2008 Dodge Ram 2500 Owner Complaints

driving down the highway at 70 mph and the drivers door came opened it was caused by a faulty door lock actuator

NHTSA ID

11630223

Incident

Dec 11, 2024

I want to apologize for the lengthy description but I feel this is quite possibly the most critical area to not be vague in. **This problem occurs every time, NOT an intermittent condition.** REAR SEAT/CENTER SEAT BELT RETRACTOR; will not extend out from the retractor. The belt is locked in the fully retracted (unoccupied) position. The vehicle can be on a flat surface, an incline, or a declined position when this occurs. There's nothing obstructing any part of the belt and retractor. In order to use that position/seat belt, I must repeatedly (sometimes in excess of 20 times) pull the belt in different rates of speed ie. pull the belt very slowly, pull it normally, pull it very fast by basically snatching the belt. I've even tried to help the belt further retract into the retractor by slowly feeding the belt rearward. There's no 1 action that seems to work better than the other. Furthermore, at times, the belt (once able to be used) will not hold its position to keep the occupant from moving forward in a panic stop or even by snatching the belt to check its operation. The buckle does function as designed so this problem is strictly related to the shoulder belt not keeping the occupant secure. Apon visual inspection, there are no noted frays, stains, foreign objects, or signs of attempted (prior) repairs. I also want to note that I am an ASE certified Master Mechanic so I am well versed on the operation, diagnosis and replacement of seat belts/retractors/sinchers buckets etc. I'm asking for assistance by any information you can share with me to remedy this issue. This is my "daily driver" routinely using the back seat for my children. I don't want to replace it with a used part because I believe this is a common issue for this platform vehicle. Thank you for your time and assistance!

NHTSA ID

11526379

Incident

Jun 10, 2023

The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact stated while driving various speeds, he started to smell exhaust fumes inside the cabin of the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 162,000.

NHTSA ID

11508674

Incident

Oct 1, 2022

Mileage

162,000 mi

during cold weather - when outside temp is below 30 degrees the wipers will not work. When outside temp is above 30 degrees wipers work. During a snow storm, driving home the wipers stop working and windshield freezes up. I replaced the multifunction switch and the wiper motor and dealer stated that the totally integrated power module could be bad. there is so many complaints about others having this issue. This is a major safety issue. Something needs to be done before someone is killed.

NHTSA ID

11450753

Incident

Feb 4, 2022

While driving the vehicle suddenly lost engine power and turned off. When this happened the steering column locked. It did not just loose power steering. The column itself entirely locked up. At this point the vehicle had no steering and limited breaking and went off the road. Thankfully it just went into a ditch and no damage was done. The vehicle turned right back on. The next day I recreated the problem on some friends property. I gave the keys in the ignition a small tug and the engine would stop and the steering column would lock. The ignition never rotated out of the on position and the key remained in the ignition. I recreated this probably 5 times and it did the same thing every time. I then brought it to the dealer but they didn't have the parts to repair it so I didn't have them look at it. I had to use the vehicle sooner then they could repair it to pull a camper about 1200 miles. I diagnosed the problem to be the ignition switch. I replaced the switch myself and the vehicle has not had the same problem since. I have given the keys in the ignition the same kind of tug and it is no longer a problem. I do have the switch available for inspection. I personally can totally understand the engine turning off due to an ignition switch failure but I believe the actual steering column locking is unacceptable.

NHTSA ID

11446616

Incident

Nov 10, 2021

The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Ram 2500. The contact stated while exiting out of the garage, the windshield defroster was activated and there was a loud clicking sound coming from the HVAC system. The contact stated that the HVAC system failed to switch over to the air vents. The contact inspected the vehicle and became aware that the defroster actuator was cracked inside in the vents causing the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 109,000.

NHTSA ID

11439888

Incident

Nov 4, 2021

Mileage

109,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 4 MPH, HE HEARD AN ABNORMAL SOUND COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE ATTEMPTED TO STEER TO THE VEHICLE TO THE RIGHT HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROADWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT CALLED COLORADO SPRINGS DODGE (7455 AUSTIN BLUFFS PKWY, COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80923, (719)475-8550) AND THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V529000 (STEERING) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 289,000.

NHTSA ID

11413495

Incident

Apr 14, 2021

Mileage

289,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING ON I405 IN WASHINGTON STATE TRAVELING SOUTHBOUND WHEN I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM MY ENGINE COMPARTMENT...I PULLED OVER POPPED THE HOOD AND TOOK A QUICK LOOK.. I NOTICED FLAMES ON THE LOWER PORTION OF THE MOTOR ALMOST BEHIND THE FIREWALL...CALLED 911...

NHTSA ID

11361537

Incident

Sep 22, 2020

Mileage

180,000 mi

THE BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON THEMSELVES WHEN THE TRUCK IS COMPLETELY OFF. IT'S INTERMITTENT HOWEVER IT DOES IT FREQUENTLY ENOUGH TO DRAIN THE BATTERY. THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AS WELL HOWEVER IT DOES NOT PROVIDE A CODE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE ISSUE.

NHTSA ID

11317739

Incident

Feb 26, 2020

Mileage

75,000 mi

BRAKE LIGHT AND TURN SIGNALS DO NOT WORK EVEN AFTER REPLACING BULBS, BULB SOCKETS AND MULTIFUNCTION TURN SIGNAL SWITCH

NHTSA ID

11310511

Incident

Dec 10, 2019

Mileage

188,000 mi

WIPER ASSEMBLY CAME APART AT 55 MILES AN HOUR ON THE HIGHWAY IN THE RAIN ALMOST WRECKED MY VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID

11306364

Incident

Dec 23, 2019

Mileage

67,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM 2500. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED, LOST POWER, FAILED TO ACCELERATE, AND STALLED. ALSO, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND FAILED TO RESTART. THE CONTACT STATED THAT CODE: P1451 APPEARED. THE FAILURE RECURRED FIVE TIMES AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO SMOLICH MOTORS (1865 NE HWY 20, BEND, OR 97701, (541) 389-1177). THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER TRACKED SOOT FROM THE EXHAUST AND THE LOWER PARTICULATE EMISSION SYSTEM FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. A MONTH LATER, THE TURBO SYSTEM FAILED AND WAS REPAIRED BY A DIESEL INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 151,000.

NHTSA ID

11270262

Incident

Oct 3, 2019

Mileage

151,000 mi

TRANSMISSION BURNED UP AND CAUSED THE TRUCK TO CATCH FIRE DUE TO IMPROPER DIPSTICK FIT. FLUID SPEWED ONTO THE TURBO AND STARTED FIRE. BURNT STUFF UP PRETTY BAD.

NHTSA ID

11222938

Incident

Jun 2, 2015

Mileage

162,000 mi

DEATH WOBBLES: I HAVE REPLACED UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS WITH PROBLEM SOLVERS. REPLACED THE TIE RODS AND ENDS. REPLACED THE STABILIZER SHOCK, REPLACED THE TRACK BAR RUBBER BUSHINGS, REPLACED THE OTTER UNIVERSAL JOINTS ON THE AAM 9.50 14 BOLT ELECTRIC HUBS. NEW SHOCKS ALL AROUND. DROVE TO SALT LAKE CITY AND THE DEATH WOBBLES CAME BACK HAVE TO PULL OFF THE HWY AND COME TO A STOP WHILE IT IS SHAKING THE TRUCK APART. 15 TIMES FROM IDAHO.. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEM THE STEERING BOX HAS PROBLEMS AND IT IS NOT LISTED UNDER ANY RECALLS. NEW ALIGNMENT ALSO. NEW TRANSMISSION, AT 163,000 BOILED OVER ONTO THE TURBO, THE DIPSTICK NEVER FIT IN THE TUBE AND FLUID CAUSED THE TRUCK TO CATCH FIRE. 3 YEARS AGO.

NHTSA ID

11222935

Incident

Jun 27, 2019

Mileage

163,000 mi

THE BRACKET THAT HOLD THE BREAK LINE TO THE REAR END (AXLE) HAD RUBBED THE METAL BREAK LINE UNTIL IT WORE THROUGH THE LINE AND THEN SPLIT CAUSING BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK OUT (FAST). I NOTICED MY BREAK PEDDLE START GOING TO THE FLOOR, I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN I PUSHED THE BREAK PEDDLE TO SLOW DOWN BECAUSE THERE WAS A SPEED ZONE AHEAD, THE BREAK PEDDLE WENT TO THE FLOOR. THAT'S WHEN THE E BREAK WARNING LIGHT CAME ON NOTIFYING ME THAT MY BREAK FLUID WAS LOW OR EMPTY. I HAVE A MANUAL TRANSMISSION SO I WAS ABLE TO SHIFT DOWN TO SLOW DOWN, EVEN THOUGH I WAS STILL TRYING TO USE MY BRAKES THE PEDDLE WOULD TO THE FLOOR, STOPPING WAS 90% GONE, I HAD TO USE MY E BRAKE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP.. WHEN I STOP THE VEHICLE THAT'S WHEN I LOOKED UNDERNEATH THE TRUCK AND NOTICED A LARGE PUDDLE OF BREAK FLUID, I COULD ALSO SEE A STREAM OF FLUID WHERE I PULLED IN AT. SO IT WAS SPRAYING OUT WHEN I WAS USING THE BREAKS TO SLOW DOWN AND STOP. WHEN I GOT HOME I LOOKED WHERE TRUCK IS ALWAYS PARKED THERE NO FLUID HAD BEEN LEAKED THERE. BETWEEN MY HOME AND THE 36 MILES TO TOWN IT HAD THE BRACKET HAD RUBBED THROUGH AND SPLIT THE BREAK LINE. MY MECHANIC STATED THAT THE BRACKET HAD BEEN RUBBING THE BRAKE LINE FOR A WHILE TO SPLIT OPEN LIKE THAT. I HAD TO REPLACE THE METAL BRAKE LINE THAT WENT TO THE REAR PASSENGER BRAKE. NOW I'M WORRIED THAT THIS MIGHT HAPPENED TO MY OTHER BRAKE LINES. IT NEVER STATES THAT I'M TO CHECK FOR WEARING ON METAL LINES. NOTHING AFTER MARKET HAS BEEN DONE TO THIS VEHICLE IT'S 100% STOCK AS IT WAS WHEN BOUGHT FROM THE DEALERSHIP. TO ME THIS A SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT COULD HAVE LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT WHICH COULD KILL OR HURT A PERSON/PEOPLE. THIS IS A FACTORY DEFAULT AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY! A SIMPLE RUBBER PROTECT PIECE NEEDS TO BE PLACE ON THE BRACKET AND/OR LINE TO PROTECT THIS FROM HAPPENING AGAIN!!

NHTSA ID

11184699

Incident

Mar 4, 2019

Mileage

76,890 mi

STEERING DEATH WOBBLE CAN CONTROL STEERING MOTOR BROKE PISTON CONNECTION ROD BECAUSE EXHAUST MANIFOLD WORKS OR DOES SOMETHING BREAK BOLTS IN BEAD CAUSING TICK THEN VALVE SEAT DROP SO VALVE DROP TO PISTON PISTION HIT VALVE BROKE CONNECTION ROD NOW DODGE WANTS $ 5,000 TO FIX WHAT I HAD NO CONTROL OVER IT BREAKING ON MANY TRUCKS AND DIDNT FIX SO THERE WANTING ME TO FIX THERE MESSED UP FAULTY PARTS THEN EVERYTHING IT MESSED UP TO I AIN'T GOT 500 TO SPEND EXTRA LET ALONE $5,000 MINIMUM FOR DODGE MAINIFOLD BREAKING AND MESSING UP MY WHOLEOTOR I DEMAND HELP MY TRUCK AIN'T 10 YEARS OLD THIS IS NOT ON RECALL LIST BUT KEEPS HAPPENING TO A DODGE TRUCKS I HAVE 2008 RAM 2500 3X4 CREW CAB HAVE ALL MY MANITINECE RECIPETS I WANT I DEMAND HELP FOR THIS FAULTY PART LUCKLY VEHICLE AND KILLED SOMEONE WE SPENT A LOT OF MONEY FOR TRUCK I WANT HELP FIXING IT NOW

NHTSA ID

11183321

Incident

Feb 20, 2019

Mileage

170,000 mi

MY VEHICLE HAS REPEATEDLY EXPERIENCED SEVERE SHAKING OF THE FRONT END WHILE TRAVELING AT SPEEDS OF 65 TO 70 MPH AFTER HITTING A BUMP SUCH AS THE TRANSITION OF A BRIDGE APPROACH SLAB. I HAVE HAD THE RECALL CHECK OF THE TIE-ROD, AND HAVE EVEN TRIED A BEEFIER TIE ROD WITH BRACING. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THE VIOLENT SHAKING IS TO SLOW TO LESS THAN 40 MPH. I KNOW THIS HAS BEEN A REPEATED EXPERIENCE OF DODGE RAM DRIVERS BASED ON FORUM DISCUSSIONS. I HAVE HAD 2 SETS OF BALL JOINTS REPLACED AS A RESULT OF THE VIOLENT SHAKING. THIS LAST TIME THIS OCCURRED, I WAS WITH MY WIFE TRAVELING TO THE COAST. THE SHAKING WAS SO SEVERE, WE NEARLY HIT A GUARD RAIL. I CAN'T HARDLY BELIEVE THAT DODGE HAS DESIGNED SUCH A FATAL FLAW INTO A VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID

11152639

Incident

Nov 17, 2018

Mileage

79,000 mi

COLD AIR BLOWING FROM DRIVER SIDE ONLY, WHILE PASSENGER SIDE BLOWING WARM WHEN SET ON HEATER MODE. :( PROBLEM STILL HAPPENING , MOST DISSAPOINTING AS I JUST BOUGHT THIS USED VEHICLE, AND WE'RE BEGINNING WINTER WEATHER.

NHTSA ID

11151215

Incident

Nov 12, 2018

Mileage

115,000 mi

I WAS GOING 65 MILES PER HOUR ON THE FREEWAY WHEN MY TRUCK VIOLENTLY SHAKE BACK AND FORTH SO HARD I HAD TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP TO GET IT TO STOP. I'VE HAD THE FRONT SUSPENSION REPLACED 3 TIMES IN THE PAST YEAR AND STILL HAVE WHAT THEY CALL A DEATH WOBBLE. I HAVE SPENT SO MUCH MONEY ON RENTALS AND ON SHOP REPAIRS TRYING TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM AND STILL CANNOT GO OVER 40 MILES AN HOUR WITHOUT IT VIOLENTLY SHAKING. THIS IS DANGEROUS TO MY FAMILY IT COULD KILL SOMEBODY AND I THINK DODGE SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR TAKING ACTION ON REPAIRING THIS OR FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM . I HAVE CALLED DODGE AND THEY HAVE TOLD ME IT IS NOT A RECALL SO THEY CANNOT HELP ME OUT. I HAD BOUGHT BRAND NEW TIRES A BRAND NEW DRIVE LINE ALONG WITH REPLACING THE FRONT SUSPENSION 3 TIMES NOW AND I STILL CANNOT DRIVE MY TRUCK WITHOUT IT CAUSING VIOLENT SHAKING. IT HAS 87,000 MILES ON IT HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT SO I CANNOT FIGURE OUT WHY THIS STARTED HAPPENING BUT I THINK THAT IT SHOULD NOT BE OKAY TO HAVE THIS TRUCK ON THE ROAD IT'S GOING TO HURT SOMEBODY.I HAVE ONLY DRIVEN A COUPLE OF TIMES AND SPENT ALOT ON RENTALS .I WILL NEVER IN MY LIFE BUY ANOTHER DODGE DUE TO LACK OF CONCERN FOR MY FAMILY'S SAFTEY.I OWN THIS VEHICLE OUTRIGHT AND WISH I WOULD HAVE NEVER BOUGHT IT.THATS HOW SCARY IT IS TO DRIVE.

NHTSA ID

11139320

Incident

Aug 22, 2017

Mileage

87,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AUTONATION CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP SOUTHWEST (7980 W TUFTS AVE, LITTLETON, CO 80123) TO BE REPAIRED PER AN UNKNOWN RECALL REGARDING THE AIR BAGS. THE CONTACT EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND BELIEVED THAT THE AIR BAGS WERE NOT REPLACED. THE VIN WAS RESEARCHED ON SAFERCAR.GOV, BUT NO OPEN RECALLS WERE FOUND. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 181,086.

NHTSA ID

11099197

Incident

May 25, 2018

Mileage

181,086 mi

I HAD THE TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL COMPLETED AT THE LOCAL DODGE DEALERSHIP (AUTO NATION, CHRYSLER, DODGE, JEEP, RAM SOUTHWEST, 7980 W. TUFTS AVE., LITTLETON, CO 80123), AND I CAN TELL THAT MY AIRBAGS WERE NOT REPLACED. THEY APPEAR TO HAVE BEEN WIPED DOWN, AS THERE IS DIRT IN PATTERNS OF THE TEXTURE AND CRACKS. A NEW AIRBAG WOULD NOT BE DIRTY. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED, AS THE PAPERWORK THAT I RECEIVED AFTER PICKING UP MY TRUCK FROM THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT THE DODGE DEALERSHIP SAYS THAT THE AIRBAGS WERE REPLACED. I WILL INCLUDE PHOTOS WITH THIS REPORT. THE AIRBAG RECALLS WERE PERFORMED ON 05/25/2018, AND TODAYS DATE IS 05/31/2018. THE DIRT ACCUMULATED IN THE CREASES OF THE AIRBAGS, AND WITHIN THE TEXTURE OF THE AIRBAGS, IS NOT INDICATIVE OF SIX TO SEVEN DAYS WORTH OF DUST ACCUMULATION. UPON FIRST GLANCE WHEN PICKING UP THE TRUCK THE AIRBAGS LOOKED CLEAN; HOWEVER, AFTER CLOSE INSPECTION, TODAY, IT IS EVIDENT THAT THEY WERE NOT REPLACED. THE INVOICE FROM THE DODGE DEALERSHIP INDICATES 1 PART ISSUED FOR THE DRIVER AIRBAG AND 1 PART ISSUED FOR THE PASSENGER AIRBAG, INDICATING THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED. PLEASE NOTE THAT A THIRD RECALL WAS ADDRESSED, WHICH WAS THE REPLACEMENT OF THE STEERING LINKAGE, WHICH IS CLEARLY A NEW PART ON MY TRUCK. THE ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE OCCURRED AT THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT, WHEN PARTS WERE TO BE REPLACED PER A SAFETY RECALL, BUT WERE NOT REPLACED.

NHTSA ID

11099087

Incident

May 25, 2018

Mileage

181,086 mi

THE STEERING WHEEL IS SUDDENLY VERY LOOSE AND THERE IS A CLUNK UNDER THE DRIVER'S SIDE WHEN I TURN THE WHEEL FROM RIGHT TO LEFT. THIS ISSUE CAME OUT OF NOWHERE. I DO NOT DRIVE THE TRUCK OFTEN AND I DID NOT NOTICE ANY INCIDENCE OF NOTE; THERE WAS NO TIME WHEN I NOTICED A SUDDEN BUMP OR CLUNK IN THE STEERING WHEEL. IT CAME ON GRADUALLY, BUT RAPIDLY. THESE SYMPTOMS SEEM TO ALIGN WITH A PRIOR RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE CONCERNING THE LEFT TIE ROD BALL STUD, WHICH CAN FRACTURE AT LOW SPEEDS WITHOUT NOTICE, RAPIDLY BECOMING DANGEROUS FOR THE OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE AS THE STEERING WHEEL CAN BECOME INOPERABLE.

NHTSA ID

11096491

Incident

May 13, 2018

Mileage

152,000 mi

TAKATA RECALL RECEIVED NOTICE, CALLED DEALER . THEY SAID THEY DIDN'T HAVE PARTS AND WOULD CALL WHEN THEY GOT THEM. HAVEN'T CALLED YET!

NHTSA ID

11089598

Incident

Jan 1, 2018

"TAKATA RECALL", MOUNTAIN HOME ARKANSAS ULTIMATE CHRYSLER TOLD ME THEY COULD DO THE RECALL BUT IF THEY BUSTED MY DASH THEY HAD NO ACCESS TO A REPLACEMENT.

NHTSA ID

11072769

Incident

Jul 10, 2017

WIPERS STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY IN A SNOW STORM.

NHTSA ID

11067223

Incident

Feb 5, 2018

Mileage

236,000 mi