RoadVitals

2008 Dodge 1500 Steering Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the steering system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Steering reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
103
Latest Jun 5, 2025
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
19%
of 553 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1

What this page shows

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2008 Dodge 1500 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 103 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming steering

The 25 most recent of 103, in the owner's own words

SteeringSuspension
Filed Jun 5, 2025

The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at highway speeds, the vehicle was severely shaking and vibrating. The contact replaced the struts and tie rods; however, the failure persisted. The contact also stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the steering wheel felt extremely loose, and the vehicle was pulling to one side. The contact also experienced the "Death Wobble" on several occasions while driving. The cause of the failure was not yet determined, and the vehicle was not yet repaired. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 222,700.

NHTSA ID
11664998
Incident
Sep 1, 2024
Mileage
222,700 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Apr 23, 2023

Front end suspension and steering problems, very loud rubbing sound and unstable feels like it might brake apart.

NHTSA ID
11518508
Incident
Apr 1, 2022
Powertrain (other)Steering
Filed Mar 27, 2023

The cv axle on the passenger side has gone out 3 times in the last 6 months. That's not just coincidence. And there is no extreme driving conditions or unnecessary turning going on.

NHTSA ID
11513901
Incident
Mar 27, 2023
AirbagsInterior & seatsSteering
Filed Mar 7, 2023

We purchased this vehichle and the steering wheel has a slit through it like its been deployed i would like to make sure it is safe also the side passenger seat the front seems like something is pocking you through the seat like it is not supposed to be there also the whole steering system seems off and not safe . I would like it to be noted and a recall should be made before injury to anyone.

NHTSA ID
11510520
Incident
Mar 6, 2023
BrakesOther / unspecifiedSteering
Filed Feb 13, 2023

On interstate whole hub assembly with tier flew off and it’s been very hard I just payed for car I worked for and lost it please help

NHTSA ID
11506891
Incident
Feb 5, 1994
Steering
Filed May 23, 2020

BOTH OUTER TIE ROD ENDS ARE WORN OUT WITH 107,000 MILE HIT A BUMP ON INTERSTATE FRONT WHEEL WOBBLE PUTTING THE CAR OUT OF CONTROL .START OF THE DEATH WOBBLE. *TR

NHTSA ID
11325680
Incident
May 23, 2020
Mileage
107,000 mi
Steering
Filed Mar 20, 2020

NO ACCIDENT YET BUT FORSEEN. THE U-JOINT PART OF INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT IS ABOUT TO COME APART. THE TRUCK HAS 110K MI. AND IF THIS COMES APART I WILL LOSE ALL STEERING CAPABILITY ALSO HAVE 2"OFPLAY IN STEERING WHEEL CAUSING DIFFICULITY IN STEERING AND WEAVING I BELIEVE THIS PART SHOULD HAVE MUCH LONGER LIFE THAN THIS AND SOME SORT OF SECONDARY MECHANISM TO HOLD THIS TOGETHER BECAUSE IF IT COMES APART WHILE DRIVING IT WILL BE A DISASTER.IVE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS IN ANY OTHER VEHICLE

NHTSA ID
11318842
Incident
Dec 1, 2018
Mileage
110,000 mi
EngineFuel systemSteering
Filed Feb 10, 2020

AFTER FILLING UP WITH FUEL ON SERVAL DIFFERENT OCCASIONS THE TRUCK WILL SHUT OFF WITH NO WARNING LIGHTS OR SERVICE LIGHTS. THIS CAUSES THE POWER STEERING AND EVERYTHING TO STOP. WHEN AT A STOP SIGN IT CAN BE STARTED SAFELY FROM PARK OR NEUTRAL BUT WHEN MOVING IT HAS TO BE PUT IN NEUTRAL TO RE START BECAUSE THE BRAKE SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK GOOD EITHER. IT HAS HAPPENED AT STOP SIGN AND STOP LIGHT AS WELL AS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 55 MPH

NHTSA ID
11308326
Incident
Feb 10, 2020
Mileage
95,000 mi
Steering
Filed Aug 20, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE MOVING THE VEHICLE FROM THE DRIVEWAY AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN, A LOUD CRUNCH SOUND WAS HEARD FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE AND THE STEERING SEIZED. THE CONTACT COULD NOT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE INNER TIE ROD PULLED OUT OF THE OUTER TIE ROD WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT CALLED BURNWORTH-ZOLLARS CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM AT 574-773-7878 (LOCATED AT 2450 N MAIN ST, NAPPANEE, IN 46550) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 153,000. *TT*JB

NHTSA ID
11245198
Incident
Aug 18, 2019
Mileage
153,000 mi
Steering
Filed May 14, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2008 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V350000 (STEERING) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. PREMIER CHEVROLET (401 US-59 LOOP S, LIVINGSTON, TX 77351 (866) 752-4873) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WERE NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID
11207582
Incident
May 8, 2019
Steering
Filed Feb 16, 2019

SHIFT LEVER BROKE OFF WHILE DRIVING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY. AFTER BACKING OUT OF PARKING SPOT WENT TO PUT IN DRIVE, SHIFTER GOT SLOPPY AND NOTHING WOULD ENGAGE.

NHTSA ID
11180501
Incident
Jan 22, 2019
Mileage
95,556 mi
EngineSteering
Filed Jan 19, 2019

THE ENGINE STALLS AND CUTS OFF WITHOUT ANY WARNING. I'VE HAD IT AT 4 DIFFERENT AUTO REPAIR SHOPS INCLUDING 3 WEEKS AT LANDMARK DODGE AND NO ONE CAN DETERMINE WHAT IS GOING ON WITH IT. I'VE HAD THE FUEL PUMP REPLACED AND CYLINDERS REPLACED. IT'S CRAZY ANDD VERY FRUSTRATING THAT DODGE CAN'T FIX THEIR OWN PRODUCT.

NHTSA ID
11170960
Incident
Dec 3, 2018
Mileage
125,000 mi
Fuel systemSteeringSuspension
Filed Nov 6, 2018

TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

NHTSA ID
11149688
Incident
Nov 1, 2018
Mileage
78,000 mi
EngineSteering
Filed Mar 1, 2018

FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS WENT OUT AND YHE EGR VALVE WENT OUT ALSO

NHTSA ID
11075557
Incident
Apr 15, 2012
Mileage
323,255 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Jun 9, 2017

WHILE DRIVING ON THE PARKWAY I SUDDENLY LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING. THANKFULLY I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY MANEUVER THE TRUCK TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, WITH THE HELP OF A GOOD SAMARITAN AND MY EVASIVE MANEUVER COURSE REQUIRED BY MY JOB, BEFORE ANYTHING TRAGIC HAPPENED. I HAD THE TRUCK TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY CONFIRMED MY SUSPICION OF A BROKEN TIE ROD, SPECIFICALLY THE LEFT TIE ROD WHICH HAS BEEN RECALLED ON EVERY 2008 RAM EXCEPT MY 1500. I FIND THIS VERY SUSPECT THAT ALL THE OTHER RAMS HAVE BEEN RECALLED AND FIXED EXCEPT MY MODEL, YET I HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. I AM GRATEFUL THAT I DID NOT GET HURT, OR CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AND INJURE ANYONE ELSE, HOWEVER THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE LOOKED IN FURTHER BY THE GOVERNMENT. ALL OF THESE TRUCKS ARE UNSAFE TO DRIVE UNTIL THEY ARE FIXED. ACCORDING TO MY NORMAL MECHANIC, THIS CAN HAPPEN AT ANYTIME DUE TO THE DEFECTIVE TIE ROD. HE HAS REPLACED MANY 1500 TIE RODS AT THE EXPENSE OF THE OWNERS, THIS SHOULD NOT BE. PLEASE ORDER RAM TO ISSUE A RECALL ON ALL THE 2008 RAM TRUCKS TO KEEP THE PUBLIC SAFE. THANK YOU

NHTSA ID
10994239
Incident
Jun 5, 2017
Mileage
70,000 mi
Steering
Filed May 28, 2017

THE TRUCK WILL THROW YOU INTO ANOTHER LANE OF TRAFFIC AND YOU HOPE AND PRAY NO ONE IS THERE. SOMETIMES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND SOMETIMES AT NORMAL SPEEDS. NOT A GOOD FEELING AND NOT FAIR DODGE ONLY PICKED A CERTAIN NUMBER OF THESE TO FIX.

NHTSA ID
10991991
Incident
Dec 26, 2012
Mileage
90,500 mi
Steering
Filed Nov 29, 2016

65 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL WOBBLES UNCONTROLLABLY. MY JOB IS LOCATED 60 MILES FROM HOME, ONE WAY, ALL HIGHWAY MILES. INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS. I HAVE MY 4 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER RIDING WITH ME. IF I SLOW DOWN I CAN USUALLY REGAIN CONTROL OF THE TRUCK, ONE DAY WE MAY END UP IN DITCH. I BOUGHT THIS TRUCK HOPING FOR A RELIABLE AND SAFE VEHICLE FOR MY DAUGHTER AND I, WHICH I DON'T FEEL I HAVE ACCOMPLISHED! I AM TERRIFIED FOR OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD, STEERING MAY GO OUT, AND I CAN'T MISS WORK DUE TO DODGE MISTAKES! WE HAVE OWNED THIS TRUCK FOR LESS THAN 2MONTHS. SOMETHING HAS TO CHANGE BEFORE SOMETHING BAD HAPPENS!

NHTSA ID
10928482
Incident
Nov 29, 2016
Mileage
120,000 mi
Steering
Filed Nov 27, 2016

IF I GET A LITTLE BUMP ON THE HIGHWAY I LOSE CONTROL OF MY STEERING FOR A FEW SECONDS AND IT GOES BACK TO NORMAL, ITS BEEN LIKE THAT FOR YEARS. BUT LATELY IN THE PAST 3 MONTHS THERE HAS BEEN A STRANGE NOISE COMING FROM MY STEERING BOX AND WHEELS MAINLY ON THE DRIVER SIDE LIKE IF I'M DRAGGING SOMETHING AND AS IF MY STEERING IS FALLING APART. THIS HAS BEEN A MAJOR CONCERN THAT I RECENTLY STOPPED DRIVING IT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10928167
Incident
Nov 22, 2016
Mileage
10 mi
Body & structureExterior lightingSteering
Filed Jul 18, 2016

TRUCKS ALL OVER ROAD WHEN HITTING ROUGH PATCH. THE BED IS RUSTING BAD NO EXCUSE

NHTSA ID
10885591
Incident
Mar 11, 2012
Other / unspecifiedSteeringSuspension
Filed Jul 13, 2016

IT FIRST STARTED AS SEVERE SHAKING WHENEVER I HIT A BUMP, ESPECIALLY ON AN CURVE. THE TRUCK WOULD HOP AND SHAKE AND BECOME UNCONTROLLABLE UNTIL I SLOWED. THIS STILL HAPPENS BUT NOW I ALSO GET AN UNCONTROLLABLE WOBBLE WHENEVER I DRIVE AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND THERE IS ANY KIND OF INCLINE OR BEND IN THE ROAD. ONLY FIX IS TO SLOW DOWN SIGNIFICANTLY.. IT'S DANGEROUS! I'VE BECOME TRAINED TO DEAL WITH IT BUT IT'S CERTAINLY UNSAFE AND I ALWAYS WORRY THAT IT WILL HAPPEN ON A SLICK ROAD AND I WON'T BE ABLE TO HOLD IT ON THE ROAD. I'VE REPLACED TIRES, ALIGNED, BALANCED, ROAD FORCE BALANCED AND NOTHING FIXES IT!

NHTSA ID
10884692
Incident
Jun 1, 2009
Mileage
5,000 mi
Other / unspecifiedSteering
Filed May 25, 2016

WHILE PULLING MY RV TRAILER, I NOTICED A GROWLING NOISE AND VIBRATION COMING FROM THE FRONT OF MY TRUCK. THE CLOSER I GOT TO HOME THE NOISE GOT LOUDER. TOOK TO MY MECHANIC AND HE HAD TO REPLACE LEFT FRONT WHEEL BEARING HUB, STEERING KNUCKLE AND ALIGNMENT. IT FIXED THE PROBLEMS. ONLY 45594 MILES. COST $800.00. IS THIS A RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE? CAN I BE REIMBURSED FOR MY COST OF REPAIRS FROM CHRYSLER?

NHTSA ID
10870806
Incident
May 22, 2016
Mileage
45,594 mi
Driver assistanceSteeringSuspension
Filed Apr 26, 2016

VIBRATION AND BOUNCING- WOBBLE FEELING WITH LOOSE STEERING AT SPEEDS 55-70, FROM FRONT WHEELS THROUGH STEERING WHEEL. TIRES HAVE BEEN RE-BALANCED SEVERAL TIMES AS THE POSSIBLE CAUSE BUT TRUCK CONTINUES TO HAVE VIBRATIONS IN FRONT WHEELS AT SPEEDS 55 OR HIGHER. CONTINUAL BRAKE NOISE, RATTLING SOUNDS AT ALL SPEEDS AFTER BRAKES HAVE BEEN APPLIED 2-3 TIMES UNDER NORMAL TRAFFIC CONDITIONS.

NHTSA ID
10861422
Incident
Apr 25, 2016
Mileage
67,000 mi
Steering
Filed Mar 30, 2016

I JUST REACHED 70K MILES. NOW I HAVE A MAJOR FRONT END SHAKE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. (DODGE DEATH WOBBLE)

NHTSA ID
10852432
Incident
Mar 24, 2016
Mileage
70,000 mi
Other / unspecifiedSteeringSuspension
Filed Feb 21, 2016

DODGE RAM 2008 QUAD CAB 1500 SERIES. AT THE TIME I CALLED INTO DODGE I HAD ROUGHLY 60 THOUSAND MILES ON MY TRUCK. I CONTACTED DODGE IN 2014 AND THEY TOLD ME ALTHOUGH THAT WAS THE MODEL AND SERIES THAT WAS PART OF A RECALL THAT MY PARTICULAR VIN WAS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR A RECALL . THE PROBLEMS I HAD ENDURED WERE SWAYING OF THE TRUCK ALMOST TO THE EXTENT WHERE THE TIRE FELT LIKE IT WAS WOBBLING AND THE TRUCK SHAKING WHEN I EXCELLERATED OVER 50 MPHS . IT WAS AT THAT TIME WHEN I TOOK A ROAD TRIP FOR MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND 2014 WHEN THIS STARTED GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE AND I PRETTY MUCH HAD TO DRIVE 40 MILES AN HOUR THE I75 FREEWAY BECAUSE THE CAR FELT LIKE IT WAS GOING TO FLIP OVER WHEN I WAS EXCELLERATING. IT WAS RIGHT THERE AFTER THAT I CONTACTED DODGE TO MAKE A COMPLAINT AND THEY TOLD ME ALTHOUGH I HAD THE YEAR AND MAKE OF THE RAM BUT MY PARTICULAR VIN WAS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR ANY RECALL. SO THERE AFTER I HAD TO REPLACE MY TIE RODS AND THE SWAY BAR AT MY OWN EXPENSE AND ALSO REPLACE MY TIRES NOT TOO LONG AFTER THAT WHICH WERE NEW FROM THE DEALER WHEN I BOUGHT IT USED IN 2011. MY BIGGEST FEAR WAS THE VEHICLE THAT WAS THE SAFEST OF THE 2 MY FAMILY OWNS WAS NOW A RISK TO MY CHILDREN,MY SPOUSE AND I. I ALSO HAD FELLOW VACATIONERS IN THE VEHICLE WITH ME WHICH WITNESSED THE VEHICLE SHAKING OBSESSIVELY WHEN WE WERE ACCELERATING.

NHTSA ID
10837346
Incident
May 30, 2014
Mileage
65 mi
Steering
Filed Dec 31, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE TIE ROD FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE TIE ROD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V005000 (STEERING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIE ROD WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,072....UPDATED 02/02/16 *BF *TR

NHTSA ID
10817183
Incident
Nov 24, 2009
Mileage
38,072 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .