Owner-reported complaints naming the engine system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2008 Dodge Ram 2500 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 38 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.
The 25 most recent of 38, in the owner's own words
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.
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...
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.
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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE ENGINE, THE VEHICLE WAS BACK TO NORMAL. THE FAILURE REOCCURRED SEVERAL OTHER TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER CARL BURGER CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM WORLD LOCATED AT 8355 HERCULES ST, LA MESA, CA 91942; PHONE NUMBER: (619) 485-1485 WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TURBO CHARGER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AT 800-992-1997. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THE CONTACT WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. A CASE NUMBER WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,882. *BF CONSUMER HAD THE TRUBO REPLACED. *JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, A STRONG BURNING ODOR OF COOLANT EMITTED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE INCREASED RAPIDLY AS THE ENGINE OVERHEATED. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE COOLANT WAS DISPENSED INTO THE RESERVOIR. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE HEAD GASKET WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 166,577. UPDATED 02/10/16*LJ *CN
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR WAS INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS UNTIL THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR WAS CONSISTENTLY ILLUMINATED EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V313000 (AIR BAGS), HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
DIESEL EXHAUST POURS INTO MY CAB IF I TURN THE AIR CONDITIONING ON. DODGE DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM.
WHILE ON VACATION IN WV, I BEGAN HAVING STEERING ISSUE WHERE THE TRUCK WOULD DRIFT LEFT AND THERE BECAME AN OVERABUNDANCE OF PLAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL. SINCE THEN IT HAS BECOME DIFFICULT TO DRIVE. I REPEATEDLY TOOK THE TRUCK TO MY LOCAL DEALER AND CALLED BUT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON MY TRUCK. THERE ARE RECALLS ON RAM 1500 MEGACABS AND RAM 2500;S BUT NOT ON A RAM 2500 MEGACAB???? I HAVE HAD MY SUSPENSION REPLACED, MY STEERING LOOKED AT SIX TIME AT A LOCAL SHOP AND IT IS STILL NOT DRIVING AS IT SHOULD. MY ENGINE COMPARTMENT LINER IS ALSO BURNED WHERE A METAL HOSE HAS COME IN CONTACT WITH IT AND MELTED THROUGH IT. THIS IS PLAIN TO SEE WHEN THE HOOD IS UP AND YET MY TRUCK IS NOT PART OF ANY RECALL FOR THIS EITHER. SINCE MY TRUCK IS NOT LISTED ON ANY OF THE RECALLS, AM I ELIGIBLE FOR THE BUYBACK?
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM 2500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE OXYGEN SENSORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,674.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT SILENCER FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V641000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE MORE THAN 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
SUBMISSION FROM CONSTITUENTS RE 2008 DODGE RAM 2500 PICK UP TRUCK RECALL NOTICE. (FULL DOCUMENT NOT IMAGED). *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED, HE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE TRUCK FOR SEVERAL YEARS. WHENEVER HE WENT OUT OF TOWN, THE VEHICLE WOULD SEVERELY VIBRATE. THE PROBLEMS INCLUDED, THE TIE RODS AND FRONT END ISSUES. FINALLY, THE PROBLEM WAS IDENTIFIED IN A RECALL LETTER, HE RECEIVED. ALSO, THE EGR HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $ 950.
PURCHASED OUR TRUCK IN JUNE OF 2010 FROM A LOCAL DODGE DEALER. THE TRUCK ONLY HAD 23K AND SEEMED TO RUN OKAY BESIDES GETTING CRAP GAS MILEAGE. IN LATE OCTOBER 2011 THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON BUT WHEN WE STARTED IT UP THE NEXT MORNING THE LIGHT WAS NO LONGER ILLUMINATED.THE LIGHT STAYED OFF FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS BUT THEN THE VEHICLE STARTED RUNNING POORLY. IT WOULD RANDOMLY LOSE POWER WHEN BEGINNING TO ACCELERATE AND MAKE A SOUND ALMOST LIKE A BACKFIRE. THE FIRST COUPLE OF TIMES IT BEGAN TO PICK UP SPEED AFTER THE INITIAL HESITATION BUT SHORTLY AFTER THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND IT WOULDN'T GO ABOVE 10MPH. WE PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURN IT OFF. WHEN THE TRUCK WAS RESTARTED THE LIGHT WENT OFF AND IT RAN NORMALLY AGAIN. THE TRUCK WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP THE FOLLOWING DAY AND WE WERE TOLD THAT EVEN THOUGH OUR TRUCK HAD LESS THAN 40K MILES ON IT, THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED TWO WEEKS PREVIOUSLY AND THEY WOULD NOT COVER THE COST TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR IT!!! WE DID NOT HAVE THE $ TO DO ANYTHING RIGHT THEN SO OUT OF DESPERATION I BEGAN RESEARCHING WHAT COULD POSSIBLY BE CAUSING THE ISSUES WITH HOPES OF FINDING AN INEXPENSIVE FIX THAT WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO DO ON OUR OWN. THIS IS WHEN I LEARNED THAT CHRYSLER HAD ISSUED TWO RECALLS, G30 - REPLACE THE OXYGEN SENSOR MODULE & J35 - REPROGRAM/UPDATE THE ECM. NEITHER OF THESE WERE MENTIONED TO US AT THE DEALERSHIP WHEN WE BROUGHT THE VEHICLE NOR WHEN WE BROUGHT IT IN WITH THESE ISSUES AND WERE TURNED AWAY. I DID FIND OUT THAT THE RE-PROGRAMMING AND UPDATE HAD BEEN COMPLETED ON THE TRUCK 5/24/2010. HOWEVER, I HAVE ALSO SINCE READ ABOUT MANY OWNERS CONTINUING TO HAVE THE SAME ISSUES AFTER THE REQUIRED "FIX" HAD BEEN COMPLETED JUST AS WE HAVE. WE'RE LEFT WITH A TRUCK THAT'S A HAZARD TO DRIVE AND PRAY THAT IT DOESN'T CUT OUT IN FRONT OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC WHILE TRYING TO GET OUT ONTO A ROAD OR EVEN WORSE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE LOOKING UNDER HOOD, THE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,472. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND TO ACCELERATION ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE TURBO WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER A SECOND TIME. THE TECHNICIAN THEN STATED THAT THE PARTICULATOR SYSTEM WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. ADDITIONALLY, THE EXHAUST SYSTEM WAS LEAKING COOLANT. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE EGR SYSTEM WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EXHAUST PIPE OVERHEATED WHICH CAUSED THE BED OF THE TRUCK TO MELT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO FILED A REPORT AND DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65-70 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE CONVERTER DEISEL EXHAUST NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,800.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM 2500 DIESEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND OXYGEN SENSORS WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIRED THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TURBO AND EGR TEMP TUBE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,951 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,000.
I TOOK MY 2008 DODGE 2500 INTO THE DEALER AFTER EXPERIENCING A "POP" SENSATION IN THE FRONT END AT LOW SPEED (5-10MPH). THE DEALER STATED THAT BOTH TIE ROD ENDS WHERE WORN OUT AS WELL AS BOTH UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS. I SPOKE WITH THE MANAGER AS THE TRUCK IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND HE STATED THIS WAS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. I THEN CONTACTED THE CHRYSLER HELP LINE. INITIALLY THEY GAVE THE IMPRESSION THAT THEY MAY BE ABLE TO ASSIST ME WITH THIS PROBLEM. HOWEVER IN A RETURN PHONE CALL, THEY STATED THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING BECAUSE OF THE MILEAGE. OF COURSE I ASKED THEM HOW WAS IT POSSIBLE FOR THE WHOLE FRONT END TO BE SHOT AT 70,000 MILES WHEN IT WAS SUPPOSE TO HAVE A HEAVY DUTY SUSPENSION AS IT IS A DIESEL AND THE TRUCK HAS NEVER HAULED ANY KIND OF WEIGHT OR BEEN OFF ROAD. THE OTHER POINT I MADE WITH THEM WAS THEY KNOW THEY HAVE A PROBLEM BECAUSE IN ORDER TO REPLACE THE TIE ROD ENDS, YOU HAVE TO REPLACE THE WHOLE ASSEMBLY FROM THE TIE ROD ENDS ALL THE WAY TO THE PITTMAN ARM BECAUSE IT WAS REDESIGNED. GO FIGURE! ADDITIONALLY I HAVE HAD THE TURBO CHARGER REPLACED TWICE BECAUSE THE DEALER SAID THE UNIT WAS BAD. MY MAIN CONCERN NOW IS THE STEERING AS IT IS GOING TO COST ME $2500.00 TO CORRECT AND I DO NOT HAVE THAT LAYING AROUND. *TR
WHEN THIS DIESEL TRUCK CLEANS IT"S PARTICULATE FILTER I GET A STRONG FUEL SMELL ODOR IN THE CAB WHEN STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT OR STOP SIGN. THIS CLEANING OF THE D.P.R. FILTER HAPPENS EVERY 100 OR SO MILES DRIVEN AND LAST FOR ABOUT 20 MILES. WHEN THE ODOR OCCURS MY EYES BURN, AND I COUGH ALOT. SO FAR THE DODGE DEALERS ARE UNABLE TO FIX MY PROBLEM. I HAVE TAKEN THE PICK UP TRUCK TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS TRYING TO GET RELIEF FROM THIS PROBLEM. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM 2500 DIESEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WOULD SMELL EXHAUST ENTERING THE CAB OF THE VEHICLE. THE ODOR WAS SO OVERPOWERING THAT IT CAUSED IRRITATION TO THE EYES AND ILLNESS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS MOST PROMINENT WHEN THE HEATER WAS ACTIVATED AND WAS INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 31,000.
2008 DODGE RAM DIESEL CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. CODES SHOWS TURBO PROBLEMS. THEY HAVE REPROGRAMMED COMPUTER, CLEANED THE TURBO TWICE, REPLACED THE TURBO AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. THE TRUCK HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR THIS 3 TIMES. AND TOTAL OF 7 DAYS, AND BACK AGAIN TOMORROW. *KB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE RAM 2500 MEGA CAB. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. A COMPLAINT WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 41,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. UPDATED 4/11/2011 *CNUPDATED UPDATED 04/27/11
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
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.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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