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2008 Dodge RAM

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2008 Dodge RAM do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 27.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 19 of 25 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Steering. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

4 crash reports1 fire reports1 injury reports

What owners actually said

25 reports
186,000 miles · Feb 15, 2023
SuspensionCrash

The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that he heard an abnormal noise in the front driver’s side wheel. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the wheel bearing failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the fa…

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The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that he heard an abnormal noise in the front driver’s side wheel. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the wheel bearing failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30-35 MPH making a left turn, the front driver’s side wheel detached from the wheel bearing. As a result, the vehicle started to spark and dragged into the concrete of the street. No injuries were sustained. No medical assistance was required. The contact was unsure if a police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the driver’s side brake line and wheel bearing failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall, but no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 186,000.

NHTSA ODI #11507369

Mileage unknown · Aug 19, 2022
Steering

The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Ram 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V529000 (Steering) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue.…

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The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Ram 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V529000 (Steering) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI #11480264

70,000 miles · Aug 15, 2022
Engine

The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact stated the engine warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who stated the sensor needed to be replaced as well as the harness. The vehicle had not been repaired due to the parts being on back order. The manufacturer was not made aware …

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The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact stated the engine warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who stated the sensor needed to be replaced as well as the harness. The vehicle had not been repaired due to the parts being on back order. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000

NHTSA ODI #11479325

86,000 miles · May 31, 2022
Power Train

The contact owns a 2008 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving approximately 5 MPH, a loud booming noise suddenly occurred from the rear of the vehicle and the rear wheels locked up. The vehicle was towed to the residence and inspected by an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the rear differential was faulty and needed …

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The contact owns a 2008 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving approximately 5 MPH, a loud booming noise suddenly occurred from the rear of the vehicle and the rear wheels locked up. The vehicle was towed to the residence and inspected by an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the rear differential was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 86,000.

NHTSA ODI #11466695

116,000 miles · Jul 13, 2021
EngineStructure

The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Ram. The contact stated that the rocker panels, subframe, truck bed, and oil pan were severely rusted. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 116,000.

NHTSA ODI #11424590

76,000 miles · Jun 12, 2012
Engine

2 THINGS HAVE HAPPENED. AT A NORMAL IDLE IN PARK, THE VEHICLE AFTER ABOUT A MINUTE HAS SURGES (A QUICK HIGH REV) THEN ONCE THE REV STOPS THE TRUCK ENGINE LIGHT FLICKERS AND SOUNDS LIKE IT WANTS TO STALL. IN ANOTHER CASE, WHILE SITTING AT A RED LIGHT THE TRUCK HAS A ROUGH IDLE THAT CAUSES THE TRUCK TO SHAKE. THIS HAS HAPPENED …

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2 THINGS HAVE HAPPENED. AT A NORMAL IDLE IN PARK, THE VEHICLE AFTER ABOUT A MINUTE HAS SURGES (A QUICK HIGH REV) THEN ONCE THE REV STOPS THE TRUCK ENGINE LIGHT FLICKERS AND SOUNDS LIKE IT WANTS TO STALL. IN ANOTHER CASE, WHILE SITTING AT A RED LIGHT THE TRUCK HAS A ROUGH IDLE THAT CAUSES THE TRUCK TO SHAKE. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES. I HAVE NOT TAKEN THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER FOR FEAR THAT IT WOULD COST ALOT OF MONEY TO HAVE THIS CHECKED OUT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10461307

Mileage unknown · Apr 12, 2012
Tires

2008 DODGE RAM. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TIRE ISSUES ON VEHICLE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED SHE CONTINUOUSLY HAD TO PUT AIR IN THE TIRES OVER THE LAST THREE MONTHS. A FEW DAYS AGO, HER HUSBAND WAS DRIVING THE TRUCK AND ONE OF THE TIRES WENT COMPLETELY FLAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE REPAIR SHOP, WHERE THE CONSUMER WAS INF…

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2008 DODGE RAM. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TIRE ISSUES ON VEHICLE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED SHE CONTINUOUSLY HAD TO PUT AIR IN THE TIRES OVER THE LAST THREE MONTHS. A FEW DAYS AGO, HER HUSBAND WAS DRIVING THE TRUCK AND ONE OF THE TIRES WENT COMPLETELY FLAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE REPAIR SHOP, WHERE THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE PROBLEM WAS NOT TIRE, BUT WITH THE VALVE STEM. THE MECHANIC ALSO ADVISED THE CONSUMER TWO OTHER VALVE STEMS ON THE VEHICLE WERE BAD AS WELL AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10455156

35,500 miles · Nov 1, 2011
Steering

TOOK MY 2008 DODGE RAM 1500 4WD IN FOR OIL CHANGE AND WAS TOLD THAT THE LEFT AND RIGHT OUTER TIE RODS WERE SEVERELY WORN OUT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS AT 35,500 MILES, TRUCK IS ONLY USED ON ROAD AND HAS NEVER BEEN OFF ROAD. SEEMS THIS IS A COMMON EARLY WEAROUT ITEM ON THESE TRUCKS. WHY? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10433864

Mileage unknown · Oct 6, 2011
Visibility

2008 DODGE RAM. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO REPAIRS FOR A DEFECTIVE WINDOW LEAKING IN THE BACK BUCKET SEAT *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES, BECAUSE IT WAS NOT INSTALLED AND SEALED CORRECTLY.

NHTSA ODI #10429731

Mileage unknown · Sep 15, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

AT 39,000 MILES RIGHT ROTOR BECAME WARPED BEHIND TURNING HAD TO REPLACE. A FRIEND HAD SAME THEN HAPPEN ON SAME KIND OF VEHICLE. DEALER CLAIMS MAINTENANCE ITEM. NEVER HAD TO HAVE ROTOR REPLACED ON NEW VEHICLE BEFORE. BRAKE PADS WE FINE. VEHICLE ABOUT 4OMPH WOULD PULSATE WHILE BRAKING AND STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHAKE. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10425601

Official recalls

2

10V657000 · Steering:linkages:tie Rod Assembly

Dec 24, 2010

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2011 DODGE RAM 4500 AND 5500 VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE A WEAKENING AND FRACTURE OF THE LEFT BALL STUD ON THE TIE ROD RESULTING IN THE POTENTIAL LOSS OF STEERING.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: CHRYSLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LEFT OUTER TIE ROD FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 7, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

09V084000 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor

Mar 13, 2009

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 65,896 MY 2008-2009 LIGHT AND HEAVY DUTY DODGE RAM PICKUP TRUCKS. THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULE MOTOR ASSEMBLY MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO WATER INTRUSION THAT COULD RESULT IN PARTIAL OR COMPLETE LOSS OF WINDSHIELD WIPING CAPABILITY.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: WHEN THE WIPER SYSTEM FAILS, THE OPERATOR WILL HAVE REDUCED VISIBILITY WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MODULE ASSEMBLIES WITH VENTED WIPER MOTOR HOUSINGS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 17, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

PE11009 · Outer Tie Rod Failure

Opened Apr 4, 2011 · Closed Feb 6, 2012

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering:linkages:tie Rod Assembly

ODI received complaints regarding failing tie rod ball studs on Model Year 2008-2011 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 vehicles resulting in loss of steering control.Chrysler concluded that misalignment of the left (driver side) ball stud on vehicles built with the Cross Car steering linkage system could allow contact between the bull stud and the ball housing which could weaken the stud and result in fracture.Chrysler submitted a recall notice on August 15, 2011 involving certain MY 2003-2011 Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 pickup trucks built or repaired with the Cross Car steering linkage.Chrysler will inspect, repair or realign the front end of the subject vehicles as needed.Chrysler's announcement of a safety recall on this matter addresses ODI's concerns.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification (ODI) numbers:10332525, 10357937, 10366591, 10303744, 10377166, 10373240, 10343969, 10375403, 10324831, 10373546, 10370771.