | 4% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 4 | 4% |
| Power train | 4 | 4% |
| Electrical system | 3 | 3% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 2% |
| Steering | 2 | 2% |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 1% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
Vehicle purchased pre-owned/used Sept.7th 2022 from dealership. Had 3 open recalls which were addressed. Said recall in question is 14v567000 ignition switch problem. I have had vehicle back at dealer now 3 times for con
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
MY CAR WILL EXCEED OVER 60 MPH AND KEEPS FLASHING LIGHTS ON THE DASH THE STEERING WHEEL IS HARD TO TURN AT TIMES AND MAKES A LOUD SCREECH WHEN I TRY STARTING THE CAR
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
DETAILS ISSUED 8/19/2015 RECALL ID 240549 NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 14V567000 VEHICLES AFFECTED 292,798 COMPONENT AFFECTED ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION MY CAR HAS NOT BEEN STARTING AND THAT IS EMBARRASSING WORKING
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
CASE DESCRIPTION I HAD A RECALLS ON MY 2008 DODGE MAGNUM FOR AIRBAGS, AND IGNITION. HAD IT TOWED TO COMMINWEALTH DODGE CAUSE IT STOPPED RUNNING WHILE DRIVING. THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION, AND SUPPOSEDLY REPLACED AIRBAGS
NHTSA complaint: Steering
ACCORDING TO MY LOCAL DEALER, MY CAR'S IGNITION MODULE WAS REPLACED AS A RESULT OF A RECALL. LAST WEEK MY CAR SHUT OFF FOR NO APPARENT REASON WHILE DRIVING 55MPH WHICH IS THE EXACT PROBLEM CAUSING THE ORIGINAL RECALL. T
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE MAGNUM. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE KEY BECAME STUCK IN THE START POSITION AND COULD NOT BE MOVED TO THE RUN POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO EVANS ARENA CHRYSLER DODGE
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE MAGNUM. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V352000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MA
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE MAGNUM. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V352000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE M
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2008 Dodge Magnum. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 RAM 2500 trucks produced at the St. Louis North Assembly Plant. With this change, Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2010 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2
Risk: These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. These inflators may rup
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM owners. Mitsubishi owners will be notified by their company.
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2008 Chrysler 300 vehicles manufactured May 31, 2007, to May 12, 2008, Dodge Magnum vehicles manufactured May 23, 2007, to May 12, 2008, Dodge Charger vehicles manufactured May 24, 2007, to May 12, 2008, Jeep Commander vehicles manufactur
Risk: If the ignition stays between "START" and "ON" positions it could cause loss of certain electrical functions. If the ignition key inadvertently moves into the "OFF" or "ACCESSORY" position, the engin
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch and key FOBs, free of charge. The recall began August 19, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-14
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Dodge Ram 2500, 2004-2008 Dodge Ram 1500 and Durango, 2006-2009 Dodge Ram 3500, 2008-2010 Dodge Ram 4500 and 5500, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2005-2010 Chrysler 300, 300C, 300S, and SRT8, 2006-2010 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Magnum, 2005-2
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the affected Chrysler and Dodge owners and Mitsubishi will notify the affected Raider owners.
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 20,283 MY 2006-2009 CHARGER AND MAGNUM VEHICLES BUILT WITH THE POLICE PACKAGE AND EQUIPPED WITH A COLUMN SHIFTER. THE GEARSHIFT CABLE MAY BECOME DISENGAGED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN MOUNTING BRACKET AND CAUSE AN INCORRECT TRANSMISSION GEARSHIFT POSITION DISPLAY.
Risk: THIS COULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO MOVE IN AN UNEXPECTED DIRECTION STARTLING THE DRIVER, AND CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: DEALERS WILL ADD A REDUNDANT LOCKING MECHANISM TO THE GEARSHIFT CABLE AT THE MOUNTING BRACKET TO ENSURE PROPER RETENTION AND SHIFT LINKAGE FUNCTION. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 10, 2008. OWNERS MAY
| Reliability raw | 70 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 72 | good |
| Maintenance | 76 | good |
| Depreciation | 67 | good |
| Performance | 56 | average |
| Efficiency | 40 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 93 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and electrical system is the most reported area with 47 of them (51%). There are 5 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 70/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 72/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2008 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 67/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.