2008 Dodge Ram 2500 Electrical Problems

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

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 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

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

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

NHTSA ID

11067223

Incident

Feb 5, 2018

Mileage

236,000 mi

ELECTRICAL FIRE IN DASH. MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING AND SMELT SOMETHING BURNING. AS HE WENT TO PULL OVER FLAMES STARTED SHOOTING OUT THE VENTS. TRUCK IS A TOTAL LOSS PER INSURANCE.

NHTSA ID

11000094

Incident

Jun 13, 2017

Mileage

119,000 mi

THE 08 DODGE RAM WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN THE FUSE BOX UNDER THE HOOD CAUGHT FIRE CAUSING THE DODGE TO LOOSE ALL POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT SAFELTY TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD THANK GOODNESS AND GET ALL ITS PASSENGERS OUT. THE WINDOWS WOULD NOT ROLL UP NOR WOULD THE ENGINE START AFTERWARDS. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED,. BOTH OTHER TWO TIMES IT HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING AND WE PAID $1000 TO REPLACE THE FUSE BOX. IT HAPPENS ONCE EVERY YEAR. HIGHWAY AND INTERSTATE. MY HUSBAND TOOK THE FUSE BOX APART AND YOU CAN SEE WHERE IT CAUGHT FIRE. I FOUND THE FOLLOWING LINK OF OTHERS REPORTING THE PROBLEM TO THE NEWS WHICH MAY BE OUR PROBLEM. HTTP://KDVR.COM/2017/02/05/FIRE-UNDER-THE-HOOD-DEFECTIVE-HEAVY-DUTY-RAM-TRUCK-ALTERNATORS/

NHTSA ID

10979009

Incident

Apr 15, 2017

Mileage

200,000 mi

BOTH AXLE JOINTS BAD. ALL FOUR TIE RODS HAVE "PLAY" IN THEM. BALL JOINTS ARE WORN OUT. HAD RIGHT SIDE TIE ROD END POP OUT WHILE TRAVELING DOWN HIGHWAY. 2015 ROTORS ARE HEAT CRACKED. PRESENTLY HEADLIGHTS ARE BURNING OUT AFTER ONE MONTH REPLACEMENT. PRESENTLY CONTROL PANEL LED LIGHTS FOR HEATING ARE OUT. 2009

NHTSA ID

10916736

Incident

Oct 15, 2016

WHEN I TURN ON THE LEFT BLINKER,THE RIGHT ONE FLASHES ON MY TRUCK. THEN I TURN ON RIGHT BLINKER AND THE LEFT BLINKER FLASHES. ALSO THE WIPERS WILL SOMETIMES STOP OR SLOW DOWN WHEN I HAVE MY BLINKERS ON. THIS IS GONNA CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THANK YOU *TR

NHTSA ID

10905582

Incident

Apr 15, 2016

Mileage

82,549 mi

THE AIR CONDITIONER/HEATER BLOWER IN MY TRUCK HAS BEEN WORKING INTERMITTENTLY, BUT GETTING WORSE TO THE POINT THAT IT RARELY WORKS NOW. I TOOK IT TO A SHOP A FEW WEEKS AGO, BUT THE SYSTEM HAPPENED TO WORK THAT DAY AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY ISSUES. HOWEVER, I DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND THERE ARE MANY OTHER OWNERS HAVING THIS PROBLEM. THE CAUSE IS A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH/WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR WHICH ACTUALLY MELTS FROM THE HEAT CAUSED BY IMPROPER WIRE GAUGE/DESIGN. THIS INFORMATION CAN BE READILY FOUND ON DODGE TRUCK FORUMS BY DOING A GOOGLE SEARCH. THERE WAS A PREVIOUS RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE ON EARLIER MODEL YEARS (SAFETY RECALL #875 ACCORDING TO ONE SITE) BUT NONE THAT I COULD FIND FOR MY MODEL YEAR. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED BY FROST OR FOGGING OF THE WINDSHIELD SINCE THE WINDSHIELD DEFROSTER WILL NOT WORK. MOREOVER, FAILURE OF THE VEHICLE'S HEATER COULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE IN VERY COLD WEATHER--ESPECIALLY IN REMOTE LOCATIONS. IT MAY ALSO BE POSSIBLE FOR THE OVERHEATED/MELTED CONNECTORS/COMPONENTS TO CAUSE A FIRE OR TO MANIFEST OTHER FAILURES ASSOCIATED WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH (UNCOMMANDED ENGINE CUTOFF, ETC.). THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR INVESTIGATING THIS ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10809199

Incident

Dec 1, 2015

Mileage

125,000 mi

TIPM (TOTAL INTEGRATED POWER MODULE) FAILED WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE. VEHICLE LOST ENGINE POWER, POWER STEERING, AND BRAKES. -TON TRUCKS ARE VERY HEAVY AND ARE NEAR IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN AND CONTROL WITHOUT POWER STEERING AND DO NOT STOP WITHOUT POWER BRAKES. I WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH MINIMAL DAMAGE TO THE BODY. I WAS LUCKY TO NOT CAUSE A BIGGER ACCIDENT AND LUCKY NOT TO INJURE MYSELF OR ANYBODY ELSE. THIS TIPM FAILURE IS VERY COMMON WITH DODGE VEHICLES AND I AM DISGUSTED HOW CHRYSLER-DODGE HAS CONDUCTED THEMSELVES IN REGARD TO RECALLS AND WARRANTY. HAD I BEEN TOWING A TRAILER ON THE HIGHWAY I WOULD HAVE CERTAINLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. I FEAR THIS TIPM FAILURE WILL RESULT IN LOSS OF LIFE IF IT HASN'T SO ALREADY.

NHTSA ID

10750198

Incident

Aug 17, 2015

Mileage

138,000 mi

THE HVAC BLEND DOORS WHERE THEY INTERFACE WITH THE ACTUATOR MOTOR ARE BROKEN. THE PLASTIC WAS TOO THIN FOR THE STRENGTH OF THE MOTOR AND SHEARED OFF. MY WINDSHIELD FROSTED UP VERY QUICKLY WITH THE HUMIDITY IN THE CABIN. *TR

NHTSA ID

10574862

Incident

Dec 18, 2013

Mileage

110,000 mi

TURN SIGNALS HAD BEEN OPERATING ERRATICALLY FOR ABOUT 10K MILES. MISTY DAY, TURNED WIPER SWITCH ON TO INTERMITTENT, NOTHING. MOVED SWITCH TO CONTINUOUS, NOTHING. PUSHED WASHER BUTTON, NOTHING. HAD 'SMART SWITCH' CHANGED. WIPERS AND WASHERS WORKED IMMEDIATELY AFTER DELIVERY. LESS THAN 1 WEEK AND LESS THAN 1,000 MILES LATER, NO WIPERS. ORIGINAL AND REPLACEMENT SWITCHES WERE OE PARTS. CAN LIVE WITHOUT THE TURN SIGNALS. DANGEROUS TO OPERATE IN ANYTHING BUT SUNNY DAYS WITHOUT WIPERS AND WASHERS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10491525

Incident

Dec 19, 2012

Mileage

56,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND ABOUT 10PM IT WAS RAINING HAD WIPERS ON IN MEDIUM SPEED WIPERS KEPT STOPPING. HAD A LOT OF CARS PASSING BY ME ON COMING LANE AND THEY WOULD FLASH THEIR LIGHTS TO ME TO INDICATE MY LIGHT WAS OFF BUT THE SWITCH IS TURN ON IN LOW BEAM POSITION. HAD SOME FRIENDS FOLLOWING ME THAT DAY AS WELL AND THEY TOLD ME THAT MY BRAKE LIGHT WAS NOT WORKING NOR MY LIGHTS.. THE FOLLOWING WEDNESDAY WHICH WOULD BE JULY 25 2012 I TOOK MY TRUCK TO THE DEALERSHIP I BOUGHT FROM ,BUT ALL THE LIGHTS WORK EXCEPT FOR THE CARGO LIGHT AND THE LOW WINDSHIELD WIPER WARNING KEPT COMING ON.. THE TRUCK HAS BEEN IN THERE FOR A WEEK NOW AND ON WEDNESDAY AUGUST 1 2012 I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TO SEE WHAT IS WRONG WITH MY TRUCK AND THE SAID THE TIPM HAS BEEN FRIED AND ALL THE HEADLIGHTS, BRAKE LIGHTS, TURN SIGNALS AND WIPERS DOES NOT WORK ANY MORE THEY HAVE TO REPLACE THE TIPM. I ONLY HAD THE TRUCK FOR ONE WEEK AND THIS WENT OUT ALREADY. IT'S NOT GOOD DODGE OR CHRYSLER SHOULD COME UP WITH SOMETHING ELSE SO ALL THE SAFETY THINGS DON'T FAIL ALL AT ONCE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10469015

Incident

Jul 20, 2012

Mileage

75,560 mi

I PURCHASED A NEW DODGE RAM 2500 PICK-UP IN MARCH 2008. WITHIN 5 WEEKS, VEHICLE STARTED OPERATING POORLY. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON, TRUCK WOULD LOSE POWER, HEAVY BLACK SMOKE FROM EXHAUST. TRUCK WAS BROUGHT BACK TO DEALERSHIP EIGHT TIMES IN FIRST SIX MONTHS. DODGE STATED THEY COULD FIND NO PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE. PROBLEMS CONTINUES AND ESCALATED. TRUCK CONTINUES TO OPERATE ERRATICALLY. IT HAS COME TO THE POINT THE VEHICLE LOSES ALL POWER AND JUST SHUTS DOWN WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS HAS OCCURRED SIX TIMES BETWEEN NOVEMBER 2009 AND DECEMBER 2010. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE! THE TRUCK HAS LOST POWER AND STOPPED ON THE IHA AND I NARROWLY MISSED BEING HIT BY TRACTOR TRAILERS. DODGE STILL REFUSED TO TAKE THIS VEHICLE BACK OR EVEN ACKNOWLEDGE THERE IS A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM!! NEED YOUR HELP TO GET DODGE TO DO SOMETHING TO INVESTIGATE AND CORRECT PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE IS HURT OR KILLED. *TR UPDATED IVOQ 12/06/11

NHTSA ID

10373509

Incident

Apr 1, 2008

Mileage

39,461 mi